Benjamin Cawthra

Benjamin Cawthra is a prominent cultural and public historian based in the United States, recognized for his insightful contributions to the fields of history, music, and photography. His notable work, *Blue Notes in Black and White: Photography and Jazz* (University of Chicago Press, 2011), delves into the changing portrayals of jazz from the swing era of the 1930s through the black nationalist movements of the 1960s. In addition to this seminal book, Cawthra has authored a series of essays that highlight influential figures in music and sports, including renowned jazz musicians Miles Davis (2001) and Duke Ellington (2016), as well as boxing champion Jack Johnson (2019) and photographer Lee Tanner (2021).

As the associate director of the Lawrence de Graaf Center for Oral and Public History, Cawthra not only hosts the Outspoken podcast but also curates significant exhibitions that explore historical narratives. His curated shows include *New Birth of Freedom: Civil War to Civil Rights in California* (2011/2012), *Hard Times in the OC: Voices from the Great Recession* (2013), and *Keystone Korner: Portrait of a Jazz Club* (2015). He has also played a pivotal role in exhibitions like *Miles: A Miles Davis Retrospective* (2001) and *52nd Street: Jazz and the Photography of William Gottlieb* (2022). Cawthra's expertise was further recognized when he served as a consultant for the documentary *Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool* (2019). His educational contributions include leading study tours to Florence, Italy, and he has received several accolades, including the Bakken Award for Outstanding History Faculty and the CSUF Award for Scholarly and Creative Activity.