The Harlem Blues and Jazz Band was initiated in 1973 by manager Dr. Al Vollmer, who noted that a significant pool of jazz musicians who had played in great bands of the 1930s and 1940s lived in New York City and had retired as musicians. Its first bandleader was Clyde Bernhardt, who was replaced in 1980 by Bobby Williams; the band has since featured many notable musicians including Doc Cheatham, Eddie Durham, Johnny Coles, Al Casey and Joey Morant. They have toured in the US, Europe, and Russia, and have released several LPs and CDs. The Jazz Foundation of America is honored to help celebrate this remarkable musical instiution’s 50th year!

This event will stream on the Jazz Foundation and Jazz Museum Facebook pages and the Museum YouTube Channel.

This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and by the Howard Gilman Foundation.