Jazz is a uniquely American musical tradition from Louisiana in the 19th century, with roots in blues and ragtime music. Harlem, New York became an epicenter of Jazz’s growth and mainstream popularity with booming clubs (some speakeasies to avoid the prohibition of alcohol from 1920- 1933) like the Cotton Club and new recording and radio technology that spread the sound.

The National Jazz Museum in Harlem (New York City) is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history and sounds of Jazz, starting with the musicians of the Harlem Renaissance, including Duke Ellington, Nina Simone, Billy Holiday, and Ella Fitzgerald. Listen to a Jazz Collection of Harlem Renaissance musicians: https://jmih.org/collections/

Harlem Speaks Oral History Project