The Charlie Parker Jazz Festival annually assembles some of the finest musicians in the world who reflect Parker’s musical individuality and genius and promote appreciation for this highly influential and world-renowned artist.
Featuring:
Cedar Walton Quartet
Cedar Walton is one of the most universally respected jazz pianists active today, having played in the bands of Lou Donaldson, Kenny Dorham, J.J. Johnson, Art Farmer, and Art Blakey, and recorded with Freddie Hubbard, John Coltrane, and Joe Henderson. As a player, Walton is a post-bopper whose solos can be pensive and exciting - often at the same time. In terms of consistency, lyricism, and tastefulness, he recalls Hank Jones and Tommy Flanagan. In addition to his abilities as an instrumentalist, Walton has amassed an impressive body of original compositions.
Papo Vazquez Pirates Troubadores
Papo Vazquez’s ability to fuse Afro-Caribbean rhythms, especially those from Puerto Rico and Cuba, with freer melodic and harmonic elements of progressive jazz has insured his popularity on many fronts. As a composer, Papo Vasquez showcased his talents on the soundtracks for the movies Free Enterprise, Mo’ Better Blues and The Mambo Kings, as well as on recordings for Ruben Blades and Hilton Ruiz. Papo Vazquez Pirates Troubadours boasts a twisted variation on traditional themes and use terms like Jibaro Waltz, Plena Funk, Bomba Jazz, and Mapeye Jazz to help describe their music.
Pyeng Threadgill
Singer-composer Pyeng Threadgill is making waves with her sultry voice and vivid compositions. Her third album Portholes To A Love & Other Short Stories is a group of original songs all based on short stories by world-renowned authors. From the lulling sensation of locomotion, to the secrets of the sea, to the hopeless romantic, to the immigrant experience, she uses lyrics lush in metaphor to depict a wondrous universe.
Dred Scott Trio
Dred Scott first earned his reputation as an innovative and eclectic pianist and multi-instrumentalist in San Francisco. He has recorded seven self-produced albums and has performed on over thirty-five others. Now based in New York City, Scott regularly performs with his own Dred Scott Trio, Jay Collins, Rene Risque, Carol Lipnik, Sasha Dobson, and the Bari Koral Family Band.
New York City, NY; NYC