Friday evening, the first day of the 2024 Charlie Parker Jazz Festival. Subway up to Harlem then a short walk to Marcus Garvey Park. Entering through a corner gate, there stood an imposing, steep, rocky outcrop the focal point of the green inner city space. It was there to be climbed. It was another hot one, 30° and more, bottled water an essential companion. At its plateau stood a listed structure, the 19th century Mount Morris Fire Watchtower.
On the other side of the plateau, looking down its steeply-sided elevation, there was the Richard Rodgers Amphitheater. Descending the many steps, it became apparent the outdoor space was a throng with thousands of festival-goers. Myriad stalls - food, drink, t-shirts etc - jostled to one side of the stage.
As dusk closed in, the Wallace Roney Jr. Quartet took to the stage. Were we really here? In truth, it was difficult to concentrate. Latecomers taking their seats, all of the usual outdoor festival distractions were in play. A lasting impression of Roney Jr's set was that of seventies' Miles Davis. Oh, to hear Wallace Roney Jr. in a jazz club setting. One day, one day...
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| © Patti |
Top of the bill, the 17-piece Christian McBride Big Band! The bandleader's double bass was more than adequately amplified. One was left in no doubt who was boss! On the day the news broke of the death of Russell Malone, McBride took time out to pay a personal tribute to the much-admired guitarist.
Pianist Xavier Davis was an attraction in himself, the principal soloists - Ron Blake (tenor sax), Steve Wilson (alto sax) and Freddie Hendrix (trumpet) - impressed big time, not a shrinking violet among them! Hendrix proved to be a revelation, we would encounter the man elsewhere in Manhattan.
The first day of the 2024 Charlie Parker Jazz Festival had been quite an experience. As we streamed out of Marcus Garvey Park into the Harlem night, thoughts turned to our next adventure, a trip way up north to Woodlawn. Russell
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