The National Jazz Museum in Harlem Schedule of Events for December 2012

Harlem Speaks, our flagship public program of oral histories, offers in
depth conversation with two pianists from different places and
generations, but who both found an individual voice: Richard Wyands and
Jean-Michel Pilc.

This month’s Jazz For Curious Listeners
examines the museum’s world-renowned Savory Collection, a treasure trove
of classic jazz recorded in the 1930’s that was never heard for over 70
years. We’ll hear Ellington, Basie, Holiday, Goodman, Hawkins, Waller
and many more in sounds that can only be heard presently at our home.

Saturday Panels will feature 2012 jams on highlights from the Savory
Collection, as well as a panel of jazz musicians listening to and
reacting to the classic recordings for the first time.

Jazz Is:
Now! has become the museum’s most popular program – hosted by Jonathan
Batiste and is Stay Human band, it’s a must for people who want to feel
the live buzz and electricity of jazz in the moment.

So, as you
can see, it’s an action packed month for us, as usual. We hope to see
you, your family and friends at as many of our events as you can make
during this exciting month at The National Jazz Museum in Harlem. You’re
bound to meet other similarly exciting, interesting and vital people –
like yourselves!

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Jazz for Curious Listeners
The Savory Collection: An Update
Basie/Ellington+: The Big Bands
7:00 – 8:30pm
Location: NJMH Visitors Center
(104 E. 126th Street, Suite 4D)
FREE | For more information: 212-348-8300

The sounds of the big bands is an essential element in the story of
America. Join us for music you have never heard before from Count Basie,
Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Bob Crosby, Tommy Dorsey and others.
In 2010, the National Jazz Museum in Harlem made headlines across the
country with the acquisition of the legendary Savory Collection, an
extraordinary archive of live musical recordings from the Swing Era.
Recorded between 1935 and 1941 by audio engineer and jazz enthusiast
William Savory, the Savory Collection features never-before-heard live
recordings of jazz legends at the height of their careers, including
Billie Holiday, Fats Waller, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, and Louis
Armstrong. The Savory Collection expands the Museum’s archives of jazz
artifacts, ephemera and recordings, which include its extensive Duke
Ellington and Ralph Ellison collections. The Jazz Museum makes these
holdings available to the general public through its jazz library,
exhibitions, live performances, audio research stations, artist talks,
workshops, and youth education programs.

With support from the
Grammy Foundation, the New York Community Trust and other funders, the
Jazz Museum has completed the first phase of a project to preserve these
important recordings by transferring them to CD or DVD format. The
digitization process has been completed to high standards, assuring that
these recordings are no longer at risk but will be accessible in
perpetuity. As we move forward, the next phases of this project will
focus on working to restore these recordings to even higher audio
standards; completing the discography to ensure the thoroughness and
accuracy of the documentation for each recording; and making the
recordings broadly available to the jazz scholars and aficionados who
are eager to hear them – and to study, analyze and contextualize what
they reveal about the jazz artists, music and culture of a historic era.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Harlem Speaks
Richard Wyands, Pianist
6:30 – 8:30pm
Location: NJMH Visitors Center
(104 E. 126th Street, Suite 4D)
FREE | For more information: 212-348-8300

Richard Wyands made his first recordings in 1946, and three years later
recorded with Charles Mingus. Over the intervening six decades he has
remained at the top of his game, playing with elegance with many of the
greatest musicians in the world. Wyands started working in local clubs
when he was 16, graduated from San Francisco State College, and gained
experience playing in the San Francisco Bay area. Wyands, who was a
sideman on a few early dates for Fantasy, spent time accompanying Ella
Fitzgerald (1956) and Carmen McRae. He moved to New York in 1958, where
he played with Roy Haynes, Charles Mingus (1959), Gigi Gryce’s quintet,
Oliver Nelson, Etta Jones, Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, and Gene Ammons, among
others.Wyands was associated with Kenny Burrell, with whom he toured
extensively during 1964-1977, and has played with many other top
musicians, including Freddie Hubbard, Zoot Sims, Frank Foster, the
Illinois Jacquet Big Band, Benny Carter, Ernie Andrews, and Milt Hinton,
among others. Richard Wyands has also headed his own trios, but has
only had a handful of sessions as a leader thus far, including a 1978
date for Storyville and sessions for DIW (1992) and Criss Cross (1995).
Join us for a rare night hearing from a jazz veteran whose story will
fascinate you.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Jazz for Curious Listeners
The Savory Collection: An Update
Jam Sessions with Lester Young and Friends
7:00 – 8:30pm
Location: NJMH Visitors Center
(104 E. 126th Street, Suite 4D)
FREE | For more information: 212-348-8300

