Professor Nathan Davis's Jazzopera: Just Above My Head received its premiere performances by the Pittsburgh Opera Theater on June 9–13. The opera, which is written for soloists, orchestra, gospel choir, and jazz quintet, is based on the novel of the same name by James Baldwin. It presents a unique operatic fusion of jazz, gospel, Western classical music, and modern dance. The performances coincided with the 2004 National Performing Arts Convention in Pittsburgh. Davis also performed in the opera as part of the jazz quintet onstage. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reviewer said of the opera that all its musical “elements were woven wonderfully into the story line, providing tension, tenderness and jubilation.” The music critic from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Reviewcalled the opera “a masterful mix that makes use of harmonic, rhythmic and melodic strengths from both” the orchestra and the jazz quintet.