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Harlem in Paris : the Birth of Jazz in France (Small Group Walking Tour)

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$71.36

REG. $82.76

Overview

Jazz was born in New Orleans....but the Jazz Age flourished in New York & Paris, or to be more precise, Harlem & Pigalle. After WW1, numerous African American artists emigrated to Paris from Harlem, bringing with them a new style of music born in America : jazz. By the late 1920s, there were over 300 jazz clubs, bars and cabarets in Paris, for the most part in Pigalle. This is the fascinating story of the men and women who made Paris a mecca for Jazz, ushering in the Roaring 20s.

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

The exact location of the meeting point will be provided a few days prior to the visit. It will be near the Place Blanche.

End Point

End point

Place Pigalle

Language Offered

English-AUDIO

English-GUIDE

French-AUDIO

French-GUIDE

Itinerary

1. Place Blanche

Just next door to the Place Blanche is the location of Josephine Baker's club, called "Chez Josephine". Known as the "Black Venus of Paris", Baker became a French national and lived here from 1925 until her death in 1975. After starting her career in vaudeville shows in Harlem, Baker arrived in France in 1925 as a dancer for the NY Syncopated Orchestra, accompanied by a young clarinet player named Sidney Bechet. She headlined the orchestra's new show, the "Revue Negre", which was commissioned by the Theatre des Champs Elysées. It was an audacious show featuring 13 dancers, 12 musicians...and Josephine Baker, aged 18 & wearing very little more than feathers. Her erotic dancing fascinated the French & turned her into an immediate star, an icon.

Duration: 10 mins

2. Rue Mansart

Next we stop at the bistro where Louis Armstrong would dine after rehearsals in the recording studio just up the street. There he discovered the delights of choucroute (sausage & cabbage) & where he met local Gypsy Jazzman Django Reinhardt.

Duration: 10 mins

3. rue Pierre-Fontaine

After visiting Josephine Baker, we will stop in front of Zelli's, the mythical Parisian cabaret of the 1920s. It was the most popular club in the city thanks to its avant garde jazz music. Here we will "meet" the fascinating Eugene Jacques Bullard, son of a freed slaved from Martinique. He became the 1st African American fighter pilot in history. Fighting for the French, he flew 30 missions and downed 2 German planes, earning a promotion to Corporal & the nickname "Black Jacques". After the war, he learned to play drums and was hired as a musician at Zelli's, where he rose to the position of manager. With backing from Joe Zelli, he opened his own night club, the Grand Duc, where he offered a mix of hot jazz & soul food, becoming one of the most popular clubs in Paris.

Duration: 10 mins

4. Place Blanche

We will discover the Jazz Ladies & their legends. We meet Bricktop, Queen of Pigalle, who arrived in Paris with $24 in her pocket. After establishing herself, she went on to rub shoulders with royalty & celebrities. Then we "meet" Valaida Snow, the 2nd best trumpet player in the world (Louis Armstrong's words!). She played 8 different instruments, she sang, she danced and she charmed audiences everywhere. A beautiful and talented woman, she became a star in Europe in the 1930s. In 1940, while playing in Denmark, she was arrested by the Nazis. Saved in a prisoner exchange, she returned to the US a broken woman, but recovered and went on to pursue jer jazz career.

Duration: 20 mins

5. Rue Victor Massé

Sadly the club is closed, a victim of Covid. But in front of the club we will hear the story of Alberta Hunter, an extraordinarily talented blues singer. Having lived the Jazz Age in both Harlem & Paris, she abandoned music in the 1940s to become a nurse for 20 years. At the age of 83 she was persuaded to come out of retirement and she relaunched her singing career, becoming a star all over again with her sublime voice.

Duration: 10 mins

Inclusion

There will be music, photos & videos throughout the tour

Exclusion

Food & beverages not included

Hotel transfers not included

Cancellation Policy

Refundable tickets

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

100% refund if cancelled 1+ days before the start date
0% refund if cancelled less than 1 day(s) before the start date

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Supplied by Visit the Hidden Paris

Reviews

4.9

★★★★★ ★★★★★

Based on 43 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

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Harlem in Paris : the Birth of Jazz in France (Small Group Walking Tour) Discount Tickets

Select your ticket

Overview

Meeting and Pickup

End Point

Language Offered

Itinerary

1. Place Blanche

2. Rue Mansart

3. rue Pierre-Fontaine

4. Place Blanche

5. Rue Victor Massé

Inclusion

Exclusion

Cancellation Policy

Additional Info

Reviews

4.9

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