Live Concert Photography: Capital One City ParKs Foundation SummerStage: Charlie Parker Jazz Festival Day 2: 8/23/25 feat. Branford Marsalis Quartet with Nicholas Payton, Bertha Hope Quartet, Georgia Heers and DJ Kultured Child
Over the past couple of decades, Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage has assembled a collection of some of the finest jazz musicians in the world, including an eclectic mix of legends, established musicians and up-and-coming talent, who reflect Charlie Parker‘s musical individuality and genius to celebrate both jazz and the legend himself with the annual Charlie Parker Jazz Festival.
The festival usually takes place near or around the legend’s birthday — August 29 — with shows located near where he lived and worked. The festival’s first two days features shows at Harlem’s gorgeous Marcus Garvey Park, a park and neighborhood that holds deep personal significance for me: As a young girl, my mom lived on West 120th Street and Fifth Avenue. And as young boy, my dad grew up about 30 blocks or so north. The festival’s final day features a show at Tompkins Square Park in the Lower East Side.
The festival’s first day — er, night — was headlined by the legendary Ron Carter, one of the most recorded musicians ever, and his big band. Opening the night was the charming April May Webb and her band. In case you missed it, you can check out photos here.
The festival’s second day was headlined by the restlessly creative and boundary pushing New Orleans legend Branford Marsalis and his quartet. The afternoon also featured sets from New Orleans’ finest and Grammy Award-winner, Nicholas Payton and his band; 88 year-old legend, Bertha Hope, whose quartet featured, as she proudly boasted an all-female rhythm section; the charming up-and-comer Georgia Heers; and a DJ set from DJ Kultured Child. Check out photos below.
Branford Marsalis Quartet
Nicholas Payton
Bertha Hope Quartet
Georgia Heers
DJ Kultured Child
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