Smithsonian Jazz

08/25/2021

For the safety of our guests, staff and the traveling musicians, we have decided to postpone this year's performances by the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra. This was a mutual decision between MOAS and the #SJMO taking into account the current rise in infections in Florida and the recently revised Covid protocols announced by the Smithsonian Institution, and while we are all disappointed that we cannot hold our annual September concerts, both the museum and the SJMO remain committed to returning to perform in Daytona Beach once it is practical to do so.

08/05/2021

Ken Kimery, Executive Producer of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra in Washington D.C., joins the program alongside Marty Ashby for this weekend's MCG Jazz Spotlight Show. Tune into 101.1 FM (@wzumpittsburghjazz) to hear Ken’s selections including Al Jarreau, Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Keith Jarrett, Duke Ellington and even some Weather Report. Jazz is everywhere in Pittsburgh!

#JazzontheRadio #PittsburghJazzChannel #MCGJazz #SJMO

04/28/2021

The Soulful Shirley Horn

The Soulful Shirley Horne
April 29 at 7:00 PM (EDT)
Celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month’s Year of the Woman with a look into the life of one of jazz’s greatest vocalists, Shirley Horn. Join Howard University Assistant Professor Jessica Boykin-Settles as she elaborates on Horn’s unique, almost serendipitous, route to fame.

https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/251138?utm_source=SI-Trumba-Calendar&utm_medium=SIWeb&utm_campaign=2021FY-Trumba-SA-ev&utm_content=SA-Trumba-event&tmssource=254086

Celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month’s Year of the Woman with a look into the creative life of one of the style’s greatest singers, D.C.’s own Shirley Horn. Join Jessica Boykin-Settles, a voice faculty member at Howard University, as she looks at Horn’s route to fame, her jazz-w...

04/23/2021

Keeping the Rhythm: An Exploration of Women Drummers

Keeping the Rhythm: An Exploration of Women Drummers

Friday, April 23, 2021
7 p.m. EDT

As part of Smithsonian Jazz’s celebration of Women in Jazz during this year’s Jazz Appreciation Month, the museum is thrilled to present Keeping the Rhythm: An Exploration of Women Drummers. This livestreamed program will be hosted by Dr. Sherrie Maricle, drummer, educator and music director of The DIVA Jazz Orchestra, FIVE PLAY and co-leader the 3D Jazz Trio. Maricle will share the important and often overlooked contributions of American women drummers throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. She will also be joined by award-winning writer, producer, and director Judy Chaikin, whose groundbreaking documentary The Girls in the Band featured stories of women jazz musicians. This program will be live streamed on the museum’s YouTube page.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/keeping-the-rhythm-an-exploration-of-women-drummers-tickets-149572410105?aff=ebdssbeac

A part of Smithsonian Jazz’s celebration of Women in Jazz during this year’s Jazz Appreciation Month.

04/21/2021

On Thursday, April 22 at 8PM ET (5PM PT), the National Endowment for the Arts, in collaboration with SFJAZZ, will host a special online-only concert in honor of the 2021 NEA Jazz Masters—Terri Lyne Carrington, Albert "Tootie" Heath, Henry Threadgill and Phil Schaap.

On Thursday, April 22 at 8PM ET (5PM PT), the National Endowment for the Arts, in collaboration with SFJAZZ, will host a special online-only concert in honor of the 2021 NEA Jazz Masters—Terri Lyne Carrington, Albert "Tootie" Heath, Henry Threadgill and Phil Schaap.

04/06/2021

Day two (April 9) of this incredible virtual symposium and concert presented by Columbia University Center for Jazz and the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation.

Day two (April 9) of this incredible virtual symposium and concert presented by Columbia University Center for Jazz and the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation.

04/06/2021

Check out this fantastic April 8 symposium and concert presented by Columbia University Center for Jazz Studies and the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation.

Check out this fantastic April 8 symposium and concert presented by Columbia University Center for Jazz Studies and the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation.

