Disney is collaborating with jazz museums across the country for this special exhibition on the history of jazz – The Soul of Jazz: An American Adventure. With this special exhibition, Disney is taking some of the Disney Parks magic to the community. It depicts the journey of jazz as it moves across America.
Where does the Disney Magic come into play? Well, our guide for this special musical journey is none other than Joe Gardner of Disney’s Soul. You’ll also see of few more recognizable character from the film all around the exhibit like Dorothea Williams, Connie and Mr. Mittens. The entire museum is even made to look like you’re inside the Half Note Jazz Club from the film!
The Soul of Jazz: An American Adventure was first introduced at The American Adventure inside EPCOT as a tribute to a musical art form that originated by African Americans and fuses influences from many different cultures. The exhibition was then brought into the cities where jazz took root and grew into the genre we know today. The first city was, of course, New Orleans – the birthplace of jazz.
After NOLA, we travel up the Mississippi river to Kansas City and Chicago. We also see the significance the Harlem Renaissance played to the musical genre. The exhibition also showcases with Caribbean influences, specifically that of San Juan, Puerto Rico. And, with the Los Angeles and final parts of the exhibit, we see not what jazz is to day but what is has become as it continues to evolve.
I was recently invited to the opening of the current city the exhibition is being held in – the iconic neighborhood of Harlem in New York City inside the National Jazz Museum in Harlem.
The experience features a unique collection of artifacts curated by each local museums. For example, here we see some of items collected by Dr. Billy Taylor . Like Joe Gardner, Dr. Taylor was a music educator and great lover of jazz.
The exhibition also has photo-ops set up so visitors can take photos with Joe and the band. As another interactive component, visitors can test their knowledge of jazz and interact with the exhibit by using the Play Disney Parks mobile app.
The Soul of Jazz: An American Adventure is currently open to the public and will run through August. If you’re in the New York area, I highly encourage you to visit. More information can be found on the National Jazz Museum in Harlem website here.
