Summer Jazz Sensations: Bigger and Better in 2024

Our popular Summer Jazz Sensations is back for the 2024 season with 14 performances. Every Wednesday from noon to 1:30pm beginning on June 19 and running through September 18, take in the music at Dante Park (Broadway and W 64th Street). Lunchtime on Wednesdays is about to become your favorite time of the week!

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

June 19: Dave Stryker Trio - Guitarist Dave Stryker gets around. You might have heard him leading his own group or as a featured soloist with many of the masters of jazz. Gary Giddins in the Village Voice called him "one of the most distinctive guitarists to come along in recent years.” Stryker grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, moved to New York City in 1980, and joined organist Jack McDuff’s group (1984-85). From 1986 to 1995, Stryker played with tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine. He has also performed with Freddie Hubbard, James Moody, Dizzy Gillespie, Jimmy Smith, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Jimmy Heath, Kevin Mahogany, Eliane Elias, Joe Lovano, Steve Slagles, and many others. His CD As We Are made Best of 2022 in Downbeat Readers Poll, Jazz Times, and many others, and hit #1 for 2 weeks on the JazzWeek Radio chart. Groove Street is Dave’s most recent CD and features Bob Mintzer on tenor sax along with his working trio of Jared Gold on organ and McClenty Hunter on drums. The trio recently opened up for Steely Dan’s 2022 Summer tour. There will be light refreshments and snacks from Le Botaniste available for purchase at this concert.

June 26: Shirley Crabbe Quartet - Shirley Crabbe sings songs that speak to the heart from a repertoire replete with lyrics worth listening to. She draws inspiration from a wide range of genres native to North and South America and her Caribbean heritage. Through the art of song and story, she creates a musical perspective that fuses these rich and enduring styles with the vibrant sounds of jazz. In 2018, her sophomore release, Bridges, reached 48 on JazzWeek's National Radio Chart. In 2019, Bridges won the New York Bistro Award for Outstanding Recording. Shirley has appeared at some of New York's prestigious jazz venues, including Birdland, Kitano, Minton's, Zinc Bar, and the Lenox Lounge. She has performed and collaborated with jazz luminaries Houston Person, Harold Mabern, bassist Jamil Nasser, Donald Vega, David Budway, and Ron Blake.

July 3: Bill Ware & The Club Bird All-Stars - Vibraphonist and composer Bill Ware has performed with Steely Dan, the Jazz Passengers, Groove Collective, Marc Ribot, Deborah Harry, Mavis Staples, Elvis Costello, Jimmy Scott, Bob Dorough, and many others. Born in East Orange, New Jersey, Ware is a graduate of Montclair State University, where he majored in Music Theory and Composition and soon after studied jazz at the Harlem Jazzmobile Workshop under the tutelage of Barry Harris. Bill has made inroads as a composer in both contemporary classical music, composing three classical symphonies, multiple concerti, numerous soundtracks, and several hybrid classical/jazz projects. In 2019, he composed an original score for the animated German silent film by Charlotte “Lotte” Reiniger, The Adventures of Prince Achmed (1926), and in 2021, he composed and created a new original score for The Spanish Dancer (1923), a costume drama set in the Spanish court of King Philip the Fourth starring Pola Negri, commissioned by Milestone Films and the Eye Film Museum. All About Jazz described Ware’s approach on vibraphone as having “…the touch of a resilient, serpentine stylist, a master of quiet spectacle.”

