| "Many are gone now...the clubs. Morbund, or boarded
up; landscaped away, urban-renewed ('Negro removal' is what we called it). Memories
affixed to photographs, stories, or recordings that echo the vibrancy that flowed through
rivulets of black urban commerce called 'The Street,' 'The Stroll,' 'Paradise Valley,'
'The Hill,' 'Jungle Alley,' or simply 'The Avenues'; names like Wylie, Central, Lennox,
39th, Cedar, 18th and Vine, or Ridge & Garland. On these streets were the places: the
Beehive, Crawford's, the Caves, the Apartment, the Bluebird, the Downbeat, Minton's
Playhouse, Val's, the Palace, Trianon, or the Regal, and the Howard--Lost Jazz Shrines.
All names affixed to eras and to artists who helped define the historical arc of
jazz." Art Cromwell
 The
Lost Jazz Shrines project is a national collaboration of presenting partners
which focuses on the numerous nightclubs and dance halls that were once located throughout
the United States in African American communities where jazz music evolved from its folk
roots to a popular music and to eventually become America's "classical" music.
The project is designed to establish a national program where each presenter has artistic
control over the development of a performance event honoring the historic jazz venues or
artists of their own community. Each presenting partner will also host in-community
humanities and residency activities in connection to their performance event.
David Earl Jackson originally conceived the project. Performances began in February
1998 and run through June 1999. 651/KMC serves as lead partner for the project. The
partners on this project include:
- Folly Theater in Kansas City, MO
- Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) Jazz Festival in Cleveland, OH
- Tribeca Performing Arts Center in Manhattan, NY
- Aaron Davis Hall in Harlem, NY
- Lincoln Theater through America's Jazz Heritage in Washington, DC
- Madam Walker Urban Theater Center in Indianapolis, IN
 The
program booklet produced by 651 includes a general overview article outlining the history
of these clubs and their role in the development of jazz; an article on the top clubs or
ballrooms in the country; an article on each presenting partner community and a
bibliography/discography and/or resource guide.
AJH is a partner in this alliance and seized the opportunity to celebrate the
Centennial Anniversary of the birth of Washington, DC's native son, Edward Kennedy
"Duke" Ellington. America's Jazz Heritage and the Smithsonian Asscoiates
presented a performance and panel discussion featuring the David Murray Big Band and its
Ellington inspired repertoire entitled, "The Obscure Works of Duke Ellington and
Billy Strayhorn."
Washington producer and consultant Bill Brower was commissioned to
write the Washington, DC piece for the 651 program booklet.
For more information...
Lost Jazz Shrines |
