New Mural of Woody Shaw, Jimi Hendrix and others at Newark, NJ Symphony Hall
'Black Newark' at Newark Symphony Hall
A new project supported by the Newark Arts Council entitled "Black Newark" has launched a new public mural that stands tall at 1020 Broad Street at Newark Symphony Hall in Newark, New Jersey, paying homage to iconic figures who have shaped and impacted the city's rich cultural history, including a wall-sized piece dedicated to late trumpet innovator and Newark native Woody Shaw®.
The mural coincides with Newark Symphony Hall's 98th anniversary and is a celebration of Newark's artistic heritage as well as a tribute to the indomitable spirit of Black artists who forged new paths as American visionaries and pioneers of the 20th century.
The mural honors other musical legends like Sarah Vaughan, whose centennial will be celebrated in 2024, Jimi Hendrix, who performed a concert in Newark following the passing of Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968, as well as Queen Latifah, a Newark native, Henry Lewis, the first black conductor to perform at Newark Symphony Hall, opera singer Lyontyne Price, Salsa queen Celia Cruz, and poet and activist Amiri Baraka, all of whom have either performed at Newark Symphony Hall or contributed significantly to Newark's rich historical and cultural heritage. This mural isn't just art; it's a symbol of unity, community, and the power of collaboration. The mural was done by artists Ernest Shaw (no known relation) and GAIA.
Blackstone Legacy
The mural comes behind the reinstatement of the street sign for Woody Shaw named "Woody Shaw Jr. Plaza", which is located on the same street at Broad Street and William Street, near Newark City Hall, Woody Shaw's alma mater Arts High School, and the Grammy Museum Experience.
It also comes as a timely compliment to the reissue of Woody Shaw's groundbreaking debut album Blackstone Legacy, which Shaw "dedicated to the freedom of Black people all over the world.... and.... to the youth who will benefit mankind," to be released September 15, 2023.
The Woody Shaw Institute of Global Arts
The legacy of Woody Shaw is overseen by Woody Shaw Legacy LLC. All cultural and educational efforts are administered by The Woody Shaw Institute of Global Arts. For music business related inquiries, please contact us at licensing@woodyshaw.com. For technical or sales support, email us at support@woodyshaw.com
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