The Sun Rises in Harlem: Digital Program

The Sun Rises in Harlem

BLACK BRILLIANCE AND THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE

The Harlem Renaissance redefined American art. In the 1920s, Black Americans forged a new modern identity focused on self determination, with Harlem at the heart - still reverberating today.

Immerse yourself in the music that was the soundtrack to the Harlem Renaissance! From Duke Ellington, to Cab Calloway, to Bessie Smith, MUSE/IQUE examines the evolution of jazz music and how Black artists reflected evolving modern life through a flourishing of art.

Presented at The Huntington and Skirball Cultural Center, June 2026.

The Sun Rises in Harlem

Photo Recap

Photography by Haoyuan Ren

The Sun Rises in Harlem

Program Repertoire

The Heart of Harlem (verse one) - Langston Hughes

Voice of Keith David

Every Time I Feel the Spirit - Spiritual, arr. William L. Dawson

DC6 Singers Collective

It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing) - Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, arr. Jamey Tate

Kecia Lewis, Sy Smith, Leo Manzari, DC6 Singers Collective, MUSE/IQUE Orchestra

I’m Just Wild About Harry - Eubie Blake, Noble Sissle, arr. Jamey Tate

Sy Smith, Leo Manzari, MUSE/IQUE Orchestra

Ain’t Misbehavin’ - Thomas “Fats” Waller, Harry Brooks, Andy Razaf, arr. Jamey Tate

Kecia Lewis, MUSE/IQUE Orchestra

West End Blues - Joe “King” Oliver, Clarence Williams, transcr. Randy Sandke, ed. David N. Baker

MUSE/IQUE Orchestra

Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out - Jimmie Cox, arr. Michael Valerio

DC6 Singers Collective, MUSE/IQUE Orchestra

The Heart of Harlem (verse two) - Langston Hughes

Voice of Keith David

They Can’t Take That Away From Me - George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin, arr. Jamey Tate

Sy Smith, MUSE/IQUE Orchestra

A-Tisket, A-Tasket - Ella Fitzgerald, Van Alexander, arr. Rob Schaer

Kecia Lewis, DC6 Singers Collective, MUSE/IQUE Orchestra

The Heart of Harlem (verse three) - Langston Hughes

Voice of Keith David

Andante con espressione - Florence Price

Alyssa Park, Alan Steinberger

Stormy Weather - Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler, arr. Michael Valerio

Kecia Lewis, MUSE/IQUE Orchestra

Jumpin’ Jive - Cab Calloway, Frank Froeba, Jack Palmer, arr. Rob Schaer

Kecia Lewis, Leo Manzari, DC6 Singers Collective, MUSE/IQUE Orchestra

Killer Joe - Benny Golson

MUSE/IQUE Orchestra

Prelude to a Kiss - Duke Ellington, Irving Gordon, Irving Mills, arr. Michael Valerio

Sy Smith, MUSE/IQUE Orchestra

Sir Duke - Stevie Wonder, arr. Michael Valerio

Kecia Lewis, Sy Smith, Leo Manzari, DC6 Singers Collective, MUSE/IQUE Orchestra

“The Heart of Harlem” by Langston Hughes

The buildings in Harlem are brick and stone
And the streets are long and wide,
But Harlem’s much more than these alone,
Harlem is what’s inside -
It’s a song with a minor refrain,
It’s a dream you keep dreaming again,
It’s a tear you turn into a smile.
It’s the sunrise you know is coming after a while.
It’s the shoes that you get half-soled twice.
It’s the kid you hope will grow up nice.
It’s the hand that’s working all day long,.
It’s a prayer that keeps you going along -
That’s the heart of Harlem!

It’s Joe Louis and Dr. W.E.B.,
A stevedore, a porter, Marian Anderson, and me.
It’s Father Divine and the music of Earl Hines,
Adam Powell in Congress, our drivers on bus lines.
Its Dorothy Maynor and it’s Billie Holiday,
The lectures at the Schomburg and the Apollo down the way.
It’s Father Shelton Bishop and shouting Mother Horne.
It’s the Rennie and the Savoy where new dances are born.
It’s Canada Lee’s penthouse at Five-Fifty-Five.
It’s Small’s Paradise and Jimmy’s little dive.
It’s 409 Edgecombe or a cold-water walk-up flat -
But it’s where I live and it’s where my love is at
Deep in the Heart of Harlem!

