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.
The Charlie Parker Jazz Festival, New York City’s annual salute to the eponymous late saxophonist, will return for its 34th year as a three-day celebration of live jazz in the neighborhoods where Parker worked and lived, Harlem’s historic Marcus Garvey Park and Tompkins Square Park in the East Village. Running August 28-30, the festival will feature a blend of renowned artists alongside an emerging wave of jazz performers, including the world renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, esteemed jazz saxophonist/composer Joshua Redman, distinguished jazz saxophonist and composer Ravi Coltrane, and many others. Additional ancillary jazz events will be held across the city, with more performers to be announced in the coming months.
Check back soon for upcoming Charlie Parker Jazz Festival events.
To celebrate Charlie Parker’s 100th birthday in 2020, 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.
This special program 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.
Programming includes:
Generous private support for the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival is provided by The Thompson Family Foundation, The Charles and Lucille King Family Foundation, The Shubert Organization, and the NYU Community Fund. This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council; the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature; Harlem Community Development Corporation; Public support is also provided by NYC Council under the leadership of Speaker Adrienne Adams, with special thanks to Council Member Carlina Rivera. Supporting Sponsor Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. SummerStage extends its gratitude to Joe Killian, Founder and Executive Producer of SummerStage (1986–1993).
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