Lincoln Square BID’s “Summer Jazz Sensations” — a new series of free jazz music in Dante Park (64th and Broadway) — kicked off this week and will take place each Wednesday from noon—1:30 p.m. through August.
“The delightful midday music will encourage locals and visitors to celebrate the neighborhood, bringing people out into the district where they can grab lunch locally, shop, and see all that Lincoln Square has to offer.” This is the first series of concerts the BID has hosted since before the pandemic.
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The July 6 kickoff featured the Gabriele Tranchina Band. Tranchina is a jazz singer whose music is peaceful and exhilarating at the same time. The texture of the music is transcendent and an emotional connection is Gabriele’s priority with every note she sings. Some call it Latin Jazz, others call it Brazilian Jazz, and still others World-Influenced jazz.
Here’s the schedule for the rest of the season:
July 13: Greg Skaff Trio
Greg Skaff has earned a reputation as one of the premiere guitarists in modern jazz. A Kansas native, the New York-based Skaff got his start with a five-year tenure in sax titan Stanley Turrentine’s band and has gone on to work with many of the music’s most legendary names. On his latest album, Polaris (SMK Jazz), Skaff fronts a trio featuring jazz icons Ron Carter and Albert “Tootie” Heath.
July 20: Darrell Green Quartet
Darrell developed his mastery of the drums in the heart of Oakland, California, and developed a style rooted in modern post-bop, but retains elements of his gospel and classical lineage. He also co-leads a collaborative project with vocalist and saxophonist Camille Thurman.
July 27: Luke Franco Quartet
Guitarist Luke Franco purveys the rich tradition of jazz guitar by gleaning from the masters, both past and present. Formative years spent with John Abercrombie—his main influence and one of the great innovators—led Franco to develop his own compositional voice. While pursuing a Doctorate of Musical Arts at the University of Miami, he was a teacher’s Assistant in John Hart’s talented and ambitious guitar studio and performed as a featured soloist with the award-winning Concert Jazz Band led by Grammy winner Jon Daversa alongside guest artists, including Gonzalo Rubalcaba and Alan Ferber.
August 3: George Gray Jazz Coalition
George Gray is a world renowned drummer and song writer born and raised in Baltimore, MD. After college, George became a member of the R&B group Pockets that was produced by Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire, which was the beginning of George’s musical career. He has performed with a who’s who list of legends, such as Donald Byrd, Angela Bofill, Eartha Kitt, Chuck Berry, and George Benson.
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August 10: The Professors
The Professors are Mark Dziuba, Vinnie Martucci, Jeff “Siege” Siegel & Rich Syracuse. Their life’s work is defined by the creation and performing of great music and sharing their lifetimes of performing and teaching experiences with upcoming aspiring jazz musicians. Coming together for the first time as a unit in 1994 on guitarist Mark Dziuba’s CD release “Up Until Now,” the unit officially formalized as a quartet once bassist Rich Syracuse joined the other three Professors faculty at SUNY New Paltz in 2015.
August 17: KJ Denhert Jazz Project
KJ Denhert is an award-winning songwriter, guitarist, vocalist, and bandleader living in Ossining, New York. She is a consummate artist with a rich history; a legend of Urban Folk & Jazz who channels a wide range of influences to create something completely unique. KJ performs at venues around the world and locally, she performed for over two decades at the legendary 55 Bar in Greenwich Village. She has ten CDs under her leadership with her latest titled Destiny. Look out for a new release in 2023.
August 24: Mala Waldron Quartet
Mala Waldron is a vocalist/pianist/composer born in NYC who balances shows across the globe. Her featured recordings include her CD debut, Lullabye, tribute to godmother, Billie Holiday, a duo project with her father, pianist/composer, Mal Waldron (“He’s My Father”) and Always There”, which in addition to being her first U.S. release, was licensed by Columbia Records (Japan) and voted one of JazzUSA’s Top 20 Jazz CDs of 2006.
August 31: Eric Person Quartet
Renowned Saxophonist Eric Person continues to make a strong impression on the jazz scene. He has eleven CDs under his leadership, with his latest Blue Vison featuring his strong blues-inflected playing and composing. Eric’s work as a leader is stylistically diverse and intrepid. He has also performed with a broad range of performers such as jazz masters McCoy Tyner, Dave Holland, Chico Hamilton, Houston Person, Wallace Roney, and many others.
Hi,
I think ILTUWS may need to clarify some details on this. I followed the Lincoln Center BID link referenced in the article. Their site says the jazz sessions are at 2 Lincoln Square, between West 66th and West 65th Streets, not in Dante Park between West 63rd and West 64th Streets. It also says the sessions only happen on first and third Wednesdays, not weekly. I’m confused; who’s right?
Jack
Hi Jack — it looks like they’ve now updated their website to reflect that weekly performances will take place at Dante Park. https://lincolnsquarebid.org/news/summer-jazz-sensations-at-dante-park