The City Parks Foundation has announced the 2024 season of SummerStage, the performing arts festival featuring 85 free and benefit shows in Central Park and 13 neighborhood parks across the five boroughs. Now in its 38th year, the series features nearly every musical and performing arts genre, including jazz, which is represented primarily by the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival. That annual free event will be held August 23-25 at the usual locations of Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem and Tompkins Square Park in the East Village. Among the headliners during the three-day festival are the Christian McBride Big Band and Wallace Roney, Jr. (presented in partnership with Jazzmobile), Carmen Lundy, Louis Hayes, Kurt Elling & Charlie Hunter’s SuperBlue with the HunterTones, and Helen Sung with Isaiah Collier & the Chosen Few. In addition, DJ KulturedChild aka Angelika Beener (host of the Milestones podcast on WBGO) will provide her signature sounds.
Opening night of the season, Saturday, June 1, will feature a free concert by Andra Day in association with the Blue Note Jazz Festival as part of the 2024 Subaru Music Series. On June 13, the Sun Ra Arkestra will appear with indie rock icon Kim Gordon (formerly with Sonic Youth) in one of the free shows in Central Park. In addition, among the ticketed shows in Central Park is a performance by Robert Glasper with Yebba on August 1.
“We are thrilled to once again celebrate the vibrant diversity of New York City’s cultures and communities across all five boroughs,” said Erika Elliott, Executive Artistic Director of SummerStage in a press release received by WBGO. “Our lineup will shine a bright spotlight on some of music’s most iconic female artists who have made an impact in their genres, from rock and New Orleans soul scions to Dominican merengue and Brazilian samba legends. We are continuing to support rising artists from around the world who are showcasing their fresh takes on various genres like hip-hop, Americana, rock, Latin, pop, and more. 2024 promises to be an unforgettable season!”
Learn more about the SummerStage Festival at www.summerstage.org
