An exhibition – Say it with Music – is being held at The Forum, Southend in May as the culmination of the National Jazz Archive Intergenerational Jazz Reminiscence Project, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.An exhibition – Say it with Music – is being held at The Forum, Southend in May as the culmination of the National Jazz Archive Intergenerational Jazz Reminiscence Project, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
It explores how different generations have promoted, performed, supported, and documented our jazz heritage. Visitors will be able to relate interviews and memories recorded throughout the project to their own experience of discovering music, which illustrate the investment that people of different ages and backgrounds have made to British musical heritage.
The exhibition showcases an 18-month programme of events, workshops and interviews, and collaboration between local and national organisations and participation from community groups of all ages, and jazz professionals. Original photos, posters and magazines from the Archive will be on display.
The 18-month Project has been funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and run by the National Jazz Archive in collaboration with numerous partners, including the University of Essex and Loughton Youth Project. The project has focused on three areas in Essex close to the Archive’s base in Loughton, and one in Brixton. In each location, using materials from the Archive and supplied by local jazz clubs and Chelmsford Museums Service, the archive team has engaged with members of Age UK and Age Concern activity centres, local jazz clubs, local youth groups, and young jazz musicians, to explore and discuss what music has meant and still means in their lives.
A reminiscence session during the project
The exhibition will provide a fascinating experience for lovers of jazz and popular music of all ages.
It runs from 5 to 29 May 2017 at the The Forum Southend, Elmer Square, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 1NS. It is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 10pm, Saturday (8am to 6pm) and Sunday (11am to 5pm). Entry is free.
Members of the project team will be at The Forum on Saturdays while the exhibition is running and will be delighted to hear visitors’ own experiences and stories.
The Forum is just off Southend High Street, easily reached by public transport. Car parking is available nearby – for more information visit www.theforumsouthend.co.uk.
Nick Clarke, National Jazz Archive