Summer Jazz Sensations 2025: The Rhythm Returns to Lincoln Square

We are excited to announce the return of Summer Jazz Sensations for the 2025 summer season! This free 13-week-long concert series will take place every Wednesday, June 25-September 17, from noon to 1:30pm in Dante Park (Broadway & 64th Street), with rain dates on the Friday immediately following each performance. Lincoln Square BID’s celebration of sound and summer features both established and up-and-coming artists and is the perfect way to celebrate the warmer months and the vibrant arts scene in Lincoln Square. In addition to sensational jazz performances, concertgoers can take part in a gentle stretch break, where instructors from the West Side YMCA will guide them through simple techniques. Select concerts will also feature delicious refreshments for sale by our neighborhood’s renowned eateries.

This year’s lineup of talented performers, curated by saxophonist Eric Person, includes:

June 25 – Antoinette Montague Experience
Antoinette Montague is a renowned vocalist and jazz advocate known for transforming any genre into blues or jazz. A Newark native, she's the founder of Jazz Woman to the Rescue and an active educator and board member with organizations like Jazzmobile and WBGO. With a mission to use music as a tool for empowerment, she teaches, performs, and hosts a radio show promoting artists across all stages of their careers. Her work bridges art and activism, bringing joy and justice to communities across the tri-state area and beyond. There will be light refreshments and snacks from Le Botaniste available for purchase at this concert.   

July 2 – Matt Chertkoff Trio
Guitarist Matt Chertkoff is a seasoned performer who has shared the stage with jazz greats like Jimmy Cobb and Freddy Cole and appeared on numerous recordings and international broadcasts. His global résumé includes performances at top festivals such as the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival and Saratoga Jazz Festival, showcasing his versatile artistry across genres and borders.

July 9 – Kathryn Farmer
Kathryn Farmer is a powerhouse jazz and R&B vocalist with a four-octave range and captivating stage presence. A seasoned performer, she's worked with jazz icons like James Carter and Tito Puente and toured globally with groups like The Klezmatics. Her voice evokes legends like Phyllis Hyman and Nancy Wilson, bringing soulful storytelling and musical mastery to every stage she graces. There will be light refreshments and snacks from Le Botaniste available for purchase at this concert.   

July 16 – McClenty Hunter Quartet
McClenty Hunter Jr. is an acclaimed jazz drummer, composer, and educator whose dynamic style and teaching have earned him accolades, including the NAACP Image Award. A Juilliard alum and longtime collaborator with jazz luminaries like Kenny Garrett and Christian McBride, he’s also released critically acclaimed albums and played major festivals worldwide. Hunter currently serves as Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Central Florida.

July 23 – Svetlana and The New York Collective
Led by dynamic vocalist Svetlana, this award-winning ensemble blends swing, jazz, and original works into energetic, joyful performances praised by The Wall Street Journal and Time Out. Their chart-topping album Night at the Movies and acclaimed live shows have made them a favorite at festivals and venues around the world, connecting with audiences through musical storytelling and top-tier musicianship.

July 30 – Trumpet Summit One: James Zollar, John Bailey & Kalí Rodríguez-Peña
This dynamic summit features three trumpet virtuosos. James Zollar, a longtime member of the Duke Ellington Orchestra, brings a rich career spanning decades and genres. John Bailey, a Grammy-winning collaborator of Ray Barretto and Ray Charles, is a respected bandleader and educator. Kalí Rodríguez-Peña, a Latin Grammy–nominated Cuban trumpeter, fuses Cuban roots with jazz mastery and has performed with icons like Wynton Marsalis and Esperanza Spalding. There will be light refreshments and snacks from Le Botaniste available for purchase at this concert.   

August 6 – Carla Cook and Friends
Grammy-nominated vocalist Carla Cook delivers swinging, soulful interpretations rooted in jazz tradition but infused with gospel, R&B, classical, and country influences. A Detroit native and Juilliard faculty member, she’s recorded acclaimed albums, performed with legends like Lionel Hampton and Wynton Marsalis, and continues to inspire as both performer and educator around the world.

August 13 – Jeremy Carlstedt
Drummer and composer Jeremy Carlstedt blends jazz, rock, and experimental influences into a bold, distinctive sound. A protégé of Chico Hamilton and a mainstay of New York’s creative scene, Carlstedt has toured internationally, released multiple acclaimed solo albums, and collaborated with a wide range of artists, earning recognition as an innovative force in modern music.

August 20 – Tenor Madness: Jason Marshall and Keith Loftis
Saxophonists Jason Marshall and Keith Loftis bring powerful, soulful energy to the stage. Marshall has worked with legends like Aretha Franklin and Wynton Marsalis and released several acclaimed albums. Loftis, known for his lyrical style, has performed with artists from Ray Charles to The Baylor Project and Christian McBride. Together, they offer a dynamic celebration of jazz tradition and innovation. There will be light refreshments and snacks from Le Botaniste available for purchase at this concert.   

August 27 – Emily Braden Quartet
Emily Braden, winner of NYC’s Jazzmobile Vocal Competition and a two-time U.S. Arts Envoy, blends jazz, soul, and pop with emotional depth and vocal power. Based in Harlem, the Boise-born singer has lit up stages like Birdland and Blue Note and released her celebrated album Cannon & Sparrow in 2023.

September 3 – Person2Person: Eric Person and Houston Person
Person2Person unites saxophonists Eric Person and Houston Person in a rich blend of jazz, gospel, and blues. Eric brings decades of genre-crossing experience and twelve recordings as a leader, while Houston is a jazz legend with over 150 albums and a storied career alongside Etta Jones. Together, they create timeless, soulful music rooted in deep mutual respect.

September 10 – Lucy Yeghiazaryan Trio
Lucy Yeghiazaryan is a rising star in straight-ahead jazz, known for her rich vocals and heartfelt interpretations. Born in Armenia and raised on contraband jazz records, she immigrated to the U.S. and quickly gained recognition, performing with top jazz artists and releasing five acclaimed albums, including 2024’s Beside the Golden Door. There will be light refreshments and snacks from Le Botaniste available for purchase at this concert.   

September 17 – Bobby Harden
Bobby Harden is NYC’s soulful showman, best known as the lead singer of the Original Blues Brothers Band. With his Soul Purpose Band, he’s performed globally, opened for legends like Solomon Burke, and held court at iconic venues like Carnegie Hall. Inducted into the NY Blues Hall of Fame, Harden delivers electrifying performances filled with heart, history, and soul.

The fun doesn’t stop there. Enhance your Summer Jazz Sensations experience by diving into all Lincoln Square has to offer! Our comprehensive Neighborhood Guide features all the must-see spots to explore before or after the show.

Get ready for unforgettable afternoons in Dante Park all summer long!