04/05/2021

This year, Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM) turns 20! We're celebrating with a month full of activities—and a brand-new JAM poster. 🥳

Our 20th anniversary #JazzAppreciationMonth poster celebrates pianist, vocalist, civil rights activist, and "High Priestess of Soul" Nina Simone. Simone's career spanned over four decades and crossed even more musical genres, including jazz, blues, gospel, folk and classical music. This year's poster featuring Simone was created by Naa Anyele Sowah-De Jesus, a sophomore visual arts student at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, D.C.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Jazz Appreciation Month. Established by our museum in 2001, JAM recognizes the extraordinary history and impact that jazz has had throughout the world and still does today. Throughout April, we encourage you to experience jazz music and its history by attending an online performance, listening to music, watching a film or documentary, reading a book, or sharing with a friend or loved one a favorite song, artist, or newly discovered jazz moment.

How will you celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month this year? Follow the link in our bio today to browse through ideas from our team—and download your own copy of this year's JAM poster: http://s.si.edu/CelebrateJAM

Support of jazz programming is made possible by the LeRoy Neiman and Janet Byrne Neiman Foundation; The Argus Fund; Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation, founding donor of the Smithsonian Jazz Endowment; David C. Frederick & Sophia Lynn; Goldman Sachs; and the John Hammond Performance Series Endowment Fund.

04/05/2021

How do you like the official JAM poster for 2021? We LOVE it!

Learn more about Jazz Appreciation Month by following today’s link.

Ella’s Foundation is grateful to Ken Kimery of Smithsonian Jazz.

www.smithsonianjazz.org

04/01/2021

Today marks the 20th Anniversary of Jazz Appreciation Month.

Today marks the 20th Anniversary of Jazz Appreciation Month.

03/19/2021

One week from today (Mar. 26), we will be premiering the Smithsonian Jazz Sextet “Tribute to the Poll Winners” performance, recorded from a concert June 2, 2018. Tune in on premiere night for a post-concert live chat with Smithsonian Jazz executive producer and drummer, Ken Kimery. Register for your link at www.mcgjazz.org
Marty Ashby, Chuck Redd
#mcgjazz #jazz #JazzEndures

02/11/2021

RIP Chick Corea

https://americanhistory.si.edu/smithsonian-jazz/collections-and-archives/smithsonian-jazz-oral-history-program#Corea

02/04/2021

Great article on the SJMO's recent "Bernstein Reimagined" release.

Lesser-known Leonard Bernstein works spotlit by Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra: j.mp/3tu6ha0

01/29/2021

MCG Jazz's 'Bernstein Reimagined' is a rhythmic tonic

Today is the official release date for the SJMO’s Bernstein Reimagined recording.

MCG Jazz and local arrangers played key roles in playing on and producing a new recording by Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra

01/25/2021

Hot off the press!

The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra celebrates the legacy of Leonard Bernstein on stunning, revelatory new album.

Bernstein Reimagined, due out January 29, 2021, via MCG Jazz, explores lesser-known Bernstein pieces through the transformative lens of five gifted jazz arrangers: Jay Ashby, Darryl Brenzel, Scott Silbert, Mike Tomaro and Steve Williams.

Listed in Jazziz Magazine's January issue as one of the "10 Albums You Need to Know," Bernstein Reimagined was commissioned as part of the worldwide celebration of Bernstein’s centennial and is being released on record for the first time.

More info: http://bit.ly/36alHX1

Pre-order: http://www.mcgjazz.org/

#jazz #album #leonardbernstein

01/25/2021

The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra celebrates the legacy of Leonard Bernstein on stunning, revelatory new album.

Bernstein Reimagined, due out January 29, 2021, via MCG Jazz, explores lesser-known Bernstein pieces through the transformative lens of five gifted jazz arrangers: Jay Ashby, Darryl Brenzel, Scott Silbert, Mike Tomaro and Steve Williams.

Listed in Jazziz Magazine's January issue as one of the "10 Albums You Need to Know," Bernstein Reimagined was commissioned as part of the worldwide celebration of Bernstein’s centennial and is being released on record for the first time.

More info: http://bit.ly/36alHX1

Pre-order: http://www.mcgjazz.org/

#jazz #album #leonardbernstein

01/05/2021

Check out the SJMO's November 2019 Tokyo concert with guest artist Kurt Elling.

