Charlie Parker Jazz Festival

Each year we assemble some of the finest musicians in the world who reflect Charlie Parker’s musical individuality and genius, to promote appreciation for this highly influential and world-renowned artist. This vibrant – and free – celebration of jazz in New York brings together stories, veteran players and the next generation of jazz artists.

In 2020, we celebrated the 100th birthday of Charlie Parker in the 28th iteration of the festival.

The Charlie Parker Jazz Festival

To celebrate Charlie Parker’s 100th birthday, we presented an all-day digital Charlie Parker Jazz Festival as a part of our SummerStage Anywhere digital series during the annual Charlie Parker Jazz Festival weekend on Saturday, August 28th.

This special day featured a celebration of Charlie Parker’s life and the festival with a visit to Tompkins Square Park; a conversation with Charlie Parker Jazz Festival founder Sam Turvey, jazz performers Jason Moran and Jaleel Shaw and many more; plus archived Charlie Parker Jazz Festival performances.

Visit our YouTube to watch on demand highlights from our digital celebration.

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Programming includes:

Past CPJF Recaps
SummerStage Anywhere Culture Talk: Sam Turvey / Jerome Jennings / Erika Elliott
2018 CPJF – Unheard Project interview with Executive Artistic Director, Erika Elliot spoke with Immanuel Wilkins, Ross, Artistic Director of The Jazz Gallery Rio Sakairi, and jazz promoter George Wein
SummerStage Anywhere Culture Talk: Sheila Jordan / Christian McBride
SummerStage Studio: Digital Tap class with Ayodele Casel
Charlie Parker At 100: A Celebration of Parker’s Birthday and the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival
and more!

Charlie Parker Jazz Festival

American jazz vibraphonist Milt Jackson (right,1923-1999) and pianist Hank Jones (1918-2010) perform together at the 3rd Annual Charlie Parker Jazz Festival in Tompkins Square Park, August 27, 1995 © 1995 Jack Vartoogian/FrontRowPhotos. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

American Jazz musician Roy Haynes leads his Quartet from the drums at the 7th Annual Charlie Parker Jazz Festival in Tompkins Square Park, Sunday, August 29, 1999. Photograph © 1999 Jack Vartoogian/FrontRowPhotos

Jazz pianist Kenny Barron performs with his Trio with Ray Drummond on upright acoustic bass and guest Lee Konitz on alto saxophone at the 3rd Annual Charlie Parker Jazz Festival in Tompkins Square Park Sunday, August 27, 1995. Photograph © 1995 Jack Vartoogian/FrontRowPhotos.

American Jazz composer, arranger, and musician Jimmy Heath leads his Big Band at the premiere of the newly updated version of his 2004 composition 'Bird is the Word' commissioned by City Parks Foundation at the 21st Annual Charlie Parker Jazz Festival in Marcus Garvey Park, Harlem, August 23, 2013.© 2013 Jack Vartoogian/FrontRowPhotos.

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