On May 17th, 2013 the Jazz Foundation will once again present its annual “A Great Night in Harlem” gala concert to benefit the Jazz Musicians Emergency Fund at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. This is an important event that raises money to assist jazz and blues musicians who find themselves needing assistance in their senior years. This year, the 12th annual “A Great Night in Harlem” event seeks to to raise $2 million with a stellar lineup of jazz, blues, R&B and rock legends set to perform, and the legendary producer/musician Quincy Jones will also make a special appearance to pay homage to his mentor,  trumpeter Clark Terry, and to introduce a memorial musical tribute to Claude Nobs, founder of the Montreux Jazz Festival.
“A Great Night in Harlem” concert tickets are priced at $75, $150, $300, $500, and $1500 which includes the VIP cocktail party, orchestra seating and dinner.

Press Release:

NEW YORK, NY: Renewing their partnership for the third year, the Apollo Theater, Harlem Stage and Jazzmobile, Inc., in collaboration with Columbia University, will join forces to present the Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival from May 6-11, 2013. The three cultural organizations will present a series of concerts and events to celebrate the rich legacy of jazz in the uptown community while bringing both established and emerging artists to famed Harlem venues. This year, the festival will pay tribute to The Alhambra Ballroom, the Apollo Theater, The Baby Grand, Minton’s Playhouse, Clark Monroe’s Uptown House, Showman’s Jazz Club, the Sugar Cane Club and the Cotton Club. In addition to concerts at jazz shrines throughout Harlem, festival events will take place at Harlem Stage Gatehouse, Cowin Auditorium at Teacher’s College and Ginny’s Supper Club.

Designed to draw a diverse audience of neighborhood residents, New Yorkers and tourists, events are free or $10 and up. Concerts are scheduled to allow people the option of attending several events each day, continuing the tradition of non-stop jazz throughout Harlem.

Highlights of the 2013 Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival include:

Geri Allen & Friends Celebrate the Great Jazz Women of the Apollo – Under the musical direction of jazz pianist and composer Geri Allen, this concert production pays homage to the great women singers and instrumentalists who have performed at the Apollo. Staged by celebrated actress, and director/film maker, S. Epatha Merkerson and through the words and historical narrative of acclaimed author Farah Jasmin Griffin with a musical backdrop by Deejay Val Jeanty, the performance celebrates the legacy of Nina Simone, Betty Carter, Nancy Wilson, Dinah Washington, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan and others. The performance will feature vocalist Dianne Reeves, Geri Allen’s The Timeline Tap Quartet, vocalist Lizz Wright, drummer Terri Lyne Carrington, saxophonist Tia Fuller, comedian Karen Malina White, guitarist Marvin Sewell, tap dancer extraordinaire Dormeshia, and the vocal ensemble Afro Blue

Marc Cary’s Celebrates Abbey Lincoln with “Moseka House: The House That Abbey Built” – This two-night celebration of American jazz vocalist Abbey Lincoln by Harlem Stage favorite Marc Cary, who was Lincoln’s pianist and arranger, will be unforgettable. On night one Cary interprets Lincoln’s compositions in solo and with his Focus Trio; on the second night, Cary on piano accompanies vocalists Keith Ailer, Maggie Brown, Pyeng Threadgill, and Imani Uzuri as the performers pay homage to “Moseka House, the house that Abbey built, ” they’ll also celebrate Clark Monroe’s Uptown House, which played host to such greats as Billie Holiday and Max Roach.

Minton’s Playhouse: Legends on the Bandstand – Jazzmobile pulls out all the stops to re-create the mood and legacy of the legendary Minton’s Playhouse, this year at Ginny’s Supper Club downstairs in Marcus Samuelsson’s Red Rooster Harlem. Bringing the famed club on 118th Street back to life with a three-night celebration of Legends sharing the stage with New Titans of Jazz, the concerts shed new light on an old tradition of featuring the best of established and emerging artists. Hear how jazz swings across the generations when the bandstand lights up with the groups of Jimmy Heath and Antonio Hart, Paul West and Rashaan Carter and Junior Mance and Christian Sands. The popular Minton’s Monday Night Jam Session is back as well as a Conversation with Jimmy Heath and Stanley Crouch.

