About Me
THE ALABAMA JAZZ HALL OF FAME (AJHoF) was founded in 1978, and opened a museum on September 18, 1993, with a mission "to foster, encourage, educate, and cultivate a general appreciation of the medium of jazz music as a legitimate, original and distinctive art form indigenous to America. Its mission is also to preserve a continued and sustained program of illuminating the contribution of the State of Alabama through its citizens, environment, demographics and lore, and perpetuating the heritage of jazz music." It is located in Birmingham, Alabama, USA.
THE AJHoF MUSEUM
This art-deco museum, housed in the historic Carver Theatre for the Performing Arts in downtown Birmingham, Alabama, honors great jazz artists with ties to the state of Alabama. While furnishing educational information, the museum is also a place for entertainment. Exhibits convey the accomplishments of the likes of Nat King Cole, Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton and Erskine Hawkins and the music that made them famous. Within this fine musical collection, visitors travel from the beginnings of boogie woogie with Clarence "Pinetop" Smith to the jazz space journeys of Sun Ra and his Intergalactic Space Arkestra.
Located in the Birmingham Civil Rights District along with the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, 16th Street Baptist Church and Kelly Ingram Park, it offers visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the state's rich jazz heritage. The museum contains more than 2,200-square-feet of exhibits. The Jazz Hall of Fame also sponsors jazz performances around the city and brings jazz to many local students with school visits from musicians. Along with the priceless jazz memorabilia such as paintings, quilts, instruments, and personal effects of such artists as Ella Fitzgerald and W.C. Handy, the tour experience itself is memorable thanks to the guidance of Dr. Frank Adams. Through his vivid personal anecdotes and natural charm, he paints many pictures of jazz for the countless number of tour groups each year.
FREE SATURDAY JAZZ CLASSES
Every Saturday morning since 1999, the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame has offered jazz classes, available free to any resident of the state of Alabama. These classes are taught by a faculty of professionals, organized by Director of Student Jazz Programs, Ray Reach. Collectively, the members of the faculty form a performing ensemble known as the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame All-Stars. These free classes are supported by grants from the Cultural Alliance of Greater Birmingham and other sources. In these classes, students learn to read and improvise jazz.
THE "FUN WITH JAZZ" EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
The "Fun With Jazz" Educational Program is sponsored by AJHoF and presented, free of charge, in schools. Beginning in 2006, founder Ray Reach and a faculty of jazz professionals have presented free one-hour lessons introducing jazz through live performance and interactive activities. The program, which was originated under the auspices of the University of Alabama at Birmingham's Alys Stephens Center, includes four basic but customizable presentations.
AJHoF ANNUAL STUDENT JAZZ BAND FESTIVAL
Every year, the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame sponsors a Student Jazz Festival, open to middle school, high school and college jazz bands. The festival is non-competitive, and bands are invited to play and be adjudicated by noted jazz authorities. Awards for "Band of Distinction" and "Outstanding Soloist" are made in each of the categories: Middle School, High School, Junior College and College.
Past Award Recipients at the AJHoF Student Jazz Festival:
2004 - University of Alabama Jazz Ensemble A, "College Band of Distinction" - Tom Wolfe, Director;
2005 - UAB Jazz Ensemble, "College Band of Distinction" - Ray Reach, Director;
2006 - Jacksonville State University Jazz Ensemble, "College Band of Distinction" - Chip Crotts, Director;
ANNUAL "TASTE OF 4TH AVENUE" JAZZ FESTIVAL
During the fall of each year, the "Taste of 4th Avenue Jazz Festival" takes place, jointly sponsored by the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame and Urban Impact of Birmingham. For more information about the festival, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taste_of_4th_Avenue_Jazz_Festiv
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MUSICAL INSTRUMENT RECYCLING PROGRAM
Every year, the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame accepts contributions of used, but repairable, instruments, donated by generous supporters of jazz in Alabama. Numerous instruments have been donated, many by famous musicians such as Lou Marini, Erskine Hawkins, Sammy Lowe and Haywood Henry. These recycled instruments are put to good use by students of the AJHoF educational programs.
Visit the website at www.jazzhall.com
