Curator Lynn Orman Weiss proudly presents the exhibit at the National Blues Museum, St. Louis Photo by Robin Subar Blues Divas Dazzle in “Women of the Blues – A Coast to Coast Collection” By Robin Zimmerman This lineup really does have it all. There are dazzling blues Orman Weiss said, “It was remarkable. I actually was divas and dynamic rising stars. Established legacy artists and standing there with photographers Peter Hurley and Jacki acclaimed local acts. It offers people the chance to get up close Sackheim, and stayed there for over an hour, just watching it and personal with over 80 of their favorite female musicians in over and over. It was so exciting to see them all there on the a matter of minutes – all without queuing up for tickets to a blues jumbotron.” festival. For Orman Weiss, her exhibit “is a labor of love. Each image This assemblage of talent is part of a traveling photo exhibit is as unique as each blues woman. This show is exactly what the entitled “Women of the Blues – A Coast to Coast Collection.” It has title says, featuring women of all ages and ethnic backgrounds on been curated and brought to life by the indomitable Lynn Orman stages, in clubs and in venues around the world, representing all Weiss. For this exhibit, Orman Weiss put together a “who’s who” styles of the blues. I want the audience to have a more thoughtful of blues women, captured by more than 20 photographers from and inclusive attitude toward women musicians – to empower every corner of the world. their thoughts, inspire conversation and generate new fans of From old Polaroids of Koko Taylor to a colorful collection of women of the blues.” second-generation blues women such as Shemekia Copeland, After wrapping up its preliminary leg of the tour, “Women of Shirley King and Tomiko Dixon, these photographs exude the the Blues – A Coast to Coast Collection” added its blues power passion, power and pure joy put forth by these performers. to the University of Chicago Hospital Skybridge. It then went The exhibit opened to rave reviews at Chicago’s Firecat further south for a three-month showing at the new National Gallery in May 2016. The timing coincided with the 33rd Annual Blues Museum in St. Louis, MO, beginning in January 2017. It Chicago Blues Festival. This proved fortuitous because several was sponsored in part by Barbara Hammerman and Amanda of the featured photographers from France, England and Gresham, the co-founders of United by Music North America, other places were in town, as well as many of the “Women who are also both heavily involved in many blues-related of the Blues” who were in the Windy City to perform at the organizations. festival. Showcased subjects including Deitra Farr, Holle Thee Timing certainly seems to be everything where this exhibit Maxwell and others were at the opening night gala, where they is concerned. Its run at the National Blues Museum coincided were able to meet and greet attendees. with both Black History Month in February as well as Women’s During its Chicago run, the exhibit also played to a much History Month in March. bigger stage. The images of the blues women were splashed “Women of the Blues” was housed in the light-filled Scott upon the jumbotron at the Chicago Blues Festival, which meant and Dianne McCuaig Gallery at this impressive museum that legions of local and international music lovers were able to in downtown St. Louis. With a heavy focus on the history, see larger-than-life shots of their favorite artists. people and places who helped shape the genre, the National

56 Blues Festival Guide 2017 Blues Museum served as the perfect stop for this exhibit. Jacqueline Dace, Director of Internal Affairs with the museum, said the exhibit helped give visitors “a sense of not only who they are, but some of the individuals they can emulate.” She added that the photographs helped visitors see these women in an environment “that is not a staged setting” and that it is encouraging to see “such a large variety of different women showcasing the best of themselves.” Like any savvy festival promoter, Orman Weiss went to great lengths to lend a local slant to the exhibit. The very first photo in the gallery is of Ella Jenkins, which was taken by Orman Weiss herself. This 92-year-old “living legend” was born in the St. Louis Jewish Hospital and went on to win a Grammy Lifetime Achievement award. She is also a Smithsonian Folkways recording artist who celebrates her 60th anniversary this summer. Orman Weiss also worked with the St. Louis Blues Society to ensure St. Louis was well represented. In addition to featuring renowned St. Louis photographer Reed Radcliffe, she utilized artwork by Carol Boss. This local painter collaborated with Mississippi’s Sharon McConnell Dickerson to create stunning portraits of Ma Rainey, Memphis Minnie, Bessie Smith and Jessie Mae Hemphill. While many of the women featured in the exhibit are still appearing everywhere from sunny Caribbean cruises to big name blues festivals, Orman Weiss was cognizant of the many standard-bearers who have passed on. The exhibit is dedicated to the memory of Koko Taylor, and there are also beautiful photos of the late Candye Kane and Big Time Sarah. Covers of Living Blues magazine are artfully arranged in a nod to the legacy of Amy Van Singel. As someone who has been a fixture in photography pits at music events all over, Orman Weiss believes this exhibit

The exhibit is dedicated to the memory of the wonderful Koko Taylor Photo by NuNu

Blues Festival Guide 2017 57 The collection by international photographer Francoise Digel includes (l to r) Mz. Peaches, the hand of Holle Thee Maxwell and Claudette Miller

offers visitors a bird’s-eye view of “the best blues festival in the world.” She added, “It’s such a good mixture of historic photos, and wonderful to have the representation of so many women. I am honored to be a part of it.” “Women of the Blues – A Coast to Coast Collection” will return to the University of Chicago Skybridge from June through August 2017. It will then continue to mirror the movement of the Mississippi River, as it’s soon slated to be at the Memphis Blues Museum for a three-month stint. There are also plans for a westward expansion to Los Angeles, where photographers Amanda Gresham and Jacki Sackheim are based. Orman Weiss has been finalizing details with Barbara Morrison’s California Jazz and Blues Museum. Get additional news on this big move at www.womenoftheblues.com.

All photos provided courtesy of “Women of The Blues – A Coast To Coast Collection.”

Robin Zimmerman has been immersed in the music scene ever since her days working as a DJ for a 10-watt radio station in Lincoln, IL. Following this debut as “Rockin’ Robin” on WLNX, she has covered the blues for various publications. She is currently a contributing writer for the Chicago Blues Guide.

The photo of 92-year-old “living legend” Ella Jenkins is the first to greet you into the National Blues Museum gallery Photo by Lynn Orman Weiss

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