National Museum of African American History and Culture

Jacket made by Joe Emsley and worn by Miles Davis

This dark purple velvet jacket was made by Joe Emsley and worn by Miles Davis. The jacket is slim cut, with no lapel, full length straight cut sleeves and a scalloped hemline. The jacket closes at the center front with three (3) black metal snaps. It is slightly longer in the back than in the front. There is one (1) exterior pocket at the waist of the proper left front, with a scalloped bottom left corner. The interior opening band of this pocket has a strip of the lining material sewn to it, but the body of the pocket is unlined. There are three (3) darts along the back below the neckline. On the interior, the jacket is lined with a printed silk fabric in a white, red, and blue polka-dotted diamond design. There is one interior set-in pocket on the proper right front with a label sewn onto it. There are underarm perspiration shields under each arm made from the same material as the lining.

Jacket Made by Joe Emsley and Worn by Miles Davis

Miles Davis was constantly pushing the envelope and innovating in his music. However, his groundbreaking aesthetics extended far beyond his sound; he was also a fashion icon. Davis was known to take great care in maintaining a sharp, stylish, and creative appearance. Joe Emsley was a tailor who crafted many of Davis’ garments in the 60s. View more

Artwork featuring illustrated portraits of Della Reese

Framed collage-style drawing featuring three images of Della Reese. The drawing is done entirely in black, gray, and white. In each image, she is pictured from the chest up, holding a microphone. The largest image is at the top right. It shows the woman with a gray streak in her black hair, her eyes closed, mouth open and hands raised. On the left, she wears a floral patterned garment, with her mouth open as if she is singing. The lowest image appears to have been done on a separate sheet of paper and overlaid with the other drawing. It shows her smiling and wearing a garment with a decorated neckline. The drawing is in a black metal frame on brown mat board with a tan border. The drawing is signed along a flower stem at lower left [dick Ell-(illegible)].

Artwork Featuring Illustrated Portraits of Della Reese

Rev. Della Reese (born on this day in 1931) was a singer, actress, and minister. In addition to a decades-spanning gospel and jazz singing career, Reese achieved success in acting, and is known for shows such as “Touched by an Angel,” in which she played a leading role. View more

Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup, 1973

A black-and-white photograph of Arthur Big Boy Crudup singing and playing guitar during a performance in New York City. He is wearing a vertical striped shirt and glasses and is behind a microphone. His guitar is just visible at the bottom of the frame.

"Arthur 'Big Boy' Crudup, 1973" Photograph by David D. Spitzer

Arthur Crudup was a Delta blues singer, guitarist, and songwriter. Many of his songs were popularized through covers done by rock and roll artists like Elvis Presley. In fact, Crudup was the original performer of "That's All Right", the first single that Elvis Pressley released, which was recorded on this day in 1954. View more

Handwritten lyrics to "You Need Love" by Willie Dixon, signed by Ron Wood

, A sheet of paper with song lyrics handwritten by Willie Dixon in dark pen. The lyrics are to Dixon's song "You Need Love." Signed in the lower right corner by Ronnie Wood. There are no inscriptions on the back.

Handwritten Lyrics to "You Need Love" by Willie Dixon, Signed by Ron Wood

Willie Dixon (born July 1, 1915) was a blues musician and prolific composer who was a major figure in the development of Chicago blues. View more

Celebrating Black Music Month

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Flyer Advertising an Evening with Angela Davis

This flyer advertises a celebratory benefit event with Angela Davis. The flyer is white with black text and features an illustration of Angela Davis on the top right. The flyer reads [THE ANGELA DAVIS LEGAL DEFENSE FUND / Presents / A VICTORY / CELEBRATION / THURSDAY-JUNE 29- 7:30 P.M. / An Evening / with / Angela Davis / BENEFIT FOR ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS]. Performers are listed as [RAY BARRETTO / JERRY BUTLER / CARMEN MCCRAE / PETE SEEGER / VOICES OF EAST HARLEM / OSSIE DAVIS, M.C.]. Additional information about the event, ticket pricing, and where to buy tickets is printed underneath the illustration and text. The back of the flyer is blank except for two handwritten notes. On top, in graphite text, handwriting reads [M30669-1]. The date, [JULY 1972] is handwritten in blue in the bottom corner.

Flyer Advertising an Evening with Angela Davis

Philosopher and political activist Angela Davis has, for decades, been a leading figure in anti-racist, feminist, socialist, and prison abolition movements. She is the author of over ten books on the topics. In 1970, Davis was arrested for her alleged involvement in the kidnapping of a judge and prosecutor in California. She was found not guilty in June 1972.

Portrait of Katherine Dunham Dance Company

A black and white digital print photograph of five women from the Katherine Dunham Dance Company. The women are wearing matching costumes of dresses and a stripped headpiece. The back of the photograph has a Jack Mitchell stamp in the bottom right corner and the number [5832] in the top left corner.

Portrait of Katherine Dunham Dance Company

Katherine Dunham was an African American dancer, choreographer, and anthropologist born on this day in 1909. She was a major figure and innovator in African American modern dance and a leader in the field of dance anthropology. For over 30 years she led the Katherine Dunham Dance Company, of which some unidentified members are depicted in this photograph.

Kevin, State to State Ball, Harlem, NY, 1998

A black and white photographic print depicting Kevin competing in a Butch Queen Vogue Dramatics Battle at the State-to-State Ball held at the YMCA at 135th Street in Harlem, New York, in 1998. The camera is focused on Kevin's face as he and another individual dance and pose on the floor. Kevin is just to the left of center frame, kneeling with his proper left leg bent under him and his other leg extended, his weight supported by leaning with his proper left fingers on the floor. His right arm is bent at the elbow, his right hand is blurred in motion. His face is turned towards his competitor, who faces Kevin while leaning back on his forearms with his right leg extended upright into the air. A crowd of spectators are out of focus around the two competitors, some sitting and standing behind a table in the background and others kneeling and standing on the floor with them. There are no inscriptions, front or back.

"Kevin, State to State Ball, Harlem, NY, 1998"

Trinidadian-born photographer Gerard H. Gaskin has been capturing the world of ballroom culture with his lens for over 25 years. In this photograph, the camera focuses on Kevin, a participant in a Butch Queen Vogue Dramatics battle at the New York State to State Ball in Harlem.

Banner used at Public Enemy performances

A banner that the hip hop group Public Enemy would hang behind them when performing at various gigs. The banner is made of red synthetic fabric with the Public Enemy logo printed inblack acrylic paint.

Banner Used at Public Enemy Performances

June is African American Music Appreciation Month. Public Enemy are known for their politically conscious music with strong and incisive critiques of racism, socio-economic inequality, police brutality, among many other issues. This banner was used as a backdrop during the group’s live performances in the early 1990s.

Pages