Howard Street and Beyond: A History of Jazz in Northeast Ohio

Wed Feb 11 2026 at 06:00 pm to 08:00 pm UTC-05:00

183 E Cuyahoga Falls Ave, Akron, OH, United States, Ohio 44310 | Akron

North Hill Branch Library
Publisher/HostNorth Hill Branch Library
Howard Street and Beyond: A History of Jazz in Northeast Ohio
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Once known as Akron’s “Little Harlem,” Howard Street was a vibrant hub for jazz, where local and world-renowned artists performed. Discover the people and places that shaped this impactful era.
Akron has been a hub for jazz in the Midwest since the 1930s. Its location between major cities like New York and Chicago made it an ideal stop for traveling musicians. Legends such as Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald performed here, while a thriving local scene took root—its influence is still felt today.
Historian and writer Rose Vance-Grom will explore the origins, places, and figures that shaped Akron’s vibrant business and entertainment district and its lasting impact on Northeast Ohio’s jazz legacy. She holds a Master of Arts in Applied History from the University of Akron and is a fourth-generation Akronite. She grew up listening to her father play jazz and later took up the saxophone herself.
Register online, in person, or by phone at 330.535.9423.
https://services.akronlibrary.org/event/14947537
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183 E Cuyahoga Falls Ave, Akron, OH, United States, Ohio 44310

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