You are Invited!
Saturday April 28
Noon - 2 PM
Downtown Olympia
Music Out Loud is a
project that posthumously honors musicians who have significantly contributed
to music growth in the area or made a name for Olympia, through artistic design
and music performances in downtown Olympia.
The first
part of the project, three mosaics in downtown Olympia sidewalks, was recently
completed. Designs by three local artists were fabricated and installed by
Belarde Company, using a special process called LithoMosaic, which sets the
mosaics directly into concrete. The artworks will be dedicated during Arts Walk
with a walking tour on Saturday, April 28, from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. in downtown
Olympia. The tour will begin at 4th Ave. and Chestnut St., and will continue to
5th Ave. and Capitol Way.
My mosaic, honoring Bert Wilson, will be dedicated after the mosaics honoring Steve Munger and Vern Eke. We expect to be at the site on 5th Avenue after 1 PM. More info: Thurston Talk
Bert
Wilson – Mosaic design by Michele A. Burton
Location: NE Corner of 5th Ave & Capitol Way
Location: NE Corner of 5th Ave & Capitol Way
- World renowned saxophonist and
composer with a 7 octave range and over 200 songs to his name.
- Teacher for many world famous
saxophonists to include Lenny Picket of Tower of Power and musical
director of NBC’s Saturday Night Live, Jeff Coffin of the Dave Mathews
Band and Ernie Watts of the NBC orchestra.
- Stricken by Polio when he was
very young and was confined to a wheel chair his entire life. In spite of
his disability, he created a concept on saxophone that placed him among
the greats of the instrument.
- Influence on the local music
scene was profound. Some of the legends of Jazz would stop by Bert’s home
to play and visit with him. Many musicians moved to Olympia to play with
and learn from Bert. His group Rebirth, which was filled with Olympia
musicians, had international acclaim for its recordings and performances.
- His music continues to be heard
in local venues.
 |
| Mosaic highlighting Bert Wilson's accomplishments as musician, composer, teacher and mentor. |
 |
| detail of Bert Wilson Mosaic |
 |
| the small saxophones represent the musicians Bert Wilson taught and inspired |
 |
| flowing sheets of paper represent Bert Wilson's compositions |
 |
| the rainbow theme is inspired by Bert Wilson's love of tie-dye and his ability to extend the range of the saxophone by several octaves, much like a prism transforms white light into a vast rainbow of color |