The American Jazz Museum showcases the sights and sounds of a uniquely American art form through interactive exhibits and films; the Changing Gallery; the Blue Room jazz club; and the Gem Theater, a 500-seat performing arts center. The collections include artifacts related to jazz greats Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and Charlie Parker, as well as over 100 recordings. Other highlights include the Charlie Parker Memorial and a major collection of more than 5,000 jazz films.

The museum offers exhibits, films, performances, educational programming, and 16 interactive listening and mixing stations.