A perfect pairing: the mysterious chanteuse and the nation’s foremost collection of medical oddities. Here is the first official promo shot of Jill Tracy in the famed Mütter Museum in Philadelphia, posing with a 1923 violet ray generator! This is to promote her special live appearance at the 2012 Mütter Ball March 31 celebrating “Medicine and Electricity in the Roaring Twenties.” (Photo by Evi Numen.)
A Violet ray is an antique medical device used in electrotherapy. Their basic construction was invented by Nikola Tesla prior to 1900. Their construction usually feature a combination of a disruptive discharge coil with an interrupter to apply a high voltage, high frequency, and low current to the human body for healing, therapeutic purposes–everything from lumbago to depression–rejuvenation, and personal stimulation.
Many bizarre and fascinating electrical contraptions from the 1920s will be on display and demonstrated! You’ll be in store for a shocking experience indeed.
Not only will Jill Tracy be debuting brand new work crafted just for the event, but she will also make a big announcement onstage about her upcoming project at the Mütter Museum!
She will be performing in both rooms, so you will see her no matter what level ticket you purchase. We’re told Jill Tracy is the first contemporary musician to be invited to perform at the Mütter, so come and make history, as well as celebrate it!
(From 2012 News Archives...)