Jazz Expose: The New York Jazz Museum and the Power Struggle That Destroyed It

Have you ever heard of the New York Jazz Museum? Most people have not.Yet between 1972 and 1977 it was the most significant institution forjazz in the world! This book looks back to present the story of a Lost Museum.It was situated in its own two-story building in mid-town Manhattan and had a small staff, an archive that eventually numbered about 25,000items and extensive programs in New York City and beyond. Some of the programs won awards and most of them were received with widespreadacclaim in the media and from jazz fans. There were the Calvert Extra Sunday Concerts - 40 per year, the Jazz Puppet Show, the Jazz Film Festivals, the Jazz Panorama - an audio visual history of jazz, The Jazz Store, Information Center, the exhibits - Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Bird & Diz: The Bebop Era, Count Basie and His Bands, Billie Holiday Remembered, About John Coltrane and the Jazz Trumpet. Posters and booklets were produced in conjunction with the exhibits and there was so much more. An extended power struggle ensued that eventually caused the Museum's demise. Entangled in the fatal conflagration was the "Jazz Fraternity," which included the most prominent names in jazz - musicians, producers, writers, artists, et al. This book tells the whole story for the first time. It was written by Howard E. Fischer, founder of the Museum and itsExecutive Director.HighlightsWhy you never heard of the New York Jazz Museum.How the Ford Foundation saved the New York Jazz MuseumWhat the New York Times said about the New York Jazz Museum.How the Today Show helped promote the Museum.How an idea from a former Duke Ellington bassist grew into a unique jazz program for children.How NY State supported the establishment of the Museum.What happened to the Museum’s 25,000-item archive.A day at the New York Jazz Museum with Bill Cosby.What Charles Mingus asked the author to do.What The White House said about our organization.Why famous graphic designer Milton Glaser’s poster donation was rejected by the Museum and how he reacted to it.How Benny Goodman and his estate got entangled in the Museum’s legal machinations.What local and national awards were won by the Museum. The Museum’s re-creation of an important event in the history of jazz in New York City.The Museum and the Young President’s Organization – a lost opportunity.How Columbia University supported the Museum.How a “kidnapping” saved the Museum.How we purchased a midtown Manhattan building for $5,000 cash!Artie Shaw’s role in the New York Jazz Museum saga.The legal machinations that went on for more than 10 years!The New York Attorney General’s role in the Museum’s history.The Betrayal.How the New York Public Library ended the legal wrangling.The dramatic scene that precipitated the demise of the Museum.Which Museum exhibit did Junior League of the City of NY fund?How federal government supported Museum’s educational activities.Why Mick Jagger was turned away from the Museum.