May 27, 2025
We sadly note the passing of Representative Charles Rangel, most well known as Harlem‘s own congressman for several decades. His reach expanded globally way beyond his elected district, but within that district, he was a legendary hero of culture and the arts. Congressman Rangel was a jazz aficianodo and his early commitment and active support to The National Jazz Museum in Harlem as one of its founders got the project off the ground.
Many of our board members had close relationships with him, and none were closer or more essential than that of the President of the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, Lloyd Williams. Their combined passion for our mission made our quarter-century legacy possible. It’s said of the departed may their memory be a blessing – Congressman Rangel’s already is.
To learn a bit more about the Congressman’s life and connections to jazz, we encourage you to watch our 2005 Harlem Speaks interview hosted by NJMH Artistic Director Christian McBride and NJMH Senior Scholar, Loren Schoenberg. This interview includes discussions with his long time friends, past NJMH Board Chair Arthur Barnes and jazz legend Dr. Billy Taylor.