Among the treasures of the Savory Collection are studio jam sessions
that include Lester Young, Benny Goodman, Eddie Condon, Bobby Hackett,
Charlie Shavers, Bunny Berigan, Chu Berry and many others. You can hear
them during this rare opportunity to sample music unheard for several
decades.

In 2010, the National Jazz Museum in Harlem made
headlines across the country with the acquisition of the legendary
Savory Collection, an extraordinary archive of live musical recordings
from the Swing Era. Recorded between 1935 and 1941 by audio engineer and
jazz enthusiast William Savory, the Savory Collection features
never-before-heard live recordings of jazz legends at the height of
their careers, including Billie Holiday, Fats Waller, Duke Ellington,
Benny Goodman, and Louis Armstrong. The Savory Collection expands the
Museum’s archives of jazz artifacts, ephemera and recordings, which
include its extensive Duke Ellington and Ralph Ellison collections. The
Jazz Museum makes these holdings available to the general public through
its jazz library, exhibitions, live performances, audio research
stations, artist talks, workshops, and youth education programs.

With support from the Grammy Foundation, the New York Community Trust
and other funders, the Jazz Museum has completed the first phase of a
project to preserve these important recordings by transferring them to
CD or DVD format. The digitization process has been completed to high
standards, assuring that these recordings are no longer at risk but will
be accessible in perpetuity. As we move forward, the next phases of
this project will focus on working to restore these recordings to even
higher audio standards; completing the discography to ensure the
thoroughness and accuracy of the documentation for each recording; and
making the recordings broadly available to the jazz scholars and
aficionados who are eager to hear them – and to study, analyze and
contextualize what they reveal about the jazz artists, music and culture
of a historic era.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Jazz Is: Now! * note new location
Hosted by Jonathan Batiste and the STAY HUMAN band
7:00 – 8:30pm
Location: Metropolitan Community United Methodist Church,
NE Corner of 126th Street and Madison Avenue, enter on 126th
FREE | For more information: 212-348-8300
Jazz Is: Now has evolved into a tremendously successful and totally
original program headed by NJMH Associate Artistic Director Jonathan
Batiste. Audience members participate throughout the evening,
playing/singing/dancing/organizing the music (yes!), and having their
endorphin levels raised at the same time. If this sounds too good to be
true, then make sure you join us for this rousing celebration of the joy
of music.

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Harlem Speaks
Jean-Michel Pilc, Pianist
6:30 – 8:30pm
Location: NJMH Visitors Center
(104 E. 126th Street, Suite 4D)
FREE | For more information: 212-348-8300

