Photographic exhibition on music artists enthralls visitors

Staff Report

KARACHI: Rangoonwala Community Centre (RCC) recently organised a photographic exhibition entitled ‘Jam Session Photo Exhibition’, featuring the photographs of various music artists at the RCC VM Art Gallery.

Forty snaps of Jazz players who performed in various countries were put on display in the photo exhibition organised in collaboration with the American Consulate’s Cultural Wing.

The photographic exhibition honoured the services of renowned musicians and cultural diplomats who brought the richness of American experience to the people during 1350s, 60s and 70s.

A photo captioned, ‘Clark Terry and his Jolly Giants perform at the Pakistan American Cultural Centre,’ was also on display, showing Hilton Ruiz, Clark Terry, Victor Sproles, Ed Soph and Chris Woods performing in Karachi in 1978.

Another photo captioned, ‘Dizzy Gillespie, accompanied by singer Dottie Salters and trombonist Melba Liston, plays for snakes,’ showing Gillespie playing musical instrument in front of a snake and people enjoying in Karachi, 1956 was also on display. To Gillespie, the purpose of his job as a Jazz Ambassador was to bring people together. As he explained in his autobiography, To Be or Not to Bop, his method included having fun, being honest, giving away free concert tickets, and sometimes, as in this instance, playing with different kinds of musicians.

A photo with caption, ‘A member of the Cozy Cole Jazz Review, John Shirley, makes balloon animals for children at a Moroccan government tuberculosis hospital’, was also on display. Cozy Cole’s sideman brought more than musical talent to the tour. His unique approach to cultural diplomacy was well received by the children and adults and underscored the creativity of the Jazz Ambassadors in making friends for America. This photo was captured in Benahmed, Morocco, 1962.

The bandleader and his orchestra spread goodwill as they expressed a fascination with local music in formal concerts, spontaneous jam sessions, and outings to nightclubs. This photo was captured in Rangoon, Burma, 1957.

Talking to Daily Times, VM Art Gallery Director Rifat Alvi said being the first display based on music artists, it was a very interesting and exciting exhibition. People wanted to know the history of jazz and this exhibition could be very helpful in identifying the background of Jazz, she said.

She further said, “We got an opportunity to show something related to music and it is a wonderful experience for gallery.” Younger crowd who visited the gallery showed their keen interest in the exhibition.

It is pertinent to mention here that many prominent personalities, besides foreigners attended the event and appreciated the services of Jazz.

The exhibition was held in Karachi for the third time to let people know the history of Jazz.

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