Second Annual Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival Set for May 7 - 13

    NEW YORK, NY, February 23, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Apollo Theater, Harlem Stage and Jazzmobile, Inc. have joined forces again to present the second annual Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival May 7-13, 2012. Continuing the mission of the inaugural festival, the three venerable cultural organizations will present a series of concerts and events to celebrate the rich legacy of jazz in the uptown community. Bringing both established and emerging artists to famed Harlem venues, the festival will pay tribute to Club Harlem, Clark Monroe's Uptown House, Havana San Juan Club, Small's Paradise, Minton's Playhouse, Showman's Cafe, Park Palace, Lenox Lounge and the Apollo Theater. In addition to concerts at jazz shrines, other festival events will take place at Harlem Stage Gatehouse, Columbia University and a variety of locations throughout the Harlem area.

Designed to draw a diverse audience of neighborhood residents, New Yorkers and tourists, all events are offered at the affordable price of $10. 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 2012 Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival include:

- Wycliffe Gordon's Jazz a la Carte - The Apollo's variety shows of the 1930's made a stellar comeback last year under the music direction of composer/trombonist Wycliffe Gordon and the director/choreographer Kenneth L. Roberson. The show returns when Gordon celebrates the world-renowned Apollo with host Maurice Hines, tap star Savion Glover, the Juilliard Jazz Orchestra, vocalist Theresa Thomason, pianist Aaron Diehl, trumpeter Philip Dizack, trombonist/vocalist Natalie Cressman and the Apollo Dancers.

- Tribute to Club Harlem: Celebrating Cecil - Three of today's most innovative pianists honor the uncompromising creative force of Cecil Taylor in two evenings of solo and duet performances. Vijay Iyer, Amina Claudine Myers and Craig Taborn will perform at the Harlem Stage Gatehouse.

- Small's Paradise: (Re) Created - Kicking off the Harlem Jazz Shrines, Jazzmobile will take the bold leap to re-create the legendary Small's Paradise, once Harlem's premier night spot and longest-operating club. Working in collaboration with the Government and Community Affairs Department at the City College of New York, Jazzmobile will re-create Small's Paradise at Harlem USA, featuring the Revive Music Paradise Band, a 12-piece house band backing the famous Small's floor show complete with dancers (tap and swing) and singers recalling the music of Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Cab Calloway and James P. Johnson. Small's Paradise (Re)Created sheds new light on an old tradition.

- Showman's Late Night - A week-long series produced by the Apollo Theater and Showman's at the legendary club frequented by Duke Ellington, Sarah Vaughan, Pearl Bailey, Grady Tate and countless others, continues the tradition with sessions featuring Danny Mixon, Lonnie Youngblood, Lou Volpe, Cynthia Holiday and Sarah McLawler.

- Tribute to Clark Monroe's Uptown House at Harlem Stage Gatehouse - Featuring some of the world's finest instrumentalists and vocalists, this year's Grammy winner for Best Jazz Vocal Album The Mosaic Project gives females a place to support and celebrate each other from a musical and social perspective. Terri Lyne Carrington will be joined by Lizz Wright, Nona Hendryx, Ingrid Jensen, Tia Fuller, Helen Sung, Mimi Jones and Nir Felder to construct creative consciousness as "women with voices."

- Minton's Playhouse: Legends on the Bandstand - Jazzmobile brings the famed club on 118th Street back to life with a celebration of some of the legends of the esteemed bandstand. Acknowledging iconic contributions are keepers of the flame, including TK Blue celebrating Charlie Parker, octogenarian Barry Harris remembering Thelonious Monk, Winard Harper with a tribute to Max Roach and an artist TBD paying homage to Dizzy Gillespie. Each set will be followed by a late night jam.