09/30/2020

MCG Jazz

On March 21, 2013, Marty Ashby of MCG Jazz and Ken Kimery of the Smithsonian sat with newly inducted Pittsburgh Jazz Legend Joe Negri to document a discussion about his life, career, and contributions to Pittsburgh’s jazz legacy. To conclude September’s Learning About the Legends series, we are releasing an excerpt of the transcription of Joe Negri’s Oral History for you to read.

If you are interested in the full transcript, please contact MCG Jazz Education & Archives Manager Mark Jackovic.

Be sure to check out our page every Tuesday in October to learn about our next legend, James Guerra!

http://mcgjazz.org/_wp/wp-content/uploads/Joe-Negri-partial-Oral-History.pdf

#MCGJazzArchives #JazzEndures #mcgjazz #PittsburghJazzLegend #LearningaboutLegends

04/13/2020

Women in Jazz | Toshiko Akiyoshi behind the poster

Smithsonian's 2020 Jazz Appreciation Month Poster Featuring Toshiko Akiyoshi - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfqyA3i9870

Featured on the official 2020 poster is pianist, band leader, and composer-arranger Toshiko Akiyoshi, whose vital contributions to the art of big band jazz e...

08/23/2019

Looking forward to our upcoming “Jazz from Broadway to Hollywood” performances at the Museum of Arts and Sciences on September 28.

Join the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra in the Root Family Museum at MOAS for a delightful jazz concert - inspired by Broadway and Hollywood. 📽️

Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra Matinee Concert
🎟Sat. 09/28 – Matinee Performance [3:00-5:00PM]
Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra Evening Concert
🎟Sat. 09/28 - Evening Performance [7:00-9:00PM]

🎼🎵🎶 🎼🎵🎶 🎼🎵🎶 🎼🎵🎶 🎼🎵🎶 🎼🎵🎶
$20 for members, $35 for future members.
For Tickets: 386-255-0285, in person at #MOAS, or online at http://bit.ly/SJMO2019. 🎷🎹🥁🎻🎺✨

03/11/2019

As a special thank you to our Facebook followers, a limited number of FREE tickets are now available to see the 19-piece Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra with internationally renowned flutist Hubert Laws. Woven within this bespoke concert experience is a historical narrative of Chicago’s influences on the evolution of jazz including the music of Fred Fisher, Django Reinhardt, Leonard Bernstein and more!

Request free tickets here: https://s.si.edu/ChicagoSJMO

03/04/2019

Serious

Serious

Smithsonian Jazz Orchestra with Hubert Laws
Sat 6 Apr | LONDON Milton Court Barbican Centre

Smithsonian Jazz and legendary flautist Hubert Laws perform a once-in-a-lifetime London show of jazz classics from Duke Ellington - Verve Records and Ella Fitzgerald, and contemporary big band pieces

More info at serious.org.uk/smithsonian

10/26/2018

🎷 Happy Friday, jazz fans! A few photos from our "The Evolving Jazz Culture" concert last week. For those of you who were there, thanks for joining us! 🎺

Don't miss future concerts like this one. Sign up for our newsletter: https://s.si.edu/newsletter

10/22/2018

Smithsonian Music

Here at National Museum of American History, we're so excited to be part of the just-announced Smithsonian Year of Music. The Institution-wide initiative will celebrate our vast musical collections and include at least one musical event—a performance, lecture, music release, or workshop—every day for 365 days in 2019.

Fun fact: The Smithsonian's combined musical resources would make us the world's largest museum of music.

Explore: http://music.si.edu

Whether it's turtle-shell rattles at the American Indian Museum, ancient Chinese bells at the Freer and Sackler Galleries, or the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra at the American History Museum, the opportunities to engage with music at the Smithsonian are practically endless.

10/21/2018

What's on our playlist today? "A Night in Tunisia" by Dizzy Gillespie. The music manuscript is among the National Museum of American History's Dizzy Gillespie Records in our Archives Center. Today would have been Dizzy's birthday. What's up with his trumpet? Its uniquely shaped upturned bell was Dizzy's trademark.

