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Kansas City's Online Journal of the Performing Arts

Women In Jazz:
A collection of portraits, artifacts and films showcasing seminal women jazz artists from Kansas City & beyond

Far too long, women have been written out of the history books.  Jazz venues and scholars have an obligation to strengthen the awareness of the many incalculable contributions women have brought to the music by showcasing their talents on stage, musing about their historical significance in text books and mounting meaning exhibitions spotlighting their images and personal artifacts.

To that end, the American Jazz Museum has proudly opened a groundbreaking exhibition, Women In Jazz: A Collection of Portraits, Artifacts and Films Showcasing Seminal Women Jazz Artists from Kansas City & Beyond.  The exhibit runs through May 30, 2010. Curated by Sonie Ruffin together with Geneva Price and the American Jazz Museum staff, this opening marks an important milestone as the first multi-dimensional exhibition from the archive collections at the American Jazz Museum.

Elements of the exhibit include commissioned portraits by noted Kansas City visual artist Janet Kuemmerlein.  Her work pays tribute to eleven celebrated Kansas City Women artists including Oleta Adams, Karrin Allyson, Queen Bey, Deborah Brown, Pearl Thuston Brown, Carol Comer, Angela Hagenbach, Lisa Henry, Marilyn Maye, Julie Turner and the Wild Women of Kansas City.

Priceless images and personal artifacts from the Museum's archives spotlight other seminal women jazz and dance artists including Mary Lou Williams, Julia Lee, Priscilla Bowman, Billie Mahoney, Betty Miller, Marsha Bland, Billie Holiday, Lena Horne, Carline Ray, Joanne Brackeen, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Melba Liston, Betty Carter, Shirley Horn, Abbey Lincoln, Anita O'Day, Cleo Brown, Carmen McCrae, Nancy Wilson, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Dorothy Donegan, Marian McPartland, Annie Ross, Gloria Lynn, Geri Allen, Nnenna Freelon, Alice Coltrane and Lil Hardin Armstrong. 

Women In Jazz also features rare film soundies from the American Jazz Museum's John H. Baker Jazz Film Collection along with recorded aural interviews and an exhibition text booklet with brief biographical support - soon to be released. 

These portraits, images, artifacts and films serve as fitting exemplars of the significance women have brought to the music.

To further highlight the far-reaching impact of women and their un-matched contributions, the American Jazz Museum will continue to host a series of public programs, conduct dedicated tours and launch its Women In Jazz National Initiative.  We hope you will make a point to visit the Museum and to experience, for yourself, why this exhibition is a fitting tribute to women in jazz.

Public Programs:
May 13, 2010 - 2:00 pm
Changing Gallery - American Jazz Museum
Women in Jazz Salon
An open, yet intimate discussion about your favorite women jazz artists, their barriers and accomplishments. Salon conversation with Geneva Price.

May 22, 2010 - 2:00pm
Atrium - American Jazz Museum
Marching on While Standing on Their Shoulders
Closing Session & Free Atrium Concert w/ Deanna Witkowski

With celebrated recording artist Deanna Witkowski live in concert and an all-star scholar panel including Dr. Tammy Kernodle (Miami University, Ohio), Dr. Sherrie Tucker (University of Kansas), Dr. Doris Wright Carroll (Kansas State University) and filmmaker Carol Bash (Paradox Films, NYC).  A special Stories from the Vine event moderated by yours truly.

Exhibition Hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 9:00 am - 5:30 pm; Sunday, 12:00-5:30 pm. Closed Mondays and national holidays. Free admission.  School tours available.

 All public programs are free and open to the public.  Donations of $10 to support education programs are welcomed.  For additional details and to RSVP for any of these public programs, please contact Glenn North at (816)474-8463, ext. 221 or for more information visit www.americanjazzmuseum.org

JAMMIN at the GEM SERIES

Bobby Watson and the 18th & Vine Big Band w/Ernie Andrews
Saturday, May 8 at 8:00 p.m.
Closing out the season "KC-style" is our town's very own 18th & Vine Big Band, led by Palmetto Recording Artist, renowned saxophonist and UMKC Director of Jazz Studies Bobby Watson.  The Big Band, which features a rotating cast of some of Kansas City's best jazz musicians, will be augmented by the rich, bluesy baritone of special guest vocalist Ernie Andrews.


For tickets to any of these performances call 816-474-6262 or online at www.ticketmaster.com
Gem Theatre
1616 E. 18th St., Kansas City, MO
For information call 816.474.8463 or online at info@kcjazz.org