The Gateways Music Festival invites you to an enlightening evening centered around the legacy of the Harlem Hellfighters, the renowned African American regiment whose pioneering contributions extended beyond the battlefield and into the world of music. Led by the legendary bandleader and composer James Reese Europe, the Hellfighters brought the sounds of jazz and ragtime to the frontlines of World War I, forever changing the landscape of American music. The evening begins with a screening of the powerful documentary The Harlem Hellfighters (2024), narrated and produced by Robin Roberts, which chronicles the lives and influence of these brave soldiers and Europe’s groundbreaking band.

Following the screening, a panel discussion will delve deeper into the Harlem Hellfighters’ musical legacy, moderated by Dr. Isrea Butler (Brass Collective) and Mr. Nobel Sissle, Jr. The conversation will explore how the Hellfighters’ music paved the way for Black musicians in classical and popular music, shaping cultural history in profound ways.

3D Tour of Hatch Recital Hall