Written by
Baldwin, James, American, 1924 - 1987
Subject of
Charles, Ray, American, 1930 - 2004
Owned by
Gleason, Ralph Joseph, American, 1917 - 1975
Date
ca. 1973
Medium
toner on paper (fiber product)
Dimensions
H x W: 14 x 8 1/2 in. (35.6 x 21.6 cm)
Description
A photocopy of a narrative essay written by James Baldwin and outlining a musical and dramatic collaboration between Baldwin and Ray Charles. The essay is typed in black ink on white paper and consists of five total pages: four interior pages as well as a title page.
The cover page reads [HALLELUJAH CHORUS] at center with [BY / JAMES BALDWIN] at the lower right. The first page is not numbered at the top and begins "My earliest notes indicate that Ray Charles is a A: Troubadour, B: Poet, C: Lover, D: Preacher, E: Tragic Artist." The remaining pages are numbered at the top center. The content of the essay describes Ray Charles and his music before giving a tentative outline for the proposed show. On page three, Baldwin writes, "I am sketching a blue-print for what is, after all, an unprecedented improvisation." The document ends with several paragraphs of prose identified as "JB's opening, after Lift Every Voice." which introduces the event as a "testimony service," and muses on the relationship of "Hallelujah" to "Amen." The essay ends on page four with "But I am here only as a witness, to say, Amen. The right Reverend Ray Charles is testifying, singing Hallelujah: Listen."
Place depicted
United States, North and Central America
Classification
Books and Published Materials
Type
essays
treatments (documents)
Topic
Instrumentalists (Musicians)
Jazz (Music)
Literature
Musicians
Singers (Musicians)
Soul (Music)
Theatre
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2011.68.1.3
Restrictions & Rights
Unknown - Restrictions Possible
Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd514b06727-33fb-41fc-951d-6114ade801f1

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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