June 14, 2018 - New York, NY; On Tuesday, June 12, 2018, The National Jazz Museum in Harlem held its 5th Benefit Awards and Concert at The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College.

The Annual Benefit Awards and Concert featured three of the most exciting names in jazz; multi-GRAMMY-winning artist Arturo O’Farrill with his Afro Latin Jazz Ensemble, Latin GRAMMY winner Sheila E., and pianist and museum Co-artistic Director Jon Batiste.

As Executive Director, Tracy Hyter-Suffern recounts, “This year, we changed our format. We blended styles that jazz help create – we mixed Dizzy Gillespie, New Orleans and Latin jazz. Arturo O’Farrill and the Latin Jazz Ensemble, Jon Batiste and Sheila E. took us “beyond category” and brought together a mix of communities that is new for the National Museum in Harlem and is a prelude to more to come.”

Timothy L. Porter (Chairman), Arturo O’Farrill, Tracy Hyter-Suffern (Executive Director)

Each year, the National Jazz Museum in Harlem produces and presents more than 80 free programs in New York City, engaging hundreds of professional jazz artists and reaching nearly 20,000 people from around the world. The Museum is a hub for live performances, exhibitions and educational programs. This year’s gala raised over raised over $300,000 for the organization. The funds raised are used to support programs and advance the museum’s membership and mission.

Each year, the National Jazz Museum in Harlem recognizes individuals who have made an impact on the community and the world of jazz. The 2018 honorees were Chairman of the Harlem Arts Alliance, Voza Rivers, and a pillar of the Harlem music community, pianist and educator Bertha Hope.

Jon Batiste

Founded in 1997 by Leonard Garment, the National Jazz Museum in Harlem, a Smithsonian Affiliate, is a thriving center for jazz that stimulates hearts and minds, and reaches out to diverse audiences. The Museum hosts year-round educational programs for students of all ages and offers a membership program with exclusive content and benefits. The museums long-term goal is to secure a permanent home in Harlem, with space large enough to showcase Harlem’s vast contributions to jazz, American music and world history. To learn more visit:

http://jazzmuseuminharlem.org

For more event information or images, or to schedule an interview with the National Jazz Museum in Harlem Executive Director, Tracy Hyter-Suffern, please contact Jenelle Hamilton: jhbeeseason@gmail.com