To Say I Was Here Opening: Curator Talk + Listening Party

Name: To Say I Was Here Opening: Curator Talk + Listening Party
Start: 2025-04-03T19:00:00-04:00
End: 2025-04-03T21:00:00-04:00
Location: 15 Lloyd St, Baltimore, MD, United States, Maryland 21202

Schedule

Thu Apr 03 2025 at 07:00 pm to 09:00 pm

UTC-04:00

Location

15 Lloyd St, Baltimore, MD, United States, Maryland 21202 | Baltimore, MD

Join JMM for the opening of To Say I Was Here, an exhibition of Arabic, Greek, Ladino, and Turkish-speaking Jewish immigrant musicians recorded in the U.S. between 1916 and 1966. This multimedia exhibit currently on view delves into the lives and legacies of several immigrant musicians—both celebrated and little-known—who shaped the rich tapestry of American music in the early to mid-20th century. During this era of rapid expansion in the U.S. sound recording industry, countless immigrant artists recorded songs from their homelands, preserving and transforming cultural traditions. Among them were Jewish musicians from Aleppo, Baghdad, Istanbul, Ioannina, Izmir, and beyond, who performed not only for their Jewish communities but also within Armenian, Greek, and Arab circles, united by shared languages and cultural bonds.
The event features exhibition curator, Baltimore-based music historian, and record producer Ian Nagoski, presenting a music-infused talk. The experience will take listeners behind the music, bringing Nagoski’s nearly two decades of research on Near Eastern music in 20th-century America to life and offering an intimate exploration of music as a bridge between worlds.
Click here to explore the soundtrack of To Say I Was Here with a playlist curated by Ian Nagoski that accompanies the exhibit: https://jewishmuseummd.org/to-say-i-was-here/. This unique collection includes music that brings the exhibit to life and bonus tracks.
A special edition CD of this anthology, limited to 1,000 copies for museum visitors, honors musicians who shaped the music of the past. Listen, reflect, and connect with their stories and artistry.
Attendees will have the opportunity to explore the exhibition in JMM’s new R.C. Long Gallery and to engage with the Museum’s recently opened Production Studio.

Kosher light refreshments, beer, and wine will be served.
Masks are encouraged but not required for this event. Complimentary masks will be available.
Accessibility: The Museum building is wheelchair accessible, including the single-stall and multi-stall bathrooms.
Parking: There is a small, free, City-owned parking lot directly across Lloyd Street from the Museum entrance. There is street parking available in the neighborhood.
For questions, please contact nmitchel[at]jewishmuseummd.org or 443.873.5178.
Admission is free and open to the public. You can learn more about the event and register here: https://68398.blackbaudhosting.com/68398/tickets?tab=2&txobjid=4094f927-b4b0-405d-b825-b7739ec05d13