Jazzmobile is proud to mark their 60th anniversary season with a celebration of The Harlem Renaissance and National Endowment for the arts Jazz Master Jimmy Heath (1926-2019). Heath worked closely with NEA Jazz Master Dr. Billy Taylor in the creation of Jazzmobile’s SUMMERFEST, NYC’s longest running jazz festival.
The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural, social, and artistic movement centered in Harlem, New York, during the 1920s and 1930s, celebrating African American culture, music, art, and literature. Jazz, big bands, and swing dancing were central to the Harlem Renaissance. It brought people together, and helped break racial barriers through music and performance. In the 1940’s Heath became an important part of the Harlem Jazz scene and was deeply influenced by the legacy of the Harlem Renaissance and artists like Duke Ellington and Lester Young.
Jimmy Heath was, and his music remains, an important contribution to Harlem’s ongoing jazz legacy! On June 14th Jazzmobile will bring that energy to Bryant Park with the Jimmy Heath Big Band. Everyone is sure to enjoy this evening of hard bop and swing – both, forms of, America’s classical music Jazz - under the evening sky in Bryant Park!
Jazzmobile's mission is to present, preserve, promote and propagate America's classical music, Jazz. Founded in 1964 by National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master, pianist, Dr. Billy Taylor and philanthropist and arts administrator, Ms. Daphne Anstein, Jazzmobile is the first U.S. not-for-profit arts and cultural organization created just for Jazz. Since the beginning, Jazzmobile has been bringing high quality Jazz performances and education programs to area residents, tourists and other visitors, reaching over 4,000,000 people living or visiting New York City. Their national programs have brought them to other cities in the US; and the 'Super Jazz Band' had us touring cities in Europe and Japan. Whether on the street, in a park or at a major concert hall here or abroad, Jazzmobile works in partnership with like-minded organizations to present high quality Jazz performances that enrich the culture and imbue new life into the surrounding area.
Bryant Park lends out hundreds of free blankets on a first-come, first-served basis, or bring your own cotton or fleece blanket. To protect the lawn, please do not sit on waterproof materials such as plastic tarps, yoga mats, or inflatable chairs.
Take a seat in one of the pre-set chairs on the lawn or grab a chair from the gravel. You can use a chair anywhere in the park except for the center lawn "blanket zone".
Bring your own picnic or purchase food and drinks from tents on the east side of the lawn. Attendees can enjoy cuisine from the five boroughs with a rotating line-up of artisanal vendors curated by Hester Street Fair.
Stout NYC also offers giant pretzels, gourmet popcorn and other light bites as well as a selection of beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages for purchase.
Visit the Bryant Park Shop tent for exclusive Picnic Performances merchandise and more!
Find a parachute, hula hoops, and more fun on the east side of the lawn at select events.
Dogs are welcome on the gravel and bluestone, but not on the lawn.
Performances are cancelled when it is unsafe to be outdoors. In some cases, the lawn may be too wet to open but the performance may continue. Follow @bryantparknyc on Twitter and Instagram for day-of event updates. You can also check the lawn status on the bryantpark.org homepage.
Bryant Park Picnic Performances presented by Bank of America is a free outdoor festival that welcomes all New Yorkers to experience the city’s vibrant arts and culture. The series provides a platform for extraordinary artists and serves as a vital outdoor venue for a wide array of New York’s cultural institutions.