The three partners are again collaborating with Columbia University to bring humanities programming that will further highlight the cultural significance of Harlem and the Festival. The University's programming includes The Savoy King, a documentary on Swing-era drummer/bandleader Chick Webb, Ella Fitzgerald and the renowned Savoy Ballroom as well as an exploration of the spiritual dimensions of Harlem's aesthetic legacies in jazz.

The Harlem-wide jazz festival focuses on the venues, music, and artists that were central to Harlem's cultural landscape from the 1920s through the 1970s and on contemporary jazz artists. Designed to create a resurgence of jazz opportunities in Harlem, the Apollo Theater, Harlem Stage and Jazzmobile will present jazz in all its various forms and diverse formats including jazz dance, concert, club, cabaret and dance events. Through a dynamic range of programming, the Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival will enable the partners to highlight the role that local Harlem venues have played in the development of jazz.

"Following a successful and exciting inaugural festival year, the Apollo Theater is thrilled to continue to delve deeper not only into our own rich history, but also into the unique legacy of Harlem as an international center of jazz and culture," said Mikki Sheppard, Executive Producer of the Apollo Theater. "The Festival is an economic driver for Harlem - it's a collaboration designed to support the artists, partner organizations, local clubs, restaurants and other local businesses throughout Harlem. To partner with Harlem Stage and Jazzmobile is an honor, and it has been a great pleasure to share programming and marketing ideas with these two outstanding cultural organizations."

Pat Cruz, Executive Director of Harlem Stage, added, "We are pleased to have seen music fans from around the world, as well as community residents, turn out to celebrate Harlem's jazz shrines and other venues. This partnership with Jazzmobile and the Apollo is an excellent way to share resources while continuing to build upon our mission of extending the legacy of jazz and music into the future through performances of young, dynamic artists."

"Jazzmobile has presented emerging artists and jazz giants throughout the beautiful City parks and streets of Harlem for 47 years, but in our partnership with Harlem Stage and the Apollo, we enjoy the special and unique challenge of recreating, reimagining and remembering some of Harlem's jazz shrines," said Robin Bell-Stevens, President & CEO of Jazzmobile. "Our founder, the legendary Dr. Billy Taylor, would be proud to see jazz flourishing again at Small's Paradise and Minton's Playhouse and to know that during this week-long festival, jazz fans from around the world will be walking through the streets of Harlem 'hopping' from club to club and concert halls throughout the community."

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.

Harlem Jazz Shrines is made possible with generous support from the National Endowment for the Arts and The New York Community Trust - Elizabeth Meyer Lorentz Fund. This program is also supported, in part, by public funds from The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, Council Member Inez E. Dickens, and Speaker Christine Quinn; New York State Funding from Senator Bill Perkins, Assemblyman Keith L. T. Wright; the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; and the New York State Council on the Arts. Celebrating Cecil is supported, in part, by public funds from the NEA Jazz Masters Live, a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.

About the Apollo Theater
The Apollo Theater is one of Harlem's, New York City's, and America's most iconic and enduring cultural institutions. Since introducing the first Amateur Night contests in 1934, the Apollo Theater has played a major role in cultivating artists and in the emergence of innovative musical genres including jazz, swing, bebop, R&B, gospel, blues, soul, and hip-hop. Throughout its history, the Apollo has been a champion of jazz and jazz musicians. From the historic night in 1934 when Ella Fitzgerald first won Amateur Night, to performances by Benny Carter, Julian "Cannonball" Adderley, Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Billie Holiday and Cab Calloway, the list of jazz greats who played the Apollo goes on and on. The Apollo Theater's new vision builds on its legacy and supports both artists and curators, who are African American and culturally diverse and emerging, mid-career and established in their career. The Apollo will continue to present historically relevant work and increase our presentations of more forward looking, contemporary work.

