WWI Commission sponsors 369th Experience jazz events in NYC during Memorial Day weekend 

By Chris Isleib
Director of Public Affairs, United States World War One Centennial Commission

NEW YORK, NY — The U.S. World War One Centennial Commission, along with the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum Complex, are proud to sponsor performance by The 369th Experience during the Memorial Day Weekend.

Lt James Reese EuropeThe 369th Experience is a historic series of national and international programs and musical events depicting the African American and Puerto Rican experience in World War I through the eyes and ears of the 369th U.S. Infantry Regiment.

During World War I, the soldiers of the New York Army National Guard's 369th U.S. Infantry Regiment were also known as the “Harlem Hellfighters". They confronted racism while they trained for war, and they fought ferociously in the trenches of France, though some of the most brutal combat, in some of the most important battles, of the entire war.

The 369th famously had, as part of their unit, a regimental military band that was made up of some of the most influential & talented musicians of their day. These musicians included jazz music pioneers -- and their military band became legendary for their unique sound, and their warm reception by the people of the war-torn regions. The band's rhythmic stylings, under band leader, Major James Reese Europe, literally introduced French listeners to American jazz, and ushered in the Jazz Age.

Carrying on their legacy, the modern-day musicians of the 369th Experience are talented college students from around the country. They were recruited to create a reenactment-band consisting of African American and Puerto Rican male students, from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Their goal is to perform and highlight the original band’s music at World War I centennial celebrations.

We invite the public to join us on Memorial Day Weekend -- and to enjoy the classical Jazz stylings of the 369th regimental band as a part of New York City’s annual “Fleet Week” Celebrations.

There will be three free concert performances at the USS Intrepid Museum

• Sunday, May 27th, 2018 at 1:00 pm on the Flight Deck
• Monday May 28, 2018 at 1:30pm on the Flight Deck
• Monday May 28, 2018 at 3:30 pm on the pier

Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum Complex is located at 1 Intrepid Square, 12th Avenue & 46th Street, New York, NY 10036, More information can be found at www.IntrepidMuseum.org

James Europe and the original 369th Band on Fifth Avenue in New York City