Detroit Public Library Kicks Off Black History Month with the 69th Annual E. Azalia Hackley Concert

Jan. 28, 2013 - PRLog -- Detroit – The Detroit Public Library and the E. Azalia Hackley Collection presents the 69th Annual celebration of the E. Azalia Hackley Collection concert with Alice McAllister Tillman on Wednesday, February 6 at 7:00 p.m. at the Detroit Public Library – Main Library.  Her talents have taken her to concert halls and recital stages throughout the United States.  Recently, she has performed as a featured soloist with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Michigan Opera Theater Orchestra and at events such as the Detroit Jazz Festival


“African-American contributions to the arts are remarkable in their unparalleled influence on American culture,” said Jo Anne Mondowney, Executive Director of the Detroit Public Library.   “Today we celebrate that contribution with the artistic talents of Mrs. Alice McAllister-Tillman.”

The E. Azalia Hackley Collection is one of the nation’s foremost research collections for the documentation of achievements by African Americans in all genres of the performing arts. Created in 1943 by a gift from the Detroit chapter of the National Association of Negro Musicians, the Collection was named in honor of Madame E. Azalia Hackley (1867-1922), singer, educator and humanitarian. Madame Hackley is revered for a life-long career in promoting black music and musicians.

The concert celebrates Hackley’s legacy as well as that of past African-American composers and musicians.  This year’s concert is especially significant as it begins the celebration of the E. Azalia Hackley Collection’s 70th anniversary.  Throughout 2013, the collection will present special performances, lectures, book signings all to commemorate this milestone.

This year’s event is free and open to the public.  For more information, please call 313-481-1339 or visit us at www.detroitpubliclibrary.org.

The concert will be held in the Friends Auditorium at the Detroit Public Library located at 5201 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48202.  Sponsors include the Detroit Public Library, Comerica Bank, the Detroit Public Library Friends Foundation & the Friends of the E. Azalia Hackley Collection