Founded in 1970, Seattle’s Black Academy of Music (BAM) provided music instruction, visiting artist events, performances, and festivals that emphasized the importance of Black music, history, and culture. Led by local jazz icon Joe Brazil, BAM was a groundbreaking community arts organization that influenced and supported countless local (and beyond) musicians.
SMA’s holdings include records from BAM created during its involvement with the Seattle Model City Program in the mid-1970s. Model Cities was a federal initiative intended to combat urban poverty with an emphasis on community involvement and social services. BAM was located at 820 18th Avenue in the Central District, one of the city’s target neighborhoods under the Model Cities program. Contained in the collection are reports, correspondence, newspaper clippings, BAM newsletters, and copies of promotional materials – including the flyers seen here advertising workshops with Dizzy Gillespie, Cannonball Adderley (who also served on BAM’s National Advisory Board), and a performance by BAM’s Community Orchestra.
Quarterly progress reports included in the collection give lots of insight into BAM’s everyday workings and its many activities during the time it received funding from the Model Cities program, including: a Community Orchestra performance at McNeil Island Prison, a performance at the 1974 Black Community Festival, and a Thanksgiving Show and Dance also held in 1974 featuring BAM’s youth ensemble called “The Mixed Emotions.” BAM also provided musical support for performances by Black Arts/West, another trailblazing arts group supported by Model Cities funds at the time.
There’s lot’s more to explore – let us know if you’d like to set up a time to visit our research room and browse through the materials!