Twelve years in the making, Burgin Mathews has recorded the history of Birmingham’s Jazz Tradition and will talk about it at BHS offices in Southside on December 3rd. While not covering every notable Birmingham musician, he focuses on the jazz traditions of the time, through the careers of such greats as Erskine Hawkins, whose greatest hit was “Tuxedo Junction”, and Sun Ra, who were both born in Birmingham. Weaving in Birmingham’s civil rights history, and the male dominance in jazz (despite break through favorites like Ethel Harper), this is the story of how our city’s music was a key to a better Birmingham, transcending its legacy of racial injustice and division.
Burgin Mathews, a writer, radio host at The Lost Child, and the founding director of the nonprofit Southern Music Research Center, will talk about the long process of recording this history of Birmingham’s jazz tradition and the jazz greats who made Birmingham their home.
Burgin Mathews’ deep dive in to the Magic City’s music history led him to the creation of the Southern Music Research Center which will be housed at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame in the iconic Carver Theater. Music scores of Southern favorites are recorded and available through the generosity of donated collections, including that of longtime Birmingham Historical Society trustee, Patrick Cather.
Music lovers and Birmingham historians, don’t miss this book! It will be available at BHS and local retailers.