Tribute to the Baby Grand – The Apollo Music Café pays tribute to the Baby Grand Café. Located at 319 West 125th Street between St. Nicholas and 8th Avenue, Bill Potter’s Baby Grand Café served up some of the hottest stars of Jazz, as well as a 6- Course Sunday dinner. Ruth Brown, Jimmy Scott, Dakota Staton, Jimmy Smith, Etta James, Horace Silver, Charlie Mingus and other greats made the Baby Grand a go-to- late-night hot spot. This tribute concert features vocalist Lezlie Harrison, known for her burnished, soulful alto and distinctive blend of jazz, classic 70’s soul and original tunes.

ERIMAJ and Fabian Almazan – In keeping with the history of the Sugar Cane Club, which was the proving ground for many artists of yesteryear, this cutting-edge double bill features two exceptional rising young stars – drummer extraordinaire Jamire Williams, who is charting new territory with his ensemble ERIMAJ, hot off their critically-praised debut release, Conflict of a Man; and Cuban musician Fabian Almazan, considered one of the most thrilling young jazz pianists on the scene, who debuts at Harlem Stage with a string project.

The Alhambra Ballroom Revived – What would a jazz festival be without a big band? Jazzmobile is putting together A Night of Swinging with the Cab Calloway Orchestra at the beautiful Alhambra Ballroom. Dancing shoes are a plus, but the evening is not just for dancers. Bring a partner or find a mate to trip the light fantastic or take a seat and enjoy the show as the audience shares the floor with professional dancers. Food will be served, making it a perfect night to get lost in the “hi-dee-hi-dee-hi- dee-ho.”

Columbia University again collaborates with the three partners to bring humanities programming that will further highlight the cultural significance of Harlem and the Jazz Shrines Festival. The University’s programming includes Harlem Jazz Shrines Dialogues Cotton Club in Black & White and Ann Petry: The Street – Harlem in the 1940’s.

“We’re thrilled to once again partner with Harlem Stage and Jazzmobile to celebrate the incredible legacy of Jazz in Harlem, by looking back at the neighborhood’s unparalleled musical heritage and showcasing the artistic vitality of Harlem today, ” says Mikki Shepard, Executive Producer for the Apollo Theater. “This year, our focus during the festival will be to celebrate the incredible iconic women of jazz who have graced the Apollo stage through the years, from Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Sarah Vaughan to Betty Carter, Nancy Wilson, Dinah Washington, Nina Simone and others. Geri Allen and friends will pay tribute to these great ladies of jazz, and the Apollo’s signature shows, Amateur Night and Apollo Music Café, will be tied to the festival as well.”

Patricia Cruz, Executive Director of Harlem Stage, added, “The Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival provides an essential forum for us to claim and uphold the great musical traditions that were born and nurtured in Harlem and continue to thrive through the talent of both emerging and established artists. It enables the community and visitors to celebrate this dynamic art form and the institutions that have supported this music. In keeping with what we do, providing a showcase to rising or under- known artists, we’re happy to focus on the lesser known shrines, Clark Monroe’s Uptown House and the Sugar Cane Club. The Harlem Stage Gatehouse is a proud partner in this festival.”

“Following the mission and mentoring of our founder, the legendary Dr. Billy Taylor, Jazzmobile has presented legends and new titans of jazz throughout Harlem for 48 years. In our partnership with Harlem Stage and the Apollo, we once again enjoy the unique and special challenge of reimagining and remembering some of Harlem’s famed jazz shrines, ” said Robin Bell-Stevens, President & CEO of Jazzmobile. “Our venues are usually the fabulous City Parks and streets of Harlem, but during the festival, we take bold leaps to create the mood and memory of the jazz shrines inside the confines of four walls. Celebrating the legacy of The Alhambra Ballroom and Minton’s Playhouse will provide an exciting look at yesterday with a dynamic twist of today.”

Tickets for many of the Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival events are available now. For tickets and more information on the Festival and its partners, visit the Harlem Jazz Shrines’ website at www.harlemjazzshrines.org and/or the organizations’ websites at www.apollotheater.org, www.harlemstage.org and www.jazzmobile.org.