About Harlem Stage
For nearly 30 years Harlem Stage has been one of the nation's leading arts organizations, having achieved particular distinction through commissioning and presenting innovative works by artists of color and facilitating a productive engagement with the communities it serves through the performing arts. Harlem Stage has a long-standing tradition of supporting artists and organizations around the corner and across the globe, including legendary artists such as Harry Belafonte, Max Roach, Sekou Sundiata, Abbey Lincoln, Sonia Sanchez, Eddie Palmieri, and Tito Puente and contemporary artists such as Bill T. Jones, Vijay Iyer, Mike Ladd, Tania Leon, Carl Hancock Rux and Jason Moran. Its education programs each year provide 10,000 New York City children with access to a world of diverse cultures through the performing arts. In 2006, Harlem Stage opened its new home - the landmarked, award-winning Gatehouse - once the source of fresh water flowing to New York City, now a vital source of creativity, ideas and culture.

About Jazzmobile
Jazzmobile, Inc., America's oldest not-for-profit arts organization created just for jazz, was founded in 1964 by NEA Jazz Master Dr. Billy Taylor and Daphne Arnstein. Its mission is to present, preserve, promote, and propagate Jazz - "America's classical music." Jazzmobile pioneered the concept of Jazz lecture-demonstrations and mobile Jazz performances presented across New York City, and continues to serve as a model for other Jazz music presentation-focused organizations around the country. Jazzmobile reaches approximately 100,000 people in New York City each year, consisting of multi-ethnic audiences of all ages and socio-economic levels, including the disabled. In order to reach the largest possible audience, all of Jazzmobile's programming is presented at no or low-cost cost to participants. Other outreach includes instructional workshops and panels and symposia that provide a historical framework for Jazz and its significance to American culture.

About Columbia University in the City of New York
A leading academic and research university, Columbia continually seeks to advance the frontiers of knowledge and to foster a campus community deeply engaged in understanding and addressing the complex global issues of our time. Columbia's extensive public service initiatives, cultural collaborations, and community partnerships help define the University's underlying values and mission to educate students to be both leading scholars and informed, engaged citizens. Founded in 1754 as King's College, Columbia University in the City of New York is the fifth oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. To learn more, visit www.columbia.edu.

2012 Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival Calendar
All Tickets $10, unless otherwise noted

Monday, May 7, 2012

- Columbia University presents Jazz and the Spirit: The Arts of Harlem in the American Religious Imagination. A panel discussion led by Professor Josef Sorett, in collaboration with The Abyssinian Baptist Church and the Institute for Religion, Culture and Public Life, this program will focus on the connection of jazz to great religious institutions in Harlem and include a performance on the Abyssinian Baptist Church organ illustrating these deep connections to jazz and the American church musical tradition. With support from Columbia University School of the Arts Office of Community Outreach, Institute for Research in African-American Studies, Center for Jazz Studies and Columbia University Office of Government & Community Affairs. The Abyssinian Baptist Church. 6:00 - 8:00 pm. FREE.

- Jazzmobile presents Small's (Re)Created. Curated by Revive Music. Small's Paradise at Harlem USA. 9:00 pm-11:00 pm

- Jazzmobile presents Late Night Jam Session at Small's. Midnight - 2:00 am.

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

- Harlem Stage presents Blazing Tongues: The Singers & Writers of Lenox Lounge with Tulivu-Donna Cumberbatch singing Ella Fitzgerald, plus actress Beareather Reddy reading author Paule Marshall. Part of the Harlem Stride series. Two drink minimum. Lenox Lounge. 7:00 pm.

- Harlem Stage presents Celebrating Cecil: Tribute to Club Harlem, with Vijay Iyer, Craig Taborn, and Amina Claudine Myers. Part of the Harlem Stride series, in partnership with Issue Project Room and the Center for Jazz Studies at Columbia University. Harlem Stage Gatehouse. 8:00 pm.

- Apollo Theater presents Showman's Late Night with organist Danny Mixon. Limited seating. Standing room available, Two drink minimum per set. Free soul food appetizers are available. Showman's Cafe. 8:30 pm, 10:00 pm and 11:30 pm.

