Jimi Hendrix: An Evolution of Sound Opens April 26 at EMP|SFM

Jimi Hendrix: An Evolution of Sound Opens April 26 at EMP|SFM

New exhibition focuses on the visitor experience; museum unveils new audio guide

SEATTLE, April 1, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- Experience Music Project|Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame (EMP|SFM) is proud to announce an original exhibition featuring the legendary Jimi Hendrix. Jimi Hendrix: An Evolution of Sound, will focus on the visitor experience and how Hendrix indelibly affected popular music with his unique talents and innovative sound. Jimi Hendrix: An Evolution of Sound opens on Saturday, April 26, 2008 and closes on Sunday, April 11, 2010.

"This new exhibition will illustrate Hendrix's musical evolution in five stages, from his early days in Seattle, to his time as a journeyman musician touring the southern "chitlin' circuit" and in New York City, to his explosion on the popular music scene in London and beyond," said Jacob McMurray, senior curator at EMP|SFM. "The exhibition will weave together the various musical styles and cultures that Hendrix soaked up throughout his all-too-short journey."

Jimi Hendrix: An Evolution of Sound explores five stages of Hendrix's career -- the Seattle Scene (Nov. 1942 - May 1961, the Chitlin' Circuit (May 1961-July 1965), The Village (July 1965-Sept. 1966), the Jimi Hendrix Experience (Sept. 1966-July 1969) and The World Stage (July 1969-July 1970). Hendrix's story is told repeatedly through these stages throughout the exhibition.

"Jimi was a musical innovator of unparalleled breadth," said Experience Hendrix CEO Janie Hendrix. "EMP|SFM's Jimi Hendrix: An Evolution of Sound exhibition underscores the fact that his influence on today's music is as great, if not greater, than it was on music during his own lifetime. We're delighted that EMP|SFM is keeping his musical legacy alive and making it relevant for this generation and generations to come."

Hendrix's presence can be found throughout EMP|SFM, from interviews in Sound and Vision: Artists Tell Their Stories, stories of his early bands in Northwest Passage and rocking out to "Purple Haze" in On Stage -- the museum's popular concert performance interactive.

On Saturday, April 26, EMP|SFM will update its Museum Exhibit Guide (MEG) and replace it with an iPod(R) audio guide. The iPod(R) audio guide will include Jimi Hendrix and Nirvana "jukeboxes." EMP|SFM members will be able to check out iPod(R) audio guides for free.

Specifics from Jimi Hendrix: An Evolution of Sound include:

An interactive, 3-D life map visualizes Hendrix's career, within the larger context of popular culture. The map focuses on the five stages of Hendrix's specific musical experiences and how these areas shaped his musical outlook. The wall includes slideshows, information buttons and artifacts.

An iconic guitar wall displays guitars representative of the five stages of Hendrix's career. The wall includes Hendrix's Woodstock Fender Stratocaster and his Saville Theatre and Monterey Pop Festival guitar shards.

A sound effects interactive demonstrates how Hendrix used effects pedals to create a new instrument out of the guitar.

A mixing interactive shows Hendrix as an innovator and forefather of modern recording technology.

Within the gallery, visitors can view one hour of Hendrix concert films, including footage of Hendrix performing at Monterey, Woodstock, Berkeley, The Isle of Wight and more. In addition, guests can listen to extensive Hendrix recordings on gallery iPods(R).

The Play On Theater offers visitors the opportunity to view rare Hendrix films and footage.

Earlier this year, EMP|SFM opened Message to Love: Remembering and Reclaiming Jimi Hendrix. This exhibition encouraged visitors and fans to write their own "message to love" to Hendrix on gallery wall panels. The museum's curatorial department synthesized the feedback which has helped to form Jimi Hendrix: An Evolution of Sound and will continue to guide future Hendrix-inspired exhibitions. Highlights and reflections from Message to Love: Remembering and Reclaiming Jimi Hendrix will be featured just outside the new exhibition. Message to Love: Remembering and Reclaiming Jimi Hendrix closes Sunday, April 6, 2008.

OPENING WEEKEND EVENTS

On Saturday, April 26 at 1 p.m., EMP|SFM's Experience: The Band will perform Hendrix songs in JBL Theater. Experience: The Band is an innovative scholarship program for middle and high school students that integrates instrumental and vocal instruction, ensemble performance and musicianship classes with state-of-the-art online learning materials. Experience: The Band is a part of the Berklee City Music Network, a partnership with Berklee College of Music in Boston.

Throughout the exhibition's opening weekend, documentary footage of Hendrix will screen in the Play On Theater, a Hendrix music and light show will play in Sky Church and Hendrix-themed food and drink specials will be offered at Revolution Bar & Grill.

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Source: Experience Music Project|Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame

CONTACT: Maggie Skinner of Experience Music Project|Science Fiction
Museum and Hall of Fame, +1-206-262-3245, maggies@empsfm.org

Web site: http://www.empsfm.org/

NOTE TO EDITORS: Media are invited to preview the exhibition during the day on April 24 and 25 and during the exhibition preview on April 25 at 7 p.m. Contact Maggie Skinner at 206-262-3245 or maggies@empsfm.org to schedule a curatorial tour of the exhibition. Online press kit available at: http://www.empsfm.org/press/hendrix

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Profile: International Entertainment