Wayne Tucker is a high-energy composer, arranger, violinist, vocalist, and Grammy-nominated trumpeter who has performed with everyone from Kurt Elling to Taylor Swift. His New York-based band, The Bad Mothas, and he offer their signature blend of Jazz, R&B, and Pop in Astoria Park on Thursday, June 19, at 7 pm.
The free concert is set for the Great Lawn, which overlooks the water and in the vicinity of 19th Street and 24th Avenue. It also kicks off the second annual Queens Jazz Trail Concert Series, which will present free shows on selected Thursdays throughout the borough until Aug. 28.
More details follow.
July 10, 7 pm
Bryan Carrott Quintet at Baisley Pond Park in Jamaica
Queens native Bryan Carrott is a vibraphonist with more than 70 recordings to his name. His resume includes collaborations with artists like Jay-Z, Tom Harrell, and Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Vicinity of Baisley Boulevard and Rockaway Boulevard.
July 17, 7 pm
Rubén Coca Quintet at Rockaway Beach Park Amphitheater
Led by drummer and composer Rubén Coca, this high-energy quintet blends second line grooves, classic Swing, and Latin Jazz into a sizzling musical cocktail.
July 20, 2 pm
Alí Bello & The Charanga Syndicate at Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Virtuoso violinist Alí Bello leads his rhythm-driven ensemble in a reimagining of Cuban charanga music. Featuring flute, violin, and a powerful rhythm section, The Charanga Syndicate infuses traditional Latin melodies with a contemporary New York edge. Exact location to be announced.
Aug. 7, 7 pm
Kim Clarke & Friends at Travers Park in Jackson Heights
Bassist and bandleader Kim Clarke brings her distinctive voice to acoustic, electric upright, and 5-string electric bass guitar. Vicinity of 34th Avenue and 77th Street.
Aug. 14, 7 pm
The High and Mighty Brass Band at the George Seuffert Sr. Bandshell in Woodhaven
This electrifying brass band has a few Grammy-winning members. They have rocked stages from the Met Gala to Bonnaroo with their high-octane blend of original music and bold brass covers. Off Forest Park Drive inside Forest Park.
Aug. 28, 7 pm
Mingus Big Band at Archie Spigner Park in Jamaica
This 14-piece ensemble honors Jazz icon Charles Mingus. It was founded by Sue Mingus, his widow, in 1991.
The Queens Jazz Trail Concert Series is presented by Kupferberg Center for the Arts at Queens College, Flushing Town Hall, and the Louis Armstrong House Museum in partnership with NYC Parks.
Editor’s note: With help from a state grant last year, the Queens Tourism Council financed a large print run of Queens Jazz Trail Maps whose copyright has belonged to Flushing Town Hall for several decades. The multi-color, fold-out map features illustrations of the musicians and their houses designed by Tony Millionaire. The reverse side breaks down their neighborhoods with text and historical notes by Marc H. Miller.
Several dozen Jazz legends moved to Queens during the 20th century. Pianist Clarence Williams and his wife Eva Taylor, a singer, probably became the first ones when they bought a house on 108th Avenue in Jamaica in 1923. Milt Hinton, Fats Waller, and Count Basie were also among the early wave of homeowners. A list follows.
Cannonball Adderley (saxophone), Nat Adderley (cornet), Louis Armstrong (trumpet, vocals, band leader), Mildred Bailey (vocals), Count Basie (piano, bandleader), Bix Beiderbecke (cornet), John Coltrane (saxophone), Chick Corea (piano), Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis (saxophone), Bill Doggett (organ, piano), Roy Eldridge (trumpet), Mercer Ellington (trumpet, bandleader), Ella Fitzgerald (vocals), Dizzy Gillespie (trumpet), Benny Goodman (clarinet, band leader), Jimmy Heath (saxophone, band leader), Woody Herman (clarinet, bandleader), Milt Hinton (bass), Billie Holiday (vocals), Lena Horne (vocals), Milt Jackson (vibraphone), Illinois Jacquet (saxophone), Russell Jacquet (saxophone), James P. Johnson (piano, composer), Junior Mance (piano), Glenn Miller (trombone, arranger, band leader), Charlie Mingus (bass), Russell “Big Chief” Moore (trombone), Tony Sbarbaro (drums), Phil Schaap (historian, disc jockey, liner notes), Carol Sudhalter (saxophone), Clark Terry (trumpet), Fats Waller (piano, vocals), Ben Webster (saxophone), Clarence Williams (piano, composer, publisher), Cootie Williams (trumpet), Fess Williams (clarinet, bandleader), and Lester Young (clarinet, saxophone).
Plus, Armstrong, Gillespie, Scott Joplin (piano, composer), Johnny Hodges (saxophone), and Charlie Shavers (trumpet) are buried in Queens.
To get a free map, send an email to [email protected].
Images: Mingus Big Band