The National Jazz Museum in Harlem proudly presented its inaugural international Jazu Harlem program at the prestigious International House of Japan, marking a dynamic cultural exchange between Harlem and Tokyo. This special event featured an intimate concert and conversation with acclaimed saxophonist Marshall McDonald and his band, along with vocalist Lolita Jackson, who also serves as Vice Chair of the Museum’s Board of Trustees. Together, they offered a soulful evening of music and dialogue that highlighted the legacy and evolution of jazz across continents.

Launched in October 2024, Jazu Harlem is the Museum’s new global initiative to celebrate Harlem’s jazz tradition while forging cross-cultural partnerships. In Tokyo, NJMH staff extended this mission beyond the stage by visiting iconic jazz venues including the Cotton Club, Jazz Club Alfie, the Jazz Union, and the vinyl listening room Musium. These visits laid the groundwork for future collaborations and cultural exchanges between jazz communities in Harlem and Japan.

This successful debut signals a bold new chapter for the National Jazz Museum in Harlem, as Jazu Harlem expands internationally—honoring the past, engaging the present, and shaping the global future of jazz.

Jazu Harlem is made possible with a grant from the United States Japan Foundation and with support from partner organizations The Japan Society and the International House of Japan.