NJMH I had a great opportunity today to head uptown to the National Jazz Museum in Harlem. I have to say that I was a little disappointed at first. I was expecting to see an actual museum, but for right now it is just an office. The office is great, open to the public, and has rotating exhibits. There is also a nice research library there as well, with a host of recordings you can listen to. Upon arrival, I did run into the director, Loren Schoenberg. I had some experience with him in the past. He used to be involved with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra in DC. I was able to see him once play with the orchestra many moons ago. And then a few years after that I saw him take part in a lecture about Louis Armstrong I attended with my Dad at the Smithsonian. Ironically, he remembered my Dad and me, because he autographed some liner notes (that he wrote) for my Dad. I was able to talk to him for a bit. He even invited me back that night for a lecture they were having about jazz by an upcoming pianist, Jonathan Batiste. I didn't know what to do with the couple of hours I had before the lecture. So I talked with Mr. Schoenberg about the famous photo, A Great Day in Harlem. The location of that photo was just up the street from the museum. He said I should check it out, and then come back to the museum for dinner with him prior to the lecture. I took a walk up to the stoop, and took a few pictures. Then I headed to a little luncheonette that was recommended to grab my dinner to take back to the museum. I had a great time over dining and discussion with Mr. Schoenberg and was able to attend a very interesting lecture, a lot about hip-hop and jazz. What a great day in Harlem for me!
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B.D.SchmittHusband, Father, Archives
November 2015
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