Press room of CHM
« Jazz;» Swinging Nights in Montréal
Exhibition at the Centre d'histoire de Montréal
May 5, 2005 to March 26, 2006
Opening May 4, 2005 at 5:30 P.M.
Montréal, April 27, 2005 - What do Jean-Baptiste Lafrenière, Willy Girard, Maynard Ferguson, Infonie, Charlie Biddle and Oliver Jones have in common? All have left their mark in one way or another on jazz in Montréal. With JAZZ: Swinging Nights in Montréal, the CHM brings back great moments in jazz, that made Montréal one of the jazz capitals of North America . A musical and audio-visual adventure in the city, from the early 20th century until the era of the Montréal International Jazz Festival. Now, for the first time in its existence, the CHM is devoting two entire floors to a temporary exhibition.
One Show, Two Voices
Throughout this exhibition you will be accompanied by two voices well-known to Montréal jazz fans, Gilles Archambault and Katie Malloch. Two voices, two languages, and what is more, two points of view …
Jazz: Music that Spans Eras
The exhibition follows the history of jazz in Montréal through its many styles, from ragtime, swing and be-bop through to contemporary jazz. The first part of the show, taking up the entire first floor of the museum, presents legendary venues like the "Café Montmartre," "Rockhead's Paradise" and the "El Morocco." The second part is devoted to jazz between the years of 1960 and 1990, with a particular focus on the birth of Québécois jazz.
The CHM offers you the experience of a musical journey that includes encounters with the issues and events of the day such as prohibition, the arrival of Mayor Drapeau, the creation of the first black musicians' union and Québec's Quiet Revolution. You will stroll among sites that evoke the Golden Age of jazz, the night clubs, dance halls, cafes and record stores.
The Jazz Club Experience
On the second floor at the Centre, we have recreated a small jazz club for concerts. The audience will be able to experience a swinging night of jazz by watching archival footage of the Montréal International Jazz Festival and listening to newly recorded interview material. The exhibition will be accompanied by a CD catalogue.
This exhibition of the Centre d'histoire de Montréal, in collaboration with the Phonothèque québécoise, has been made possible thanks to financial support from Canadian Heritage.
The Centre d'histoire de Montréal would like to thank the Quebec Musician's Guild for its financial support of the music programming, Justin Time for production of the CD catalogue, the Off festival de jazz de Montréal for its logistical support to the art director and the following partners: CBC Radio-Canada, the Spectra team, the Concordia University Archives, the Canadian Museum of Civilization, Guidatour and Sortiesjazznights.com.
General informations: 872-3207 or chm@ville.montreal.qc.ca
Centre d'histoire de Montréal
335, place D'Youville
Vieux-Montréal (Québec)
H2Y 3T1
Hi-resolution pictures here.
Informations fot the press:
General : 872-3207
André Gauvreau
Centre d'histoire de Montréal
514 872-9385
Service du développement culturel et qualité du milieu de vie
Ville de Montréal