July 10: Steve Kroon Sextet with special guest Carla Cook - Harlem-born percussionist Steve Kroon has been a professional musician for more than 50 years. In 1957, his family moved to St. Albans, Queens. The experience of being raised in Queens was quite influential to him. At the time, many great jazz and R&B artists lived in his neighborhood. From the legendary bandleader and pianist Count Basie to saxophonists Lester Young and Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis. With so much diversity and style, Steve’s appreciation of all forms of music began in those early years. Over the years, Steve has recorded and performed with a “Who's Who” of music legends. He performed extensively with vocalist Luther Vandross from 1981 to 2001, as well as jazz saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, bassist Ron Carter, and vocalists Roberta Flack, Aretha Franklin, Diana Krall, and Tony Bennett, among others. He has released six CDs under his leadership, with his latest, In Your Dreams, receiving great reviews and radio play.  Steve’s performing ensemble is a high-energy Latin jazz sextet that performs a blend of jazz, Afro-Cuban, and Brazilian music. The ensemble also features special guest vocalist Carla Cook. There will be light refreshments and snacks from Le Botaniste available for purchase at this concert.

POTPONED July 17 July 19: Pat Bianchi Trio - As a modern ambassador of the Hammond B3 organ, Pat Bianchi is no stranger to the classic organ trio setting. The Grammy-nominated organist was a longtime member of the trio led by late guitar icon Pat Martino, as well as NEA Jazz Master Lou Donaldson's Quartet. He also shares his deep knowledge of the music’s history as host of the weekly Sirius XM show Organized. Bianchi has never been afraid to take the organ in new directions. His playing draws from a wide range of musical influences, including organists Joey DeFrancesco and Dr. Lonnie Smith, but also encompasses other instrumentalists and approaches that stretch beyond the Hammond B-3 world. As a leader, Bianchi has toured extensively through the United States and Europe. Recently, on three East Coast tours, his trio has opened for the Steely Dan Band. In addition to being a prolific bandleader, Pat has also enjoyed membership in the bands of some of the most revered artists in jazz, including Pat Martino, Lou Donaldson, Ralph Peterson Jr., and Chuck Loeb. Pat’s latest CD release is titled Three. There will be light refreshments and snacks from Cafe Paradiso available for purchase at this concert.

POSTPONED July 24 July 26: Eric Walentowicz Group with special guest Bronte Roman - Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Eric Walentowicz started playing saxophone professionally at age thirteen. He won several scholarships to attend the Interlochen Arts summer programs in Interlochen, Michigan. He went on to study at the University of Miami (Coral Gables, FL) and the University of North Texas. Eric keeps a busy performance schedule, leading his own bands and performing with others. He has performed with the legendary Johnny Mathis. In addition to his instrumental work, Eric is a celebrated songwriter. He was a finalist in the 2019 and 2020 international/USA Songwriting Competition in the jazz category, as well as a finalist in 2020's John Lennon Songwriting Contest and the Great American Song Contest. Eric’s ensemble will feature special guest vocalist Bronte Roman. There will be light refreshments and snacks from Cafe Paradiso available for purchase at this concert.

July 31: Lezlie Harrison Quartet - As a vocalist, Lezlie Harrison is both bold and subtle; her vulnerability attends to the fragile matters of our collective human affairs, while her optimistic momentum inspires us to rise above any tribulation and to rejoice. Whether it is jazz, blues, gospel, soul, the great American songbook, original compositions, or any other song form, Lezlie will imbue it with her distinctive voice and make a very personal delivery to the listener. Her versatility can also be heard on her regular radio spot on WBGO, where she is the host of her Come Sunday radio show. Lezlie, along with Janis Siegal, hosts Singers Unlimited, where her love and pride for America's only musical art form is on display. Her latest release is titled Let Them Talk. There will be light refreshments and snacks from Le Botaniste available for purchase at this concert.

August 7: Gabriele Tranchina Band - Gabriele Tranchina is a vocalist whose music is peaceful and exhilarating at the same time. It is like Ella Fitzgerald’s love and joyfulness, along with Flora Purim’s connection to the Earth. Some call it Latin jazz, others call it Brazilian jazz, and still others World-Influenced jazz. Connecting it all is Gabriele's mission in life. Hers is an unapologetic, nostalgic, retro style. Taking in Gabriele's music is like tasting a combination of cuisines that they have never experienced before - sweet, hot, and spicy tones. Gabriele grew up in Darmstadt, Germany. She left home at an early age to travel, journeying throughout Europe and the Far East. She is comfortable singing in German, Brazilian Portuguese, Spanish, French, Italian, and English, so a strong international influence is never far away. In recent years, her albums have covered traditional tunes, new compositions (mostly by her husband and collaborator Joe Vincent), and world music. On her latest CD, Of Sailing Ships and the Stars in Your Eyes, Gabriele's warm and inviting personality shines throughout.