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

- Jazzmobile presents Small's Paradise Education and General Public Programs. Artists TBD. Small's Paradise at Harlem USA. 10:00 am - 6:00 pm.

- Harlem Stage presents Celebrating Cecil: Tribute to Club Harlem, with Vijay Iyer, Craig Taborn, and Amina Claudine Myers. Followed by "Decoding Cecil," a discussion with the artists and George Lewis. Part of the Harlem Stride series, in partnership with Issue Project Room and the Center for Jazz Studies at Columbia University. Harlem Stage Gatehouse. 8:00 pm.

- Apollo presents Showman's Late Night with Lonnie Youngblood and the Blood Brothers. Limited seating. Standing room available, Two drink minimum per set. Free soul food appetizers are available. Showman's Cafe. 8:30 pm, 10:00 pm and 11:30 pm.

- Jazzmobile presents Minton's Playhouse: Legends on the Bandstand with TK Blue paying tribute to Charlie Parker. Minton's Playhouse. 10:00 pm - 11:30 pm.

- Jazzmobile presents Late Night Jam Session at Minton's Playhouse. Minton's Playhouse. Midnight - 2:00 am.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

- Jazzmobile presents Small's Paradise Education and General Public Programs. Artists TBD. Small's Paradise at Harlem USA. 10:00 am - 6:00 pm.

- Harlem Stage, celebrating Clark Monroe's Uptown House, presents this year's Grammy winner for Best Jazz Vocal Album The Mosaic Project with Terri Lyne Carrington featuring Lizz Wright, Nona Hendryx, Ingrid Jensen, Mimi Jones, Tia Fuller, Helen Sung, Nir Felder and more. Part of the Harlem Stride series. Harlem Stage Gatehouse. 7:30 pm.

- Apollo Theater presents Showman's Late Night with guitarist Lou Volpe. Limited seating. Standing room available, Two drink minimum per set. Free soul food appetizers are available. Showman's Cafe. 8:30 pm, 10:00 pm and 11:30 pm.

- Jazzmobile presents Minton's Playhouse: Legends on the Bandstand with a tribute to Dizzy Gillespie. Minton's Playhouse. 10:00 pm - 11:30 pm.

- Jazzmobile presents Late Night Jam Session at Minton's Playhouse. Minton's Playhouse. Midnight - 2:00 am.

Friday, May 11, 2012

- Jazzmobile presents Small's Paradise Education and General Public Programs. Artists TBD. Small's Paradise at Harlem USA. 10:00 am - 6:00 pm.

- Columbia University presents The Savoy King, a feature documentary on Swing-era drummer/bandleader Chick Webb, Ella Fitzgerald and the Savoy Ballroom, written, directed and produced by Jeff Kaufman; Co-executive Producers Jamal Joseph and Voza Rivers and The New Heritage Film Group. In collaboration with Columbia University School of the Arts Office of Community Outreach, Center for Jazz Studies, Institute for Research in African- American Studies, Teachers College Office of School & Community Partnerships and Columbia University Office of Government & Community Affairs. Teachers College, Cowin Auditorium. 6:00 - 8:00 pm.

- Harlem Stage presents Blazing Tongues: The Singers & Writers of Lenox Lounge featuring Gregory Generet singing Johnny Hartman, and author Ralph Ellison's writings on jazz. Directed by Tamara Tunie. Part of the Harlem Stride series. Two drink minimum. Lenox Lounge. 7:00 pm.

- Jazzmobile presents Small's (Re)Created. Special evening performances. Small's Paradise at Harlem USA. 7:00 pm-9:00 pm

- Apollo Theater presents Apollo Music Cafe, Jazz Night. Kellylee Evans, Canadian jazz and soul vocalist and a 2004 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Vocal competition winner. Apollo Theater - Soundstage. Doors at 9:00 pm, Performance at 10:00 pm.

