Smithsonian shows Michael Jackson’s hat, Louis Armstrong’s trumpet in Apollo Theater exhibit

Apollo Theater exhibit in DC shows Jackson’s hat

WASHINGTON — Michael Jackson’s fedora, Ella Fitzgerald’s dress and Louis Armstrong’s trumpet are together in a Washington exhibit celebrating the famed Apollo Theater that helped these stars to shine.

The Smithsonian’s not-yet-built black history museum is bringing New York’s Harlem to the nation’s capital. The first exhibit focuses on the Apollo, where many musical careers were launched. It opens Friday at the National Museum of American History.

The late King of Pop won the theater’s Amateur Night as a youngster in 1967 with the Jackson Five. Fitzgerald debuted on Amateur Night at age 17.

Singer and actress Leslie Uggams toured the exhibit Tuesday, recalling the start of her career at the Apollo. She debuted at age 9 and soon was in 29 shows a week.