Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame

Last updated

Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame
Founded1988
FounderSenator Maxine Horner, Co-Founder
Senator Penny Williams, Co-Founder
Type 501(c)(3) Nonprofit organization
Location
Website okjazz.org
Headquarters of the Hall of Fame, the Tulsa Union Depot Tulsa union Depot Modern pict 2009.jpg
Headquarters of the Hall of Fame, the Tulsa Union Depot

The Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame, located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is a non-profit organization that honors jazz, blues and gospel musicians in the state of Oklahoma. Housed in the former Tulsa Union Depot, which it now calls the Jazz Depot, [1] the Hall of Fame is a music venue that hosts regular jazz performances. It is also a museum, displaying photographs, biographical information, artifacts, and memorabilia from musicians such as Chet Baker, Earl Bostic, Don Cherry, Charlie Christian, Tommy Crook, Pat Kelley, Barney Kessel and Jimmy Rushing. [2]

Contents

Overview

The Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame holds an annual induction ceremony to recognize the meaningful contributions of individuals and groups in jazz, blues, and gospel music. The Hall of Fame originally inducted its members every June, [3] but the annual induction is now held in November. [4] To date, the Hall of Fame has inducted more than 100 musicians and groups. [5] Music instructor Zelia N. Breaux was the first inductee into the Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame also established the Jay McShann Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999 to honor musicians who enriched Oklahoma's music during their lifetimes. Recipients of this award include Jay McShann, John Hendricks, Lou Donaldson, Dave Brubeck, Marilyn Maye, Ramsey Lewis, Nat King Cole, George Duke, Billy Taylor, Eddie Palmieri, Bob Wills, and Lalo Schifrin.

In 1991, guitarist Barney Kessel made a speech about improvised music at the Hall of Fame; this was his last recorded public appearance before a stroke forced him to retire in May 1992. [6] Singer Joe Lee Wilson also made his last public performance at his 2010 induction into the Hall of Fame. [7]

History

The Tulsa Union Depot remained empty for nearly twenty years before being renovated and re-purposed for public use. 1970 12 28 Tulsa Union Depot 5.jpg
The Tulsa Union Depot remained empty for nearly twenty years before being renovated and re-purposed for public use.

The Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame was established by the Oklahoma Legislature in 1988, with legislation authored by State Senators Maxine Horner and Penny Williams. The Hall of Fame was one of several organizations created in the North Tulsa “renaissance” dedicated to reconstructing the city's historic Greenwood district after the Tulsa Race Riot. [8] The organization was originally housed in the Greenwood Cultural Center, and co-sponsored a yearly celebration of Oklahoman black music tradition called “Juneteenth on Greenwood.” [9]

In 2004, Tulsa County’s Vision 2025 project allocated $4 million to purchase and renovate the Tulsa Union Depot for use by the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame. [10] Work on the building was completed and the building officially opened on June 19, 2007. [11]

In November, 2020, The Tulsa County Industrial Authority (TCIA) filed a lawsuit to terminate the building lease with the Jazz Hall and to recover $8,474 in past-due taxes and utilities. [12] The suit alleged that the Jazz Hall was so far behind in its utility payments that electricity to the building was turned off on October 19th. [12] In January 2021 the Jazz Hall declared bankruptcy. [12] On June 10, 2021, the bankruptcy court approved a $200,000 sale of the Jazz Hall, along with transfer of the lease of the Depot, to a new non-profit entity, The Jazz Foundation LLC, being a firm established by local businessman James Moore. [13] The bid included a pledge of $1 million for deferred maintenance and other improvements, along with $1 million available for operating expenses and to satisfy future obligations under the lease with TCIA. [13] Stated future Jazz Hall plans call for continued celebration of jazz and gospel artists in Oklahoma, expanding to host music festivals and live TV events, and creating a rooftop restaurant. [13]

By July 2022, renovations had begun on the facility, with an expected reopening in early 2023 under branding as simply the Jazz Depot. [14] The Jazz Foundation funded $2 million in renovation updates for the second-floor Grand Entrance Hall, Exhibit Promenade and Performance Hall. [14]

