For Immediate Release

The Haggerty Museum of Art to Convert Gallery into Jazz Club

(Milwaukee) The Haggerty Museum of Art, Marquette University invites the Milwaukee community to take part in a special presentation of John SchneiderÕs Jazz: A Milwaukee History, an oral and musical history of MilwaukeeÕs Bronzeville neighborhood, February 16, - February 19.

In the mid-20^th Century, MilwaukeeÕs Walnut Street neighborhood (known as Bronzeville) was awash with bars, music, clubs and restaurants patronized by people from all corners of the city. Freeway development brought this vital community to a halt and erased all physical reminders of what once was. JAZZ, a musical and oral history performance, written and directed by former Theatre X artistic director John Schneider, recreates the mood and honors the spirit of MilwaukeeÕs jazz era.

JAZZ will be presented at the Haggerty Museum of Art-Marquette University in conjunction with the exhibition Bob Thompson: Meteor in a Black Hat, is on display January 26 – April 17. The Museum will be transformed into one of the Walnut street Jazz Clubs where the audience can participate in the performance as club patrons.

A jazz combo, led by music director Berkeley Fudge, accompanies the stories with jazz standards. Full-scale song and dance numbers featuring singers Adekola Adedapo, Robyn Pluer, and Azeeza Islam will be sure to have the Òjoint jumpinÕ.Ó

Berkeley Fudge is a veteran jazz performer. As leader of the Berkeley Fudge Quartet, he received the 2001 WAMI award for Best Traditional Jazz Performer and most recently was awarded Milwaukee Arts Board Outstanding Artist of the Year 2003. Mr. Fudge is a member of the Milwaukee Music ConservatoryÕs We Six jazz sextet. He has appeared with Sonny Stitt, Lena Horne, Gene Ammons, Roland Kirk, Don Patterson, Ruth Brown, Esther Phillips, The Impressions, The OÕJays, Bobby Vee, Thelma Houston, Lonnie Smith and Richard Davis. He has also served as Artist in Residence at Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, teaching performance workshops, seminars and special ensembles in jazz.

Adekola Adedapo has worked with Chicago and MilwaukeeÕs finest musicians including Mel Rhyne, Von Freeman, Berkeley Fudge, Frank Morgan and Juli Wood. AdekolaÕs compact disc Ose Meji (ItÕs All About Love) garnered international airplay for itÕs unique mix of bebop, blues, jazz standards, and traditional African chants. Her talents as an actor and a storyteller, as well as her expertise in African culture, have earned her memorable roles with the Hansberry-Sands Theatre, the Milwaukee Symphony Youth Concerts and the A.C.E. program, Theatre X, Ko-thi Dance Company, Andre Lee Ellis and Company, Hotel Milwaukee (a variety radio show), and Milwaukee Public Theater. In 2001, Adekola was named ÒFemale Vocalist of the YearÓ by the Wisconsin Area Music Industry (WAMI). Adekola can be seen most often at the Jazz Estate and CarolineÕs.

Over the past 20 years Robin Pluer has performed and composed music with notable musicians such as John Sieger (R&B Cadets), Paul Cebar (and the Milwaukeeans) and Peter Buffett. Her fresh, engaging talent has afforded her opportunities coast to coast including Garrison KeelerÕs ÒPrairie Home CompanionÓ and NPRÕs ÒWorld CafŽ.Ó Robin has won many Wisconsin music awards over the years including 6 WAMI (Wisconsin Area Music Industry) awards and most recently she has Shepherd Express has voted MilwaukeeÕs Best Female Vocalist for the third time. Robin will be joining the cast fresh from her most recent European tour.

All performances take place at the Haggerty Museum of Art-Marquette University, located at 13^th and Clybourn Streets

Thursday, February 16 7:30 p.m.

Friday, February 17 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, February 18 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, February 19 2:00 p.m.

Tickets are available at the Haggerty Museum of Art or by calling 414-288-3657

Student admission $10

General admission $20

Free parking in the Mary B. Finnigan parking Lot, adjacent to Marquette Lot J, entered from 11^th St., one block south of Wisconsin Ave. Additional parking available in parking Structure 2 on Wells Street Between 12^th and 13^th Streets