Traveling
Exhibits
Luther Vandross
Artistry and Elegance
Created in partnership with Primary Wave and The Luther Vandross Estate, Luther Vandross: Artistry and Elegance celebrates the extraordinary life and legacy of Luther Vandross, an eight-time GRAMMY winner, revered songwriter, arranger, producer, performer, and one of the most gifted vocalists in music history. The exhibit offers an intimate glimpse into Vandross’ creative process and showcases his ornate stage wardrobe, exclusive performance footage from his popular tours, and a never-before-heard recording of him in the studio.
Exhibit
Sections
Background Singing & Arranging
In the 1970s, Vandross was New York’s most in-demand background singer, working with Bette Midler, Roberta Flack, Chic, Quincy Jones, Carly Simon, Chaka Khan, among others. These artists didn’t just want Vandross’s smooth tenor voice on their tracks—they also counted on his uncompromising musicianship: he solved problems, enhanced arrangements, and strove for perfection in every session.
Songwriting
After building a lucrative career writing commercial jingles, Vandross wrote the vast majority of his songs, in addition to penning lyrics for other artists. He is best known for his songs about the highs and lows of romantic love.
Producing
Starting with his first solo album, Luther Vandross had a clear idea of how he wanted his music to sound, and self-produced or co-produced almost all of his records. This opened the door to opportunities to write and produce music for his idols and contemporaries, including Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, and Whitney Houston.
Performing And Art Directing
Vandross’s stage shows featured expert musicians, elaborate stage sets that expanded on the themes of his songs, and eye-catching costumes that he helped design. All these details heightened the concert experience, and Vandross encouraged his fans to get out of their seats to sing and dance along.
Exhibit
Includes
Artifacts
- Two full sets of custom-designed, hand-beaded stage wear worn by Vandross and his backup singer/dancers
- Original cassette tapes, DAT tapes, and Polaroid photos of recording studios
- Awards and nominations, including one of Vandross’ GRAMMYs
- Handwritten lyrics and studio notes
- Original sheet music and scores
- Original drawings of stage wear
Listening Stations / Audio Guide
- Interview clips featuring Vandross’ backup singer/dancers reflecting on their time onstage and backstage, and their experiences wearing the stage wear on display.
- A never-before-heard recording of Vandross working on the bridge of “I Can Make It Better”
Exhibit Film
- A reel of performance footage featuring some of Vandross’ greatest hits, and highlighting the stage wear on display
Graphics
- Large-scale photos of Vandross, infographic, text panels, and artifact captions
FAQs
Exhibition Size and Requirements
Exhibitions vary in size, but all require adequate storage for shipping crates, and appropriate museum-quality lighting and casework.
Insurance
The host institution will be required to provide a certificate of insurance before the exhibition ships.
Cost and Schedule
A typical exhibition run lasts approximately 13-16 weeks and the associated rental fee is determined based on which exhibition is selected as well as its size and scope.
Shipping and Installation
In addition to the exhibition rental fee, the host institution is responsible for paying shipping costs, as well as travel costs for up to three GRAMMY Museum staff members for installation and de-installation. Our traveling exhibitions team will communicate any additional labor or special equipment needs for loading and unloading at the host venue.
Security
Trained professional guards or trained museum personnel whose sole duty is the supervision of the exhibition must be present in sufficient number to provide surveillance and crowd control while the exhibition is open for viewing, as well as a CCTV monitor system.
Additional Information
For more information about our traveling exhibits, please email travelingexhibitions@grammymuseum.org.
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