We kick off the year of 2012 with what’s now a tradition of the National Jazz Museum of Harlem: a month chock full of free events covering the entire scope of jazz as well as live performances in classy venues at a reasonable cost. For Harlem Speaks, our flagship public program of oral histories, we have two of the most celebrated and accomplished musicians on their respective instruments, guitarist Russell Malone and trombonist Wycliffe Gordon. Jazz for Curious Listeners and our Saturday panel this month will be led by Ricky Riccardi, whose recently published book has been a great success in focusing critical attention on the latter days of Louis Armstrong’s career. If Armstrong is the topic, you can be assured the sessions will be a joy to attend. Jazz in 2012 will be addressed head on by a two-month stretch of Jazz Is: Now!, a program built around the talents of co-director/pianist/bandleader Jon Batiste, who will lead the discussion./ He’ll also have his band here, at the new location of the jazz museum Visitor’s Center, which from the beginning of January 2012 will be on the fourth floor in Suite 4D.  Harlem in the Himalayas, at the Rubin Museum of Art, features two trios; the first, Bill Charlap’s,  has been together for years and remains at the peak of their form. The second is a onetime musical conversation between three unique individuals whose music ranges far and wide over the jaz tradition - pianist Jonathan Batiste, guitarist Gene Bertoncini, and multi-reed man Scott Robinson. Jazz at the Players features the return of yet another brilliant trio, led by the award-winning pianist Aaron Diehl. We hope to see you, your family and friends at as many of our events as you can make. It’s a wonderful way to kick off the New Year! Tuesday, January 3, 2012Jazz for Curious ListenersLouis Armstrong Month: Birth of the All-Stars—1947-19537:00 – 8:30pmLocation:NJMH Visitors Center(104 E. 126th Street, Suite 4D)FREE | For more information: 212-348-8300 Join Ricky Riccard, author of "What a Wonderful World: The Magic of Louis Armstrong's Later Years," as he discusses the earliest years of one of jazz's greatest bands, Louis Armstrong and His All Stars. Riccardi will trace the beginnings of the group, starting with a concert at Town Hall in 1947, and will discuss the group's early members, such as Jack Teagarden, Earl "Fatha" Hines and Sid Catlett. Also, discussed will be the many pop recordings Louis made during this period that caused critics to dub him "commercial," but provided him with more fans than ever before. Lots of rare music will be heard and some of Louis's earliest television appearances will be screened.Wednesday, January 4, 2012Jazz Is: Now! with Jonathan Batiste    The State of 2012 Jazz   7:00 – 8:30pmLocation:NJMH Visitors Center(104 E. 126th Street, Suite 4D)FREE | For more information: 212-348-8300 Pianist and band leader Jonathan Batiste continues his successful Jazz Is: Now! series in which he and an ensemble explore jazz today, never forgetting the past but always swinging into the future. This month Batiste, now a co-director of the National Jazz Museum in Harlem along with Christian McBride and executive director Loren Schoenberg, focuses on the State of Jazz in 2012.Join us and discover the challenges and pleasures of jazz in this modern era in which technology, speed and celebrity often trumps all. But in the hands and minds of artists such as Jonathan Batiste, jazz is sure to not only survive, but thrive! Thursday, January 5, 2012Harlem SpeaksRussell Malone, Guitarist 6:30 – 8:30pmLocation: NJMH Visitors Center(104 E. 126th Street, Suite 4D)FREE | For more information: 212-348-8300Russell Malone is one of the most commanding and versatile guitarists performing. He moves from blues to gospel to pop to R&B and jazz without hesitation, a rare facility that has prompted some of the highest profile artists in the world to call upon him: Diana Krall, Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin, B.B. King, Natalie Cole, David Sanborn, Shirley Horn, Christina Aguilera, Harry Connick, Jr, Ron Carter, and Sonny Rollins.Along the way, Malone has made a name for himself combining the bluesy sound of Grant Green and Kenny Burrell with the relentless attack of Django Reinhardt and Pat Martino. After hearing Malone play in Connick's band, former Sony head, Tommy Mottola, brought Malone over to Columbia. Malone's self-titled debut, Russell Malone, in 1992 quickly went to #1 on the radio charts.Russell Malone was quickly followed by his second album, Black Butterfly in 1993, with Paul Keller on Bass, who later became his trio mate with Diana Krall. Diana Krall's label, Verve Records, came calling next and released three albums by Malone: Sweet Georgia Peach (1998), Look Who's Here (2000), and Heartstrings (2001). Heartstrings features a full orchestra with arrangements by Johnny Mandel, Don Caymmi, and Alan Broadbent, accompanied by the all-star rhythm section team of Kenny Barron (piano), Christian McBride (bass), and Jeff “Tain” Watts (drums).Malone joined Diana Krall in 1995, contributing to Krall's first four Grammy-nominated albums. For over a year, Malone has had the honor and privilege of playing in tenor titan Sonny Rollins’ band.Tonight’s discussion promises to be one filled with stories of insight and humor, as any of Malone’s Facebook friends can readily attest.Friday, January 6, 2012 Harlem in the HimalayasBill Charlap Trio7:00pmLocation: Rubin Museum of Art(150 West 17th Street)$18 in advance | $20 at door |For tickets: RMA Box Office or call 212-620-5000 ext. 344Since their first recording together 13 years ago, pianist Bill Charlap, bassist Peter Washington and drummer Kenny Washington have become one of the top trios in jazz. “When I hear our first recording All Through the Night,it sounds like a band right away. I remember thinking wow, this has such a great, natural feeling, like we’d been playing together for years,” recalls Charlap.  “It’s only gotten deeper since.” Come experience just how deep the trio’s simpatico reflects the feeling of jazz!Saturday, January 7, 2012Saturday PanelsLouis Armstrong: Discussion led by Ricky Riccardi12:00 – 4:00pm   Location: NJMH Visitors Center(104 E. 126th Street, Suite 4D)FREE | For more information: 212-348-8300Guests: David Ostwald, Dan Morgenstern and George AvakianThe last 25 years of Louis Armstrong's life were filled with brilliant music, joyous onstage performances and worldwide acclaim that led him to be dubbed an "Ambassador of Goodwill." But these were also the same years when some of his critics claimed Louis went "commercial" and was soft on issues of race.  All of these themes will be discussed, along with numerous musical and video examples, during a Saturday afternoon panel at the Jazz Museum in Harlem, led by Ricky Riccardi, author of "What a Wonderful World: The Magic of Louis Armstrong's Later Years".Tuesday, January 10, 2012Jazz for Curious ListenersPops on Film: 1950-1971  7:00 – 8:30pmLocation:The Maysles Institute(343 Malcolm X Blvd / Lenox Ave (Between 127th and 128th Streets))FREE | For more information: 212-348-8300 Louis Armstrong left behind thousands of recordings but the best way to experience the genius of Louis Armstrong is to actually see him in action. While conducting research for his book, "What a Wonderful World: The Magic of Louis Armstrong's Later Years," author Ricky Riccardi amassed a large collection of rare Armstrong film and television appearances. Join him for a celebration of Louis at the Maysles Film Center where Riccardi will screen some of the gems of his collection as discussed in his book. Wednesday, January 11, 2012Jazz Is: Now!  with Jonathan Batiste The State of 2012 Jazz 7:00 – 8:30pmLocation:NJMH Visitors Center(104 E. 126th Street, Suite 4D)FREE | For more information: 212-348-8300 Pianist and band leader Jonathan Batiste continues his successful Jazz Is: Now! series in which he and an ensemble explore jazz today, never forgetting the past but always swinging into the future. This month Batiste, now a co-director of the National Jazz Museum in Harlem along with Christian McBride and executive director Loren Schoenberg, focuses on the State of Jazz in 2012.Join us and discover the challenges and pleasures of jazz in this modern era in which technology, speed and celebrity often trumps all. But in the hands and minds of artists such as Jonathan Batiste, jazz is sure to not only survive, but thrive!Wednesday, January 11, 2012Jazz at the PlayersAaron Diehl Trio7:00pmLocation: The Players(16 Gramercy Park S. | get directions)$20 | Reservations: reservations@theplayersnyc.org or 212-475-6116Aaron Diehl is a pianist with a singular vision. Still in his mid-twenties, he has already toured with Wynton Marsalis and Wycliffe Gordon, in addition to appearing at major festivals and clubs internationally. Diehl recently won the coveted 2011 Cole Porter Fellowship in Jazz of the American Pianists Association. His trio is a study in concentration and spontaneity, and has received major critical acclaim. This is show not to be missed! Thursday, January 12, 2012Harlem Speaks   Wycliffe Gordon, Trombonist 6:30 – 8:30pmLocation: NJMH Visitors Center(104 E. 126th Street, Suite 4D)FREE | For more information: 212-348-8300As a musical ambassador and interpreter of American music, Wycliffe Gordon has had a stellar career touring the world performing hard-swinging, straight-ahead jazz. His modern mastery of the plunger mute and exceptional technique and signature sound has solidified Gordon as one of the top trombonists of his generation. The Jazz Journalists Association named him “Trombonist of the Year” again in 2011; he received the same honor on five other occasions.  In addition to a successful solo career, Gordon tours regularly, leading the Wycliffe Gordon Quartet, headlining at legendary jazz venues and performing arts centers throughout the world. He’s an alumnus of the Wynton Marsalis Septet, the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and was a featured guest artist on Billy Taylor's "Jazz at the Kennedy Center" series. Gordon is a committed music educator who currently serves on the faculty of the Jazz Arts Program at Manhattan School of Music. Kendor Publishing recently released “Sing It First,” Wycliffe’s own unique approach to playing the trombone.  