Salem Willows Jazz Legacy

Long before today’s festival, Salem Willows helped connect the North Shore to a defining era in American jazz. Duke Ellington and His Washingtonians, the Shribman brothers, historic ballrooms, and the clubs that followed all helped shape a musical community that still resonates today.

In 2025 and 2026, Salem Jazz and Soul Festival board members and supporters worked to document that history. This five-part exhibit traces the people, places, and performances that inspired the festival to make Salem Willows its home.