Jazzmobile's Summerfest thriving during Harlem Week celebrations
Jazzmobile's 60th Summerfest Celebrates Jazz Greats in Harlem
Summerfest 2025, the 60th anniversary of the renowned jazz festival, is currently underway in Harlem, presenting a star-studded lineup of jazz greats at two iconic locations: Grant's Tomb and Marcus Garvey Park.
The festivities take place on Wednesdays at Grant’s Tomb (General Grant National Memorial, W 122nd St & Riverside Dr) and Fridays at Marcus Garvey Park’s Richard Rodgers Amphitheater (18 Mt Morris Park W), with dates mainly throughout July and August 2025.
Key event dates and featured artists for Summerfest 2025 include:
- July 23 (Wednesday, 7:00 PM): Jeremy Pelt Quartet at Grant’s Tomb[5].
- August 9 (Saturday, 3:30 PM): Great Jazz on the Great Hill in Central Park featuring The George Gee Swing Orchestra, Lezlie Harrison (host), trumpeters Josh Evans and Wallace Roney, Jr.[2].
- August 15: Terri Lyne Carrington “We Insist 2025” with vocalist Christie Dashiell at Marcus Garvey Park, presented in partnership with City Parks Foundation SummerStage[1][2].
- August 22: Opening night of the Charlie Parker Festival, featuring Ron Carter’s Great Big Band, vocalist April May Webb (2025 Sarah Vaughan Vocal Competition winner), and S.O.A.R. at Marcus Garvey Park[1][2].
The concerts include performances from bassists Ron Carter, Paul West, Mimi Jones; vocalists Allan Harris, Charenee Wade, Christie Dashiell, Antoinette Montague, Lynette Washington; trumpeters James Zollar, Jeremy Pelt; drummers Terri Lyne Carrington, Bobby Sanabria, Winard Harper, Darrell Green; and saxophonists Donald Harrison, Camille Thurman, T.K. Blue, Patience Higgins, Houston Person; plus pianists Danny Mixon and Amina Figarova[1].
All Summerfest shows are free and weather permitting, sometimes moving indoors to the Interchurch Center at 61 Claremont Ave if needed[2].
For the full Summerfest lineup, visit jazzmobile.org. The highlight of this year's Summerfest is the annual Great Jazz on the Great Hill in Central Park, presented in partnership with the Central Park Conservancy, on Aug. 9.
The event reflects a diverse range of jazz styles, including Latin, post-bop, blues, and swing, continuing Jazzmobile’s mission to bring great music to Harlem's community[1][2].
| Date | Location | Featured Artists / Event | |---------------|----------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------| | Wednesdays | Grant’s Tomb, Harlem | Jeremy Pelt Quartet (Jul 23), others | | Fridays | Marcus Garvey Park Amphitheater | Various artists; Terri Lyne Carrington “We Insist 2025” (Aug 15), Charlie Parker Festival (Aug 22) | | August 9 | Central Park (Great Hill) | George Gee Swing Orchestra, Lezlie Harrison, Josh Evans, Wallace Roney Jr. |
The Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, the Harlem Community Development Corporation, West Harlem Development Corporation, Joyce and George Wein Foundation, The Mellon Foundation, the Howard Gilman Foundation, television partner PIX11, and Steinway & Sons are donors for the Summerfest series.
Music enthusiasts can rejoice as the Jeremy Pelt Quartet, a renowned jazz group, is slated to entertain at Grant's Tomb during Summerfest 2025, a celebration of jazz greats in Harlem. Moreover, on August 9, music lovers can expect a pleasant surprise with the presentation of The George Gee Swing Orchestra and other notable artists at the Great Jazz on the Great Hill event in Central Park.
