Education program
Artist Spotlights
Short pieces from the museum’s education program on the artists behind the music, each with recordings to hear for yourself.
Latest spotlights
- Artist Spotlight: Jelly Roll Morton —
Jelly Roll Morton did not invent jazz, whatever he claimed — but he may have been one of its first true ambassadors, carrying original music across the country years before the first jazz record. Hear his Red Hot Peppers play “Original Jelly-Roll Blues.” - Artist Spotlight: Art Tatum —
Soon after Art Tatum reached New York in 1932, Harlem’s stride masters tested the young pianist from Toledo at a late-night session. Hear his 1933 recording of “Tea for Two.” - Artist Spotlight: Thelonious Monk —
As one story goes, Bud Powell took a police nightstick defending Thelonious Monk, and Monk wrote “In Walked Bud” for his friend. Hear Monk’s 1947 recording beside Clarence Penn’s from 2012.
Artists A–Z
- Adelaide Hall (1901–1993)
- James P. Johnson (1894–1955)
- Thelonious Monk (1917–1982)
- Jelly Roll Morton (1890–1941)
- Clarence Penn (Born 1968)
- Bud Powell (1924–1966)
- Willie “The Lion” Smith (1893–1973)
- Rex Stewart (1907–1967)
- Art Tatum (1909–1956)
- Fats Waller (1904–1943)