Tag Archives: Jazz

Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, Birmingham Civil Rights, Birmingham Historical Society, Birmingham Landmarks, Birmingham pioneers, BOOK, Book Sale, Historic Preservation, Music, Smithfield

If you missed the documentary…

The film produced by Katie Rogers and Brandon McCray tells the story of how jazz was cultivated and popularized in Ensley, centered around what is now known as the Nixon Building, located at the junction of two streetcar lines. During the 1920s and 1930s, the nightclub on this corner was a vibrant social hub and dance venue. Admission required tuxedos and proper evening attire, a standard that gave rise to the club’s legendary name: Tuxedo Junction.

Book cover titled 'Magic City' by Burgin Mathews, featuring a prominent historical figure in jazz with musicians and dancers, highlighting the impact of Birmingham's jazz tradition.

This era also marked the emergence of some of Birmingham’s most influential jazz musicians, many of whom were trained by renowned band director Fess Whatley at Parker Industrial School. At the time, Parker Industrial was the only Black high school in Alabama, and its students honed their musical skills by performing at Tuxedo Junction, helping to shape a distinctive jazz tradition that would resonate far beyond Birmingham. The song Tuxedo Junction performed there and written by Erskine Hawkins cemented its place in history.

Parker Industrial High School in Smithfield
Black and white photo of a corner building that houses the 'Black Pearl' store and a sign for 'Turbo Variety Store,' with traffic lights and parked cars visible on the street.
The Nixon Building a/k/a Tuxedo Junction

The good news is that the documentary Tuxedo Junction will air on PBS on February 19. Those who attended the special screening on Sunday can attest that it is well worth the wait—don’t miss it! Sunday’s event also featured a book signing by Burgin Mathews, author of Magic City: How the Birmingham Jazz Tradition Shaped the Sound of America, his 10 year passion project that further highlights the city’s enduring impact on American music. Jazz music by Birmingham legends, Bo Berry and Jose Carr, created the magic that continues to captivate music lovers everywhere.

Black and white image of a large industrial complex with smokestacks emitting smoke, surrounded by various buildings and train cars. The text credits Brandon McCray and Katie Rogers as producers.
Tuxedo Junction documentary
Aerial view of a crowded theater with an audience seated in rows, watching three speakers on stage in front of a large screen.
Author Burgin Mathews, Katie Rogers, and jazz greats Bo Berry and Jose Carr at Virginia Samford Theater
A man and a woman smiling for a selfie, standing in front of a red curtain. The man has blonde hair and glasses, wearing a green sweater, while the woman has long blonde hair and a patterned blouse.
BHS President Wayne Hester, and documentary co-producer, Katie Rogers
Smiling man in a pinstripe suit stands next to a framed photograph of theatrical performers.
John Nixon, who owns his father’s dental office-the tuxedo junction building, is posed with a photo of his father who acted opposite Virginia Samford many years ago
Three individuals posing together in a casually elegant indoor setting. The first person on the left is wearing a black sweatshirt and sneakers. The middle person is dressed in a formal suit and tie. The person on the right is wearing a floral dress. They appear to be smiling and standing together in front of a decorative wall.
Producers Brandon McCray and Katie Rogers with the owner of the Tuxedo Junction Building, John Nixon
A group of four individuals standing on stage during an event, engaging with the audience. One person is speaking into a microphone while the others listen attentively. The setting appears to be a theater.
Katie Rogers, Bo Berry, Jose Carr, and Brandon McCray
Tuxedo Junction by Erskine Hawkins 
with lyrics by Buddy Feyne

Feelin' low
Rockin' slow
I want to go
Right back where I belong
Way down south in Birmingham
I mean south in Alabam'
There's an old place where people go
To dance the night away
They all drive or walk for miles
To get jive that southern style
It's an old jive that makes you want
To dance till break of day
It's a junction where the town folks meet
At each function in a tux they greet you
Come on down, forget your care
Come on down, you'll find me there
So long town, I'm heading for
Tuxedo Junction now
[Instrumental]
Feelin' low
Rockin' slow
I want to go
Right back where I belong
Way down south in Birmingham
I mean south in Alabam'
There's an old place where people go
To dance the night away
They all drive or walk for miles
To get jive that southern style
It's an old jive that makes you want
To dance till break of day
It's a junction where the town folks meet
At each function in a tux they greet you
Come on down, forget your care
Come on down, you'll find me there
So long town, I'm heading for
Tuxedo Junction now
Tuxedo Junction now
Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, Birmingham Civil Rights, Birmingham Historical Society, Birmingham pioneers, civil rights, Historic Preservation, Historic Preservation Month, Music

February Reunion of Music Lovers

Two-night “Winds of Change” tribute and BYJE Alumni Concert honor visionary trumpeter, educator, Broadway musician, and cultural catalyst Jothan McKinley Callins at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame

Friday, February 20, 2026 at 7:00 PM CST and

Sunday, February 22, 2026 at 5:00 PM CST

Jothan Callins
Portrait of a man holding a trombone, wearing a denim shirt, with a neutral background.
Calvin Sexton
  • Founder: BYJE was founded in 1994 by Jothan Callins, a musician, educator, and co-founder of the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.
  • Purpose: The ensemble toured internationally and mentored hundreds of students, providing an opportunity for young musicians to learn and perform.
  • Alumni Reunion: The original ensemble operated from 1994–2005, and an alumni reunion is planned to celebrate Callins’ legacy and the music he created.
  • Reunion Events: The reunion will include a meet-and-greet, a banquet, a tribute concert called “Winds of Change,” and a BYJE Alumni Concert.
  • Date and Location: The celebration takes place from February 19–22, 2026, at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame in Birmingham, AL.
  • Alumni: Alumni are encouraged to sign up and participate in the reunion events, including rehearsals starting in January 2026. 

Led by trombonist, bandleader, and former BYJE member Calvin Sexton—a Birmingham native, New York City–based artist, educator, and South Arts Jazz Road awardee—the project gathers past BYJE musicians, Callins’ family, and a new generation of artists to honor a man whose work changed the sound—and the future—of young Black musicians in Birmingham

Friends and former students describe Callins as “unforgettable,” “a man we can call great,” and “the epitome of a jazz legend for the Magic City.” The project is part of a grant from South Arts Jazz Roads Residency Award, which Calvin Sexton is an Awardee for $40,000.

Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, Carver Theater, Music

Book Talk & Signing: Sunday, December 3rd, 4-6PM

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.