The Bloomington- Normal Black History Project Presents:
A Reunion: Neighbors, Friends and Musicians
Panel II Saturday February 17 1:00 -2:30 p.m.
We all Played Together: A Historical Account of African- American Musicians and Safe Spaces in Bloomington
This panel discussion will explore and celebrate the stories of local African Americans in McLean County, as we hear from local musicians and owners of safe spaces, led by Andrew "Blaze" Thomas, professional blues drummer, and Illinois State University history graduate student.
Thomas, the Chair of the Bloomington-Normal Black History Project (BNBHP) is giving voice to the history of local, Black musicians. Thomas's compelling narratives collected from oral history interviews of area musicians and primary sources of the (BNBHP) archives, will explore the lives of local musicians and safe spaces. His work profiles the careers of vocalist, Jack Waddell and keyboardist , the late Delmar Brown, both who have achieved international acclaim and others.
To held in the Museum courtroom on the second floor, and live streamed to the Museum's YouTube Channel.
There will be a jam session at Jazz UpFront in downtown Bloomington at 3:00 p.m. following the Saturday, February 17 program, featuring Gary Muhammad and the Jam Session Band.
The Bloomington-Normal Black History Project (BNBHP) was founded in 1982 and its collections span the 19th and 20th centuries. The collection contains photographs, portraits, booklets, articles, and photocopies related to club organizations and churches of the local Black community. In 1989, the Black History Project was affiliated with the McLean County Historical Society, which now serves as a repository for the project's collections.
Related links: https://news.illinoisstate.edu/2023/02/hands-on-the-pulse-professional-drummer-andrew-blaze-thomas-reverberates-history/