It’s the pride all Americans know.
It’s the faith God gave us long ago.
It’s the strength to make our dreams come true.
It’s a feeling arm and friendly given to you.
It’s that girl with the rhythmical walk.
It’s my boy with the jive in his talk.
It’s the man with the muscles of steel.
It’s the right to be free a people will never yield.
A dream...a song...half-soled shoes...dancing shoes
A tear...a smile...the blues...sometimes the blues
Mixed with the memory...and forgiveness...of our wrong.
But more than that, it’s freedom -
Guarded for the kids who came along -
Folks, that’s the Heart of Harlem!

The Sun Rises in Harlem

Artists

Kecia Lewis (vocals)

Kecia Lewis is celebrating 40-plus years as a dynamic storyteller on stage and screen. Best known for her critically acclaimed performance as Ms. Liza Jane in Alicia Keys’ Hell's Kitchen, Ms. Lewis' career both on and off Broadway has garnered her Tony, GRAMMY, Drama Desk, Outer Critics, Lucille Lortel and Obie Awards. She can currently be seen as a series regular opposite Tracy Morgan on Crutch, streaming on Paramount Plus.

@therealkecialewis on social platforms.

Sy Smith (vocals)

Sy Smith has proven throughout her career that an R&B artist can be progressive while remaining firmly rooted in tradition. Foremost a singer with a vocal range spanning five octaves, Smith has worked with Whitney Houston, GRAMMY-winning trumpeter Chris Botti and GRAMMY-nominated group The Foreign Exchange, and most recently played Michelle Obama in 44: The Musical. Her latest LP “Until We Meet Again” has drawn comparisons to Minnie Riperton and Deniece Williams.

@syberspace on social platforms.

Leo Manzari (tap dance)

Leo Manzari (dance) is a Lucille Lortel award-nominated tap dancer and recording artist. Manzari has headlined in the touring and Off-Broadway productions of Maurice Hines is Tappin’ Thru Life, and featured Guest Star on So You Think You Can Dance, The Mo’nique Show, The Kate TV, PBS NewsHour, Jerry Lewis Telethon, ABC’s The View, PBS’ Kennedy Center’s 50th Anniversary, and Dorrance Dance's The Nutcracker Suite.

@leomanzari and @leochoreo on social platforms.

DC6 Singers Collective (vocals)

DC6 Singers Collective are a Los Angeles-based ensemble with roots in a cappella, gospel, doo wop, and R&B, but they fuse styles to transcend boundaries. They have collaborated with global music legends such as CeCe Winans, Lady Gaga, John Legend, Michael Bolton, and institutions like the San Francisco Symphony and LA Opera Orchestra, and were recently heard on the Oscar-winning soundtrack for Sinners, performing at this year’s Academy Awards.

@dc6singers on social platforms.

The Sun Rises in Harlem

MUSE/IQUE Orchestra

Led by Artistic & Music Director Rachael Worby

First Violins
Alyssa Park (concertmaster), Marisa Kuney

Second Violins
Ina Veli, Neel Hammond

Violas
Shawn Mann, Jarrett Threadgill

Cellos
Charlie Tyler, Ismael Guerrero

Woodwinds
Dan Kaneyuki, Brandon Fields, Damon Zick

Trumpets
Rob Schaer, Barbara Laronga, Joe Harris

Trombones
Ryan Dragon, Byron Sleugh

Keyboard
Alan Steinberger

Guitar
Michael Abraham

Bass
Michael Valerio

Drums
Jamey Tate

Percussion
Sidney Hopson

Brady Steel, Orchestra Manager.

Musical Collaborators:

This special group works closely with MUSE/IQUE to develop and produce arrangements, advise on repertoire, and help bring the music to life. Principal Arranger and Special Advisor to the Music Director Michael Valerio and resident arrangers Rob Schaer and Jamey Tate.

Movement by Chadaé Nichol

The Sun Rises in Harlem

Pop-Up Exhibit

The Sun Rises in Harlem
Sponsors

Presented in Partnership with The Huntington

Founded in 1919 by Henry E. and Arabella Huntington, it supports research and promotes public engagement through its expansive library, art, and botanical collections.

Presented in Partnership with Skirball Cultural Center

Open to the public since 1996, the Skirball is one of the world's most dynamic Jewish cultural institutions and among the leading cultural venues in Los Angeles.

Presented in Partnership with East West Bank

The East West Bank Art Program began 20 years ago with a mission to foster greater cultural understanding, encourage meaningful dialogue, and help bridge the East and the West through the universal language of art.

KPFK is a Proud Media Sponsor

KPFK is a listener-powered, commercial free radio station in Los Angeles. We were the first full-time FM station west of the Mississippi powered entirely by listener donations. From the beginning, the mission was plain: serve peace, culture, and honest public conversation without compromise.