Detroit is ringing in Black History Month with an enriching collaboration between City Historian Jamon Jordan and lauded pianist Alvin Waddles. At the heart of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, next Sunday’s lecture, "More Than Motown: Detroit’s Impact on All Music" is gearing up to draw a crowd. Scheduled for February 2 at 2 p.m., Jordan is set to delve into the rich tapestry of the city's musical heritage, spotlighting jazz, gospel, techno, and rhythm & blues along with the community's historical narratives.
Neil A. Barclay, President & CEO of The Wright, beamed with anticipation, expressing that "particularly through such challenging times, Jamon Jordan is an important voice who provides critical historical facts and also the connection of how our past impacts our present and future," according to the City of Detroit. The event, free with required registration, symbolizes a merging of historical insight and musical excellence, as Waddles' piano melodies are poised to complement Jordan's storytelling.
The City of Detroit's administration is equally excited for the upcoming event. As Crystal Perkins, the Director of the City's General Services Department puts it, the partnership will showcase how the Motor City has been a cradle for many transformative music genres, Motown, jazz, gospel, techno, rock, and beyond. The city’s distinction in the music scene is not merely about its celebrated Motown legacy but also extends to a broader cultural influence. Perkins emphasized the importance of acknowledging these contributions in a manner as influential as the subject itself, by pairing Jordan's historical knowledge with Waddles’ musical prowess.
Much of Jordan's life’s work has been devoted to educating others about Detroit's complex history, through his tours with Black Scroll Network and his course at the University of Michigan. In the meantime, Waddles brings a lifetime dedication to music, his career a continuous performance from the church to the stage, charming international and local audiences alike with his virtuosity. Their combined efforts on February 2 are a promise to not just revisit history but immersively celebrate it, as "no one is better able to tell that story than Jamon," and "no one is better to show that story than Alvin Waddles," as Rochelle Riley, Director of Detroit Arts, Culture and Entrepreneurship retold the City of Detroit News.
