Save Harlem Now! invites you to step back in time to the Roaring Twenties, when Central Harlem pulsed with the rhythm of the Jazz Age. Trace the footsteps of the legendary Billie Holiday - and dive into the vibrant beginnings of the Black music industry.

Our journey begins on West 139th Street, where a young Billie first called New York home. Just blocks away, on historic 133rd Street, known as "Swing Street," where music floated into the night from legendary clubs like Tillie's and Pod & Jerry's. Close your eyes and imagine the smoky haze, the clinking glasses, and the electrifying sounds of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Billie taking her first steps on a musical pilgrimage spilling into the Street.

Stroll through Strivers’ Row and see buildings where jazz musicians lived and gathered in the 1920s. We'll peer into the modest parlor of Harry Pace, founder of Black Swan Records, the first Black-owned label.

As we walk, feel the energy of the Harlem Renaissance, a cultural explosion fueled by music, poetry, and artistic expression. 

So, let's wander through Harlem's hidden harmonies, where history hums in every brick, and Billie's voice still whispers in the breeze.

Our tour is led by Mark Satlof, a 23-year-resident of Central Harlem / Strivers’ Row, Save Harlem Now! Board Member and experienced tour guide.