An affiliate of the Smithsonian, the NJM is a producer and presenter of concerts citywide, and host to live performance and exhibitions at the museum, which even houses Duke Ellington’s piano.

Find performance listings of upcoming events on the website, including their Sunday monthly jam sessions.

To watch neighbourhood children learning to boogie-woogie — and amazingly, a dancer perform a one-handed handstand and hop — on his hand — to the beat — click on this link and scroll down to ‘Videos’.

The museum’s Savory Collection presents over 100 hours of live radio broadcasts made between 1935 and 1941, unheard since first airing and recently acquired by the museum. Listen to Coleman Hawkins, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Fats Waller and others live, in their prime.

Take the 2 or 3 train to 125th Street. Walk north along Malcolm X Boulevard (also known as Lenox Avenue) to 129th Street and go east just a few doors.

A comfortable walking tour could include a visit to the National Black Theater building exterior artwork and the Studio Museum of Harlem, with a stopover at Sisters for some absolutely wonderful Jamaican style home cooking (especially good — oxtail stew), and a glass of icy Sorrel.

One block west and ten blocks north is the Harlem Chocolate Factory, home of Harlem truffles — sweet potato truffles, and red velvet cake truffles — genuine tastes of Harlem suitable to take home as souveniers or gifts and triggers of Harlem’s heartbeat.