It was a thrill to represent the Emory Jazz Alliance and the Emory jazz community as Professor Gary Motley was inducted into the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame. Guests enjoyed a reception where there was an opportunity to meet all of the inductees prior to the ceremony. There was also time to visit the jazz museum which is unique in its depiction of many jazz greats from the state of Alabama and their association with some of the greatest names in jazz.
The Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame is located in downtown Birmingham at The Carver Theater. Built in 1935 in the historic 4th Avenue Business District, it was a popular venue for both regional and national jazz artists including such jazz legends as Duke Ellington and Lionel Hampton. The City of Birmingham began the renovation of the facility as a performing arts theatre and the new home of the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame and Museum in 1990.
Others honored in the induction ceremony included trombonist Fred Wesley Jr., bandleader for James Brown and composer, conductor and arranger Marion Evans-whose credits range from the Glenn Miller Orchestra to Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga. Previous inductees include Sun Ra, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat “King” Cole, W.C. Handy, and Dinah Washington.
The ceremony concluded with a phenomenal performance from 12-year-old Grammy-nominated pianist Joey Alexander. The evening was a befitting recognition of the achievements of Motley and the other inductees, celebrating the legacy of jazz while reinvigorating our perception of the genre as a unique American musical entity with a grand future.
Hank Siegelson