As part of the eighth annual Cleveland Fine Arts Expo, there will be
an exhibition of the work of photographer Jim Allen. A reception will
be held on Saturday evening. See details below.

The three day expo occurs this Friday, Saturday, & Sunday May 18, 19 &
20, 2007 at the eastern campus of Cuyahoga Community College. The
event is free and open to the public.

---------Press Release------------

Cleveland Fine Art Expo to Showcase
Work of Photographer Jim Allen

The spectacular photo collection of nationally renowned photographer
Jim Allen, of Rochester, NY., will be showcased at the 8th Annual
Cleveland Fine Art Expo (CFAE). Jazz: Legends & Legacies is an
exhibit comprised of more than 100 photos of jazz legends and authors.
Jim Allen, who is also a jazz musician (he plays the drums), views
photography as a perfect medium for documenting and preserving jazz,
which he believes is "America's only true art form whose legacy of
permanence and tradition in unparalleled.

He successfully launched two exciting, one-man shows entitled Jazz
Blues and Chittlin' Circuit and Beyond in 1994, to critical acclaim at
the Links Gallery at the Rochester, New York City Hall. Recently
Allen was invited by the curator of Light Impressions to exhibit his
most recent show entitled, Jazz in Black and White, during Black
History Month.

A retired educator, Jim holds degrees in educational administration
and a master's degree in organizational change and management from the
State University of New York at Buffalo and SUNY Brockport,
respectively. Mr. Allen, who considers himself a bit of a historian,
has also been a reporter and photo journalist, often taking pictures
of jazz musicians with whom he has played or had a friendship.
A self-taught photographer, Allen credits his experience as a musician
with his ability to capture that magical moment when the artist is at
the apex of a performance. The hallmark of his work is by his skill at
shooting with available light, which he developed in response to house
rules in most concert halls and jazz clubs that ban use of flash
bulbs. His extensive and diverse photographic portraits include such
notables as Roy Hargrave, Elvin Jones, Joe Henderson, Boney James,
Julian Priester, Michael Brecker and Cecil McBee. His work has been
featured in local and national magazines, as well as a CD jacket.
"Allen's photos (all in black and white), are extraordinary, and I
encourage you to take this opportunity to see it at the Cleveland Fine
Art Expo", says Louise Gissendaner, president and founder of Sankofa
Fine Art Plus, the presenting organization of the Cleveland Fine Art
Expo. "He is indeed an accomplished photographer whose work shows his
personal feelings and we are lucky to have him as part of this year's
Expo."

On Saturday, May 19 at 7:00 p.m. an artist reception for Jim Allen,
sponsored by Merrill Lynch will be presented at Tri-C's Gallery East
on Saturday, May 19 at 7:00 p.m. Live jazz by Sherena Wynn and No
Strings Attached and light refreshments will be provided.

For more information, visit:
http://www.sankofafineartplus.org/