Music fans and technophiles alike will want to experience this one of a kind evening that features new music, technology, poetry, and visual elements in The Apollo’s new stages at The Victoria. Experience the world of improvised jazz like never before as four-time Grammy nominee and Apollo New Works artist Stefon Harris shares his groundbreaking new technology that blends artificial intelligence with live performance featuring Harris’ band Blackout.
“The standout vibraphonist of his generation.”
— The New Yorker
Stefon Harris & Blackout is a part of The Apollo’s New Works initiative and Winter 2024 season.
Apollo New Works is generously supported by the Ford Foundation with additional funding from The Mellon Foundation and Silicon Valley Community Foundation.
The Apollo New Works initiative expands upon The Apollo’s mission to support the creation of new work by Black artists. The multidisciplinary emerging and established artists who the organization has commissioned and provided space, time, and resources will create, develop, and present work across The Apollo stages, including The Apollo’s Victoria Theater, which will serve as the main incubation space.
This concert will take place at The Apollo Stages at The Victoria Theater located at 233 W. 125th Street, Third Floor (between Adam Clayton Powell & Frederick Douglass Blvd).
Please Note: Late seating is not permitted to ensure minimal disruption to the performers and fellow audience members. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
Please contact The Apollo Box office at [email protected] or (212) 531-5305 if any other special assistance is required for your visit.
Stefon Harris & Blackout
Stefon Harris – Creative Director, Vibraphone, Marimba, and AI
Casey Benjamin – Saxophone, Aerophone, and Vocoder
Christian Sands – Piano
James Francies – Keyboards and AI
Dezron Douglas – Bass
Terreon Gully – Drums
Special Guests
Christie Dashiell – Vocalist
Dwayne Clark – Spoken Word Artist
Dr. Guthrie Ramsey – Moderator/Scholar
Visual and AI Development Team
Kevin Jiang – Lead Engineer
Max Shirokawa – Machine Learning Engineer
Xuelong Mu – Live Visuals Director
Alexander Baumann – Visual Artist
Robert Ruth – Visual Artist
1st Performance: 4 PM EST
2nd Performance: 8 PM EST
Runtime: Appx 90 minutes
TWO PERFORMANCES:
1st Performance: 4pm
2nd Performance: 8pm
Address:
233 W. 125th Street,
Third Floor
New York, NY 10027
Music fans and technophiles alike will want to experience this one of a kind evening that features new music, technology, poetry, and visual elements in The Apollo’s new stages at The Victoria. Experience the world of improvised jazz like never before as four-time Grammy nominee and Apollo New Works artist Stefon Harris shares his groundbreaking new technology that blends artificial intelligence with live performance featuring Harris’ band Blackout.
“The standout vibraphonist of his generation.”
— The New Yorker
Stefon Harris & Blackout is a part of The Apollo’s New Works initiative and Winter 2024 season.
Apollo New Works is generously supported by the Ford Foundation with additional funding from The Mellon Foundation and Silicon Valley Community Foundation.
The Apollo New Works initiative expands upon The Apollo’s mission to support the creation of new work by Black artists. The multidisciplinary emerging and established artists who the organization has commissioned and provided space, time, and resources will create, develop, and present work across The Apollo stages, including The Apollo’s Victoria Theater, which will serve as the main incubation space.
This concert will take place at The Apollo Stages at The Victoria Theater located at 233 W. 125th Street, Third Floor (between Adam Clayton Powell & Frederick Douglass Blvd).
Please Note: Late seating is not permitted to ensure minimal disruption to the performers and fellow audience members. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
Please contact The Apollo Box office at [email protected] or (212) 531-5305 if any other special assistance is required for your visit.
