Jazz at Lincoln Center will present the Dizzy and Bird Festival, highlighting the music of Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie “Bird” Parker, from Feb. 28 to March 10. The New York City festival, one of six presented during this season to celebrate JALC’s 25th anniversary, will include several simultaneous performances in Rose Theater, the Allen Room and Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola. The concerts comprising the Dizzy and Bird Festival are as follows:
• Celebrating Dizzy Gillespie
The Jon Faddis Jazz Orchestra of New York and Quintet
March 8 to March 9, 8 p.m., Rose Theater.
The Jon Faddis Jazz Orchestra includes: Faddis (trumpet, conductor and leader), Lew Soloff, Greg Gisbert, Michael Philip Mossman, Max Darche (trumpets); Mark Vinci, Steve Wilson, Walt Weiskopf, Ralph Lalama, Frank Basile (saxophones); Ted Rosenthal (piano); and Todd Coolman (bass). Special guests will be Ignacio Berroa (drums); NEA Jazz Master Jimmy Heath (tenor saxophone); Pedrito Martinez (congas); and Steve Turre (trombone and conch shells – Friday only).
Ticket prices for Rose Theater are $10, $30, $50, $75, $95 or $120 dependent upon seating section.
• Paquito D’Rivera’s “Charlie Parker with Strings”
March 8 to March 9, 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., the Allen Room
Cuban reedist, arranger, composer Paquito D’Rivera will delve into the musical compositions of the 1950 session of Charlie Parker with strings. Performers include D’Rivera (alto saxophone, clarinet, conductor); Charles Pillow (oboe, alto saxophone); Riza Printup (harp); Alex Brown (piano); Ben Williams (bass); and Vince Cherico (drums). The core ensemble will be augmented by six violins, two violas and two cellos.
Ticket prices for the Allen Room are $65 for the 7:30 p.m. sets and $10 or $55 for the 9:30 p.m. sets.
• Wycliffe Gordon and Friends — The Dizzy Birds: Bebop Then and Now
March 7 to March 10, sets at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola
Trombonist Wycliffe Gordon will explore the music of Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker with his ensemble in Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola. Performers include Gordon (trombone, trumpet, vocals); Adrian Cunningham (saxophones); Michael Dease (brass and saxophones); Aaron Diehl (piano); Yasushi Nakamura (bass); Dion Parson (drums); and special guests.
Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola cover charge: $35-40
• Listening Party – Dizzy and Bird Festival
February 28, 7pm — Frederick P. Rose Hall
This interview series invites audiences to listen to new jazz albums, while meeting and hearing from the artists who recorded them. Free and open to the public.
Read more: JazzTimes
