A young man’s journey to becoming an aspiring musician and a lover of music began early.

Tommy Cheatham Jr., 18, music major, had many inspirations in his life, beginning with his fourth grade class and years later, he ended up taking music classes at El Camino College.

Never having formal training did not hurt his musical prowess. His talent even intrigued professors from the college.“He was phenomenal,” Suzanne Wong, adjunct instructor in music, said. “He learned how to play Chopin’s Fantasy Impromptu, by ear, which is difficult because you play with different rhythms on each hand.”

Cheatham Jr. “listened” to the track and learned how to play it by ear and showed Wong.

She asked him to slow down the music and figure out the difference between the “3 against 4 technique,” because he didn’t realize how amazing of a thing he was doing.

“The next class,” Wong said. “He perfected it. I was amazed. That (Monday) was the last time I saw him in class.”

That dream and great musical talent was ended, on the night of April 6 when Cheatham Jr. was fatally stabbed in the backyard of his South L.A. home.

Cheatham Jr.’s love for music began when he first played the recorder as part of his class in the fourth grade. The love for music came out after that.

“He heard about all kinds of stuff and really loved music,” his father, Tommy Cheatham Sr., said.

Cheatham Jr. was into a lot of music, chamber music primarily, but after high school he really found a love for the Beatles, his father said.

“He loved them so much,” Cheatham Sr. said. “We’re going to put a Beatles plaque up for him.”

Wong remembers that Cheatham Jr. would always play the piano during the warm-ups in her class and impress the rest of the class, because it was a “beginner’s piano class.”

“He really wanted to be a music major,” Wong said. “But he never had the training and couldn’t read music, so he was learning how.”

Cheatham Jr. had two classes with Wong, Beginning Piano and Music Fundamentals.

“He did very well,” Wong said. “He had an A in both classes.”

His musical talents impressed all who came into contact with him.

Matthew Cruz, 21, audio production major, who met Cheatham Jr. this semester, had no problems honoring him.

“When I first met him, he was chill,” Cruz said. “We had a project together for our class. He always pulled his weight. Never did too much or too little.”

Cruz talked about Cheatham Jr.’s love for piano and his ability.

“There was a piano in the front of the class we had,” Cruz said.

“He always played it in the beginning and he was an amazing musician.”

“We never got the chance to jam out together,” Cruz added. “I pray that his family finds peace.“

An EC student that went to high school with Cheatham Jr. said he had a different attitude once you got the chance to know him.

“Quickwitted,” Nohemy Barrera, 18, English major, said. “He was really funny and really sarcastic.”

She thought he was really nice and “couldn’t believe” that it happened.

Barrera went to high school with Cheatham Jr. from 9th grade until 11th grade after he left.

“In the beginning (at EC) I didn’t see him,” Barrera said. “I saw him at a school play and talked to him after. That was the last time I saw him.”

Everyone that spoke about Cheatham Jr., including his father, aunt, cousin and professor, all had similar thoughts when describing him.

“He was quiet, soft-spoken and had a passion for music,” they said.

Wong remembers that although he was soft-spoken there were times he was different. If he had an interest or question in class, he would speak up.

“Debater,” Janice Cheatham, aunt, said. “That’s what he was, he loved to debate.”
Freddie Cheatham, cousin, talked about the way he saw others.

“He didn’t bother anybody, he didn’t see any bad in people either,“ Freddie said.

Wong asks that anyone who wishes to help Cheatham Jr.’s family with his services.

Donate checks or money or visit the Greater Good News Church of God and Christ on 5840 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90003.

UPDATE: April 27, 11:26 a.m. In the story it is no longer “Nohemy Barrera, student,” but instead “Nohemy Barrera, 18, English Major.”

Grant Hermanns contributed to this story.

Read the social media response to Cheatham’s death.