One of the most historically significant American music festival posters ever offered – an original 1974 Ann Arbor Blues & Jazz Festival “In Exile” concert poster, designed by Gary Kell of Rainbow Graphics and catalogued in The Art of Rock (plate 4.199, page 397). This is a genuine first printing original poster for one of the most extraordinary lineups in the history of American music – and one of the most culturally charged music events of the 1970s. Event: Ann Arbor Blues & Jazz Festival “In Exile”. Date: September 6, 7 & 8, 1974. Venue: Griffin Hollow Amphitheater, St. Clair College, Windsor, Ontario. Designer: Gary Kell / Rainbow Graphics. Catalogue: AOR 4.199 (The Art of Rock, page 397). Size: Approximately 16¾” x 21¾”. Condition: Good – fold marks present, small tear at top edge, colors remain vivid and bold. See all photos carefully before purchasing. The James Brown Revue · Sun Ra & His Arkestra · The Persuasions · John Nicholas Blues All-Stars featuring Hubert Sumlin & S. New Jazz of Detroit · Charles Moore’s Shattering Effect · The Lyman Woodard Organization · Eddie Nuccilli Big Band · Kenn Cox · Mixed Bag. Luther Allison · The Cecil Taylor Unit · Jimmy Dawkins Blues Band · Hound Dog Taylor & The Houserockers · Ursula Walker. Sunday Afternoon – “Detroit Blues”. John Lee Hooker · Junior Walker & The All Stars · Johnnie Mae Matthews · Boogie Woogie Red · Little Junior Cannady · One String Sam. BB King · The Gil Evans Orchestra · Albert Collins · Sunnyland Slim & The Blue Spirit Band · Robert Junior Lockwood. Why this poster is exceptional. The 1974 Ann Arbor Blues & Jazz Festival “In Exile” is one of the most historically significant events in American music history – and one of the most politically charged. The Republican majority on the Ann Arbor City Council banned the festival from the city, citing “undesirables” and an influx of dope. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario offered its Griffin Hollow Amphitheater as an alternative, the festival went ahead – but not without a fight. The FBI and law enforcement officials turned back cars at the border, searched vehicles, arrested anyone found with drugs, and even prevented festival co-producer John Sinclair from entering Canada. Against all of this, the music was, by all accounts, transcendent. James Brown and Sun Ra on the same Friday night bill. BB King closing Sunday. John Lee Hooker in the afternoon. This is not merely a concert poster – it is a primary document of American blues, jazz, and civil liberties history. This poster is documented and catalogued in The Art of Rock – the definitive reference guide for serious concert poster collectors – as plate 4.199. It was produced by Rainbow Multi-Media in association with CKLW Radio and St. This piece is appropriate for Heritage Auctions, major blues and jazz memorabilia collections, and dedicated concert poster collectors.
