Summer Concert Recap

The Lincoln Square BID had some serious fun this summer! It was the best year yet for Summer Jazz Sensations, our weekly concert series. Nearly every Wednesday at noon, from June 21 through August 30, Dante Park was full, as locals and visitors alike joined us for highly enjoyable jazz performances.

The program, curated by saxophonist Eric Person, included jazz music of all types, from Latin to electric and everything in between. Some concerts were smooth, while others were soulful, but all were sensational. Some of the acts had graced our stage before, like Eric Person, joined this time by his band Soul Saturation, and Bronte Roman, this time with her Latin Jazz and Pop Band, but most of the artists were new. The newcomers included Cilla Owens and Smooth Sailing, the Brian Charette Trio, the Mike Jackson Trio, Neil Alexander and Mr.Gone, the Tony Jefferson Quartet, the Bryan Carrott Quartet, the Marcus Persiani Trio, the Kent Miller Quartet, and the Ron Jackson Trio.

Another star in the series? Our very own Dante Park. The park’s spacious, shaded area and beautiful foliage set the perfect scene for the concerts each week. Brought to life by the music and crowd, Dante Park has become the heart of our district and a special place for our community to come together. During the concerts, local eateries, including Wonder, Le Botaniste, P.J. Clarke's, and Café Paradiso, offered attendees refreshing and delicious treats for purchase. The West Side Y joined too, with a representative from the YMCA leading audience members in gentle stretch yoga during intermission breaks.

This spectacular series would not have been possible without funding from Council Member Gale Brewer and without our wonderful community. We appreciate everyone who came to our Summer Jazz Sensations performances. You all made our neighborhood feel like the vibrant community that it is. We can’t wait to see you all again next year for what we hope will be an expanded concert series!

If you’d like to see some fabulous photos from the Summer Jazz Sensations concerts as well as of our stunning streetscape and beautification, click here.

Photo Credit: Carlos Alayo