 |
|
NEWS |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Museum
Celebrates Jazz Appreciation Month
A national and
international celebration of jazz as a historical and living
treasure, Jazz Appreciation Month was initiated by the Museum
in 2001. Each year, the Museum presents its own month-long
celebration of America’s original music.
Presentations
include: the display “Miles and Monk: New Jazz
Acquisitions”--donations by the families of Miles Davis and
Thelonious Monk and jazz photographer Herman Leonard; two
concerts by the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra (SJMO);
performances of Latin jazz and hip-hop sounds; five concerts
by U.S. military bands; and a day of swing dancing, including
lessons and a film, in collaboration with the Washington,
D.C., Lindy Exchange.
Three lecture-conversations
feature jazz archivist Reuben Jackson on the Claude Thornhill
Orchestra, curator John Hasse on Miles Davis, and NPR producer
Felix Contreras on four Latin jazz percussionists. Middle- and
high-school students can attend a poetry workshop, and
performers with the SJMO host an improv workshop for
high-school musicians. NPR’s Tavis Smiley hosts an evening
panel discussion at the Museum. Most events are free with
first-come first-served seating; two require reservations
and/or the purchase of advance tickets.
|
|
|
|
|
EVENTS |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Garden
Tours by Smithsonian Horticultural Staff
The
Heirloom Garden contains trees, shrubs, perennials, and herbs
grown in American gardens for generations. Two newly planted
blight-free American chestnuts are part of the tour. Tuesdays
(April 11-August 29), 11 a.m. Meet at the Mall entrance. The
Victory Garden showcases plants nurtured during World War II
to ensure an adequate food supply for civilians and troops.
Thursdays (April 13-August 31), 11 a.m. Meet at the Main
Street Café, lower level.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Looking
American: Katrina’s Wardrobe
After Hurricane
Katrina, Museum staff members visited communities along the
Gulf Coast in an effort to establish a permanent collection
reflecting the storm’s impact. David Shayt shows clothing
recovered from the hurricane debris, including a casino shirt
from Biloxi, Miss., a hat from New Orleans, a FEMA shirt, and
a bulletproof vest, as well as a purse made from a “meals
ready to eat” (MRE) bag. April 12, 12-1 p.m., Reception
Suite.
|
|
 See all events and programs
|
|
|
EXHIBITIONS |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Miles
and Monk: New Jazz Acquisitions
In celebrating Jazz
Appreciation Month, the Museum will present a special display
of newly acquired objects that highlight the contributions of
Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk. Trumpeter and composer Davis
helped pioneer a variety of jazz styles through his
distinctive lyrical style, while Monk, known for his
unorthodox chord voicings and unusual rhythms, helped pioneer
bebop in the 1940s. Opening March 29, the display will feature
images, music manuscripts, Davis's Versace jacket, and Monk's
skullcap.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
"Ella
Fitzgerald: First Lady of Song" and "On Stage and Backstage:
Women in Jazz"
Honoring the extraordinary career of
Ella Fitzgerald, First
Lady of Song includes sheet music of some of her most
noted songs, numerous awards, a portrait of Fitzgerald by Tony
Bennett, and audio and video footage of the incomparable jazz
singer in performance. On
Stage and Backstage presents 10 black-and-white images
of Dorothy Donegon, Ingrid Jensen, Jane Bunnett, Betty Carter,
and other women in jazz by Baltimore photographer Jeffrey
Kliman.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Hall
of Musical Instruments
The Hall of Musical
Instruments presents dozens of artifacts relating to the
history, performance styles, and techniques of European and
American music and the development of musical instruments. A
video kiosk offers favorite works of Duke Ellington. The hall
features instruments made by four of the finest craftsmen of
stringed instruments, Gasparo de Salò, Nicolò Amati, Guiseppe
Guarneri, and, most famous of all, Antonio
Stradivari.
|
|
See all exhibitions
|
|
|
ON THE WEB |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
From
the Collections: Music and Musical Instruments
The
Museum's music collections contain more than 5,000 instruments
of American and European heritage. These include a quartet of
18th-century Stradivari stringed instruments, Tito Puente's
autographed timbales, and the Yellow Cloud guitar that
belonged to Prince, to name only a few. The collections also
include jukeboxes and synthesizers, square-dancing outfits and
sheet music, archival materials, oral histories, and
recordings of performances at the Museum.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Featured
Object: "Servais" Stradivari Cello
This cello was
the first Stradivari instrument collected by the Smithsonian
Institution. Curator Gary Sturm gives a brief history of the
instrument from its creation in 1701 to its exciting
acquisition in 1984.
|
|
|
|
|
FOR
EDUCATORS |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Louis
Armstrong Curriculum Guide
Music from the companion
CD now online! This engaging and stimulating kit will help you
and your students appreciate Louis Armstrong and his
contribution to the development of jazz. The 88-page
downloadable curriculum contains introductory essays for
teachers, time lines of Louis Armstrong's life, lesson plans,
a discography, filmography, and selected bibliography. The
lesson plans incorporate the National Standards in Arts
Education and U.S. History. Musical selections illuminate the
development of early jazz and various phases of Armstrong's
life.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
What
Is Jazz?
Celebrate Jazz Apprieciation Month with
the Smithsonian. Visit our online jazz resources to hear
samples of music and see lesson plans about the elegant Duke
Ellington, the scat singer extraordinaire Ella Fitzgerald,
Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong, and swingin' Benny
Carter.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Tips
for Your Visit
Coming to the Museum in April with
your school group? April is a popular month for spring break
trips and other school visits. Prepare for your trip in
advance by visiting our school trip tips page. Learn more
about self-guided tours, hands-on carts, group meals, and
logistics for a fun, organized visit.
|
|
Educators page
|
|
|
FOR KIDS & FAMILIES |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Hunt
for History
Take a journey through the Museum and
hunt for objects big and small! For ages 6-9 or ages 10-13,
the Hunt for History guides take families on a tour of
highlights from the Museum's collections. Pick one up during
your visit, or download one to bring with you.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Family
Activity: Ella Fitzgerald Performance Video
Scat,
what's that? Scat singers use words and phrases to create the
sound of lively instruments with just their voices. Ella
Fitzgerald used this technique to excite audiences in between
verses of lyrics. Imagine what it would be like to be a jazz
vocalist singing in front of a packed audience. Watch the
video of Ella singing in the Museum's exhibition Ella
Fitzgerald: First Lady of Song and then try to copy her
scat.
|
|
Kids page
|
|
|
SHOPPING & DINING |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Our stores are filled with beautiful
and fragrant cherry blossom merchandise, and our Main Street
Café features Bourbon Cherry Barbeque Chicken. If the weather
is sunny enough for a picnic, pick up a sandwich and a
Smoothsonian slushie from our outdoor food carts. Also visit
SmithsonianStore.com
for more shopping opportunities.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright ©
National Museum of American History. All Rights
Reserved.
14th Street and Constitution Ave. NW, Washington
DC 20560
Brent D. Glass, director
Map
& Directions
Admission to the National Museum of
American History is FREE.
CONTACT US
General
Smithsonian Visitor Information: 202-633-1000
or see our Contact
List
Frequently
Asked Questions
Media inquiries: 202-633-3129 or
visit our Press
room |
| |
|
|
|
