The new Soul of Jazz: An American Adventure exhibit is now on display in the American Adventure pavilion at EPCOT.
On Jan. 12, Disney announced a new exhibit inspired by Pixar’s latest release, Soul, was coming to the America pavilion in February.
Photo by Rain Blanken
Alongside the Jan. 29 announcement of other ways Walt Disney World (WDW) is celebrating Black History Month in 2021, Disney also announced that the Soul of Jazz exhibit was set to open on Feb. 1.
Well, now it’s finally open for guests to explore and learn about the history of jazz across several American cities. It’s unclear how long it will remain open.
Keep reading to learn more about the special and educational exhibit!
Soul of Jazz: An American Adventure at EPCOT
Photo by Rain Blanken
Thanks to readers like you, we’re able to bring you news without bombarding you with annoying ads. Please consider supporting us directly by subscribing to our print edition, and make sure to sign up for our FREE newsletter so you never miss out on the latest at Disney World!
What’s On Display
Photo by Rain Blanken
In addition to the exhibit featuring Soul lead character Joe Gardner, guests will learn about jazz across several American cities, including New Orleans, Chicago, New York City, Los Angeles, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
“Walt Disney Imagineering is thrilled to bring the compelling story of jazz to EPCOT,” Carmen Smith, Executive, Creative Development and Inclusion Strategies, Walt Disney Imagineering, said. “Our team was honored to work with jazz experts and institutions across the country to explore the rich history and influence of this truly American musical art form.”
Photo by Rain Blanken
Walt Disney Imagineering worked alongside historians and curators from top jazz institutions, like the Historic New Orleans Collection, the New Orleans Jazz Museum in Louisiana, and the Louis Armstrong House Museum in New York.
Photo by Rain Blanken
Guests can even see historic artifacts from the following jazz legends:
- Louis Armstrong’s Selmer trumpet
- “Jazz Jubilee” sheet music, handwritten by Jelly Roll Morton, one of the genre’s original performers and composers
- “Skin Deep” percussion sheet music of Duke Ellington drummer Louie Bellson
- Cornet belonging to Bix Beiderbecke, an early jazz soloist from the 1920s
- Drumsticks of Gene Krupa, a member of several groups, including the Benny Goodman Orchestra and Tommy Dorsey’s band
If that isn’t enough, guests will also soon be able to use the Play Disney Parks mobile app to interact with the exhibit and test their knowledge of jazz.
Other Ways To Celebrate Black History Month At WDW
Photo by Rain Blanken
In addition to the Soul exhibit, Walt Disney World is implementing several other ways honoring Black History Month, which begins Feb. 1 and runs through March 1.
We don’t know exactly how long the following will run, but we do know that Disney Springs is presenting several new offerings with its “Celebrate Soulfully at Disney Springs” beginning in February.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Four new art displays inspired by Soul, created by emerging Black artists Bee Harris, Bianca Pastel, Arrington Porter, and Cory Van Lew.
- Live music held three evenings per week, including Motown Mondays, Jazz Thursdays, and Smooth Sundays.
- Select dining locations will offer special menu items, like Amorette’s Patisserie featuring treats inspired by Soul and The Princess and the Frog.
- Retail locations will spotlight products from Black designers, artists, and visionaries.
Plus, the complimentary Movies Under the Stars program at select Disney Resort hotels throughout the month of February will show films celebrating Black culture, like The Princess and the Frog.
There are all kinds of ways to honor Black History Month at WDW, and they aren’t to be missed!
Are you going to go see the Soul of Jazz: An American Adventure at EPCOT this year? Tell us over on our Facebook page!
Interview: The Edison’s New Executive Chef Dee—and How to Meet Her
