In the 19th and early 20th centuries, local Black musicians performed for white parties as an extra way to earn money. Forms of expression broadened in the 1960s. Music in the new Black churches was more spirited than in the white churches. Rock and roll and rhythm and blues reached a wide audience and spawned local groups. Wilmer Alexander, Jr. and the Dukes became popular across western New York. Thirty years later, Gym Class Heroes became nationally famous.
The school district, Boys & Girls Club of Geneva, and other groups encourage the arts in many forms. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee sponsors an annual art and poetry contest. Artists like Clyde Mathis (1913-2010) continued to create throughout their lifetime.
“[Music] crosses all barriers, racial barriers…age barriers.” – Mark Gramling, 2022.
In 2013, Mark Gramling (GHS ’93) formed a band called Mainstream with local musicians and friends, performing funk, soul, and R&B. Later, he formed a smaller band called B-Side and performs with other locals like Jim Richmond. Photo courtesy of Mark Gramling.
Inspired by his father’s gospel group, Jim Richmond (GHS ‘70) took up the saxophone and was in The Echomen in high school. In the late 1970s he released an album with Mother Freedom and now performs with 10-piece band Prime Time Funk. Photo courtesy of Mark Gramling.
After a trip to Europe, Clyde Mathis (1913-2010) was inspired to begin painting. He started taking art classes for senior citizens and became a prolific painter. In 1997, he was honored as Painter of the Year by the Ontario County Arts Council. Pictured is his piece called Seneca Hotel and One Franklin Square.