☞ READ: The Harlem Jazz Shrine Festival

The New York Times reported that the first Harlem Jazz Shrine Festival will debut this year from May 9th-15th: LINK.  This will be the first time that some of the major Harlem jazz institutions will be collaborating with one another to promote the historic heritage of Harlem.  Venues such as the Apollo will have jazz themed Amateur Night events along with performances from Wycliffe Gordon and Savion Glover. The Spanish Harlem Orchestra will perform at Harlem Stage and there will also be a tribute to Small's Paradise featuring Meshell Ndegeocello and jazz pianist Jason Moran. Other highlights include the Jazzmobile bringing big bands to the Alhambra Ballroom and a piano "cutting contest" at Mintons.  Showman's on 125th Street will be included in the festivities but it looks like Lenox Lounge and St. Nick's Pub has been left out of this one.  It's really about time this happens since every other city has a big annual jazz festival and Harlem has one of the most storied jazz histories. Here's the website link for more details on the festival:  HarlemJazzShrines.com