This art-deco museum honors great jazz artists with ties to the state of Alabama. While furnishing educational information, the museum is also a place for entertainment. Exhibits convey the accomplishments of the likes of Nat King Cole, Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton and Erskine Hawkins and the music that made them famous. Within this fine musical collection, visitors travel from the beginnings of boogie woogie with Clarence "Pinetop" Smith to the jazz space journeys of Sun Ra and his Intergalactic Space Arkestra.

The Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame was founded in 1978, and opened a museum on September 18, 1993 with a mission "to foster, encourage, educate, and cultivate a general appreciation of the medium of jazz music as a legitimate, original and distinctive art form indigenous to America. Its mission is also to preserve a continued and sustained program of illuminating the contribution of the State of Alabama through its citizens, environment, demographics and lore, and perpetuating the heritage of jazz music." Located in the Civil Rights District along with the Birmingham Civil Rights Museum, Sixteenth Street Baptist Church and Kelly Ingram Park, it offers visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the state’s rich jazz heritage. The museum contains more than 2,200-square-feet of exhibits.

The Jazz Hall of Fame also sponsors jazz performances around the city and brings jazz to many local students with school visits from musicians. Along with the priceless jazz memorabilia such as paintings, quilts, instruments, and personal effects of such artists as Ella Fitzgerald and W.C. Handy, the tour experience itself is memorable thanks to the guidance of Dr. Frank Adams. Through his vivid personal anecdotes and natural charm, he paints many pictures of jazz for the countless number of tour groups each year.

Large tour groups can look forward to both a tour and a showing of "Jazz in the Magic City," a very interesting jazz documentary outlining the progression of Jazz here in Birmingham, AL. If you are interested in booking your family reunion or field trip, or simply want to walk through with Doc one-on-one, please give us a call 205-254-2731 Ext 21.

CARVER THEATRE: The Carver Theatre is located in the historic 4th Avenue Business District and has become a popular venue not only for local jazz artists, but for the local comedy and spoken word scene as well. We have played host to jazz legends such as Duke Ellington and Lionel Hampton. Hosting events from theatrical performances to jazz jam sessions to swing dance classes, the Carver Theatre opens its doors to the very best in entertainment. You can take advantage of the theatre’s popularity for your next event. Simply book your event with us today! Please call (205) 254-2731 to make an appointment to view our facility.

SATURDAY MORNING JAZZ GREATS: Music education programs have eroded in many cities and communities across the country over the past 30 years. The Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame is dedicated to turning back this trend to ensure all children have access to a quality education that includes music. Research has shown that musical study develops critical thinking and self discipline skills and improves a child’s early cognitive development, basic math and reading abilities, self-esteem, SAT scores, ability to work in teams, spatial reasoning skills, and school attendance. Also, researchers have found that children involved with music education are more likely to graduate from high school and attend college, and are less likely to be involved with gangs and substance abuse. The AJHoF works with the community to identify students to participate in the program each year. Once a student is selected, the AJHoF works with the public school system and administrators to restore beginning instrumental music programs where they no longer exist. This program is made possible from a grant by the Alabama State Council on the Arts.