List of inductees

NameInstrumentYear inducted
Marvin Ash Strings2013
Andrea Baker Vocal, Education2005
Chet Baker Trumpet, Vocal1991
Helen Baylor Vocal2000
Samuel Aaron Bell Bass1992
Wayne Bennett Guitar, Vocal2001
Joseph Bias Vocal2006
Elvin Bishop Guitar, Vocal1998
Earl Bostic Saxophone1993
Zelia N. Breaux Education1989
David Amram F Horn2011
Ruth Brown Vocal1992
Albert Brumley Vocal2013
Glenn Burleigh Piano2001
Charles Burton Guitar, Vocal2001
Barbara BurtonVocal2001
Don Byas Saxophone1997
J.J. Cale Guitar2013
Debbie Campbell Vocal2006
Don Cherry Trumpet2011
Charlie Christian Guitar1989
Willie Earl Clark Saxophone, Education2002
Tommy Crook Guitar2004
Pam Van Dyke Crosby Vocal2008
Joey Crutcher Piano1991
Jesse Ed Davis Guitar2002
Elmer L. Davis Vocal1993
Rae Degeer Clarinet, Alto Saxophone2014
Al Dennie Education1990
George Dennie Pianist2012
Ernestine Dillard Vocal1998
Clarence Dixon Vocal1998
Thomas A. Dorsey Piano1994
Ken Downing Saxophone1999
Duke Ellington Piano1992
Dorothy Ellis Vocal2011
Ralph Ellison Musician2014
George Faison Dance1998
Ernie Fields Jr. Saxophone1996
Ernie Fields Sr. Trombone1989
Fisk Jubilee Singers Vocal2012
Ella Fitzgerald Vocal1997
Artt Frank Drums2010
Lowell Fulson Guitar, Vocal1989
Chuck Gardner Piano2013
Dizzy Gillespie Trumpet1993
Earl Grant Piano, Vocal2013
Sonny Gray Piano, Education2001
Wardell Gray Tenor Saxophone2014
Jimmy Hawkins Vocal2004
John David Henry Guitar2001
Conrad Herwig Trombone2007
Billy Hunt Trumpet1996
Mahalia Jackson Vocal1995
Pat Kelley Guitar2003
Barney Kessel Guitar1991
Kenneth Kilgore Vocal1992
Joe Liggins Piano1992
Jimmy Liggins Guitar1993
Clarence Love Saxophone1990
Madeline Manning-Mims Vocal2005
Frank Mantooth Piano2004
Junior Markham Harmonica2006
Tony Mathews Guitar1997
Bill Maxwell Drums2008
Cecil McBee Bass1991
Matthew McClarty Vocal1997
Howard McGhee Trumpet2003
Robbie Mack McLerran Bass2014
Jay McShann Piano1989
Roy Milton Vocal, Drums1991
D.C. Minner Guitar, Vocal1999
Leona Mitchell Vocal2007
Melvin Moore Trumpet1996
Patricia Moore Piano1999
Ace Moreland Jr. Guitar, Harmonica, Vocal2007
Sunny Murray Drums2012
Jimmy Nolen Guitar1996
Carlton Pearson Vocal2002
Jim Pepper Saxophone2011
Oscar Pettiford Bass, Cello1995
Sara Jordan Powell Vocal2003
Cortes Rex Vocal2014
Johnny Rogers Guitar1995
Annie Ross Vocal2014
Ray D. Rowe Vocal2008
Marshal Royal Saxophone1995
Washington Rucker Drums1998
James Rushing Vocal, Piano1990
Pee Wee Russell Clarinet2011
Donald Ryan Piano, Education2006
Jessie Mae Renfro Sapp Vocal1989
Rudy Scott Piano, Harmonica2011
Lynn Seaton Bass, Education2006
Shadow Lake Eight Band2013
Lee Shaw Piano1993
Leslie Sheffield Piano2003
Hal Singer Saxophone1996
C.C. Skinner Vocal1990
David Skinner Guitar2005
Maurice Spears Trombone, Education2004
Louie Spears Bass, Education2004
Kay Starr Vocal2000
Ted Taylor Vocal2000
Flash Terry Guitar, Vocal1994
Oklahoma City Blue Devils Big Band1990
Walter "Foots" Thomas Saxophone1996
Wayman Tisdale Bass2009
Glenn R. Townsend Guitar2004
David T. Walker Guitar1999
Hart A. Wand Fiddle2012
Maxine Weldon Vocal1999
Lee Wiley Vocal2000
Floyd Wiley Organ1994
Stephen Wiley Drums2009
Steve Wilkerson Saxophone, Education2005
Claude Williams Violin1989
Wallis Willis Vocal2010
Joe Lee Wilson Vocal2010
Terry Woodson Trombone, Education2010
Joe William Wright Drums2012

See also

References

  1. "Facility Rental". Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on June 26, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  2. Danilov, Victor J. ‘’Hall of Fame Museums: A Reference Guide.’’ Greenwood, 1997, p.180
  3. Johnson, Hannibal B. ‘’Black Wall Street: From Riot to Renaissance in Tulsa’s Historic Greenwood District.’’ Marion Koogler McNay Art Museum, 1998, p.130
  4. BRANDY MCDONNELL. "David Amram will receive Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame's Lifetime Achievement Award". News OK. Retrieved May 7, 2016.
  5. "Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame". Okjazz.org. Retrieved May 7, 2016.
  6. Yanow, Scott. ‘’Jazz On Film: The Complete Story of the Musicians and Music Onscreen.’’ Backbeat, 2004, p.22
  7. "Obituaries". Tulsa World. Retrieved May 7, 2016.
  8. "H-Net Reviews". H-net.org. March 2002. Retrieved May 7, 2016.
  9. State Arts Council of Oklahoma. ‘’Juneteenth on Greenwood: A Celebration of Oklahoma’s Black Music Traditions.’’ State Arts Council of Oklahoma, 1989, p.2
  10. "Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame". Archived from the original on May 3, 2011. Retrieved March 14, 2012.
  11. "Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame". Archived from the original on March 15, 2012. Retrieved March 14, 2012.
  12. 1 2 3 "Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame files for bankruptcy; eviction, lawsuit on hold". Kevin Canfield, Tulsa World, January 16, 2021. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  13. 1 2 3 "Bankruptcy court OKs Jazz Hall sale to Tulsan's firm: 'The only game in town'". Tulsa World, June 11, 2021. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
  14. 1 2 "Jazz Depot renovations draw on art deco heritage". James D. Watts Jr., Tulsa World, July 29, 2022. Retrieved July 31, 2022.

36°09′24″N95°59′26″W / 36.15667°N 95.99056°W / 36.15667; -95.99056