Author Archives: parker

Sketchcrawl #49 – October 24, 2015

Posted on October 24, 2015 by parker

Sketchcrawl #49 – Bronx, NY  –  October 24, 2015 For my day’s crawl I first walked to the northern reaches of Tibbetts Brook in Van Cortlandt Park.  Fifty years ago this used to be a broad lake surrounded by open … Continue reading →

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Julian Lage – October 18, 2015

Posted on October 18, 2015 by parker

Julian Lage  –  Cole Auditorium, Greenwich Library  –  October 18, 2015 Lage is one of a slew of young jazz guitarists that are the next generation to carry that torch.  I’m not always sure I’m going to like what comes … Continue reading →

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Luther Dickinson – September 12, 2015

Posted on September 12, 2015 by parker

Luther Dickinson  –  Madison Square Park  –  September 12, 2015 Dickinson is the big cheese of the North Mississippi All-Stars; he is now out on his own, sticking with the Americana idiom.  Thomas hails from a long-standing rootsy family, representing … Continue reading →

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Ramon Mercado – September 12, 2015

Posted on September 12, 2015 by parker

Ramon Mercado  –  Busking New York  –  September 12, 2015 Mercado was occupying the smallest possible amount of space on the subway platform, performing totally hunched over.  He had two sets of tiny foot-percussions: a pair of mini maracas, and … Continue reading →

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Pedrito Martinez – September 1, 2015

Posted on September 1, 2015 by parker

Pedrito Martinez  –  CHIRP, Ballard Park  –  September 1, 2015 Martinez leads this bare-bones Afro-Cuban group.  The modestly scaled roster doesn’t prevent them from putting out a really full sound, including the occasional four part vocal harmony.  A lot of … Continue reading →

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Garifuna International – August 30, 2015

Posted on August 30, 2015 by parker

Garifuna International  –  Harlem Meer, Central Park  –  August 30, 2015 The Garifuna people have a long convoluted background that mixed Carib and African roots.  Their resistance to being colonized ended with exile (by the British) in the late 18th … Continue reading →

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David Belmont – August 25, 2015

Posted on August 25, 2015 by parker

David Belmont  –  Plaza 33  –  August 25, 2015 Plaza 33 is a recent development, turning the north side of Penn Station/MSQ into a more pedestrian-friendly space.  Belmont is an old high school buddy, we’ve jammed in the past, and … Continue reading →

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Bardavon String Quartet – August 22, 2015

Posted on August 22, 2015 by parker

Bardavon String Quartet  –  Onteora Mountain House  –  August 22, 2015 These sketches are from the “have-you-no-shame?” department.  I brought my sketchbook to my niece’s wedding ceremony/reception on the hunch that there might be live music and guess what?  BSQ!

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Houston Person – August 19, 2015

Posted on August 19, 2015 by parker

Houston Person  –  Grant’s Tomb  –  August 19, 2015 You get no surprises with Person, but you know there will be a solid straight ahead approach digging into the jazz standards book, ballads alternating with uptempo jauntiness.  It’s a worthy … Continue reading →

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Allan Harris – August 14, 2015

Posted on August 14, 2015 by parker

Allan Harris  –  Marcus Garvey Park  –  August 14, 2015 Harris is another up-and-coming (on my radar screen, at least) male heartthrob jazz vocalist.  He had all the deep resonant chops and a nice variety of repertoire, including some originals, … Continue reading →

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