- Apollo Theater presents Showman's Late Night with vocalist Cynthia Holiday. Limited seating. Standing room available. Two drink minimum per set. Free soul food appetizers are available. Showman's Cafe. 9:00 pm and 11:00 pm.

- Jazzmobile presents Minton's Playhouse: Legends on the Bandstand with Barry Harris paying tribute to Thelonious Monk. Minton's Playhouse. 10:00 pm - 11:30 pm.

- Jazzmobile presents Late Night Jam Session at Minton's Playhouse. Midnight - 2:00 am.

Saturday, May 12, 2012

- Apollo Theater presents Wycliffe Gordon's Jazz a la Carte, a variety show of big band music, song, and dance. Music Director Wycliffe Gordon, Director/Choreographer Kenneth L. Roberson, hosted by Maurice Hines featuring the Juilliard Jazz Orchestra, Savion Glover, Theresa Thomason, Aaron Diehl, Philip Dizack, Natalie Cressman and the Apollo Dancers.. Apollo Theater. 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm.

- Harlem Stage presents Tribute to Club Havana San Juan featuring The Havana San Juan Orchestra led by Louis Bauzo plus other featured artists. Curator/Producer: Geno Chaviano. Harlem Stage Gatehouse. 8:00pm and 10:00pm.

- Apollo Theater presents Apollo Music Cafe, Jazz Night. Pianist Marc Cary and his group, Cosmic Indigenous. Apollo Theater - Sound Stage. Doors at 9:00 pm, Performance at 10:00 pm.

- Apollo Theater presents Showman's Late Night with organist Sarah McLawler and Les Femmes Jazz. Limited seating. Standing room available, Two drink minimum per set. Free soul food appetizers are available. Showman's Cafe. 9:00pm and 11:00pm.

- Jazzmobile presents Minton's Playhouse: Legends on the Bandstand with Winard Harper in a tribute to Max Roach. Minton's Playhouse. 10:00 pm - 2:00 am.

- Jazzmobile presents Late Night Jam Session at Minton's Playhouse. Midnight - 2:00 am.

Sunday, May 13, 2012

- Jazzmobile celebrates Park Palace, the true temple for authentic mambo. Jazzmobile, in collaboration with the Museum for African Art, will present Dancing Mambo/Park Palace Live!, a re-creation of the Sunday matinee dances featuring a multi-generational Afro-Cuban Jazz Band led by Bobby Sanabria with special guest artists and the legendary Candido. The Museum for African Art. 4:00 - 7:00 pm.
*Schedule and Artists Subject to Change

VENUES

The Abyssinian Baptist Church
132 Odell Clark Place (formerly 138th Street)
New York, NY 10030
(212) 862-7474 / www.abyssinian.org

Apollo Theater
253 W 125th Street
New York, NY 10027
(212) 531-5305 / www.apollotheater.org

Harlem Stage Gatehouse
150 Convent Avenue at West 135th Street
New York, NY 10031
(212) 281-9240 Ext. 19 or 20 / www.harlemstage.org

Lenox Lounge
288 Lenox Avenue
Malcolm X Boulevard between 124th & 125th
New York, NY
(212) 427-0253 / www.lenoxlounge.com

Minton's Playhouse
206 West 118th Street
New York, NY 10026

Park Palace
The Museum for African Art Plaza
5th Avenue & 110th Street
New York, NY 10029

Showman's Cafe
375 W 125th Street
New York, NY 10027
(212) 864-8941

Small's Paradise
Harlem USA
2309 Frederick Douglass Blvd., 2nd Floor
(Entrance through the Magic Johnson Theater Lobby)
New York, NY 10027
212-678-4400

Teachers College, Cowin Auditorium at Columbia University
525 West 125th Street (Entrance near Broadway at 120th street)
New York, NY 10027
(212) 678-3000 / www.tc.columbia.edu

Contact for Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival:
Carolyn McClair / Carolyn McClair Public Relations
(917) 686-0854 / [email protected]

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