Community Works New York City and harlem is...Music

Community Works NYC debuts groundbreaking exhibition honoring Harlem's pioneering musical institutions and legacy keepers.

Community Works NYC, a leading nonprofit arts education organization, is pleased to debut at the prestigious New York Public Library for the Performing Arts located at 40 Lincoln Center Plaza (between Broadway and Columbus), their new harlem is...Music public art exhibition on Monday, February 6, 2006.  The gala opening will include the unveiling of the exhibit, musical performances, and a ceremony to honor multitalented saxophonist and entrepreneur Bill Saxton and other Harlem legends and institutions that continue to keep the traditions of music alive in Harlem today.

The new harlem is...Music exhibit will run from February 6th through April 29th, 2006, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 12-6; Thursdays from 12-8.  The exhibition is free and open to the public.  harlem is...Music will premiere at a gala opening on Monday, February 6, 2006.  The exhibition will go on to tour citywide.

harlem is...Music explores Harlem's unrivaled musical tradition and traces its rich legacy from James Reece Europe's orchestra of 1910 to its present institutions and stake-holders.  The exhibition includes contemporary photographic portraits by renowned documentary photographer Ruth Morgan; archival photos from the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture; commentaries by contributing writers; and poetry and prose by Harlem public school students.

harlem is...Music examines the development of eight musical genres: Jazz, blues, R&B, hip-hop and rap, gospel, classical, Latin-Caribbean, and fusion.  Through the observant eyes of New York City students, harlem is...Music tells the story of institutions and legends of the past, from Minton's Playhouse, The Savoy Ballroom, Park Palace and Harlem World to Paul Robeson, Bessie Smith, Thelonius Monk and Dorothy Maynor.  Most significantly, the exhibition honors 15 institutions and legacy-keepers today.

Barbara Horowitz, Founder and President of Community Works, comments, "From the renowned, pianist-composer Dr. Billy Taylor of Jazzmobile to the world-famous Apollo Theater, to living legends such as celebrated jazz vocalist Gloria Lynne, R&B legend Chuck Jackson and cutting-edge composer Craig S. Hariss, harlem is...Music honors people and institutions who continue to shape, define and build upon Harlem's rich musical traditions."

For further information on harlem is...Music, to arrange or obtain group tours; interviews with the honorees; photographs; a schedule of harlem is... exhibition calendar, and/or other exhibitions and special events at locations citywide, please contact Community Works at 212-459-1854 or email tn@communityworkdsnyc.org.