The National Jazz Museum in Harlem is a compact museum at 58 West 129th Street, focused on jazz and its history in Harlem. Its small exhibition includes artifacts and displays, with staff on hand to add context. The collection includes the personal collection of saxophonist Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis and historic radio recordings featuring jazz performers. The museum also hosts live music, educational programs and lectures, so check its calendar if you want to pair the exhibition with a performance.
A collection rooted in Harlem jazz
The museum was founded in 1997 as part of the Smithsonian, with a focus on jazz history and Harlem’s place in it. Its collection includes material connected to the neighborhood’s jazz traditions and the wider history of the music.
Among its holdings is the personal collection of saxophonist Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis. The museum’s small exhibition brings together artifacts and displays rather than a large sequence of galleries. Its scale is useful to know before you visit: the main draw is a concentrated introduction, not an extensive museum circuit.
Historic broadcasts and jazz musicians
A major part of the collection is a body of recorded radio broadcasts made by audio engineer William Savory during the swing era. The recordings preserve extended performances and jam sessions, with musicians including Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Benny Goodman and Ella Fitzgerald.
The recordings are being digitized. They document performances that might otherwise have been lost and give the museum a link to jazz heard on the radio in an earlier era. The collection also informs the museum’s broader work to share jazz history through exhibitions, educational programming and events.
Performances and programs
Live music, lectures, discussions and educational programs are part of the museum’s activities. Performances take place in an intimate setting, and programs have included artists such as Beverly Crosby. The museum also runs programs for students and school-age children, with some events available online.
Because events are scheduled separately from the exhibition, check the museum calendar before setting out. If you are choosing between a brief look around and a performance, an event gives you a chance to experience the music as well as the collection. The museum is at street level on West 129th Street.
Preguntas frecuentes
Where is the National Jazz Museum in Harlem?
It is at 58 West 129th Street, on the ground floor, in New York City.
When is the museum open?
It is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. It is closed Sunday through Wednesday.
Does the museum have live music?
Yes. It hosts live performances, but check the calendar for scheduled events before your visit.
What can you see at the museum?
The compact exhibition covers jazz history and includes artifacts and items connected to Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis. The collection also includes historic radio broadcasts featuring jazz musicians.
