Music Library Exhibit – Jazz at NIU

Hello! My name is Danielle Spalenka, and I am the Curator at the NIU Regional History Center and University Archives. I am happy to be a guest blogger and to announce that a new exhibit has been installed in the Music Library. The exhibit celebrates the legacy of Jazz at Northern Illinois University and features photographs from the University Archives. The images will be on display for the rest of the spring semester.

Shortly after the jazz program began in 1969, a number of legendary jazz artists made appearances with the jazz ensemble in concerts, clinics, and recording sessions. The photos displayed in this exhibit highlight just a few of the jazz dignitaries that have visited campus in the past four decades. Be sure to stop in and see the image of jazz pianist Marian McPartland in 1972 with Ron Modell, the founding director of the NIU jazz program. You will also see images of jazz drummer Louis Bellson (a northern Illinois native) receiving an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from NIU in 1985. And finally, photos from Duke Ellington’s final public performance – which took place in what is now the Ellington Ballroom at NIU – are on display.

Duke Ellington's final public performance, 1974.

To learn more about the history of the NIU jazz program, or to find other jazz legends that have visited campus over the years, be sure to visit the NIU Regional History Center located on the 4^th floor of Founders Memorial Library. You can also search for materials related to the jazz program on the Northern Illinois University Regional History Center and University Archives website.

Thanks again to the Michael Duffy and the Music Library for letting us display these wonderful photographs for the remainder of the Spring 2014 semester!