SEATTLE & INDIANAPOLIS (April 10, 2025) — The Jim Irsay Collection will loan several items to the acclaimed Museum of Popular Culture in Seattle for its upcoming exhibit – “Never Turn Back: Echoes of African American Music” – opening May 2025.
“Never Turn Back” will immerse visitors in the rich legacy of African American music, tracing the deep cultural roots of gospel, blues, jazz and soul. Through evocative photography, rare concert flyers, instruments and costumes, the exhibit showcases the profound influence of Black communities on the evolution of these genres.
The title comes from the Negro spiritual “I’ll Never Turn Back No More” by Mahalia Jackson and explores how the early musical genres emerged from the struggles and ancestral heritage of African Americans. Despite enduring immense hardships, African Americans infused the American cultural landscape with vibrant sounds, rhythms and movements, laying the foundation for a profound and lasting impact on American music.
"The influence of Black musicians on American culture is immeasurable, and Never Turn Back is a testament to their enduring legacy," said Michele Y. Smith, CEO of the Museum of Pop Culture. "We are honored to partner with the Jim Irsay Collection to showcase these incredible artifacts, connecting visitors to the artists whose creativity and resilience shaped the sound of generations."
The Jim Irsay Collection is a robust collection of historic and culturally significant artifacts from music, American history and pop culture assembled over several decades by Jim Irsay, owner & CEO of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts. An active philanthropist, Irsay transformed his collection into a “traveling museum” and has hosted free exhibitions in Nashville, Washington,D.C., Austin, Beverly Hills, New York, Chicago, Indianapolis, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Boston and Los Angeles. He also regularly loans artifacts to museums, nonprofits and other organizations for display and research across the country and around the world.
“My purpose in building this collection was to preserve, protect and share items that tell inspiring stories about dreaming big, overcoming obstacles and accomplishing great things in life,” Irsay said. “African American music is one of the backbones of American culture and always has been one of the greatest platforms for storytelling we’ve ever seen. That’s why I’m excited to partner with MOPOP to continue sharing these stories with the world.”
James Brown’s Stage-Worn, Red Sequined Cape, c. 1960s-1970s
Known throughout the world as the “Godfather of Soul,” James Brown was one of the most dynamic musical artists in American history and one of the inaugural inductees in the Rock & Rock Hall of Fame in 1986. This world-famous cape is made of red polyester covered in red plastic sequins. On its back is a red satin circular patch emblazoned with gold lettering reading: "JAMES BROWN / GODFATHER / OF SOUL".
Brown used this cape at live concerts in the 1960s and 1970s as part of his “Cape Routine” with emcee Danny Ray. The routine became a standard part of Brown's act, preformed thousands of times as part of a grueling tour schedule. Ray draped this cape over Brown's casket for the last time at his public funeral on December 30, 2006, at the James Brown Arena in his hometown of Augusta, Ga.
John Coltrane’s 1966 Yamaha Alto Saxophone
Produced in 1966, it was one of the first productions of Yamaha’s alto and tenor instruments. It was gifted from Yamaha in Japan who requested that Coltrane, one of the most accomplished saxophonists ever, inspect and evaluate it.
Coltrane played the sax during his 1966 two-week tour of Japan, which Coltrane biographer Eric Nisenson called “probably the single greatest triumph of his life.” Coltrane can be heard playing it on live albums, including Coltrane in Japan and the four CD collection Live in Japan. He is pictured on the cover of Live in Japan playing the alto.
The piece was originally sold by the Coltrane family to raise funds for The John Coltrane Foundation at the legendary 2005 Guernsey’s Jazz Auction in New York. This is one of only two saxophones to have been sold by his family. The whereabouts of the second horn, a soprano, are currently unknown.
Miles Davis’s 1980 Martin Committee Trumpet
American jazz trumpeter Miles Davis was one of the most acclaimed musicians of the 20th century, winning eight GRAMMYS and being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006. This Martin Committee trumpet is brass with black and gold coating and features a script “Miles” engraved in the bell and the signature angled mouthpiece preferred by Davis.
Davis’s battles with substance use disorder and health challenges had led to a hiatus from music from 1975 to 1980. He returned to the studio in the 1980s, capped by an appearance at the 1984 Montreux Jazz Festival, where he played the 1980 Martin Committee trumpet. He also played the instrument on the albums You’re Under Arrest (1985) and Aura (1989), which received two GRAMMY Awards.
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(All assets courtesy of The Jim Irsay Collection.)
