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From its roots as an offshoot of early American rhythm & blues to Reggae's rise as a worldwide phenomenon, Jamaica's pop music has emerged as a voice of passion and spirituality for the people of this struggling Caribbean nation. In celebration of this musical innovation, Experience Music Project (EMP), a rock'n'roll museum in Seattle, Washington, today announces its new exhibit, Island Revolution: Jamaican Rhythm from Ska to Reggae, 1956 - 1981 to premiere in the Special Exhibit Gallery on June 8, 2001.

Tracing the development of Jamaican popular music, from its indigenous roots through Ska, Rock Steady, and Reggae, Island Revolution examines the role of music in a small, Third World nation, and the international influence that resulted. This exhibit, the most comprehensive to date on this musical genre, houses an interpretive mix of rare artifacts, recordings and photographs obtained during a global, three-year research and acquisition effort by EMP curators.

"With its insistent rhythms and inspirational lyrics, Reggae influenced the world both politically and musically," said EMP Curator Dave Rosencrans. "Jamaica's musical development embodies the themes of community and personal expression which are the bedrock of our permanent exhibits. Given the deep appreciation of Bob Marley and Reggae in the Unites States, this program is a natural fit for EMP. Throughout our research period, the team sought out the living originators of this musical heritage in Jamaica and beyond, obtaining the most authentic objects and stories with which to develop the exhibit."

Inside Island Revolution, EMP outlines the cultural and political setting in Jamaica from 1956 to 1981, when Jamaicans banded together to provide a soundtrack for the country's independence. Divided into five main sections, Island Revolution highlights the evolution of the Jamaican sound. Beginning with the pre-independence sound system era, the exhibit then moves through the rise of Ska, Rock Steady, and Reggae, including the latter's offshoots, Dub and DJ music. Each section is filled with artifacts, photographs and musical recordings from the country's legends including Peter Tosh, Jimmy Cliff, the Skatalites and Lee "Scratch" Perry.

A continual thread throughout the exhibit is the presence of music legend, Bob Marley, and his group, the Wailers. Marley's "One Love" vision impacted the world not only musically, but spiritually and politically as well. Through his charged music, Marley transcended racial, religious and social-class boundaries to inspire younger generations and impact political powers. His ability to create powerful lyrics brought Reggae to global popularity.

Another important element of the exhibit is the inspirational story of Sister Mary Ignatius Davies who provided music and instruments to students at the Alpha Boys School, a trade school in Kingston, Jamaica, known for its extraordinary music and band program. Island Revolution details how her passion for music and education paved the way for some of Jamaica's most noted musicians. As a special feature to Island Revolution, portions of Sister Ignatius' unique record collection will be on display in the EMP Compaq Digital Lab.

In conjunction with the other EMP Galleries, Island Revolution demonstrates the use of advanced technology throughout. The exhibit virtually comes to life through multimedia elements including the Museum Exhibit Guide (MEG), exhibit kiosks, video monitors and Reggae-related films in JBL Theater. Specific to this exhibit is the Dub Chamber, a self-contained walk-in audio experience that emanates pulsating Reggae beats of featured artists such as King Tubby and Augustus Pablo.

Island Revolution replaces Artist to Icon, which closes to the public on May 1. Artist to Icon opened on January 19, 2001 and offers a glimpse into the life of aspiring artists Elvis Presley, the Beatles and Bob Dylan, before they took on the role of rock 'n' roll legends. The exhibit includes 48 rarely seen black-and-white photographs - documented by five photographers - each seizing moments when these individuals' talents and styles were coming together as voices of cultural change. The photographers, Alfred Werthheimer, Astrid Kirchherr, Jurgen Vollmer, Max Scheler and Daniel Kramer, delight visitors with pictures that capture the innocence, ambition and unbounded adventure of the first decade of rock 'n' roll.

About Experience Music Project

Dedicated to exploring creativity and innovation in American popular music, Experience Music Project is a new kind of museum that strives to capture and reflect the essence of rock 'n' roll, its roots in jazz, soul, gospel, country and the blues, as well as rock music's influence on hip-hop, punk and other recent genres. Patrons can make their own music, see and learn about rare artifacts and memorabilia from EMP's collection of more than 80,000 items, explore various musical milestones within unique interpretive exhibits, feel the power of the creative force by listening to musicians tell their own stories, and discover the power and joy of music in all its forms. Founded by investor and philanthropist Paul G. Allen, under the direction of co-founder Jody Patton and designed by architect Frank O.Gehry, the 140,000 square foot multi-colored and "swoopy" museum rises up in the heart of Seattle at Seattle Center and provides visitors a musical experience unparalleled anywhere in the world.

For more information:
Experience Music Project

Edited by Stacey Brown

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