B+W photo of Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Dean Martin and Jan Murray performing at Carnegie Hall, N.Y., Jan. 27, 1961.

Photograph

DescriptionBlack-and-white photograph of Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Dean Martin, Buddy Hackett and Jan Murray performing at Carnegie Hall, New York, January 27, 1961. Performance was “A Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” a gala benefit fundraiser for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC.) Left to right: Jan Murray, Buddy Hacket, Sammy Davis, Jr., Frank Sinatra, (back to camera) Dean Martin. 11" x 14" wide print, borderless; image ca. 13" wide; vintage. Photographer: Bill Mark, Park Sheraton Hotel, New York City; inkstamp on back; pencil notation: U6209 (presumed negative number) Press service: n/a Place: New York City. Caption: no Print from a photographer who photographed many events and appearances of Sinatra.

Entry/Object ID

2015.030.0013

Acquisition

Accession

2015.030

Source or Donor

Purchase

Acquisition Method

Purchase

Credit Line

Museum Collections.

Made/Created

Artist

Mark, Bill

Date made

1977

Place

Location

New York City

Dimensions

Height

11 in

Width

14 in

General Notes

Note

Notes: From SCLC Newsletter, Volume 1, No. 1, May 1961, page [4] BENEFIT Heading a cast of star performers, Sammy Davis, Jr., Frank Sinatra, Sidney Potier, Mahalia Jackson, Count Basie, Dean Martin, Jan Murray, Nipsey Russell, George Kirby, Carmen McRae, Ruth Brown, Sy Oliver, and many other headline performers staged a benefit for SCLC and "Tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr." which grossed $53,000.00. Under the sponsorship of A. Philip Randolph, the Reverend Gardner C. Taylor of Concord Baptist Church of Brooklyn, New York, and Harry Belafonte, the Committee to Aid the Southern Freedom Struggle (New York group of SCLC), organized and promoted the benefit which took place at Carnegie Hall in New York City. The night of January 27, 1961, the auditorium, famous for the great names which have graced its stage was completely sold out. Squads of extra police were detailed to handle the huge crowd milling backstage in an effort to catch a glimpse of performers and notables. A telegram from President John Kennedy was read which congratulated the Committee on its effort to aid the Southern freedom struggle. He also stated his determination to "make democracy in this country, not only a name but a reality". Harry Belafonte, Sidney Potier [sic Poitier] and many other celebrities are members of the New York group. During intermission Harry Belafonte stated " . .. we are taking a stand for what we believe is right, moral and democratic ... " ==== ==== Original or Copy: Original Status: OK Status By: dw Status Date: 2015-05-29