Evolution of the Blues (Original program and three original photographs from the Westwood Playhouse production, circa 1978) by Jon Hendricks (director, writer, starring); Donald McKayle (director; choreographer); Ka-Ron Brown, Rosalind Cash, Gary Chapman (starring_ - 1978

N.p.: California Stage Review, 1978. Vintage "California Stage Review" program for the Westwood Playhouse production of "Jon Hendricks' Evolution of the Blues," with three black and white photographs, housed in the original envelope, circa 1978. Laid in program is a 6.5 x 5.5 inch flyer for the Coronet Theatre's production of "Bullshot Drummond."

Jon Hendricks first created his masterwork, "Evolution of the Blues Song" (later amended to "Evolution of the Blues") for the 1960 Monterey Jazz Festival. An ambitious survey of African American music, from spirituals and field hollers, to blues, gospel, and jazz, Hendricks interspersed his own compositions with classics such as Ma Rainey's "See See Rider," and Big Bill Broonzy's "Sun Gonna Shine in My Door," along with standards "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," "New Orleans," and "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child." Acclaimed musicians and singers such as Jimmy Witherspoon, Hannah Dean, "Big" Miller, Ben Webster, and Pony Poindexter were enlisted for the performance, and in 1961 Columbia Records released the acclaimed LP of the project.

In the 1970s Hendricks restaged the production at the Broadway Theatre in San Francisco, where it ran for an unprecedented five years, and in 1978 and 1979 at the Los Angeles' Westword Playhouse, featuring performers Ka-Ron Brown, Rosalind Cash, Gary Chapman, and others, with co-direction and choreography by Donald McKayle.

Program, 8.5 x 11 inches. Four Pages, saddle stitched. Near Fine.

Photographs, 8 x 10 inches. Near Fine.

Envelope, 9 x 12 inches. Very Good plus with toning at edges.