September 16, 2025
Jazu Harlem Concert and Conversation
w/ Ulysses Owens Jr. hosted by Dr. Joshua Walker
National Jazz Museum in Harlem – 58 West 129th Street
Thursday, October 16th, 2025
6:00 – Social Hour
7:00 – Concert and Conversation
You’re invited to a special Jazu Harlem evening of music and conversation with GRAMMY® Award-winning drummer Ulysses Owens Jr., hosted by Dr. Joshua Walker, President and CEO of the Japan Society and curated by the National Jazz Museum in Harlem.
Jazu Harlem is an initiative led by the National Jazz Museum in Harlem, in partnership with the Japan Society, the International House of Japan, and with financial support from the US-Japan Foundation, celebrating the vibrant and evolving legacy of jazz music and it’s connections to the nation of Japan.
American jazz and Japan share a deep connection, rooted in cultural exchange and mutual admiration. Beginning as early as the 1920s and expanding conderably after WWII, jazz has been embraced in Japan as both art and identity, fostering world-class musicians, dedicated audiences, and renowned festivals. This transpacific bond reflects jazz’s universal language—bridging cultures, inspiring innovation, and honoring its African American roots. The cross-cultural dialogue is ever-evolving, as evidenced by the past 30 years of Black American music’s continued influence on Japanese pop music (J-pop) and, in return, J-pop influencing jazz musicians in the United States today.
Through performance and dialogue, Owens Jr. will explore the deep connections between Harlem, New York City, and Japan—showcasing how jazz transcends borders and generations. Join us for a night where tradition meets innovation, and the spirit of jazz bridges nations.
This event is invitation only and tickets are non-transferable.
About the Artist:
Ulysses Owens Jr. is a three-time GRAMMY™ Award-winning drummer, producer, author, and educator, widely recognized as one of the leading voices in modern jazz. Praised by The New York Times as a drummer who “takes a back seat to no one,” Owens is known for his versatility, power, and musical sensitivity across a wide range of genres.
He has recorded and performed with legendary artists including Kurt Elling, Wynton Marsalis, and Christian McBride. In 2023, he received his third GRAMMY Award for his work with Steven Feifke, Bijon Watson, and the Generation Gap Jazz Orchestra. As a leader, Owens has released eight acclaimed albums, including Songs of Freedom—named a “Top Ten Album of 2019” by Rolling Stone—and Soul Conversations with his Big Band, voted a top jazz album by JazzIz Magazine and honored as “Rising Star Big Band” by DownBeat.
His latest project, A New Beat, featuring his “Generation Y” band, topped the JazzWeek Radio Charts for eight weeks in 2024 and was included in multiple “Best Of” lists by DownBeat, Jazziz, and others. The group recently toured internationally, performing at the Cotton Club in Tokyo, Canadian jazz festivals, and the Monterey Jazz Festival.
An influential educator, Owens has served on the jazz faculty at The Juilliard School for over seven years and is Artistic Director of Don’t Miss A Beat, a nonprofit in Jacksonville, Florida. He is also Drumeo’s first-ever jazz drum instructor and author of three drumming books, including the acclaimed Jazz Big Band for the Modern Drummer.
Ulysses is a regular contributor to major publications including DownBeat, JazzTimes, and the New York Times. In 2024, he made his Broadway debut in A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical at Studio 54. He was named Jazz Drummer of the Year by both Modern Drummer and Drumeo in 2024 and was recently inducted into the Jacksonville Music Hall of Fame.
With a career that bridges performance, education, authorship, and community leadership, Ulysses Owens Jr. continues to inspire and lead as one of the most dynamic artists of his generation.