🎷 Event Overview
Official Name: Harlem Jazz Series
Location: Harlem, New York City
Venues: Mount Morris Ascension Presbyterian Church, Harlem School of the Arts, Harlem Stage, and community venues across Harlem
Dates: Ongoing throughout 2025 (Weekly & Monthly Performances)
The Harlem Jazz Series is an intimate and powerful cultural experience dedicated to preserving and celebrating the deep musical legacy of Harlem, the spiritual home of American jazz. Unlike traditional festivals, the Harlem Jazz Series offers performances throughout the year, bringing local and international artists into historic venues to share the sound and soul of Black music.
Centered in Mount Morris Ascension Presbyterian Church, where jazz, gospel, and spiritual roots merge, the series invites audiences into the heart of Harlem to celebrate live improvisation, artistic innovation, and cultural community.
🕰️ History and Background
Founded: 2016
Founder: Craig Harris, world-renowned jazz trombonist, composer, and Harlem resident
The Harlem Jazz Series was founded as a response to the need for accessible, community-based jazz performance spaces. Craig Harris envisioned a series where music would not only entertain but educate, inspire, and elevate the Harlem community and its visitors.
Since its founding, the Harlem Jazz Series has:
- Featured Grammy-winning artists, emerging Black jazz musicians, and neighborhood legends
- Partnered with local schools and cultural institutions for workshops and student performances
- Attracted international tourists and New York residents alike seeking authentic Harlem experiences
- Helped maintain Harlem’s reputation as one of the world’s jazz capitals
Past performers include Wycliffe Gordon, Brandee Younger, Danny Mixon, Carla Cook, and Patience Higgins, among others.
✨ Why You Should Attend
Because Harlem is jazz—and this series brings it alive, every week.
The Harlem Jazz Series isn’t just about sound—it’s about legacy, spiritual connection, and neighborhood culture. Whether you’re a seasoned jazz lover or a curious traveler looking for authentic Black New York, this series puts you in close contact with the music that changed the world.
Key Attractions:
- Weekly Jazz Concerts at Mount Morris Ascension Church (Fridays @ 7:00 PM)
- Special Tribute Shows (Women in Jazz, Harlem Renaissance Night, Gospel Jazz Sundays)
- Artist Q&As and Workshops
- Black History Month, Juneteenth, and Kwanzaa Programming
- Partnerships with Harlem Cultural Archives and Apollo Theater
It’s a rare opportunity to engage deeply with music as an artform and a cultural movement.
🔥 What to Expect in 2025
Featured Artists:
While the full 2025 artist lineup will be unveiled in January, returning favorites and special guests include:
- Craig Harris and his ensemble Nation of Imagination
- Kim Clarke – groundbreaking bassist and educator
- Antoinette Montague – powerful Harlem-born jazz and blues vocalist
- David Murray Quartet
- Brandee Younger – harpist blending jazz, soul, and hip-hop
Expect guest musicians from major festivals like Winter Jazz Fest, as well as local youth ensembles from Harlem School of the Arts and the Jazzmobile program.
Special Themed Events:
- Harlem Renaissance Reimagined (April)
- Black Women in Jazz (March – Women’s History Month)
- Spiritual Jazz Sundays (Quarterly)
- Juneteenth Freedom Jazz Jam (June)
- Kwanzaa Soul Celebration (December)
Tickets & Pricing:
- General Admission (Friday Concerts): $25–$35
- Community Night Pricing: Pay-what-you-can for select events
- VIP Patron Pass (10-show bundle): $225
🎟 Purchase via: www.harlemjazzseries.com/tickets
✈️ Travel & Logistics
Closest Airports:
- LaGuardia (LGA): 20 minutes by car
- John F. Kennedy International (JFK): 40 minutes
- Newark Liberty International (EWR): 45 minutes
Local Transportation:
- Subway Access: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, A, B, C, and D trains serve Harlem
- Uber/Lyft: Available throughout Manhattan
- Citi Bike: Multiple docking stations in Central Harlem
Venue is walkable from 125th Street Metro-North Station, making it accessible from downtown and the Bronx.
🏨 Where to Stay
Nearby Hotels:
- Aloft Harlem: Modern, walkable, music-friendly
- The Harlem Flophouse: Artistic, historic guesthouse with vintage charm
- The Edge Hotel (Washington Heights): Affordable boutique with easy subway access
- Hotel Beacon (Upper West Side): A short ride away and family-friendly
Pro tip: Airbnb options in Harlem often offer unique stays in historic brownstones.
🍽️ Where to Eat
Black-Owned & Local Favorites:
- Melba’s Restaurant: Chicken and waffles + celeb sightings
- Red Rooster Harlem: From Marcus Samuelsson—food, culture, and live music
- Sylvia’s: Harlem’s legendary soul food institution
- BLVD Bistro: Brunch with a Southern twist
- Harlem Shake: Modern take on burgers and shakes
Expect pop-up vendors and nearby restaurants offering Harlem Jazz Series pre-show menus and discounts.
🧠 Tips for First-Timers
- Dress Code: Casual chic. Fridays are neighborhood social nights—bring your best Harlem flair.
- Weather Prep: Harlem concerts run rain or shine, most indoors; bring a light jacket for spring/fall.
- Arrive Early: Doors open at 6:30 PM; music starts promptly at 7:00 PM. Seating is first-come, first-served.
- Connect With Others: Join the Harlem Jazz Series email list or follow on Instagram for meetups, giveaways, and behind-the-scenes content.
📱 How to Stay Connected
- Website: www.harlemjazzseries.com
- Instagram: @harlemjazzseries
- Facebook: Harlem Jazz Series
- Twitter/X: @harlemjazz
- YouTube: Harlem Jazz Series Channel
- Hashtags: #HarlemJazzSeries #HarlemJazz2025 #LiveFromHarlem
📝 Final Notes
Registration & Submissions:
- Performer applications: Open year-round on the website
- Vendor/food applications: Open for special events (Juneteenth, Kwanzaa)
- Group bookings: Available for schools, tour operators, and nonprofits
Health & Safety:
Events follow NYC health guidelines. Indoor venues have ventilation systems, and masks are optional unless otherwise noted.
📅 Mark Your Calendar
The Harlem Jazz Series 2025 is a love letter to the sound and spirit of Black America. It’s not just music—it’s a living archive of culture. Whether you’re a New Yorker or a cultural traveler, don’t miss this opportunity to hear Harlem speak its truth—one note at a time.
🎟 Visit www.harlemjazzseries.com to reserve your seat.
📍 Weekly Performances Year-Round | Harlem, NYC
📣 Follow, share, and support the music that built the movement.
