Walt Disney World Resort has debuted a new experience immersing guests on a musical tour of the US.
The Soul of Jazz: An American Adventure opened this week (February 1) at the resort’s EPCOT theme park, which journeys guests through the African American origins of Jazz and teaches how fusions of different cultures continue to help the distinct genre to evolve.
Legendary Soul protagonist Joe Gardner is at the heart of the new experience. The fictional musician captivatingly shares the rich heritage of jazz, using stories from several influential cities including New Orleans, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and Puerto Rico.
Walt Disney Imagineering have partnered with acclaimed music historians and renowned curators from the world’s most famous jazz organisations to bring the attraction to life. The Historic New Orleans Collection, New Orleans Jazz Museum and Louis Armstrong House Museum have had heavily influence in creating the new experience and helped Disney secure some of the world’s most prestigious jazz items.
By navigating round the attraction, guests will discover Jazz legend Louis Armstrong’s Selmer trumpet and sheet music from icon Jelly Roll Morton, one of the genre’s oldest performers.
Original trumpet used by jazz icon Louis Armstrong
Other featured exhibits include:
“Skin Deep” percussion sheet music of Duke Ellington drummer Louie Bellson
Cornet belonging to Bix Beiderbecke, an early jazz soloist from the 1920s
Drumsticks of Gene Krupa, member of influential jazz groups such as the Benny Goodman Orchestra and Tommy Dorsey’s band
Commenting on the launch of the new attraction, Carmen Smith, Executive of Creative Development and Inclusion Strategies at Walt Disney Imagineering said: “Walt Disney Imagineering is thrilled to bring the compelling story of jazz to EPCOT.
“Our team was honored to work with jazz experts and institutions across the country to explore the rich history and influence of this truly American musical art form. We hope guests are as inspired by ‘The Soul of Jazz: An American Adventure’ as our Imagineers were bringing this exhibit to life.”
The Soul of Jazz: An American Adventure experience is set to be enriched further. Disney has teased a new experience on Play Disney Parks apps is soon to be launched, where guests can interact with the attraction virtually while also testing their jazz knowledge.
The launch of the new jazz attraction is part of a wider project to reimagine the spectacular EPCOT theme park, with Disney Imagineering harnessing curiosity, discovery and the magic of possibility to inspire its new offerings.
Video delves into what guests can expect at The Soul of Jazz: An American Adventure
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