Soulful, Poignant, inspirational…only a few words to describe the breathtaking voice of José James. In a landmark event, Harlem Stage welcomes him back for the first live performance of all new material from his upcoming album No Beginning, No End.

Join us as we look at A Tribe Called Quest’s contributions to hip hop and culture at large with a panel of artists, journalists, educators and cultural experts.

Acclaimed trumpeter and composer Igmar Thomas leads the Revive Da Live Big Band and special guests in a musical tribute to Tribe’s trailblazing jazz and hip hop sound. Highlighting works from their influential discography, the Revive Da Live Big Band will illustrate Tribe’s significance as innovators in musical production, a living repository of black music, an incubator for authentic expression and part of a seminal movement that ultimately changed the face of hip-hop.

Presented in collaboration with Revive Da Live

After selling out two nights last May, we return to the Zebra Room at Lenox Lounge for a second year to pay tribute to the vocal greats and great writers of the past with present pioneers. Tuesday night, we celebrate Ella Fitzgerald with Tulivu-Donna Cumberbatch and Friday night, Harlem’s own Gregory Generet interprets the cool baritone of Johnny Hartman. A Harlem institution since 1939, Lenox Lounge served as the backdrop for many jazz legends including Billie Holiday, Miles Davis and John Coltrane.

Presented as part of Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival, a partnership with the Apollo/Jaz

Three pianists and two pianos, all for one musical genius: Cecil Taylor. Three of today’s most celebrated pianists honor the uncompromising creative force in an intimate cabaret setting, specially designed just for this event. Vijay Iyer, Amina Claudine Myers and Craig Taborn come together for a mix of solo piano and duets that will inspire and surprise. Please join us after the performance for a discussion with the artists.

Presented as part of Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival, a partnership with the Apollo & Jazzmobile

Featuring some of the world’s finest instrumentalists and vocalists, The Mosaic Project gives female artists a place to support and celebrate each other from a musical and social perspective. Lizz Wright, Nona Hendryx, Ingrid Jensen, Tia Fuller, Helen Sung and Nir, will join Terri Lynne Carrington to construct creative consciousness as ‘women with voices.’

Presented as part of Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival, a partnership with the Apollo & Jazzmobile

Join in for a night that relives the past glory and gets your body and soul moving to the present. In ‘60s New York, Havana San Juan, a club on 138th St and Broadway, played the pulsating soundtrack of the Golden Era of Latin Music. It was at this club where the flavorful mix of Afro-Cuban-Mambo, Rumba, Guaguanco, Son, and ChaCha blared. Today, the band of the same name, the Havana San Juan Orchestra, has revived this sound by incorporating modern technology and music of Tito Puente, Machito and Celia Cruz.

Presented as part of Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival, with the Apollo and Jazzmobile

Cecil Taylor, a pioneer of the free-jazz movement along with John Coltrane and Ornette Coleman, never compromised his creativity despite remaining controversial to the mainstream. As a visionary pianist and an accomplished poet, Cecil remains an artist in the truest sense of the word. Now in his 82nd year, our own living national treasure graces us with an unforgettable one night only performance.

Presented in partnership with Issue Project Room

For over 10 years, Tamar-Kali has been brewing a brilliant concoction of soul and punk that goes from powerful to gentle to sassy to smooth with her unmatched voice and unmistakable compositions. In our special three-day event, we present her with all her voices and the array of influences that inspire and guide her music.

Presented with the Center for Jazz at Columbia & Columbia/Harlem