June 22, July 13 & 27, 2018
This year we celebrate the music of a great American city, the legacy of a great American civil rights leader, and the timelessness of a great American masterpiece. With the glass-domed Conservatory as the backdrop, this innovative three-part series developed in collaboration with Catskill Jazz Factory and Absolutely Live Entertainment presents three glorious evenings showcasing a stunning array of dynamic jazz talent from across the globe.
Bring your blankets and low-back chairs and enjoy the best seat in the house on the scenic Conservatory Lawn. Before and after each concert, stroll through the exhibition, Georgia O’Keeffe: Visions of Hawai‘i.
Reserve a gourmet picnic box online to enjoy when you arrive. Light fare and beverages will also be available for purchase on-site.
5 p.m. | Doors Open
Until 7 p.m. | LuEsther T. Mertz Library Art Gallery open to view Georgia O’Keeffe’s Works
7–8:30 p.m. | Concert
Until 10:30 p.m. | Haupt Conservatory open for viewing of Hawai‘i exhibition
NYBG Shop open until 9 p.m.
Non-Member $48 / Member $43
Advance purchase recommended. Events are rain or shine.
Generous support provided by the Baisley Powell Elebash Fund
Media Partners:
Includes Corporate and Patrons
Master clarinetist Evan Christopher leads an all-star New Orleanian super group in celebration of the Crescent City’s Tricentennial and unparalleled musical imprint.
Learn More
Image by Lauren Desberg
Top jazz vocalist Brianna Thomas, joined by trombone legend Wycliffe Gordon, delivers a powerful tribute to the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through the works of two musical legends.
An American masterpiece takes on a 21st-century identity in this world premiere arrangement of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue with the Catskill Jazz Factory Collective led by Dominick Farinacci.
Co-Produced with Absolutely Live Entertainment & Catskill Jazz Factory
About Catskill Jazz Factory:
Named a “regional arts think tank” and “formidable jazz incubator” by Hudson Valley’s Almanac Weekly, and based in the heart of the Catskills, the Catskill Jazz Factory (CJF) is a dynamic jazz program founded in 2012 with an aim to support today’s best young jazz artists. CJF offers year-round school workshops, concerts, mountaintop residencies, lectures, and world-class performances in diverse spaces to a variety of regional audiences across the Hudson Valley by partnering with educational facilities, arts organizations, and a variety of local non-profits and businesses. CJF brings talent to new audiences in non-traditional venues for music, putting jazz where it hasn’t been before.
Previous programs boast collaborations with a number of world-class musicians, including pianists (and inaugural 2012-2013 CJF Artistic Director) Aaron Diehl, Marcus Roberts and Dan Tepfer, trombonists Wycliffe Gordon and Chris Washburne, and vocalists Brianna Thomas and Cecile McLorin Salvant.
About Absolutely Live Entertainment:
Absolutely Live Entertainment (ALE) is a festival, tour, and concert production company led by industry veteran Danny Melnick. In 2018, ALE will produce the 41st annual Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival, in Saratoga Springs, NY on June 23 & 24 in addition to many other events. ALE also manages acclaimed alto saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa.
Melnick is the former Artistic Director and Senior Producer at Festival Productions, Inc. where he played a central role in over 90 festivals in Europe, Japan, and the U.S. He was the Artistic Director for the 1999–2007 JVC Jazz Festivals in New York and for the Newport Jazz 50th Anniversary Festival in 2004.He proudly served as the Associate Producer of the Newport Jazz Festival from 2012-15 and as the Producer in 2016 & 2017. He is the Artistic Director of Carnegie Hall’s The Shape of Jazz series, which begins its 16th season at Zankel Hall.
Reserve a table at Hudson Garden Grill before the show, order a gourmet picnic box online to pick up and enjoy during the performance, or stop in at any one of several other dining options available during Summer Concert Evenings at the Garden.
Enjoy a pre-concert dinner at the Hudson Garden Grill by reserving on OpenTable.com. Last reservation is at 5:30 p.m.
Featuring selections for two from STARR Events, these picnic boxes are the perfect addition to your NYBG visit. Reserve online and pick them up before the performance to enjoy on the Conservatory Lawn.
Stop by the Visitor Center for treats from the food truck, beer, wine, and seasonal drink specials, assorted beverages, snacks, and more.
Make the most of your Summer Concert Series experience.