The world famous Apollo Theater just celebrated its 79th Birthday (1934-2013) and posted a rare documentary with historic footage from NBC’s 1985 TV special called “The Apollo: One More Time.”  The video is a bit grimy, but that adds to the mood of the era. Check out rare behind-the-scenes footage from backstage at the Apollo in this three part series, along with some incredible artists and entertainers who have performed at the legendary theater in Harlem.

The Apollo: One More Time (Part 1 of 3)

The Apollo: One More Time (Part 2 of 3)

The Apollo: One More Time (Part 3 of 3)

You’ll recognize some of the homes, nightclubs, churches and other sites associated with Harlem’s writers, artists, musicians, thinkers, and political leaders of the past as illustrated by artist Tony Millionaire. The Harlem Renaissance  Map and Poster Guide also includes a walking-tour and information of Harlem’s historic sites.

Some of the people and places found in the Harlem Renaissance Map and Poster Guide include the following:

Adam Clayton Powell Jr.

Langston Hughes

Zora Neale Hurston

Alvin Ailey

Marian Anderson

The Apollo Theater

James Baldwin

Romare Bearden

The Cotton Club

W.E.B. DuBois

Duke Ellington

Ralph Ellison

Marcus Garvey

Althea Gibson

Dizzy Gillespie

Billie Holiday

Thurgood Marshall

Malcolm X

Minton’s Playhouse

Paul Robeson

The Savoy

James Van Der Zee

Mary Lou Williams

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APOLLO UPTOWN HALL: PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE VIEWING PARTY
Tuesday, October 16, at 7:30 p.m.
Doors Open at 6:30 p.m.

RSVP

Building on the dynamic conversation about the impact of this year’s election on the Harlem community that was explored during the Apollo Uptown Hall series’ launch (Vote Like Your Life Depends on It), this event will open with a panel discussion moderated by Fordham University Political Science Assistant Professor Christina Greer with political analysis from Michael Brendan Dougherty (The American Conservative), William Tucker (The American Spectator), Herb Boyd (New York Amsterdam News), Armstrong Williams (Sirius XM’s The Power), Esther Armah (WBAI-FM) and Mark Riley (WWRL 1600 AM).

Black Enterprise Business Report’s Shannon LaNier will also lead an audience Q&A session followed by a viewing of the live televised debate.

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• Auditions: The Boys Choir of Harlem is BACK!!!

You can still get tickets and catch The Jacksons Unity Tour 2012 concert at the Apollo Theater tomorrow night, a unique opportunity to see siblings Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon and Tito Jackson since they performed with brother Michael Jackson on the Victory Tour in 1984.  You can expect them to perform some of the classics, and a heartfelt tribute to honor Michael’s memory.  The video below brings back memories of this legendary musical family.

Apollo Theater – 253 West 125th Street, New York, NY 10027

Thursday, June 28 2012 at 8pm

Tickets: $49.50, $89.50, $149.50

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Olajide Williams of Hip Hop Public Health and Marcus Samuelson of Red Rooster are among Fast Company’s 100 most creative people in 2012.

Olajide Williams, Founder and President, Hip Hop Public Health

The Hip Hop Public Health Education Center at Harlem Hospital was established in response to a need to create innovative and culturally tailored health literacy programs for the Harlem community. Their mission is to “reduce healthcare disparities through context-relevant, cost-effective, intergenerational educational interventions focused on disease prevention and health promotion.”.

One of the programs is Hip-Hop Stroke. It is an educational program developed by the National Stroke Association in partnership with Harlem Hospital Center. It teaches schoolchildren key stroke concepts and motivate them to deliver the message to their families and adult caregivers. They use multi-media strategies, “hip-hop” music, interactive raps, and dance to teach children to recognize stroke symptoms and take urgent action. Children are also taught stroke risk reduction strategies including obesity prevention through proper nutrition and physical activity and smoking cessation. They are given take-home information packages and assignments designed to trigger child-parent discussion about stroke and enhance parental stroke knowledge.

Marcus Samuelson, Culinary Entrepreneur

After a celebrated run as executive chef at Aquavit Restaurant, the Ethiopia-born Marcus Samuels­son has built Red Rooster, critically heralded and reflective of the area’s many cultures. Says he, “I bike and I walk every corner of Harlem, and see so much diversity that’s unexpected,” Marcus says. Then he builds a menu around those encounters.

Harlem is on the leading edge of whats to come.

Congratulations to trend setters Olajide and Marcus.

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