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Jazz

Chris Raschka's new children's book tells the true story of Sun Ra, an eccentric jazz musician.

There Once was a Jazz Musician Who Came Here from Saturn

Author and Illustrator Chris Raschka wants his new children’s book to teach kids about the icons of jazz.

New to the collections: John Coltrane's 1965 Mark VI tenor saxophone

A Sax Supreme: John Coltrane’s Legendary Instrument Joins the Collections of the American History Museum

Ravi Coltrane, son of jazz musicians John and Alice Coltrane, donates one of his father’s three saxophones

John Coltrane (left) “took it further than any [other] tenor saxophone player,” says photographer Chuck Stewart.

New Photos of John Coltrane Rediscovered 50 Years After They Were Shot

During the recording of A Love Supreme in 1964, Chuck Stewart caught the jazz legend in his element

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How to Tour Louis Armstrong’s New Orleans

Jazz is synonymous with the Big Easy, and there’s no bigger name in the history of the genre than Satchmo

Esperanza Spalding has brought new life to jazz.

Esperanza Spalding Took on Bieber, Now Takes on Jazz

The innovative bassist and winner of the Smithsonian American Ingenuity Award for performing arts is taking jazz to a whole new place

Born in Lochgelly, Scotland in 1929, Temperley is America's oldest baritone sax artist, and one of the true anchors of the global jazz scene.

Joe Temperley’s Ageless Sax

The Scottish baritone saxophone musician recalls his 60-year career and the famous singers he’s accompanied

Randy Fertel takes friends on an insider tour that highlights New Orleans' "funky" soulfulness.

New Orleans Beyond Bourbon Street

From out-of-the-way jazz joints to po’ boy shacks, a native son shares his favorite haunts in the Big Easy

Gene Krupa "stole Benny [Goodman]'s thunder," says Kennith Kimery, executive producer of the SMithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra. "In the end that cost him his job."

Gene Krupa: a Drummer with Star Power

Rising to fame with the Benny Goodman band, Gene Krupa was the first superstar drummer

"Jazz implicitly communicates some of the most cherished core values of our society," says John Edward Hasse.

The Smithsonian’s Ambassador of Jazz

Music curator John Edward Hasse travels the globe teaching the genre that revolutionized American music

Herman Leonard photographed jazz icons such as Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Dizzy Gillespie.

Herman Leonard’s Eye for Jazz

In the 1940s and 50s, photographer Herman Leonard captured icons of the jazz world, including Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington

Keefe's tribute to Bailey includes “Rocking Chair,” “I’ll Close My Eyes” and “Bluebirds in the Moonlight.”

Julia Keefe’s Jazz

The young musician discusses the joys of improvisation and her new tribute to fellow American Indian artist Mildred Bailey

Chuck Mangione was nominated for a Grammy for his hit song "Feels So Good."

For Smithsonian, Mangione Memorabilia ‘Feels So Good’

The jazz flugelhornist and composer kicks off Jazz History Month with a donation to the National Museum of American History

Langston Hughes' epic poem, Ask Your Mama: 12 Moods for Jazz is the text for the piece performed by Jessye Norman, among others.

A Jazzed-Up Langston Hughes

A long-forgotten poem about the African-American experience is given new life in a multimedia performance

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Dr. John’s Prognosis

The blues and rock musician shares stories of his wild past and his concerns for the future.

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Rhythm and Identity

A Q&A with Bobby Sanabria, musician, composer and professor of Latin jazz

Lennie Foy

Jukebox

Hot Horns

Trumpeter and bandleader Doc Paulin, being interviewed at 1995 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. His wife to the left of photo; interviewer at right.

Jukebox

Jazz Requiem

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Keeper of the Keys

Pianist Jason Moran laces his strikingly original music with the soulful sounds of jazz greats

Louis Armstrong (at about 26 c. 1927) "as showing the world what jazz was all about," Driggs says.

Jazz Man

Louis Armstrong before he was Satchmo? A youthful Ella? For photographs of musicians great or obscure, just about everyone turns to Frank Driggs

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Jazzed About Roy Haynes

A robust 78, one of the greatest drummers of all time still riffs up a storm and wows fellow musicians

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