Social change in America has often progressed slowly and at great cost. Music, and jazz in particular, has often led the way in breaking down racial, gender, economic and age barriers. "The Music Stand: Jazz as a Unifying Social Force," which opens on Thursday, Jan. 27, at Hamilton College's Emerson Gallery, focuses on the positive social role played by jazz as documented in photographs and video. The exhibition is open through April 10.
Photographs by the late bassist Milt Hinton play a prominent role in "The Music Stand" as do images taken by Weegee and the trumpeter Joe Wilder, also an avid photographer. Also included are photos gathered from personal collections of jazz enthusiasts such as John Abbott '81 and video clips from the Hamilton College Jazz Archive. The video selections are drawn from taped interviews conducted with 250 jazz personalities from across the country. These artists speak with passion, conviction and humor about the trials and triumphs they experienced on the bandstand and on the road. The interviews include anecdotes about themselves and others with whom they played. Shots of historic figures such as Louis Armstrong, Lionel Hampton and Benny Goodman are included in the exhibition as well.
"The Music Stand" is a collaboration between the Jazz Archive, the Emerson Gallery, the Department of Music and the Kirkland Project for the Study of Gender, Society and Culture at Hamilton College.
Special events related to this exhibition are made possible by the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs and the Dean of Faculty at Hamilton College and include:
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Opening reception with live jazz music, Thursday, Jan. 27, 4 p.m., Emerson Gallery
Peter Van Siclin '06 and "Doctuh" Michael Woods, associate professor of music, will lead a quartet performing songs associated with artists in the exhibit. -
Film: A Great Day in Harlem (60 min.), Tuesday, Feb. 1, 7 p.m., Kirner-Johnson Auditorium
This documentary tells the story of the historic 1958 gathering of jazz musicians photographed by Art Kane for Esquire magazine. Jean Bach, producer of the film, gathered interviews with surviving musicians and resurrected film footage and photographs taken by Milt and Mona Hinton on this memorable day. Bach will be in attendance to share her memories of these musicians and participate in a Q&A session. -
Film: Joe Williams: A Portrait in Song (60 min.), Tuesday, Feb. 8, 7 p.m., Kirner-Johnson Auditorium
In 1996 the Hamilton College Jazz Archive commissioned a film featuring vocalist Joe Williams performing with the Count Basie Orchestra. Williams lent strong support to the Jazz Archive and received an honorary degree from Hamilton in 1988. Film producer Burrill Crohn interspersed archival film footage and musician interviews to create a portrait of one of the finest singers in jazz. Crohn will be in attendance to offer his personal insights about capturing jazz on film. -
Gallery Talk: Tuesday, Feb. 15, 4:15 p.m., Emerson Gallery
Photographer and Hamilton alumnus, John Abbott '81, will discuss his career after Hamilton specifically highlighting his relationships with jazz musicians. Abbott has produced numerous jazz photographs for magazines and CD releases, a selection of which will be on view in the exhibition. -
Closing reception with live jazz and interview: Wednesday, April 6, 4 p.m., Emerson Gallery
Jazz Archive Director, Monk Rowe will conduct a live Q & A session with jazz trumpeter, photographer and Hamilton honorary degree recipient Joe Wilder.
All events are free and open to the public. The Emerson Gallery is located on the Hamilton College campus in Clinton in the Christian A. Johnson Hall, directly behind the Chapel. Gallery hours are, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and, Saturday and Sunday, from 1 - 5 p.m. For further information, including information on parking and wheelchair accessibility, please contact the Emerson Gallery at 315-859-4396.
The Jazz Archive is located in the lower level of McEwen Hall. Phone 315-859-4071 for information about hours and access guidelines.
Events are subject to change. For updates, visit the Emerson Gallery Web site.