09/19/2018

Here's our set list for our Friday, October 19 jazz concert. See any favorites? Join us for Evolving Jazz Culture at National Museum of American History: https://s.si.edu/jazz1019

04/25/2018

A-tisket, a-tasket, a hit song in her basket: Ella's rise to fame

Today in 1917: Ella Fitzgerald is born in Newport News, Virginia.

Known as the “First Lady of Song,” Ella was an iconic vocalist who won 13 Grammys and sold over 40 million albums. Take a break today and mark her 101st birthday with this dive into the recording that helped launch her career: http://s.si.edu/atisket

"A-Tisket, A-Tasket" is arguably one of the catchiest tunes in jazz. This piece of music recorded on May 2, 1938, single-handedly launched Ella Fitzgerald, "The First Lady of Song," into fame and traveled with her throughout an extremely successful career.

04/23/2018

It’s the last week of Jazz Appreciation Month! End your month on a high note—join us here at the National Museum of American History for a jazz-filled weekend.

Curious what we're planning? Start your jazz weekend on Thursday with free performances by our own Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Ensemble. Then stop in on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for powerful free performances in partnership with the Blues Alley Jazz Society:

➡️ Big Band JAM! presents free adjudicated performances every hour by college and high school jazz bands outside on the museum’s terrace.

➡️ The 2018 Ella Fitzgerald Vocal Competition finalists join us for their final performance, judged by guitarist John Pizzarelli and free to attend.

04/12/2018

What are you doing for Jazz Appreciation Month? Still looking for ideas and inspiration? We’ve heard the musicians featured on the Jazz Appreciation Month poster are always a great place to start—and this year there are six!

Throw a jam session, go to concert, or host a conversation about Charles Mingus, Benny Goodman, Gerry Mulligan, Lester Young, Charlie Parker, or John Coltrane.

This year's poster is from the middle section of LeRoy Neiman’s “Big Band” painting, considered to be one of his greatest works. You can learn more about the painting and all the musicians here: http://s.si.edu/jazztitans2

(P.S.: Free copies of the poster are available first come, first served until supplies run out . . . and we're down to our last 100 posters: http://s.si.edu/JAMposter)

04/11/2018

In other words: Norman Granz, by the musicians who knew him

Norman Granz was chosen as this year’s featured Jazz Appreciation Month artist for his contributions to jazz: his innovative work as a producer, tireless promotion of musicians, and uncompromising stance on civil rights.

Let the musicians who worked with him tell you more about Norman in their own words.

During this year’s Jazz Appreciation Month, we are exploring the relationship between jazz and justice by looking at the dynamic ways jazz has played a transformative role in social justice, musicians’ rights, and equality since its birth in America. For the first time in Jazz Appreciation Month...

04/07/2018

Today is a great day for birthdays in #JazzHistory!

Join us as we salute vocalist Billie Holiday (born in 1915 in Philadelphia, PA), conga player and bandleader Mongo Santamaria (born in 1922 in Havana, Cuba), and trumpeter Freddie Hubbard (born in 1938 in Indianapolis, IN) on their shared birthday! What songs are you listening to in celebration?

📷: National Museum of American History and Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

04/06/2018

Today in 1927: Saxophonist and composer Gerry Mulligan is born in New York, NY.

Gerry is one of musicians featured in this year's Jazz Appreciation Month poster and posing in this striking black-and-white portrait by Bob Willoughby, courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery.

Learn more about the poster's musicians this year and request your own free copy of the poster: http://s.si.edu/JAMposter

04/03/2018

Norman Granz: Revolutionizing jazz for social justice

Our featured #JazzAppreciationMonth artist, Norman Granz, was one of the most influential people in the 20th century jazz scene. He helped propel musicians like Ella Fitzgerald and Oscar Peterson to greatness, created the Jazz at the Philharmonic concert series, and changed how audiences listen to jazz.

Most importantly, Granz was also a devoted civil rights advocate who used his work in the industry to push for equality and justice. His work is our source of inspiration for this year's Jazz Appreciation Month theme: Jazz & Justice.

A civil rights protest often invokes the vivid images of sit-ins, boycotts, and marches, but the fight for racial equality took many different forms. One of them was jazz. Norman Granz, a renowned impresario—producer, artist manager, and promoter—recognized the value of jazz, and music, as a too...