This September, The National Jazz Museum in Harlem continues to offer a wide range of top quality free programming and affordable concerts from jazz’s most celebrated musicians, educators and historians.Harlem Speaks, our flagship public program of oral histories, will feature renowned pianist Roy Eaton and swing bandleader, George Gee.This month’s Jazz For Curious Listeners, presented with Berklee College of Music, will highlight the genius and legacy of Ray Charles.NJMH Associate Artistic Director Jonathan Batiste brings back the swing to the Museum with another run of his successful performance program, Jazz Is: Now!. The Jonathan Batiste Trio will also be featured at Harlem in the Himalayas, a collaborative performance with the Rubin Museum of Art.Saturday Panels will feature Ray Charles in Performance, highlighting exciting, live concert recordings in both audio and video.So, as you can see, it’s an action packed month for us, as usual. We hope to see you, your family and friends at as many of our events as you can make during this exciting month at The National Jazz Museum in Harlem. You’re bound to meet other similarly exciting, interesting and vital people – like yourselves! Tuesday, September 4, 2012Jazz for Curious ListenersRay Charles: Genius & SoulThe Trio and Early Band YearsPresented with Berklee College of Music7:00 – 8:30pm   Location: NJMH Visitors Center(104 E. 126th Street, Suite 4D)FREE | For more information: 212-348-8300Ray Charles forged a unique blend of jazz, R&B, blues and his own unique sound into one of the most successful styles in the history of music. Join us for a close look and listen as we explore his first recordings, the significant influence of Nat King Cole, and his first breakout years with his thrilling little big band.Wednesday, September 5, 2012Jazz Is: Now! * note new locationHosted by Jonathan Batiste and the STAY HUMAN band7:00 – 8:30pmLocation: Metropolitan Community United Methodist Church,NE Corner of 126th Street and Madison Avenue, enter on 126thFREE | For more information: 212-348-8300                                                                                 Jazz Is: Now has evolved into a tremendously successful and totally original program headed by NJMH Associate Artistic Director Jonathan Batiste. Audience members participate throughout the evening, playing/singing/dancing/organizing the music (yes!), and having their endorphin levels raised at the same time. If this sounds too good to be true, then make sure you join us for this rousing celebration of the joy of music Tuesday, September 11, 2012Jazz for Curious ListenersRay Charles: Genius & SoulLive!Presented with Berklee College of Music7:00 – 8:30pm   Location: Maysles Cinema(343 Lenox Avenue between 127th & 128th)Donation Suggested | For more information: 212-348-8300                                                                              Ray Charles was one of the most original and dynamic entertainers of the last century. Naturally, his fame spread internationally through recordings, but those who experienced him live, in person, saw aspects of his genius that could be glimpsed by watching him. Join us for an electrifying evening of Ray Charles, LIVE! Rarities will include duets with Oscar Peterson, Barbra Streisand, Jackie Mason (!?!), B.B. King and others. Wednesday, September 12, 2012Jazz Is: Now! * note new locationHosted by Jonathan Batiste and the STAY HUMAN band7:00 – 8:30pmLocation: Metropolitan Community United Methodist Church,NE Corner of 126th Street and Madison Avenue, enter on 126thFREE | For more information: 212-348-8300                                                                                 Jazz Is: Now has evolved into a tremendously successful and totally original program headed by NJMH Associate Artistic Director Jonathan Batiste. Audience members participate throughout the evening, playing/singing/dancing/organizing the music (yes!), and having their endorphin levels raised at the same time. If this sounds too good to be true, then make sure you join us for this rousing celebration of the joy of music. Saturday, September 15, 2012Saturday PanelsRay Charles in Performance12:00 – 4:00pm   Location: NJMH Visitors Center(104 E. 126th Street, Suite 4D)FREE | For more information: 212-348-8300                                                                                 The studio recordings that made Ray Charles an international icon established his reputation, but experiencing his band LIVE, on stage, was a whole other experience. Join us for a celebration of what this superstar did in person, including rare performances at the Apollo Theater, the Newport Jazz festival and other classic venues. Tuesday, September 18, 2012Jazz for Curious ListenersRay Charles: Soul Brothers Classic Recordings with Milt JacksonPresented with Berklee College of Music7:00 – 8:30pm   Location: NJMH Visitors Center(104 E. 126th Street, Suite 4D)FREE | For more information: 212-348-8300                                                                                 In the late 1950’s, these two giants of soul collaborated on a series of classic recordings. This evening, we will examine the incredible music that jazz vibraphonist Milt Jackson and Ray Charles made together. And if you haven’t heard Milt play the guitar and Ray play the alto saxophone (he loved Charlie Parker), you’re in for a thrill. Wednesday, September 19, 2012Jazz Is: Now! * note new locationHosted by Jonathan Batiste and the STAY HUMAN band7:00 – 8:30pmLocation: Metropolitan Community United Methodist Church,NE Corner of 126th Street