The Lincoln Square Business Improvement District (BID) announced today the return of its FREE lunchtime summer concert series – Lincoln Square BID’s Summer Jazz Sensations – featuring “new sounds in a new location” on summer Wednesdays from Noon to 1:30 PM from July 6 to August 31, 2022. The outdoor performances will be held in Dante Park, Broadway between 63rd & 64th Streets, which is ideally located in the heart of the Lincoln Square district.

The summer concert series coincides with a noticeable increase in visitor traffic, and many new business openings bringing people to the Upper West Side seeking arts and culture in the outdoors.

After a successful series of holiday performances in Dante Park, Lincoln Square BID’s Summer Jazz Sensations are the first live performances the business improvement district will host during the summer since before the pandemic. The return of this series to Lincoln Square celebrates the neighborhood’s rich musical culture in a jewel like park in the heart of Lincoln Square. The BID has added more tables and chairs to this great outdoor venue and encourages people to “lunch and listen” to an eclectic line up.

“Reimagining our outdoor lunchtime Summer Concert Series to bring live jazz to Dante Park is a celebration of Lincoln Square and the musical legacy of the neighborhood. We hope New Yorkers and visitors alike will enjoy this summer series with a number of local and talented jazz musicians curated by saxophonist Eric Person.” said Monica Blum, President of the Lincoln Square Business Improvement District. “I invite everyone to grab lunch or coffee and a tasty pastry and head over to Dante Park for an early afternoon of lively music.”

Summer Jazz Sensations is sponsored by the BID and features several New York based musicians, shining a light on the Big Apple’s large pool of local musical talent. In the event of rain, concerts will be held on the Friday immediately following each Wednesday performance. The full Summer 2022 lineup includes:

July 6
Gabriele Tranchina Band – The first performer kicking off Summer Jazz Sensations has a background that matches the colorful sounds of the Lincoln Square. Gabriele Tranchina is a jazz singer whose music is peaceful and exhilarating at the same time. The texture of the music is transcendent and an emotional connection is Gabriele’s priority with every note she sings. Some call it Latin Jazz, others call it Brazilian Jazz, and still others World-Influenced jazz.

July 13
Greg Skaff Trio – From the soulful to the swinging, Greg Skaff has earned a reputation as one of the premiere guitarists in modern jazz. A Kansas native, the New York-based Skaff got his start with a five-year tenure in sax titan Stanley Turrentine’s band and has gone on to work with many of the music’s most legendary names. On his latest album, Polaris (SMK Jazz), Skaff fronts a trio featuring jazz icons Ron Carter and Albert “Tootie” Heath.

July 20
Darrell Green Quartet – Darrell Green is one of the most sought-after drummers on the jazz scene today. As a prolific sideman, bandleader, educator, clinician, composer and producer, Darrell developed his mastery in the heart of Oakland, California, and developed a style rooted in modern post-bop, but retains elements of his gospel and classical lineage. He also co-leads a collaborative project with vocalist and saxophonist Camille Thurman.

July 27
Luke Franco Quartet – Guitarist Luke Franco purveys the rich tradition of jazz guitar by gleaning from the masters, both past and present. Formative years spent with John Abercrombie—his main influence and one of the great innovators—led Franco to develop his own compositional voice. While pursuing a Doctorate of Musical Arts at the University of Miami, he was a teacher’s Assistant in John Hart’s talented and ambitious guitar studio and performed as a featured soloist with the award-winning Concert Jazz Band led by Grammy winner Jon Daversa alongside guest artists, including Gonzalo Rubalcaba and Alan Ferber.

August 3
George Gray Jazz Coalition – George Gray is a world renowned drummer and song writer born and raised in Baltimore, MD. After college, George became a member of the R&B group Pockets that was produced by Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire, which was the beginning of George’s musical career. He has performed with a who’s who list of legends, such as Donald Byrd, Angela Bofill, Eartha Kitt, Chuck Berry, and George Benson.

August 10
The Professors – The Professors are Mark Dziuba, Vinnie Martucci, Jeff “Siege” Siegel & Rich Syracuse. Their life’s work is defined by the creation and performing of great music and sharing their lifetimes of performing and teaching experiences with upcoming aspiring jazz musicians. Coming together for the first time as a unit in 1994 on guitarist Mark Dziuba’s CD release “Up Until Now”, the unit officially formalized as a quartet once bassist Rich Syracuse joined the other three Professors faculty at SUNY New Paltz in 2015.

August 17
KJ Denhert Jazz Project – KJ Denhert is an award-winning songwriter, guitarist, vocalist, and bandleader living in Ossining, New York. She is a consummate artist with a rich history; a legend of Urban Folk & Jazz who channels a wide range of influences to create something completely unique. KJ performs at venues around the world and locally, she performed for over two decades at the legendary 55 Bar in Greenwich Village. She has 10 CDs under her leadership with her latest titled Destiny. Look out for a new release in 2023.

August 24
Mala Waldron Quartet – Mala Waldron is a vocalist/pianist/composer born in NYC who balances shows across the globe. Her featured recordings include her CD debut, Lullabye, tribute to godmother, Billie Holiday, a duo project with her father, pianist/composer, Mal Waldron (“He’s My Father”) and Always There”, which in addition to being her first U.S. release, was licensed by Columbia Records (Japan) and voted one of JazzUSA’s Top 20 Jazz CDs of 2006.

August 31
Eric Person Quartet – Renowned Saxophonist Eric Person continues to make a strong impression on the jazz scene. He has eleven CDs under his leadership, with his latest Blue Vison featuring his strong blues-inflected playing and composing. Eric’s work as a leader is stylistically diverse and intrepid. He has also performed with a broad range of performers such as jazz masters McCoy Tyner, Dave Holland, Chico Hamilton, Houston Person, Wallace Roney, and many others.

For more information on the Lincoln Square BID, neighborhood activities, openings and offerings, and a robust neighborhood guide featuring the area’s culinary and cultural offerings, please visit www.lincolnsquarebid.org.