The Asbury Park African-American Music Project (AP-AMP) Inc. celebrates the stories of Springwood Avenue in Asbury Park, New Jersey.
A volunteer-run, community-driven project, we invite you to share your story and get involved.
The mission of AP-AMP is to:
- share the music, cultural heritage and stories of Springwood Avenue through oral histories, research, writing, and programs
- develop accessible resources that reflect Asbury Park’s African American music heritage for the City of Asbury Park and others to use as a basis for interpretive heritage projects
- address a lack of representation in traditional historic resources and give voice to the stories of Asbury Park’s African American community
- engage all who live in and visit Asbury Park in the active exploration, interpretation, understanding, and preservation of Asbury Park African American cultural heritage
What We Do
Research and Interviews
Since the beginning of AP-AMP in 2017, we have filmed interviews with locals musicians and community members who were part of the music scene on Springwood Avenue.
Other research activities includes recreating historic maps of Springwood Avenue and collecting photographs.
Our oral history interviews and photographs are held at the Bruce Springsteen Archives at Monmouth University, and online through our Digital Museum.
Youth and Community Education
We are proud to partner with the Asbury Park Public School District, the Asbury Park Public Library, and other community partners to offer educational events and cross-curricular lesson plans dedicated to the history of Asbury Park’s African-American community.
NEWS & EVENTS
Help AP-AMP Preserve the Legendary
TURF CLUB
in Asbury Park, New Jersey
Help AP-AMP save the Turf Club,
the last remaining structure that housed one of Springwood Avenue’s celebrated music spots, and create a community venue for music and culture.
Photo: Conni Freestone
New Jersey Council for the Humanities
“Adaptation & Innovation: COVID-19 Response Grants in New Jersey“
NBC New York Live:
“Neighborhood Hot Spot: Asbury Park’s African American Music Project”
Thank you to everyone who joined us on June 21 for the official Launch Party for the Asbury Park African-American Music Project (AP-AMP) Inc.!
Special thanks to the Danny Clinch Transparent Gallery for hosting the event, and to the musicians who donated their time and talents!
And thank you to New Jersey Natural Gas for presenting us with a $5,000 Challenge Grant check!
Photo credits for all images below: Conni Freestone
Funding for the Asbury Park African-American Music Project is provided in part by:
- the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of cultural affairs within the Department of State
- New Jersey Natural Gas
- Walmart Giving
- Monmouth County Historical Commission through funding from the New Jersey Historical Commission and the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders
- New Jersey Council for the Humanities
- Anserve Inc.
- Beach Haus Brewery
- Asbury Band Aid
- Individual supporters
You can find a few short videos that share some of these stories on YouTube: Asbury Park African American Music Heritage Project
For more information, please email us: apaamhp@gmail.com
or write to us:
Asbury Park African-American Music Project Inc.
PO Box 485
Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Board of Directors:
Jennifer Souder
Yvonne Clayton
Kathleen Melgar
Melissa Keeling
Advisory Committee:
Bruce Booker
Ruben Bray
Charles Trott
This mini-documentary by AP-AMP celebrates several musicians and music industry professionals whose careers touched Springwood Avenue and inspired the “Asbury Park Sound.”
