Washington's history in both African-American music and photography is long and rich. Washington proudly claims native son Edward Duke Ellington but there were other musicians whose lives, performances, and recordings touched Washington society in one way or another. Institutions like the Treble Clef Club, the L'Allegro Glee Club, the Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Choral Society, the Gregorian Studio of Music, and the Washington Conservatory of Music were founded in the city by and for African Americans long before there was the "U" Street that is celebrated now. The city's African-American photo legacy began with daguerreotypist John B. Washington in 1850. Since then photographers have acted as historians by creating a visual record of African-American achievement. Part of that record documents the music scene and includes the portraits of noted, and some not so noted, musicians and images of concerts, social gatherings, and performances. Visual Virtuosity celebrates both African-American music and the photographs that help to remind us of the continuing contribution Blacks have made to American music.

Photographer, David "Oggi" Ogburn worked primarily in music promotions which provided him access to artists of all genre. His extensive body of jazz photographs include Art Blakey, Grover Washington, and Sade. In his work, you get a backstage view of the performer as well as the performance itself. Wilbur Allen's skill in film manipulation and computer graphics have earned him praise in a number of photography and movie journals. His computer enhanced portraits of Miles Davis take the traditional "still" photograph to another level. Sharon Farmer is the first woman and the first African American to become director of White House Photography and was former photographer for President Clinton. Although her educational background was in music, her skills in photography have brought her national recognition. Her body of music photos include Sweet Honey in the Rock and Esther Williams with Davie Yarborough.

June 8

A "meet the artist" reception is scheduled for 7 p.m., with performances and comments on music history by acappella do-wop group, Last Call.

June 9

Donna Wells will present a slide show of vintage photographs of the Washington music scene from the collections of the Moorland Spingarn Research Center from 5-6 p.m., followed by the Remember U Street: An Evening Walking Tour at 6 p.m.. The cost for the walking tour, which will is also scheduled for June 22nd, is $14.00.

June 23

Beginning at 1 p.m., Dr. Doris McGinty, retired professor of Howard University's Department of Music, will discuss the The Early Music Scene in Washington, DC: 1900-1920. She will be followed by archivist Deborra Richardson, of the National Museum of American History, who will discuss the Duke Ellington Collection at the Smithsonian and highlight some of the items in the collection.

June 30

A free-for-all women's jam session will close out the festivities on, beginning at 3 p.m.