Hampton University to Dedicate Joe Jordan Ragtime Jazz and Entrepreneurship Collection June 17

Hampton, VA - Hampton University will dedicate the "Joe Jordan Ragtime Jazz and Entrepreneurship Collection" Saturday, June 17 at 3 p.m. The ceremony will take place in the Peabody Room of the William & Norma Harvey Library on the HU campus and will be followed by a reception at 4:15 p.m. in the Hampton University Museum. The event is made possible through the sponsorship of Consolidated Bank & Trust.

"Our family is honored to make this donation to Hampton University," said Kimi Rabun, granddaughter of the late Joe Jordan and the mother of two recent HU graduates. "We are confident my grandfather's legacy will be preserved at Hampton and that the collection will provide an opportunity for public access to the origins of American jazz music."

"It was important to our family that a Historically Black University receive this African-American cultural gift and Hampton has become our new Home by the Sea," Rabun added.

A world-famous composer and musician, Jordan carried the distinction of being one of the richest African-American real estate entrepreneurs in the United States during the ragtime era. His priceless collection contains more than 600 items, including original manuscripts, sheet music, engraving plates, photos, private papers and books.

"Lovie Joe," created in 1910, proved to be Joe Jordan's greatest composition and musical success, according to Tim Samuelson, cultural historian for the City of Chicago. Jordan's other musical score of significance was "Siren of the Tropics," composed for Josephine Baker's "Folies Bergere in Paris."

"We at Consolidated Bank & Trust Company are pleased to be a participant in honoring Joe Jordan, not only a great artist, but also an astounding entrepreneur," said Joseph L. Williams, chairman of the board of Consolidated Bank Trust Company. "He and our founder, Maggie Lena Walker, both had a vision and a plan to implement the vision in a manner that greatly benefited their respective communities."

"Jordan was one of America's first Black millionaires and the J. Jordan building was the first major, Black-owned economic structure in the city of Chicago," explained Dr. Sid Howard Credle, dean of the HU School of Business. "That accomplishment provided motivation to other entrepreneurs."

Credle, whose efforts resulted in the Hampton University donation, was selected by the Jordan's family to be the official biographer of the musician's life story.

"I am pleased that the Jordan family has donated the late Joe Jordan's Ragtime Jazz Collection to Hampton, to become a permanent part of our archives," said Dr. William R. Harvey, Hampton University President.

"Our Peabody Collection is one of the nation's largest and most comprehensive collections on the history and culture of African and Native Americans," he added. "Jordan's legacy will be preserved and made available for jazz scholars and entrepreneurs to do research and enjoy Mr. Jordan's contribution to American culture."