Jimmy Heath to Debut New Work at Bird Fest

New York City’s 2004 Charlie Parker Jazz Festival is scheduled to take place on Sat., Aug. 21 at Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem and Sun., Aug. 22 at Tompkins Square Park in the East Village. This 12th annual installment of the festival will feature a lineup that includes saxophonist Jimmy Heath (pictured), who will be debuting his composition “Bird is the Word,” a piece commissioned by City Parks Foundation for the event. Other artists appearing include vocalist Vanessa Rubin, drummer Terri Lyne Carrington, alto saxophonist Kenny Garrett, pianist/vocalist Rachel Z and more. Both days of performances are free to the public.

In the spring of 2003, City Parks Foundation announced that it would take over the festival when the original organizers announced they could no longer sustain it. The Charlie Parker Jazz Festival is presented under the auspices of City Parks Foundation for the second consecutive year.

The influence that saxophonist Charlie Parker bestowed upon his fellow musicians and listeners is incalculably valuable. His rhythmic and harmonic inventions, partly responsible for the creation of bebop, can be heard coming from the instruments of musicians around the world. The Charlie Parker Jazz Festival annually assembles some of the finest musicians in the world who reflect Parker’s musical individuality and genius, to promote appreciation for this highly influential and world-renowned artist. The two days of concerts take place in the neighborhoods where Parker himself lived and worked.

12TH ANNUAL CHARLIE PARKER JAZZ FESTIVAL LINEUP

Saturday, August 21, 3pm, Marcus Garvey Park

Jimmy Heath

Donald Harrison

Vanessa Rubin

Rachel Z

Sunday, August 22, 3pm, Tompkins Square Park

Jimmy Heath

Frank Morgan

Kenny Garrett

Terri Lyne Carrington

Directions to Marcus Garvey Park: Located just south of the 125th Street shopping corridor along the axis of Fifth Avenue in Central Harlem, Marcus Garvey Park is easily accessible by public transportation. Take the 7th Avenue Express number 2 or 3 trains; the Lexington Avenue number 4, 5 or 6 trains; or Metro North to 125th Street. The M1 bus passes along the park and the M7, M60, M98, M100, M101, M102 and Bx15 buses all stop just a short walk away.

Directions to Tompkins Square Park: Located between 7th to 10th streets in the East Village, Manhattan, between Avenue A & B. Take the L train to First Avenue. Walk South and East.

for more info on the City Parks Foundation, visit www.cityparksfoundation.org

Originally Published August 14, 2004