NEW HOPE, PA - A salute to 20th-century American music is being presented by the James A. Michener Art Museum via the photography exhibition Gershwin to Gillespie: Portraits in American Music, organized by George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film, on view June 15 through October 7, 2007. The exhibition offers glimpses into the lives and personalities of the greatest American musicians and composers, as captured by some of the most influential American photographers, including Philippe Halsman and Annie Leibovitz. Among those depicted in the 50 featured photographs are George Gershwin, Dizzy Gillespie, Leonard Bernstein, Lukas Foss, John Philip Sousa, Billie Holiday, John Coltrane, Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, and Aretha Franklin.

"Individually, these images present us with portraits of determination, idealism and a strong sense of self. As a group, these images give us a wonderful cross-section of American musical life," noted musicologist Olivia Mattis, guest curator of the exhibition. "These images involve a partnership between a number of America's most influential photographers and some highly creative American music personalities who were concerned about their place in history."

The exhibition is arranged in four sections: Champions of American Music, Great American Composers, Legends of American Jazz, and Icons of American Pop. The musical legends have been captured in various poses and settings, from studio shots and live stage performances to recording sessions. Mattis has provided accompanying text that allows both the photograph and the photographer to sing out loud. For example, experience Philippe Halsman's portrait of Louis Armstrong and see how it illustrates that Halsman was Life magazine's most popular cover photographer, and also experience Rolling Stone photographer Annie Leibovitz's creative images of Bob Dylan, Brian Wilson, and B.B. King. Plus, learn the story behind Art Kane's famous A Great Day in Harlem—one of the most famous jazz images of all time.

Gershwin to Gillespie: Portraits in American Music is sponsored by US Trust. The exhibition is also made possible by annual support provided by The Pew Charitable Trusts, the Bucks County Commissioners and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.

The James A. Michener Art Museum in New Hope is located at 500 Union Square Drive, New Hope, PA 18938. Gallery hrs: Tuesday-Friday. 11am-5pm, Sat. (Memorial Day through Labor Day) 11 am-6pm; Sun. 11am-5pm. Call 215-862-7633 or visit www.michenermuseum.org for further information.