October 13 & 14, 2012

Big Band Jazz in Black West Virginia, 1930-1942

Saturday, October 13, 1 p.m., Conference Rm. 202

Wilkinson discusses his discovery of an - until now - forgotten dimension of West Virginia's diverse musical history and culture: a large, enthusiastic audience of black Mountaineers for the big bands of the 1930s and early 1940s. An audience so large with the financial resources to support its enthusiasm that, in the words of one band member, "All the bands were goin' to West Virginia because, you know, the mines were operating and everyone was employed." The presentation includes recordings of music by some of those big bands.

Sponsored by: BB&T West Virginia Foundation

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