City of Gabriels: The History of Jazz in St. Louis, 1895-1973
The Sheldon Art Galleries
History of Jazz Gallery
RAC Blogger: Debra Kokorudz

It only makes sense that an incredible music venue such as the Sheldon Theater would also be home to the History of Jazz Gallery. On a clear Saturday morning, I headed over there to see City of Gabriels: A History of Jazz in St. Louis, 1895-1973.  I expected to find an overview of the history of jazz in St. Louis. What I got was an incredibly detailed historical exhibit, complete with thorough biographies of dozens of jazz musicians from the past 100 years.

Now, I am a musician, so I was really excited about checking this out. I am NOT, however, a jazz musician. Of course I’m into Ella Fitzgerald and Miles Davis, (who isn’t?) but I do not consider myself an aficionado. I found the exhibition to be exhaustingly informative. I took the time to listen to the audio clips featuring popular songs, famous musicians, and “noteworthy” historians. I read about Clark Terry and the St. Louis trumpet sound, saw the maps of all of the old club districts including Gaslight Square, and found out how the Black Artists’ Group changed the New York City jazz scene. Call me sappy, but I really get my pride on when I see St. Louisans get noticed out in the wider world. It makes me feel connected to something that’s bigger than myself.

Also included in this exhibit is a tribute to the many deejay’s who brought their passion for jazz to the attention of the local radio audience. Among these, I was touched by the mention of Leo Chears, known as “the Man in the Red Vest”, whom I listened to on many a late night.

For me, jazz has a kind of sacred aura surrounding it. It’s an art form that requires great skill, confidence in your abilities, and a willingness to take a certain risk. A willingness to go where the music takes you. It was really inspiring to see the impact musicians from our city have had on jazz throughout the years. Of course we think of ragtime and hard bop, but there is so much more. Bandleader Fate Marable provided local musicians with conservatory-style training as they cruised the Mississippi. Eddie Randle, leader of the St. Louis Blue Devils, gave Miles Davis his first job. And nationally respected artists, such as Willie Akins and Carol Beth True, are teaching our young musicians of today. I left with a deeper understanding and appreciation of our local scene and its influence on a true American art form.

Admission is free and the exhibition is on view through September 23. Be sure to look around the rest of the gallery, which also features works in photography, painting, architecture, and children’s art.