| Rating |
Date Attended |
Reviewer |
Gender |
Age |
Where From? [v] |
Group Type? |
|
Excellent tour
|
| Sun, Aug 12, 07 11:00 AM |
Lynette36 |
Unspecified |
Unspecified |
Unspecified |
Group of Friends |
| The tour guide really enjoys his job. He is very knowledgeable and answers questions fully, explaining and giving lots of insight into the various areas in Harlem. It was an eye opener to learn of all the famous persons who at one time or another lived in Harlem. The time was fully utilized and he went above and beyond the call of duty to fulfill our curiousity.
An excellent tour and job well done. CONGRATS and THANK YOU. |
|
The guide never showed up.
|
| Sun, Jun 24, 07 11:00 AM |
jblitw |
Unspecified |
Unspecified |
Unspecified |
Unspecified |
| The guide didn't show up. 7 of us waited an hour. |
|
|
harlem jazz walk
|
| Sun, Apr 30, 06 11:00 AM |
walkny |
Unspecified |
Unspecified |
Unspecified |
Unspecified |
| very knowlegeable tour leader -- much area covered -- |
|
|
Informative and enjoyable
|
| Sat, Mar 11, 06 11:00 AM |
thaifoodfan |
Female |
40-49 |
Unspecified |
Individual |
| I'm so glad I chose to do this walk. We had beautiful weather, and it was well-paced. Fascinating historical information.
Bring a big water bottle and wear very comfortable shoes! |
|
|
Very informative tour! Highly reccommend it!
|
| Sun, May 10 11:00 AM |
ajpnyc |
Female |
40-49 |
Local |
Family Without Children |
| The tour guide was so fantastic. He knew so much about all the historic buildings and the architecture of Harlem. It was a great way to see a very historic part of the city. It's a must see tour...more interesting than other areas of Manhattan.
Wear sneakers because you will be walking alot! It was a fabulous time. The tourguide was the best! |
|
|
excellent overview of jazz history of harlem
|
| Sun, Aug 17, 08 11:00 AM |
Ralamb |
Male |
60-69 |
Local |
Family Without Children |
| Paul is most knowledgeable about a number of areas of Harlem with numerous pictures of several of the neighborhoods and highlights of the historic districts. He knows of the many jazz clubs that used to exist and describes the great jazz musicians that lived in various apartments throughout Harlem. Very interesting to see some of the historic buildings and neighborhoods as they are constantly changing. |
|
No connection to Harlem; just a jazz enthusiast
|
| Sun, Jun 29, 08 11:00 AM |
swhite |
Male |
30-39 |
Local |
Couple on a Date |
| It started great, with the story about the meeting place.
What I expected
To see the Apollo Theatre; Lenox Lounge; old jazz clubs; local jazz music stores with a connection to jazz musicians in Harlem; historical or famous sites that relate to jazz in Harlem.
Stories about some of the sites to provide context. Not necessarily famous stories, but I did expect some story-telling to put what we did see (Harlem) in context.
A visit inside to some of the more famous places in Harlem. A connection between the tour guide and the business owners that would allow a tour of the business.
What I got
A long walk through Harlem.
A view of old houses that some famous jazz musicians once lived. (but not much real context. It's one thing to say, Duke Ellington used to live here, but another to say that he lived here when he made this or that record because of some inspiration that came from the home.)
Stories about past tours where the group went on an impromptu open house, and the revelation that the home was either really expensive or really inexpensive.
Directions about which block to walk down and which side of the street to find the Apollo Theatre.
The CDs were a nice gesture. What might have been better is a collection of music that related to the tour besides the fact that it was jazz. For instance, what if one of the pieces was "kind of blue" and one of the places we visited was the place where a very memorable performance of it occurred, or where the inspiration of that piece orginated? That would have been an excellent tie-in to the tour. Then I would have thought of that context every time I listened to the piece.
My Sincere suggestions to the guide
Get to know the proprietors of the Lenox Lounge, Sylvia's, the Apollo Theatre, the store across from the Tree of Hope. Establish a relationship with them that will allow the participants to tour their facilities. Give the proprietors an incentive. Perhaps suggest a coupon for a participant when that participant visits the establishment. For example, one free iced tea, or appetizer at Sylvia's when you mention you were on the tour, or you bring in a coupon from the tour; half off at the Lenox Lounge when you bring in the coupon, etc. Then the proprietors will not seem uncaring because it appears that all they care about is their business. Their benefit is the free advertising and a chance to advertise more personally. Tell us a story about when the great deals are at the jazz clubs. Perhaps every Monday, really good local talent comes in, and you can get a seat. But that same group comes in on a Friday, and not only are the tickets much more expensive, but the place is packed solid. And make that story even better by providing personal experience. Maybe you saw one of the first performances of a now famous jazz musician at a particular club. That way, the participants will want to go back because of the possibility of having the same experience. that's it. |
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|
Paul Blair makes Harlem come alive.
|
| Sun, Nov 19, 06 11:00 AM |
camillehowe |
Female |
60-69 |
Local |
Group of Friends |
| The Jazz Walk through Harlem is a wonderful way to spend time. Jazz lovers will especially enjoy the history of the jazz entertainers that made Harlem and American music so important. Mr. Blair provides, not only jazz history, but the local history of this area of New York City. He is very knowledgable and pleasant to be with. We could not have had a better guide. I would highly recommend this tour for locals and tourists alike. |
|
Good start to dig more deeply into jazz in NYC
|
| Sun, May 21, 06 11:00 AM |
811sunny |
Female |
30-39 |
Local |
Individual |
| Apart from the fact that the music was missing during our walk : - ))), we were provided with an indepth knowledge of Harlem with regard to history, architecture and jazz icons. I went home with some ideas for next activities and a nice CD. |
|
|
Comprehensive
|
| Sat, Mar 11, 06 11:00 AM |
jsiano3188 |
Female |
60-69 |
Local |
Group of Friends |
| Paul Blair has a true love for Harlem and jazz and it is evident when he walks you through historic areas. |
