Research Catalog

Essex Hemphill and Wayson Jones collection

Title
Essex Hemphill and Wayson Jones collection, 1981-2008 (bulk 1981-1996).
Author
Hemphill, Essex.

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2 Items

StatusContainerFormatAccessCall NumberItem Location
Box 1Mixed materialUse in library Sc MG 832 Box 1Schomburg Center - Manuscripts & Archives
Box 2Mixed materialNo restrictions Sc MG 832 Box 2Schomburg Center - Manuscripts & Archives

Details

Additional Authors
  • Jones, Wayson.
  • Hemphill, Essex.
Description
.8 linear feet. (2 archival boxes.)
Summary
The Essex Hemphill and Wayson Jones Collection documents the collaboration and friendship of poet (Hemphill) and musician (Jones), and their artistic endeavors to foreground the experiences of Black gay life in the United States. The collection contains biographical information by and about Hemphill and Jones as well as various tributes, 1981-2008. Hemphill's published and unpublished writings, 1982-1994, and scripts for collaborative performances and projects, 1983-1994, are included. There are also programs, flyers, and clippings.
Subjects
Genre/Form
  • Chapbooks.
  • Scripts.
  • Clippings.
  • Flyers.
  • Manuscripts.
Source (note)
  • Wayson Jones
Biography (note)
  • Essex Charles Hemphill was an African American poet, performer, editor, and cultural activist. Hemphill and Wayson Jones, a musician and performer, became roommates while attending the University of Maryland where Jones was a music student. Their friendship developed into a creative partnership when Jones joined Cinque, a poetry ensemble group that Hemphill co-founded with Larry Duckette in 1983. The trio performed in Washington, D.C. and appeared in Marlon Riggs's documentary about Black gay men, "Tongues Untied." In 1985 Hemphill and Jones began performing as a duo and were recipients, along with filmmaker Michelle Parkerson, of two residencies at the Painted Bride Arts Center in Philadelphia in 1986 and 1987.
  • Hemphill continued to write and perform until his deathon November 4, 1995, due to complications associated with HIV/AIDS. Currently, Jones continues to perform in the D.C. area, and has been exploring representation ideas in his work, especially in regards to racial/sexual orientation.
Call Number
Sc MG 832
OCLC
812533859
Author
Hemphill, Essex.
Title
Essex Hemphill and Wayson Jones collection, 1981-2008 (bulk 1981-1996).
Biography
Essex Charles Hemphill was an African American poet, performer, editor, and cultural activist. Hemphill and Wayson Jones, a musician and performer, became roommates while attending the University of Maryland where Jones was a music student. Their friendship developed into a creative partnership when Jones joined Cinque, a poetry ensemble group that Hemphill co-founded with Larry Duckette in 1983. The trio performed in Washington, D.C. and appeared in Marlon Riggs's documentary about Black gay men, "Tongues Untied." In 1985 Hemphill and Jones began performing as a duo and were recipients, along with filmmaker Michelle Parkerson, of two residencies at the Painted Bride Arts Center in Philadelphia in 1986 and 1987.
Hemphill continued to write and perform until his deathon November 4, 1995, due to complications associated with HIV/AIDS. Currently, Jones continues to perform in the D.C. area, and has been exploring representation ideas in his work, especially in regards to racial/sexual orientation.
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Finding Aid
Local Subject
Black author.
Added Author
Jones, Wayson.
Hemphill, Essex. Nethula journal of contemporary literature.
Hemphill, Essex. Brother to brother: new writings by black gay men.
Hemphill, Essex. Ceremonies.
Hemphill, Essex. Conditions.
Hemphill, Essex. Diamonds was in the kitty.
Hemphill, Essex. Plums.
Hemphill, Essex. Earth life.
Hemphill, Essex. Some of the people we love are terrorists.
Research Call Number
Sc MG 832
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