Stefon Harris & Blackout
Stefon Harris – Creative Director, Vibraphone, Marimba, and AI
Casey Benjamin – Saxophone, Aerophone, and Vocoder
Christian Sands – Piano
James Francies – Keyboards and AI
Dezron Douglas – Bass
Terreon Gully – Drums
Special Guests
Christie Dashiell – Vocalist
Dwayne Clark – Spoken Word Artist
Dr. Guthrie Ramsey – Moderator/Scholar
Visual and AI Development Team
Kevin Jiang – Lead Engineer
Max Shirokawa – Machine Learning Engineer
Xuelong Mu – Live Visuals Director
Alexander Baumann – Visual Artist
Robert Ruth – Visual Artist
1st Performance: 4 PM EST
2nd Performance: 8 PM EST
Runtime: Appx 90 minutes
TWO PERFORMANCES:
1st Performance: 4pm
2nd Performance: 8pm
Address:
233 W. 125th Street,
Third Floor
New York, NY 10027
Step behind the curtain of the world-famous Apollo Theater. Located at The Apollo Stages at The Victoria’s Laura & Frank Baker Gallery, Got To Be There: The Apollo, Its People, and Its Stories is a first of its kind exhibition curated by The Apollo Archives. This collection of rare photographs, video recordings, and artifacts offers a rare glimpse into The Apollo’s 91 year history.
Free and open to the public with select viewings and conversations throughout the season, this stunning exhibition offers a glimpse into the many roles that The Apollo has played and continues to play in service to the arts, the Harlem community, and global pop culture at large.
Open Daily 10am – 6pm & 2 hours before curtain during performances
Featuring JOEY B., KHRISTIN Y.S.F. BROOKS, COMEDIAN BUDDY LOVE
HOSTED BY DREW FRASER
Turn down the lights and get ready for a night of Quiet Storm with singer and songwriter Alex Tyree. With lush vocals and unhurried melodies, Alex creates a night of music written in the sacred language of life and love.
The Story of Florence Mills by Renee Watson, is an electro-acoustic story experience, presented by sound scientist and imaginationist LaFrae Sci. Born to formerly enslaved parents, Florence Mills discovered early on that her light, birdlike voice captivated audiences. Her talent carried her to 1920s Broadway, where she inspired writers and performers alike. Despite her fame, she witnessed the impact of prejudice and used her platform to uplift Black artists and advocate for civil rights. Harlem’s Little Blackbird tells her inspiring story of justice, equality, and following one’s dreams.
Celebrate Women’s History Month with The Apollo and Harlem-based film collective Melanin Madness. After a sold-out 2025 Halloween-themed screening, we’re running it back, this time for the ladies. As always and in true Apollo fashion, the audience is a part of the experience so grab your crew and get ready to talk back, cheer and join the party in this evening of community, culture, and fun.
Featuring SOFIA NEGRON, DEZZ WHITE, SHAWN HARVEY
HOSTED BY LARRY LANCASTER
From Lotus Avenue to the A-train, ELHAE makes a quick stop in Harlem for an acoustic performance that blends alternative R&B with Hip Hop. His catalog includes thematic and seductive gems such as “Fun Fact”, “I Choose You (w. Ambre)”, “Doesn’t Matter (w. Kehlani)” and the deliciously pulsating dance hit “Touch (w. GoldLink)“.
The Girl Who Heard the Universe follows Zuri, a brilliant young sound scientist whose heart beats to rhythms no one else can hear. By day, she experiments with waves and vibrations in her Brooklyn bedroom-turned-laboratory, composing melodies that echo her boundless curiosity. By night, she gazes up at the stars, dreaming of how quantum particles might dance and sing across the cosmos. Blending music, science, and imagination, this story celebrates the power of wonder, the beauty of Black girl brilliance, and the belief that every sound—no matter how small—can change the universe.
Featuring DWIGHT PRYDE, CALVON BROWN, MIKE ROSS
HOSTED BY STILETTO
Accessibility
The Apollo is here for everyone. Artists, audiences, and all supporters should be able to experience The Apollo fully and in a way that is comfortable for them.
The Apollo has taken comprehensive steps to ensure that entrances, seating, restrooms, and more are as accessible and compliant as possible. Learn more about accessibility options and support services that might be right for you.
All persons and bags are subject to search. Bags that have passed inspection must fit comfortably under your seat. Oversized bags are prohibited.
No outside food or beverage. Accommodations are made for patrons with medical needs. Please email access@apollotheater.org or call the box office at (212) 531-5305 for assistance.
