The Soul of Jazz: An American Adventure has officially opened in EPCOT’s American Adventure Pavilion!

The new exhibit takes guests on an educational journey through the history of American jazz. Guests will travel through cities where the jazz movement exploded like New Orleans, Chicago, New York City, Los Angeles, and San Juan, Puerto Rico. And, it’s all hosted by the leading character of Pixar’s Soul! Let’s take a look at the new exhibit!

Outside of the exhibit, guests can find banners featuring different characters from the film like Joe (photo above), Curly, and more!

When you enter the American Adventure Pavilion, you can still find the American Heritage Gallery available to view on the other side of the Soul of Jazz exhibit. But, EPCOT’s newest jazzy destination incorporates the characters from the film, as well as real-life musicians that have been a part of the jazz scene for years!

Since the exhibit takes you through the various “homes” to jazz, you can start at the birthplace of it all in New Orleans! You can read all about artists like Louis Armstrong and Ferdinand “Jelly Roll” Morton…

…before reading about the “musical migration” of jazz over to Chicago with musicians like Cora “Lovie” Austin and Joseph “King” Oliver.

After jazz started becoming bigger and bigger, New York City was named the “jazz capital of the world” with musicians like Eleanora Fagan (AKA Billie Holiday), Edward “Duke” Ellington, and John “Dizzy” Gillespie taking the stage.

It was even the city where the first integrated female big band called the International Sweethearts of Rhythm made it big…

…while popular jazz clubs like the Cotton Club popped up around New York City!

Los Angeles was the place where modern jazz started booming recently with artists like Jon Batiste, Norah Jones, Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, Kamasi Washington, and Thundercat.

Along the way, jazz even spread into San Juan, which shaped jazz into a new form with ‘tinges’ of Spanish rhythms and sounds.

The Soul of Jazz exhibit even has memorabilia from the artists mentioned, including a trumpet played by Louis Armstrong…

…a cornet from “Bix” Beiderbecke…

…drumsticks from Gene Krupa…

…and sheet music from Maxwell Davis…

…Louis Bellson…

…and Jelly Roll Morton!

Guests can walk through the educational exhibit at their own pace. Here, you’ll find pieces and memorabilia that tell the history behind the musical movement as well as the people involved. The new walk-through attraction is a fantastic depiction of how jazz has shaped American music and its people.

We have to say that the leisurely exhibit is a great way to slow your pace at EPCOT and learn something new! As we continue to keep an eye on all the other projects coming to the park, we’ll update you on other EPCOT news soon!

Have you noticed these hidden details at the World Showcase Pavilions?

Are you excited to experience the Soul of Jazz? Let us know in the comments below!

 

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