Just thinking about it puts an easy rhythm in your step. National Jazz Appreciation Month feels right at home here in Queens, NY where storage units and musicians are old friends and professional partners. Let's take a quick look back, celebrate a little history and sing the praises of some of our most famous musical artists.
Golden Queens
We all smile when folks from out of town think a visit to Queens is all about catching a Mets game at Citi Field. Our neighborhoods have a proud musical history filled with some of the most talented names in jazz. The 1940s marked a golden age for this innovative style, and Queens was one of the hottest scenes in the city. If you wanted to hear Ella Fitzgerald or Charlie Parker, you came to our borough. And Louis Armstrong made his home right here in Flushing.
The History Lives On
It's hard to say if the Ramones ever walked by Armstrong's house on 107th, but it's easy to imagine Queens' original punk rockers paying homage to one of jazz's biggest legends. Armstrong and his wife, Lucille, lived in Flushing until his death in 1971. She gave their home to the city, and today it's filled with original letters, memorabilia and archived recordings. The Louis Armstrong House is a vibrant, living museum that carries on his musical and cultural legacy with concerts and educational programs.
Keep It Creative
The line between jazz in Queens and hip-hop in Hollis might not seem very straight, but our neighborhoods are still cradles of creativity. From Run-D.M.C. to LL Cool J, the music continues to evolve. If you're a player on the local scene, treat your equipment with care. Climate-controlled storage units keep strings, skins and brass in top shape and always ready to play. Local legends even hint that some of the greats here got their acts off the ground with staging sessions in self storage. It's an idea worth sounding out.
We Appreciate Jazz Too
Whether you're playing with a hot combo or staying happily solo, it's very cool to be a part of the musical legacy in Queens, NY. Our Safeguard self storage facility in Hollis handles big line-ups and one-man bands with all types and sizes of storage units. Stop by soon, and let us show you how much we really appreciate jazz too.