The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra By Marilyn Lester There are certain events so extraordinary that years later folks ask, “Were you there that night?” This is one of them. The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra’s Benny Goodman: The King of Swing went beyond its tribute to...
Jazz in July: Dick Hyman Forever!
By Marilyn Lester Possibly there could have been no better way to kick off the 92Y’s annual Jazz in July series than to honor its original Artistic Director, Richard “Dick” Hyman, with a rip-roaring, jazz party of a tribute. Hyman ably headed Jazz in July for...
Pompie’s Place – Speakeasy...
by Steve Nardoni The other night I kinda had a Midnight in Paris experience. Unlike in the Woody Allen film, I was not whisked away in a 1920s four-cylinder Peugeot, but merely had to walk down Second Avenue below 14th Street. From Second Avenue in the East...
Jazz In July: Week Two
by Marilyn Lester America’s own music, jazz, receives a swinging tribute every July at the 92nd St. Y, thanks to the keen artistic direction of pianist Bill Charlap. Charlap is an educator and brilliant musician as well as an affable host. In the second week of the six-day...
Bucky’s Back!
by Marilyn Lester A packed room at Birdland was primed and ready to celebrate to the hilt: it was not only Father’s Day but the return of acclaimed jazz guitarist John Paul “Bucky” Pizzarelli to the performance stage. From the moment his fingers touched the legendary...
Bill Charlap: Broadway to Harlem
by Marilyn Lester Appropriately, music director and pianist Bill Charlap, with his long-time side men Peter Washington on upright bass and Kenny Washington on drums, opened Broadway to Harlem, at Jazz at Lincoln Center, with Bye-Bye Birdie’s “Put On a Happy Face.” This...
