National Jazz Museum in Harlem

National Jazz Museum in Harlem

PHOTOGRAPHS BY SEBASTIAN KIM

Harlem Reshuffled 

Ever since Duke Ellington first tickled the ivories north of 110th Street, Harlem has been one of the liveliest neighborhoods in New York. And now it's on a whole new creative streak: Artists are setting up shop, restaurants are popping up faster than you can do the Harlem Shake, and bands—hip-hop, jazz, rock—play at more than just the Apollo (which, for the record, is still booking epic shows). Here, our favorite locals suit up and take us on a tour of the new uptown.

Jazzed! The Changing Beat of 125th Street

All Ages
May – December 31, 2014

Get jazzed at CMOM! Find your own beat as you tap, snap, clap and stomp your way through. Live music, hands-on art workshops and an immersive environment celebrates the rich history and lasting legacy of jazz in America. This interactive exhibition and program series features rarely seen images, archival footage, and original jazz artifacts.

Enter a world of big bands, intimate jazz clubs and shimmering stages . . .

SCAT with Ella! Delight at the sounds of your favorite nursery rhymes being sung by the great Ella Fitzgerald, then sing along at the 1930’s pretend-play microphone.

TAP like Bojangles! Marvel at the skill of iconic tap dancer Bill “Bojangles” Robinson doing    his famous staircase dance in rarely seen archival footage, then make your own tap shoes and choreograph a unique routine on the Bojangles Tap Staircase.

SWING with Duke! Meet Duke Ellington, legendary bandleader, pianist and composer through artifacts and photos from his band. Experience a contemporary jazz band at a large touchscreen interactive that encourages you to be the bandleader by choosing which musician and instrument to feature. And make your own instrument to take home!