INWOOD JAZZ FESTIVAL
To assist the artistic communities of Inwood/Washington Heights and promote a treasured American art form, Isham Park Restoration Program 1970 Inc (IPRP 1970 Inc) & Bruce Reynolds Memorial Garden will present a free, one day outdoor jazz festival August 19, 2023.
Kevin Nathaniel Hylton & Spirit Ensemble
1:30pm – 2:15pm
Inwood Hill Park • 218th & Indian Road
The Spirit Ensemble has established itself as the primary source of music that traverses the African Diaspora. The enchanting sounds of the mbira, kora, bala, steel pan, and bamboo flute comprise the essênce of Spirit’s sound and provide the foundation for rhythmic travels. Spirit Ensemble! One of the very few bands ever to fuse the many facets of African Global Music seamlessly and make it all swing.
Annette A. Aguilar
2:30 – 3:15pm
Inwood Hill Park • 218th & Indian Road
Aguilar has played with a long line of rock, rhythm and blues, Latin jazz, and pop stars. She has performed: on Broadway, at Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, with the Grateful Dead, with members of Santana, and Sheila E. Annette A. Aguilar & StringBeans brings the Women in Latin Jazz Festival to the Inwood Jazz Festival!
Francisco Mela Ensemble
3:30 – 4:15pm
Inwood Hill Park • 218th & Indian Road
Francisco Mela is a favorite amongst jazz’s elite instrumentalists, among them Joe Lovano, John Scofield, JoAnne Bracken, Kenny Barron, Gary Bartz, Bobby Watson, and McCoy Tyner, all of whom cite his charisma, sophistication, and life-affirming spirit as an extension of his incredible talents as a composer and drummer.
Patience Higgins Ensemble
4:30 – 5:15pm
Inwood Hill Park • 218th & Indian Road
Patience Higgins is a multi-reed player who has toured and recorded with many incredible artists, including The Duke Ellington Orchestra, Count Basie Band, Ray Charles, Lionel Hampton, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Savion Glover, Pointer Sisters, Barry Harris, Jimmy Scott, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Muhal Richard Abrams, Charles Tolliver, T.S.Monk, Venesa Rubin and the Sugar Hill Quartet.
Billy Harper Quintet
5:30 – 6:15pm
Inwood Hill Park • 218th & Indian Road
Saxophonist and composer whose compositions bear comparison with more famous musicians such as Wayne Shorter and McCoy Tyner. He has performed as a longtime band member with leaders such as Art Blakey, Max Roach, Lee Morgan, and is a leader in his own right. This evening he will perform with Freddie Hendrix (pt), Francesca Tanksley (piano), Ben Young (bass), and Aaron Scott (drums).
JAM SESSION
Inwood Farm • 600 West 218th Street
Join us for an after-party and jam session at the INWOOD FARM, hosted by trumpeter Melvin Vines!
7 – 7:45pm Performance
8 – 8:45pm Jam Session
Inwood Farm • 218th & Indian Road
Melvin “Tiger” Vines Quintet, Trumpetist, composer, band leader, painter and sculptor Tiger has performed with Sun Ra Arkestra, Bassist Jymmie Merritt and others. The Harlem Jazz Machine, his former band, could be heard weekly for over a decade at Harlem’s world famous St. Nicks Pub & Paris Blues.
