Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame facts for kids
| Established | 1978 |
|---|---|
| Location | Birmingham's historic Carver Theatre |
| Type | Jazz |
| Collections | Paintings, quilts, instruments, and personal effects |
The Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame (AJHF) is a special place in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. It is both an organization and a museum. It started in 1978 and opened its museum doors on September 18, 1993. The main goal of the AJHF is to help everyone learn about and love jazz music. They want people to see jazz as a unique and important art form from America. They also work to show how the state of Alabama and its people have helped jazz music grow.
Contents
The AJHF Museum: A Look Inside
The museum is located inside the historic Carver Theatre in Birmingham. This theater is part of the Birmingham Civil Rights District. Other important places nearby include the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and the 16th Street Baptist Church. The museum has over 2,200 square feet of cool exhibits. You can see paintings, quilts, musical instruments, and personal items from famous artists. These include legends like Ella Fitzgerald and W.C. Handy. You can even take a tour guided by Frank Adams! The Jazz Hall of Fame also helps organize jazz shows around the city. They bring musicians to local schools so students can learn about jazz.
Free Saturday Jazz Classes
Since 1999, the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame has offered free jazz classes. These classes are open to any student living in Alabama. Dr. Frank Adams started these popular classes. Local jazz band directors from schools teach the students. In these classes, kids learn how to read music and how to improvise jazz. Improvising means making up music on the spot! Many students who have taken these classes have won scholarships. They have gone on to study jazz at famous schools. Some of these schools include the University of New Orleans and the Manhattan School of Music.
AJHF Annual Student Jazz Band Festival
Every year, the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame hosts a special event. It's a three-day festival for middle school, high school, and college jazz bands. Bands perform and are judged by well-known jazz experts. Awards are given for "Band of Distinction" and "Outstanding Soloist." These awards are given in each age group.
Past Award Winners: College Bands
- 2004 - University of Alabama Jazz Ensemble A
- 2005 - University of Alabama at Birmingham, UAB Jazz Ensemble
- 2006 - Jacksonville State University Jazz Ensemble
- 2007 - Troy State University
- 2008 - Jackson State University, Jackson Mississippi
- 2009 - Troy State University
- 2012 - University of Alabama at Birmingham
- 2014 - University of Alabama at Birmingham
- 2015 - University of Alabama at Birmingham
- 2016 - University of Alabama at Birmingham
- 2017 - Alabama State University
- 2018 - Troy University
Past Award Winners: College Soloists
- 2004 - Omari Thomas, University of Alabama at Birmingham
- 2005 - Omari Thomas, University of Alabama at Birmingham
- 2014 - Kameron Dickerson
- 2015 - Alex Garrett, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
Past Award Winners: High School Bands
- 2015 Minor High School
- 2016 - Alabama School of Fine Arts
- 2017 - Oak Mountain High School
- 2018 - Minor High School
Past Award Winners: High School Soloists
- 2015 Matthew Belser, Alabama School of Fine Arts
Past Award Winners: Middle School Bands
- 2015 Phillips Academy
Past Award Winners: Middle School Soloists
- 2015 Jaeden Henderson, Phillips Academy
New Groups from AJHF Programs
The educational programs at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame have inspired new music groups. One example is the "Neo Jazz Collective." This group is made up of young students. They used the skills they learned at the AJHF to create their own professional band. Lud Yisrael directs the group. They even started their own school in Fairfield, Alabama. The "Neo Jazz Collective" is becoming a popular "Nu-Jazz" group in the Birmingham area.
Annual "Taste of 4th Avenue" Jazz Festival
Every fall, a fun event called the "Taste of 4th Avenue Jazz Festival" takes place. The Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame helps put on this festival. They work with Urban Impact of Birmingham to make it happen.
Free Jazz Workshops and Masterclasses
The AJHF also offers free workshops and special classes. These are taught by guest musicians. Famous musicians who have taught classes include Lou Marini (saxophonist) and Esperanza Spalding.
Musical Instrument Recycling Program
The Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame has a program to help students get instruments. Every year, they accept used musical instruments. These instruments must be in good condition or repairable. Many instruments have been given to the program. Some were even donated by famous musicians like Lou Marini and Erskine Hawkins. These recycled instruments are then given to students in the AJHF's music programs. This helps more kids learn to play jazz!
Honored Members of the Hall of Fame
The Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame honors many talented musicians. These are people who have made a big impact on jazz music. Here are some of the people who have been inducted over the years:
- 1978: Frank Adams, Erskine Hawkins, Haywood Henry
- 1979: Paul Bascomb, Cleveland Eaton, Jo Jones, Sun Ra
- 1980: Walter Blythe, Shorty Long
- 1981: John Anderson, George Hudson
- 1982: Joe Alexander, Sam Ranelli
- 1983: Hooper T. Abrams, Robert McCoy
- 1984: Ella Fitzgerald, Sam Taylor
- 1985: W. C. Handy, Jonny Williams
- 1986: Lucky Millinder, Dinah Washington
- 1987: Guitar Allen, Ted Galloway
- 1988: Horace Carney, Tommy Stewart
- 1989: Emerson Able, John Carlton
- 1990: James Reese Europe, William Lee
- 1991: Eric Essix, Cootie Williams
- 1992: Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton
- 1993: Nat King Cole, John Collins
- 1994: Cholly Atkins, Willie Ruff
- 1995: Urbie Green, Henry Panion
- 1997: Johnny O'Neal
- 2001: Rickey Powell
- 2008: Gene Conners, Grover Mitchell
- 2013: Harry Belafonte
- 2015: Mart Avant, Rick Bell, Jean Kittrell, Fred Wesley Jr.
- 2024: Ron Carter
See also
- List of music museums
- List of jazz institutions and organizations