August 14: Kenny Davis Quartet – Bassist and composer Kenny Davis is a native of Chicago, Illinois. His introduction to music began with him listening to great R&B artists such as Earth, Wind & Fire, Brothers Johnson, and The Temptations. Later, he went on to study music at Northeastern Illinois University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education. At Northeastern University, Kenny discovered jazz music and soon became a fixture on the local jazz scene. Davis was in demand, performing with Chicago legends such as Von Freedman, Ari Brown, and Fred Anderson. Davis moved to New York in 1986, where he performed with the band Out of the Blue (OTB). In New York, he began appearing with such jazz artists Freddie Hubbard, Cassandra Wilson, and Abbey Lincoln. Davis toured with Herbie Hancock, Dianne Reeves, and Art Farmer. He would go on to become the bassist of The Tonight Show Band from September 1999 through March 2002. In May 2006, Davis received his Master in Music (MA) from Rutgers University. He was the bass teacher at the University of Connecticut (UCONN) from 2003 through 2009. Kenny released his first CD under his leadership, titled Kenny Davis, on Daken Records.

August 21: Ron Jackson Trio with special guest Ashley Pizzotti - Seven-string jazz guitarist and composer Ron Jackson  has performed, recorded, and taught music in over 30 countries. As a leader, he has performed around the world and has been featured at the North Sea Jazz Festival, Edinburgh Jazz Festival, AAPI Jazz Festival in Newark, NJ, and the Super Jazz Ashdod in Israel. As a musician, Jackson has mastered the six-, seven-, and twelve-string guitars and plays other fretted string instruments like the ukulele, banjo, and electric bass. As a recording artist, Jackson has had a successful recording career, releasing eight albums. Beginning with the chart-topping Guitar Thing (1991) and Flubby Dubby (2008), which was recorded live with his Hammond Organ trio. His most recent release, a Jazzweek “Top 100 album,” Standards And Other Songs (2019), was his first as a leader on seven-string guitar, incorporating traditional standards and jazz reimagining of radio-friendly pop songs, like Drake’s “Passionfruit.” Ron’s latest CD is titled Standards and My Songs (2022). Ron Jackson features special guest vocalist Ashley Pizzotti.. There will be light refreshments and snacks from Le Botaniste available for purchase at this concert.

August  28: Duane Eubanks Quartet - Trumpeter/composer Duane Eubanks is a multi-talented brassman whose fiery blasts and sweet, distinctive sound carry his horn into a musical space that often defies categorization. There’s a gritty soul and passion that emphatically captures his Philadelphia roots on his most recent pair of albums under his leadership, Things of that Particular Nature and “DE3-Live at Maxwell’s. From 1994-96, Duane studied jazz in master classes at Temple University with the legendary Dr. Billy Taylor. In 1996, Duane moved to New York, where he was selected by pianist Mulgrew Miller to join his ensemble Wingspan. Bassist/bandleader Dave Holland invited him to play in his big band on a pair of Grammy award-winning albums. He recorded and performed with Elvin Jones, John Hicks, Curtis Fuller, Louis Hayes, Randy Brecker, Avery Sharpe, and Nicholas Payton. Eubank’s first recording as a trumpeter came on brother Robin’s deft trombone session 4: JJ/Slide/Curtis & Al. Duane’s pungent sound and impassioned playing led to his own acclaimed debut, My Shining Hour (1999), followed by Second Take. Two years of private lessons with trumpeter Johnny Coles began Duane’s parallel interest in jazz as both a musician and educator.

