'Blues in Black and White'

The Kennedy Museum of Art kicks off spring with its newest photography exhibit, "Blues in Black and White" that will feature 50 to 60 photographs by Stanley Livingston documenting the behind-the-scenes activities and onstage performances of blues legends at the landmark Ann Arbor Blues Festivals of the late 1960s.

"Not only does the exhibit portray some of the most legendary figures every to play blues, but it captures a particular time in America when these two blues festivals occurred in Ann Arbor, Mich.," said Edward Pauley, the John B. and Dareth A. Gerlach Director of the Kennedy Museum of Art. "It's the first time we could document in photographs these mainly black artists playing in front of a mainly white crowd and reflects that pivotal time in America when these two groups who were traditionally segregated started to come together and create dynamic changes in our society."

Including artists such as B.B. King, Howlin' Wolf, Buddy Guy and Johnny Winter, Livingston's photographs document these events and how a form of American music brought together blacks and whites and also influenced popular music.

"Many of today's artist have been influenced by these artists and students will probably be surprised to discover that the music they listen to, whether it's hip hop and contemporary rock, there is a connection," Pauley said.

The exhibit will open April 17 and run through June 14.