Due to a dramatic drop in corporate and government arts funding as a result of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, this year’s edition of the annual, two-day Charlie Parker Jazz Festival will be the last for the foreseeable future. The festival had a good, ten-year run in New York, featuring former Parker collaborators as well as new talent. Says long-time festival producer Sam Turvey, “[The Charlie Parker Jazz Festival’s] funding base has always been fragile and post-9/11 funding cuts have resulted in a 35 to 40 percent shortfall. We simply can’t continue.”
But we still have this year, and the 10th annual festival takes place this weekend, August 24 and 25 in two Manhattan locations. The details:
Sat., Aug. 24 at Marcus Garvey Park, 5th Avenue at 122nd Street, 3-8 p.m.
The Hank Jones Trio w/ Special Guests
Jimmy Heath and Frank Wess
Jimmy Scott
Earl May Quintet featuring David Glasser & Catherine Russell
Ray Vega’s Latin Jazz Sextet
Sun., Aug. 25 at Tompkins Square Park/Charlie Parker Place,
St. Marks Place at Avenue A, 2-7 p.m.
Charles McPherson Quintet featuring Tom Harrell w/ special appearance by Jimmy Knepper
Winard Harper Sextet
Greg Osby Quartet featuring Jason Moran
Cobb’s Mob featuring Peter Bernstein & Jon Gordon
For more information contact Dan Forté at (201) 868-7525 or [email protected]
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