September 4: David Janeway Quintet - Jazz pianist and composer David Janeway grew up in Detroit, where he was heavily influenced by Motown and local jazz musicians Marcus Belgrave and Harold McKinney. In 1978, David moved to New York City, where he studied with pianist Albert Dailey. Janeway performed with many Latin-Jazz bands and mainstream jazz artists Art Farmer, Michal Urbaniak, Jr. Cook, Sonny Fortune, Tom Harrell, Valery Ponomarev, Dakota Staton, and many others. Starting in 1986, David released a succession of well-received records: Entry Point, Inside Out, and Excursion. His latest release, Distant Voices, was released in 2021 on Steeplechase Records and features his working trio with Cameron Brown on bass and Billy Hart on drums. Since he arrived in New York City, Janeway has performed extensively on the New York City jazz club scene. He has performed both as a leader and sideman at Sweet Basil, Birdland, Visiones, Zanzibar, The Jazz Forum, Maureen’s, and Mezzrow. He has performed at many other venues and festivals throughout the United States and Europe.

September 11: Cynthia Scott with special guest Houston Person - Cynthia Scott is a Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist known for her work as one of Ray Charles’s “Raelettes” and for her subsequent solo career. Born in El Dorado, Arkansas, Scott started singing at the age of four and was exposed to a wide variety of music. In 1971, Scott moved to Dallas, Texas, where she became one of American Airlines’ first African-American stewardesses. Cynthia spent her leisure time performing with Dallas jazz regulars such as James Clay, Claude Johnson, Roger Boykin, Onzy Matthews, Marchel Ivery, and Red Garland. The following year, she received an early morning call from Ray Charles, who asked her to perform with him. She performed as a Raelette for two years. Scott went on to sing with a few of Charles’s band members: Hank Crawford, Marcus Belgrave, Leroy Cooper, and David “Fathead” Newman. Cynthia performed in Dallas until the late 1980s. After She moved to New York City, Scott completed her bachelor's and master’s degrees from the Manhattan School of Music. Scott headlined at Birdland and Iridium and was a featured vocalist at the Supper Club in Times Square for ten years. She worked with Lionel Hampton, Cab Calloway, and Wynton Marsalis. Scott has released five albums. Cynthia Scott features special guest tenor saxophonist Houston Person. There will be light refreshments and snacks from Le Botaniste available for purchase at this concert.               

September 18: Eric Person & Rhythm Edge - Saxophonist and composer Eric Person returns to Dante Park to celebrate the release of his twelfth CD, Rhythm Edge. For this performance, Person has decided to name the ensemble after the CD. He will play music from bothRhythm Edge and his previous 2022 release, Blue Vision. Critics have long taken note of Eric’s signature sound on alto and soprano saxophone. John Chacona of Signal to Noise writes, “Eric cultivates a sheer beauty of sound that’s often breathtaking.” Bill Milkowski called Person “a risk-taking improviser, accomplished composer, and inveterate swinger.” Eric’s body of work as a leader and sideman is stylistically diverse and intrepid. He has performed and recorded with leaders within the vanguard of the jazz world, namely McCoy Tyner, Dave Holland, and Wallace Roney, and others outside of jazz, such as Bootsy Collins, Ben Harper, Vernon Reid, and Living Colour. Don’t miss this exciting final performance of the series!

Grab lunch at one of our local eateries or purchase light refreshments at some of the performances (see above for more information and stay tuned for updates). If you're a local eatery and would like to join us, please let us know - just send us an email at info@lincolnsquarebid.org or call us at 212-581-3774. 

Spend more time in the district before or after concerts, too. We have a robust Neighborhood Guide with everywhere you could want to explore in Lincoln Square.

We look forward to seeing you each week this summer in Dante Park!

Special thanks to City Council Member Gale Brewer and the City Council for supporting the Summer Jazz Sensations concert series.