He was awarded an honorary doctorate in 2006 from the University of Scranton, for his tireless dedication to the field. His work with young musicians and audiences from elementary schools to universities all over the world is extensive, and includes master classes, clinics, workshops, children’s concerts and lectures—powerful evidence of his unique ability to relate musically to people of all ages. Tonight, treat yourself to a conversation with Harlem resident Wycliffe Gordon, and hear tales of the vibrancy of jazz today.Tuesday, January 17, 2012Jazz for Curious ListenersLouis Armstrong Month: Ambassador Satch 1954-19577:00 – 8:30pmLocation:NJMH Visitors Center(104 E. 126th Street, Suite 4D)FREE | For more information: 212-348-8300 Ricky Riccardi continues taking his audience through the pages of his book, "What a Wonderful World: The Magic of Louis Armstrong's Later Years," by focusing on Louis Armstrong's incredible mid-950s work. This was a time when Louis made some of his most treasured albums, including "Louis Armstrong Plays W. C. Handy" and "Satch Plays Fats," both of which will be discussed in detail, with rarely heard rehearsals for those albums being shared publicly for the first time.  This was also when Armstrong was achieving new heights of popularity with a hit record in "Mack the Knife," a European tour that was covered by Edward R. Murrow and arguably his greatest edition of the All Stars, featuring Edmond Hall on clarinet.  Riccardi with rare audio tracks and videos, including scenes from Murrow's documentary, "Satchmo the Great." Louis's 1957 stand again President Dwight Eisenhower over the Little Rock high school integration crisis will also be discussed, a watershed moment in Armstrong's life.Wednesday, January 18, 2012Jazz Is: Now!  with Jonathan Batiste The State of 2012 Jazz  7:00 – 8:30pmLocation:NJMH Visitors Center(104 E. 126th Street, Suite 4D)FREE | For more information: 212-348-8300 Pianist and band leader Jonathan Batiste continues his successful Jazz Is: Now! series in which he and an ensemble explore jazz today, never forgetting the past but always swinging into the future. This month Batiste, now a co-director of the National Jazz Museum in Harlem along with Christian McBride and executive director Loren Schoenberg, focuses on the State of Jazz in 2012.Join us and discover the challenges and pleasures of jazz in this modern era in which technology, speed and celebrity often trumps all. But in the hands and minds of artists such as Jonathan Batiste, jazz is sure to not only survive, but thrive!Friday, January 20, 2012 Harlem in the HimalayasSummit Trio:Jonathan Batiste, Gene Bertoncini, Scott Robinson7:00pmLocation: Rubin Museum of Art(150 West 17th Street)$18 in advance | $20 at door |For tickets: RMA Box Office or call 212-620-5000 ext. 344This is an evening not to miss. These three players are eclectic in the best sense of the term, sparks are sure to fly in this electric evening of spontaneous invention.  The young pianist Jonathan Batiste (also a co-director of the museum), the elder guitarist Gene Bertoncini, and the veteran multi-instrumentalist and conceptionist  Scott Robinson have all graced the stage at the Rubin Museum of Art separately. But tonight, in an inter-generational mix with endless musical possibilities, the three join forces to create musical magic together!Tuesday, January 24, 2012Jazz for Curious ListenersLouis Armstrong Month: Hello, Dolly—1958-19647:00 – 8:30pmLocation:NJMH Visitors Center(104 E. 126th Street, Suite 4D)FREE | For more information: 212-348-8300 Part four of Ricky Riccardi's month-long look at Louis Armstrong's later years will begin with Louis riding high in the late 1950s before suffering a heart attack in Spoleto, Itlay in 1959.  It didn't slow him down as the 1960s found Louis making some of his most challenging recordings with Duke Ellington and Dave Brubeck. Finally, in late 1963, Louis recorded a showtune, "Hello, Dolly," that would knock the Beatles off the top of the charts at the height of Beatlemania.  More rare videos will be shown, such as Louis co-hosting the "Mike Douglas Show" in 1964. Wednesday, January 25, 2012Jazz Is: Now! with Jonathan Batiste The State of 2012 Jazz 7:00 – 8:30pmLocation:NJMH Visitors Center(104 E. 126th Street, Suite 4D)FREE | For more information: 212-348-8300 Pianist and band leader Jonathan Batiste continues his successful Jazz Is: Now! series in which he and an ensemble explore jazz today, never forgetting the past but always swinging into the future. This month Batiste, now a co-director of the National Jazz Museum in Harlem along with Christian McBride and executive director Loren Schoenberg, focuses on the State of Jazz in 2012.Join us and discover the challenges and pleasures of jazz in this modern era in which technology, speed and celebrity often trumps all. But in the hands and minds of artists such as Jonathan Batiste, jazz is sure to not only survive, but thrive!Tuesday, January 31, 2012Jazz for Curious ListenersLouis Armstrong Month: What a Wonderful World – 1965-19717:00 – 8:30pmLocation:NJMH Visitors Center(104 E. 126th Street, Suite 4D)FREE | For more information: 212-348-8300 In final part of Ricky Riccardi's look at the later years of Louis Armstrong, Riccardi will chart Armstrong's twilight years, beginning with a triumphant tour of the Iron Curtain in 1965. Trouble with his teeth and the tiresome life of one-nighters gradually began affecting Armstrong as the 1960s wore on, but he continued making memorable music, such as "What a Wonderful World." Riccardi will share many videos of Armstrong's final years, which ended with Louis pushing himself to stay before the public until the very end of his life.