Jazz Appreciation Month 2021: Women’s Impact and Contributions in Jazz
This past year the museum’s jazz program stepped up its efforts in recognizing contributions of women in jazz, from the genre’s earliest development to present successes and challenges. Our work is far from being done and will continue to be an integral part of our ongoing effort as we delve into the rich historical legacy of America’s indigenous art form.
This year, Jazz Appreciation Month will both recognize and explore the historical legacy of pianist, singer, songwriter, storyteller, and civil rights activist Nina Simone. We’ll add historic content to our website and online programming, marked visually by an illustration of Nina Simone on this year’s poster by Duke Ellington School of the Arts sophomore visual arts student Naa Anyele Sowah-de Jesus.
2021 Featured Artist: Nina Simone

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Robert and Greta Houston
Hold your own JAM event with this handy list of ways to celebrate jazz.
Everything else you might need for your own JAM events – including the JAM logo, and radio announcements.
Visit Smithsonian Jazz Website