Reviewed by: Callie Morrison
NOW OPEN: Inside the new Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame in Birmingham
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After five years and an impressive floor-to-ceiling renovation, the Carver Performing Arts Theatre—home to the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame—is now officially open!
We attended the grand reopening on Tuesday, August 6 to see what’s new.
Located inside one of Birmingham’s historic theatres
Located in Birmingham’s Historic 4th Avenue Black Business District, the Carver Theatre was constructed in 1935 and originally used as a movie theatre. In fact, it was one of few places in town where African-American audiences could see the first runs of recently released films.
After the Carver Theatre closed in 1980, the City of Birmingham purchased and renovated the building as a live performance venue and a permanent home for the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.
In 2019, the Carver Theatre underwent a total renovation, with new features like:
- A bright new lobby with large exterior windows, quotes from jazz legends and posters of Alabama jazz icons like W.C. Handy and John T. “Fess” Whatley
- A new state-of-the-art performance space with new seating, an upgraded sound system, theatrical lights and more
- New exhibits and technologies for the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame
- An upgraded studio for Birmingham’s Jazz Hall Radio (FM 91.1 WAJH)
A grand reopening for the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame
On Tuesday, August 6, the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new exhibit inside the Carver Performing Arts Theatre.
“We are so grateful for the support we’ve received from the community over the past few years. Every day, people ask me, ‘when is the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame going to be open?’
I’m so excited to cut the ribbon and welcome the community into the new Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.”
Leah Tucker, Director, Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame
The new exhibit features information and memorabilia connected to a small selection of the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame’s 200+ inductees, such as:
- A dress worn by Ella Fitzgerald
- Cleveland Eaton’s upright bass
- Trumpets from the Erskine Hawkins Orchestra
“John ‘Fess’ Whatley was the beginning of the Birmingham jazz tradition—he trained many of the musicians in the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame including ‘Doc’ Adams and Amos Gordon, who played in the Louis Armstrong Orchestra.”
Leah Tucker, Director, Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame
Learn more at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame
- Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame: 205.327.9424 | Website | Facebook | Instagram
- Address: 1701 4th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203
- Hours: 10AM to 5PM, Tuesday-Friday; 10AM to 4PM, Saturday; Closed Sunday and Monday
The Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame is now open, so plan your next visit to learn more about Alabama’s jazz greats.
Bonus: Both the Carver Performing Arts Theatre and the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame are available to rent for private events—reach out to the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame team to learn more.
Looking forward to touring the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame? Tag @alabamajazzhall on Instagram to let them know!
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