Regional Jazz Exhibit Inspired by Disney and Pixar's 'Soul' To Arrive at The National Jazz Museum in Harlem

Editor's Note: Check out this timely exhibit that will be at The National Jazz Museum in Harlem. New Yorkers and many more should make their plans to visit.

Disney's regional jazz exhibit, "The Soul of Jazz: An American Adventure," will open at The National Jazz Museum in Harlem on Feb. 10, coinciding with Black History Month. Visitors are joined by Joe Gardner - the musician, mentor and teacher from Disney and Pixar's "Soul" - on a tour as they discover the rich and surprising history of jazz.

Introduced at The American Adventure inside EPCOT at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, FL, Disney is thrilled to partner with The National Jazz Museum to bring this experience to Harlem - a city well-known for its vibrant Jazz scene, which fueled the careers of many future Jazz icons. Acting as a tribute to a musical artform that was originated by African Americans, the exhibit illustrates the many different cultures and creators who influenced this evolving genre. Walt Disney Imagineering, the creative force behind Disney experiences, partnered with The National Jazz Museum to bring this story to life.

"Like the film that inspired this exhibit, 'The Soul of Jazz: An American Adventure' is a tribute to the human experience," said Carmen Smith, Senior Vice President, Creative Development - Product/Content & Inclusive Strategies. "It was here in Harlem that Jazz not only evolved as an international sensation, but a vehicle for social change. The genre's enduring influence is a palpable example of the barriers that can be broken when ambition and artistry meet passion and purpose. We're proud to partner with the National Jazz Museum to preserve and celebrate that special kind of magic."

While in Harlem, the exhibit will include a unique collection of artifacts curated by The National Jazz Museum, including a player piano, a working 78rpm Victrola, and Duke Ellington's white grand piano.Additionally, there will be maquettes of characters Joe Gardner and Dorothea Williams, and virtual experiences via the Play Disney Parks app.

"If Jazz was born in New Orleans, it spent a lot of time growing up in the Harlem community, and that energy is palpable, even today" says National Jazz Museum in Harlem Executive Director Tracy Hyter-Suffern. "Our commitment to exploring the Roots & Routes of Jazz emphasizes the ways Black music continues to shape society and global culture. Harlem is one of the world's cultural destination points. Our partnership with Disney is a unique opportunity to celebrate Jazz, community and Harlem."

"The Soul of Jazz: An American Adventure" at The National Jazz Museum, located at 58 West 129th St in New York, New York opensThursday, February 10, 2022. The museum is open Thursday through Saturday from 12 p.m. through 5 p.m., and masks are required. Proof of vaccination is required for visitors over 12 years old. The National Jazz Museum is currently operating on an advanced reservation system.Please visit www.jmih.org to learn more about the museum and to plan your trip.

Previously housed in New Orleans and Kansas City, the exhibit will be in Harlem until August 31. To learn more about the exhibit, visit www.disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog.

About The National Jazz Museum

The mission of the National Jazz Museum in Harlem (NJMH) is to preserve, promote and present jazz by inspiring knowledge, appreciation and the celebration of jazz locally, nationally and internationally. They tell the truth about jazz and fuel their mission through four Core Programs: Education; Jazz &... (Community Engagement & Performance); Exhibits & Collections; and Partnerships & Collaborations. Programming and our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy represent our commitment to showcasing jazz and jazz-adjacent voices and perspectives that characterize and welcome the most inclusive diversity of audiences.

NJMH invites in-person and online audiences to join the jazz in Harlem experience. Our world-renowned Artistic Directors Jon Batiste and Christian McBride contribute to the creative vision of our exhibits and outreach, and curate much of our programming. Jazz is a living, evolving organism expressed through connections with real people. Our vision is to make jazz accessible to everyone on the planet. We are a living, evolving museum for the people, center for jazz and a place in Harlem where visitors gather to enjoy history and music, and where artists come to play, rehearse, create or drop-in, even when no one else is there, just to be in the space that so many others have passed through.

The Museum offers year-round educational programs for students of all ages. Our collaborations with schools, businesses, arts and other organizations bring our innovative content to the global community.

About Disney Parks, Experiences and Products

Disney Parks, Experiences and Products brings the magic of The Walt Disney Company's powerful brands and franchises-including Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, ESPN, 20th Century Fox and National Geographic-into the daily lives of families and fans around the world to create magical memories that last a lifetime.

When Walt Disney opened Disneyland in Anaheim, California, on July 17, 1955, he created a unique destination built around storytelling and immersive experiences, ushering in a new era of family entertainment. More than 65 years later, Disney has grown into one of the world's leading providers of family travel and leisure experiences, with iconic businesses including six resort destinations with 12 theme parks and 52 resorts in the United States, Europe, and Asia; a top-rated cruise line with four ships and plans for three more; a luxurious family beach resort in Hawai'i; a popular vacation ownership program; and an award-winning guided family adventure business. Disney's global consumer products operations include the world's leading licensing business; the world's largest children's publishing brands; one of the world's largest licensors of games across all platforms; Disney store locations around the world; and the shopDisney e-commerce platform.

These experiences are created by Disney Imagineers, the creative force behind experiences found in Disney theme parks, resort hotels, cruise ships, and consumer products-including books, games, and merchandise.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of "The Soul of Jazz, An American Adventure"