-- by Kim Davenport Don't miss this summer's exhibit at the Tacoma Historical Society, Showtime in Tacoma: Theaters and Performers. One of the highlights of the exhibit are artifacts from Bernice E. Newell, a newspaper writer, arts booster, and impresario who brought dozens of world-class musicians to Tacoma to perform in her 'Artist Course of... Continue Reading →
-- by Kim Davenport As they announce their 2017-2018 season, Tacoma Opera is gearing up to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their founding in 1968. Over those 50 years, Tacoma Opera has grown from a small amateur company into a professional regional company, attracting both talent and audiences from throughout the region and beyond. Throughout... Continue Reading →
-- by Kim Davenport UW Tacoma student Kaylee Kent began her research paper, which discusses the Tacoma Dome's importance as a music venue, with a simple question: when people think about the City of Tacoma, what is the first thing that comes to mind? She answers her question as follows: For many people, it is... Continue Reading →
-- by Kim Davenport On November 19, 1941, the multi-talented Paul Robeson made his first concert appearance in Tacoma. Although it was his powerful baritone voice that was featured in this particular event, Robeson was famous for a wide variety of talents. As only the third African-American student to be admitted to Rutgers University, in... Continue Reading →
-- by Kim Davenport In a career now spanning four decades, Tacoma native Diane Schuur has shared with audiences worldwide her love of American jazz. The grammy winner known for her "pitch-perfect execution and crystalline, three-and-a-half-octave vocal range" has collaborated on stage and in recordings with a wide range of prominent musicians from a variety... Continue Reading →
The Lincoln Bowl famously played host to a concert by Elvis Presley in 1957. As UW Tacoma student Emily Charbonneau discovered, however, this was not the only time the venue hosted concerts. Although the Bowl is primarily utilized today for sporting events, it has in its long history served a variety of roles for the surrounding... Continue Reading →
First, listen: This song was the inspiration for UW Tacoma student Pearl Lee's research into Tacoma's Japanese Language School and the community which it served. With the building no longer standing, and the song only alive in the memory of students who attended the school many decades ago, it was a haunting but inspiring beginning... Continue Reading →
Armed with a story from Michael Sullivan about railroads, prohibition and jazz in Tacoma and Seattle, UW Tacoma student Robb Todd dove head first into his research project for the 'Musical History of Tacoma' class, making several interesting discoveries along the way. Quoting from Todd's paper: "For Tacoma, there existed three catalysts that propelled Tacoma... Continue Reading →
Several students taking the 'Musical History of Tacoma' course at UW Tacoma were intrigued to research the story of "Red" Kelly, an illustrious jazz bassist who settled in Tacoma in his later years and managed, with his wife Donna, a restaurant and jazz club at the corner of 11th and Tacoma Avenue. Kelly's extensive collection... Continue Reading →
UW Tacoma student Rachel Wilkinson pursued research into Bill Engelhart and the Bluenotes, one of Tacoma's earliest rock-n-roll bands. Her research resulted in two fantastic artifacts which we're happy to share here: Research paper: Little Bill and the Bluenotes: Tacoma's First Rock Band Multimedia presentation: Little Bill and the Bluenotes: The Life and Times of Bill... Continue Reading →
Tacoma Music History 