The Harlem Sessions

The Harlem Sessions is a performance jam session concept led by Harlem based artist and composer, Marc Cary. Recognizing that much of the innovation of jazz and ground broken came from the late- night jams and shed sessions in Harlem, Marc was inspired to reinvigorate this tradtion. Unlike other traditional jam sessions, we focused on developing a musical menu - a repertoire less travelled, to highlight some of the composers and lyricists we found most inspirational. We also wanted to cultivate an ensemble approach to building new arrangements in front of an audience, rather than a place where everyone was a soloist.

Three years on, we are now a thriving community movement of creatives, cultural leaders/ambassadors, music and arts lovers, who want to celebrate the great artists, composers and songwriters beyond the current standards and American Song book. We embrace and highlight some of the less recognized but celebrated black composers, and encourage participants to explore a repertoire less travelled. In 2017, we have also taken this concept into the recording studio.



As Marc told The Amsterdam News “It’s an ensemble session,” said Cary. “We include people that want to involve themselves in the ensemble. We focus on a repertoire that becomes orchestrated and develop harmony as we interpret the music. We are creating a movement. Everybody comes with new concepts (poets, dancers, singers, comedians). We are all leaders without egos. If you have an ego on stage, it knocks out the creativity. We rehearse every Thursday live,” Cary continued. “I like to arrange on the spot, so everyone rolls with the flow. We are building an intuitive ensemble with real conversation. This is not a hip-hop or R&B session. Song menus are placed on Facebook so those attending will have an idea of the evening’s focus. We are developing the great ‘Black American Songbook,’ which is the spectrum of Black music.” The repertoire ranges from Aretha Franklin to Miles Davis, Curtis Mayfield, Bill Withers, Horace Silver and beyond.

Since our inception, we have employed over 650 musicians, and supporting personnel, as well as provided weekly performance opportunities for 100 plus other local and international musicians each month. Notable names who have performed and participated include Vijay Iyer, Ben Williams, Bertha Hope, Kebbie Williams, Braxton Cook, Kenyatta Beasley, Terri Lynne Carrington, Kim Smith, Camille Gainer Jones, Matthew Whitaker, Bilal Sunny Ali, Jessica Care Moore, Tom Browne, Terreon Gully, Maya Azucena, Alison Crockett, Jessica Care Moore, Craig Robinson, Al B Sure, Jean Baylor, Sullivan Fortner, Tarus Mateen, Ray Angry, Orrin Evans, Duane Eubank, Abraham Burton, Ron Blake, Tarus Mateen Tom Browne, Innov Gnawa, Roy Hargrove, Igmar Thomas, Corey Wallace, Camille Thurman, members of The United Nations Youth Orchestra amongst many more. Embracing the dynamic drive of our young, up and coming members, as well as the highlights and essence of the tradition and history, we strive to bridge the gap which sometimes exists in between.
We’d love you to be part of our journey.