Page 307 - retrospective_d'un_artiste

Sources et bibliographie

THE TALE OF TWO FANNIE’S THE JAZZ METROPOLIS
by Adu Jahmal Lahori

A family restoration project.
The story is of my late grandmother Fannie Mae White and her cousin known A design created from a dream I experienced following a conversation with
only as Fannie Ruth. This piece represents the migration of colored people my uncle jazz trumpeter, W.G. Brown. The Jazz Metropolis refers to the
from the South to the labor rich North. Fannie Ruth chooses to stay behind hottest place in Chicago from the late 1930's to the present day. Like Gerri's
keeping her family closely knitted to her skirt. Fannie Mae ventured North and legendary Palm Tavern, where you were sure to find the best Cuban cigars,
discovered that grass isn’t always greener on the other side of the garden of elegant dining or just rub elbows with Duke Ellington, Josephine Baker,
life. Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Louis and many others. The Sutherland Hotel and
Ballroom, home to touring greats like Sir Miles Davis, McCoy Tyner, Louis
3 DUKES Armstrong and a host of others. Mack's Famous Chili or "Chili Mack," if you
By Adu Jahmal were
from 47th street. The place where cool cats fed their souls, congregated after
gigs, or just to impress the ladies. The Regal Theater ( the jazz metropolis),
This piece was created originally for the Duke Ellington Centennial the place that put Motown on the map and gave the first breaks to some of
Celebration. Dr. Gwen Robinson (curator: Kieta Gallery in Chicago, IL) today's leading performers like Smokey Robinson, Otis Redding and Dinah
asked me to create a piece based on the conference’s theme, "Ellington: Washington. Well known natives of the Jazz Metropolis Quincy Jones, the
Royalty Comes To Chicago." During my research, I stumbled across a photo Great Late Redd Foxx, Herbie Hancock, Johnny Griffin,
from the book, Music is My Mistress. I knew Gene Ammons, Lou Rawlsand Joe Williams.
right away that was the beginning of my project. Later on that night I dreamt
that Duke Ellington had invited me to his castle, a place called "Ellington". He The Jazz metropolis was featured in Coreldraw 7 The Official Guide" a best
spoke to me like a father would a son and said these exact words," If you give seller by authors Foster Corburn and Peter McCormick. The piece finished
them Ellington, I'll make you a star." I didn't quite understand what he meant 11th overall in the
by that, but this place where we were standing was the most astonishing joint landscape category for the annual Coreldraw World design contest 1996.
I've ever seen. There were two young men dressed in uniforms standing on
each arm of the Duke's throne. The morning awakened me with the SEX SELLS
excitement to create. I was commissioned by the Duke to create
this piece. BY Adu Jahmal

BARBER SHOP This work is part of a series of photographs taken for a documentary on the
BY Adu Jahmal great
migration of the 20th Century. The photograph was taken at the legendary
"Palm Tavern" in Chicago established in 1933. During an interview with
This work is part of a series of photographs taken for a documentary on the proprietor Ms. Gerri Oliver. The magazine "Musically Speaking" is featured
great migration of the 20th Century. The photograph represent the pride of the from a 1959 cover featuring Ann Henry, a local dancer from Chicago's
community business in the Historical Bronzeville neighborhood. The Barber Broneville's neighborhood. This issue also showcased "Miles Davis Kind of
Shop is the meeting ground for the working class men and women (mostly Blue" album which was number one on the charts for that issue.
men) whom After working all day as laborers, I have to maintain a respectable
and clean cut. This is where little boys lose their cherries and return as men to
regain them. From being politically correct to ego tripping, this is a place full
of old man philosophy. One of the long-standing establishments still standing
in the urban communities of America.

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