Born in 1960 in Paris, and now an American citizen, self-taught
Jean-Michel Pilc has performed with numerous giants in the music field
such as: Roy Haynes, Michael Brecker, Dave Liebman, Jean Toussaint, Rick
Margitza, Martial Solal, Michel Portal, Daniel Humair, Marcus Miller,
Kenny Garrett, Lenny White, Chris Potter, John Abercrombie, Mingus
Dynasty & Big Band, Lew Soloff and Richard Bona. He has also worked
with Harry Belafonte, as his musical director and pianist. Jean-Michel
Pilc moved to New York City in 1995. There, he formed a trio with
François Moutin (bass) and Ari Hoenig (drums). They recorded a one-week
engagement at the legendary jazz club Sweet Basil and, in 2000, released
two CDs: Jean-Michel Pilc Trio – Together – Live at Sweet Basil, NYC –
Vol. 1 & 2 (A- Records). In 2004, Jean- Michel released his first
solo album, Follow Me (Dreyfus). Jean-Michel Pilc then went back to trio
format to record Live at Iridium, NYC, in 2004, New Dreams in 2006, and
True Story in 2009, all three for Dreyfus Jazz. Since 2006, Pilc has
been a NYU Steinhardt faculty member. There, he is giving private
lessons (piano and other instruments), ensemble classes and
improvisation workshops. He was also co-director of NYU Summer Jazz
Improv Workshop in 2010. Jean-Michel is also teaching for the New School
in NYC, as well as privately. Pilc is also currently working on a
pedagogical book and on educational videos about jazz, improvisation and
piano playing. Join us for a special evening of conversation with a
unique artist.

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Saturday Panels
Savory Jam – Contemporary reactions to the glories of the Savory Collection
12:00 – 4:00pm
Location: NJMH Visitors Center
(104 E. 126th Street, Suite 4D)
FREE | For more information: 212-348-8300

A rare chance to hear musicians listen to, comment on, and play
creative new music based on the treasures of the Savory Collection.

In 2010, the National Jazz Museum in Harlem made headlines across the
country with the acquisition of the legendary Savory Collection, an
extraordinary archive of live musical recordings from the Swing Era.
Recorded between 1935 and 1941 by audio engineer and jazz enthusiast
William Savory, the Savory Collection features never-before-heard live
recordings of jazz legends at the height of their careers, including
Billie Holiday, Fats Waller, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, and Louis
Armstrong. The Savory Collection expands the Museum’s archives of jazz
artifacts, ephemera and recordings, which include its extensive Duke
Ellington and Ralph Ellison collections. The Jazz Museum makes these
holdings available to the general public through its jazz library,
exhibitions, live performances, audio research stations, artist talks,
workshops, and youth education programs.

With support from the
Grammy Foundation, the New York Community Trust and other funders, the
Jazz Museum has completed the first phase of a project to preserve these
important recordings by transferring them to CD or DVD format. The
digitization process has been completed to high standards, assuring that
these recordings are no longer at risk but will be accessible in
perpetuity. As we move forward, the next phases of this project will
focus on working to restore these recordings to even higher audio
standards; completing the discography to ensure the thoroughness and
accuracy of the documentation for each recording; and making the
recordings broadly available to the jazz scholars and aficionados who
are eager to hear them – and to study, analyze and contextualize what
they reveal about the jazz artists, music and culture of a historic era.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Jazz for Curious Listeners
The Savory Collection: An Update
Odds and Ends: Louis Jordan+
7:00 – 8:30pm
Location: NJMH Visitors Center
(104 E. 126th Street, Suite 4D)
FREE | For more information: 212-348-8300

Some of the items in the Savory Collection don’t fall into easy
categories – like the very first broadcasts of the little known Louis
Jordan band broadcasting from Harlem, or out takes of Dinah Shore, or an
all night jam session with the pianist Joe Sullivan. You’ll hear them
tonight!

In 2010, the National Jazz Museum in Harlem made
headlines across the country with the acquisition of the legendary
Savory Collection, an extraordinary archive of live musical recordings
from the Swing Era. Recorded between 1935 and 1941 by audio engineer and
jazz enthusiast William Savory, the Savory Collection features
never-before-heard live recordings of jazz legends at the height of
their careers, including Billie Holiday, Fats Waller, Duke Ellington,
Benny Goodman, and Louis Armstrong. The Savory Collection expands the
Museum’s archives of jazz artifacts, ephemera and recordings, which
include its extensive Duke Ellington and Ralph Ellison collections. The
Jazz Museum makes these holdings available to the general public through
its jazz library, exhibitions, live performances, audio research
stations, artist talks, workshops, and youth education programs.