and Madison Avenue, enter on 126thFREE | For more information: 212-348-830 Jazz Is: Now has evolved into a tremendously successful and totally original program headed by NJMH Associate Artistic Director Jonathan Batiste. Audience members participate throughout the evening, playing/singing/dancing/organizing the music (yes!), and having their endorphin levels raised at the same time. If this sounds too good to be true, then make sure you join us for this rousing celebration of the joy of music Thursday, September 20, 2012Harlem SpeaksRoy Eaton, Pianist6:30 – 8:30pmLocation: NJMH Visitors Center(104 E. 126th Street, Suite 4D)FREE | For more information: 212-348-8300 Roy Eaton, winner of the first Kosciuszko Foundation Chopin Award in June 1950, made his American debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra performing Chopin's F minor Concerto under George Schick in 1951. He was re-engaged to perform Beethoven's 4th concerto the following season, and also made his New York Town Hall debut in 1952. His career was "temporarily" interrupted by 2 years of service in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict, then approximately 30 years in advertising at Young & Rubicam, then as V.P. Music Director of Benton& Bowles, then running his own production company. He was recently inducted into the Advertising Hall of Fame for his Ad work. He is currently on the faculty of the Manhattan School of Music. In addition to Chopin, his performances of the music of Scott Joplin have been particularly noteworthy. Friday, September 21, 2012Harlem in the Himalayas                                                                         Jonathan Batiste Trio7:00pmLocation: Rubin Museum of Art(150 West 17th Street)$20/Door $18/Advance | For more information: rmanyc.org Jonathan Batiste, the Associate Artistic Director of The National Jazz Museum in Harlem is an iconic artist, unique in this generation. With his voice on piano and dapper sense of style, he has ignited the NYC music scene. He is from a celebrated lineage of musicians. He has performed in over 40 countries, has appeared in Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, Concertgebouw, has released several CD’s, among them “Times In New Orleans”, “Live In New York: At The Rubin Museum Of Art”, and “MY N.Y.”, and EP’s “The Amazing Jon Batiste EP” and “In The Night EP”. On T.V. he has been featured in the NBA All-Star Game Half-Time Show 2008, the HBO series “Treme”, and BET. He has collaborated with Wynton Marsalis, Prince, Jimmy Buffett, Harry Connick Jr., Roy Hargrove, Cassandra Wilson, The Gilt Groupe fashion line, and filmmaker Spike Lee among others. He is a “Movado Future Legend” award recipient and a “Steinway Performing Artist”. Tuesday, September 25, 2012Jazz for Curious ListenersRay Charles: Genius & SoulBig Band Classics with Quincy Jones and BasiePresented with Berklee College of Music7:00 – 8:30pm   Location: NJMH Visitors Center(104 E. 126th Street, Suite 4D)FREE | For more information: 212-348-8300                                                                                 Quincy Jones and Ray Charles met as unknown young men in Seattle in the late 1940’s, and within ten years both were well on their way to becoming international stars. Their 1961 collaboration, Genius and Soul, has long been recognized as one of the best jazz albums ever recorded. Backed by an all-star band comprised of Ellington and Basie veterans, the music exploded. Join us for a wonderful evening as we find out how and why it happened. Wednesday, September 26, 2012Jazz Is: Now! * note new locationHosted by Jonathan Batiste and the STAY HUMAN band7:00 – 8:30pmLocation: Metropolitan Community United Methodist Church,NE Corner of 126th Street and Madison Avenue, enter on 126thFREE | For more information: 212-348-8300                                                                                 Jazz Is: Now has evolved into a tremendously successful and totally original program headed by NJMH Associate Artistic Director Jonathan Batiste. Audience members participate throughout the evening, playing/singing/dancing/organizing the music (yes!), and having their endorphin levels raised at the same time. If this sounds too good to be true, then make sure you join us for this rousing celebration of the joy of music Thursday, September 27, 2012Harlem SpeaksGeorge Gee, Bandleader6:30 – 8:30pmLocation: NJMH Visitors Center(104 E. 126th Street, Suite 4D)FREE | For more information: 212-348-8300 While he was a Freshman at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, George Gee launched his Make-Believe Ballroom program (named after the vintage Martin Block show) on the college radio station - and told everyone who’d listen about his dream of leading his own big band. In an era when punk, new wave and heavy metal ruled, some first thought that George was revisiting the past. Twenty-five years later, it is delightfully clear that George was just way ahead of his time! George also revels in his stature as a veritable Ambassador of Swing. George is a much sough-after authority on the evolution of the art. He has lectured at the New School University, led clinics and master classes - and is a popular source for newspaper, magazine, TV and Internet reports. George also served as a primary expert for the 2000 nationally broadcast BRAVO documentary "This Joint is Jumpin'’, featuring extensive interviews throughout the two-hour film. Still full of joy and energy, this diminutive gentleman of swing and his merry music makers are ready for new adventures in the next quarter-century!