Harlem’s Apollo Theater grooved today as the 2025 Jazz Fest kicked off. Over 1,500 packed the venue—Wynton Marsalis’ trumpet wailed for 2 hours; 68°F night glowed. A Bronx youth quartet opened—17-year-olds stole hearts; X clips hit 5,000. Tickets at $35 sold out fast; 125th Street buzzed. NYC’s jazz soul—Harlem swings.
Organizer Jamal Reed, 50, booked 15 acts across 5 venues—week-long fest. Marsalis’ new piece, ‘Uptown Strut,’ debuted—crowd stood mid-song. Free sax workshops at St. Nicholas Park drew 200 kids—music’s future sparked. Local vendors sold $10 soul food plates—300 gone. Apollo’s marquee—NYC’s rhythm.
It’s not flawless—sound glitched early; mics buzzed. Some say tickets lock out locals—$35 stings. Still, 1,500 fans, 3 encores—Apollo delivered. Post-show, Harlem’s bars hummed—jazz talk flowed. Fest till Sunday—NYC swings.
Reed’s 50—jazz guru? Youth quartet—future stars. Harlem danced; NYC glowed. Jazz Fest—Apollo shines.
