When TJT films came to Tallahassee while hosting its 40-city audition tour for the upcoming film, “The System Within,” they found a star in the making.
Larry Lee Morris is the chief executive officer of JazzyPHAT Productionz, an employee of the Cove Café and a senior Afr0-American Studies student.
With a passion for the arts, the 23-year-old native of Lake Wales is committed to the task of making his dreams come through.
Morris, known as “Larry Love”, electrified TJT judges with his unique style and assertiveness.
“I came in beat-boxing and free-styling poetry, and they were like ‘we haven’t even started the tape yet’,” Morris said.
Lynn Dorsey, owner of the Cove Café said Morris is perfect for the part.
“He’s a very talented young man who represents the average black male trying to make it in society,” Dorsey said. “He’s funny, poetic, very good with words and he has a flavor that stands out.”
The auditions will be held in New York on Feb. 7 and 8, at the Apollo Theater.
Morris is no stranger to the Apollo. In October 1998, he appeared on Amateur Night at the Apollo as “jazzyPHATnazty”. Morris did a poem entitled “Music” and did not get booed off the stage.
After the Apollo, Morris returned to Tallahassee to produce a poetry reading/variety show called “The Love Shack”.
Kimani Darasaw, 22, a senior business administration student and a friend of Morris, said the “The Love Shack” was one of the best things that happened to Tallahassee.
“Before Larry organized ‘The Love Shack,’ poets didn’t have anywhere to display their talent,” Darasaw said. “So many people appreciated the opportunity to recite their work to an audience. It truly shined the light on unknown talent.”
Although Morris has had some wonderful opportunities, he has not evaded life’s obstacles.
In the fall of 2002, Morris was charged with credit card fraud and he was held without bond at the Leon County Detention Facility.
“I was buying some alcohol for someone, and the credit card they gave me was stolen. I had absolutely no idea,” Morris said. “I was forced to drop out of school for two semesters of stress and discouragement.”
Currently, Morris is fundraising to generate resources for the trip to New York.
He sells items such as original books of poetry, beads, school supplies and a live CD. Morris plans to publish a book describing the events that resulted in his detainment.