The Charlie Parker Jazz Festival, New York City’s annual salute to the eponymous late saxophonist returns for its 32nd year for a three-day celebration of free live jazz performances in the neighborhoods near where Parker worked and lived, including Harlem’s historic Marcus Garvey Park and Tompkins Square Park in the East Village. Every year, premiere jazz musicians who reflect Parker’s musical vision assemble to honor the highly influential and world-renowned artist. This year’s lineup will bring together storied, veteran players and the next generation of jazz artists.  Before the festival proper, partner events across the city will celebrate jazz with film screenings, acoustic performances, after parties and much more.

Schedule:

3:00 p.m - 7:00 p.m: Charlie Parker Jazz Festival Night 2 at Marcus Garvey Park
Branford Marsalis Quartet, Nicholas Payton, Bertha Hope Quintet, Georgia Heers, DJ KulturedChild aka Angelika Beener
The Charlie Parker Jazz Festival celebrates the spirit of the late great saxophonist with shows uptown and downtown that highlight the past, present, and future of jazz music in New York City. The second show features: the legendary Branford Marsalis Quartet, headed by Grammy Award winner and Nea Jazz Master Branford Marsalis on saxophone, who has earned his reputation as a cornerstone of the jazz genre many times over, joined in the group by drummer Justin Faulkner, pianist Joey Calderazzo, and bassist Eric Revis, each icons in their own right; GRAMMY-winning trumpet player and multi-instrumentalist Nicholas Payton, who has released dozens of LPs as a bandleader, along with an eclectic collection of collaborations with the likes of Common (Electric Circus), Trey Anastasio, Ray Charles, Jill Scott, Herbie Hancock, and many more; The Bertha Hope Quintet, led by the titular jazz pianist and educator, who collaborated with her husband, the late Elmo Hope, and who is a 2025 recipient of Jazz Foundation of America’s inaugural Jazz Legacies Fellowship in partnership with the Mellon Foundation; and Georgia Heers, an ascendant jazz singer and Juilliard graduate who recently made her Broadway debut in "Good Night, and Good Luck." Multi-talented DJ and host of WBGO’s podcast Milestones DJ KulturedChild aka Angelika Beener is on the ones and twos.

All Ages
Free

3:00 p.m - 7:00 p.m: Mount Morris Park Community Improvement Association Presents "We’re Outside 2024 Art Exhibit" at Marcus Garvey Park Northwest Lawn. A pop-up exhibit of original artwork by 10 local artists co-hosted by Heath Gallery and Mount Morris Park Community Improvement Association in partnership with Harlem Grown’s Culture, Care and Creativity Initiative and the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival.

All Ages
Free