In Atlanta's newly formed Edgewood Arts District, The Sun ATL is hosting an extraordinary celebration of Black musical heritage through the lenses of two legendary Atlanta photographers. "WE ARE MUSIC: photographs by Jim Alexander & Sue Ross" documents over five decades of iconic performances, intimate moments, and the vibrant culture that has shaped American music.
The exhibition, running through July 26, opens a visual time capsule spanning from 1968 to the present day. The earliest photograph - Jim Alexander's striking 1968 image of Al Green on stage - sets the tone for a collection that reads like a who's who of musical greatness. Alexander's portfolio features jazz and blues legends including Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald, Michael Jackson, Sammy Davis Jr., Betty Carter, Sarah Vaughan, Run-DMC, and the cosmic jazz pioneer Sun Ra.
Sue Ross brings her own remarkable perspective to the exhibition, drawing from her unique position as the unofficial photographer for six African American Atlanta mayors during her 36-year tenure with the City of Atlanta. Her camera has captured the likes of Miles Davis, Nancy Wilson, India.Arie, Big Boi, Ray Charles, Aaron Neville, Wynton Marsalis, Gladys Knight and Herbie Hancock, to name a few. Ross's dual role documenting both political and musical history offers an insider's view of Atlanta's cultural leadership.
Many of these photographs were taken right here in Atlanta, particularly at the Atlanta Jazz Festival, which Alexander has been documenting since its inception in 1978. This local connection transforms the exhibition from mere documentation into a love letter to Atlanta's role as a musical epicenter.
The timing of the exhibition's May 22 opening was intentional - launching on the eve of the Atlanta Jazz Festival and remaining open through June to commemorate Black Music Month. This synchronicity underscores the deep connection between the photographers' work and the living tradition of Black musical expression.
Gallery Director and Curator Shawn Vinson brings personal passion to presenting this collection. Starting as a music photographer before entering the art world at 21, Vinson understands the unique challenges and rewards of capturing live performance. His history with Alexander's work dates back to 2007, when he first exhibited the photographer's images at Vinson Gallery on Decatur Square in a show titled "Musicians, Snaps of the Cats that Make it Happen."
"WE ARE MUSIC" is more than an exhibition - it's a testament to the power of photography to preserve cultural memory. Through Alexander and Ross's lenses, visitors witness not just performances, but the essence of musical moments that have shaped generations. In the heart of Atlanta's Sweet Auburn Historic District, these images remind us that we are, indeed, music - inheritors and creators of a tradition that continues to evolve.
The exhibition runs through July 26 at The Sun ATL: 399 Edgewood Avenue, Atlanta GA 30312.
The gallery is open to the public on Fridays and Saturdays from 11am to 5pm and also by appointment.
