New York Botanical Garden Honors 300th Anniversary of New Orleans at This Year's Summer Concert Series

New York Botanical Garden kicks off its Summer Concert Series: An American Tribute in collaboration with the Catskill Jazz Factory and Absolutely Live Entertainment this Friday, June 22 on the Conservatory Lawn, according to a press release. The first concert of NYBG's series, Salute to Crescent City, pays homage to the musical history of New Orleans at its 300th anniversary. This concert will explore the birthplace of jazz, its traditions, and cultural diversity.

Concert attendees are invited to bring blankets and low-back chairs for the concert. Afterwards, they are welcome to browse through the Georgie O’Keeffe exhibition: Visions of Hawai’i.

Doors open at 5pm and the concert runs from 7-8:30 pm.The NYBG exhibition is open from 8:30pm to 10:30pm.

NYBG offers several dining options including The Hudson Bar Grill, which is open before the show for attendees to reserve tables or pre-order gourmet picnic boxes. Several other dining options are available during the evenings of the Summer Concert Series and can be seen on the NYBG dining page.

The concert series will consist of three evenings highlighting several jazz talents from around the world:

Friday, June 22: Salute to the Crescent City: New Orleans at 300

Pianist David Torkanowsky, vocalist Robin Barnes, and trumpeter Jon-Erik Kellso join Christopher along with a host of top New Orleanian soloists, including Jeffery Miller (trombone), Morgan Guerin (tenor saxophone), Kerry Lewis (bass), and Shannon Powell (drums), with “one of the world’s major clarinetists,” Evan Christopher (pictured above.)

Friday, July, 13: Songs for Dr. King: Nina Simone & Mahalia Jackson

Top jazz vocalist of her generation Brianna Thomas.

Friday, July, 27: Old, New, & Blue: Celebrating Gershwin’s Rhapsody

A multicultural all-star ensemble led by top trumpeter Dominick Farinacci.

Admission is $48 and $43 for members. Visitors can purchase the Summer Concert Series pass, including all three An American Tribute concerts for $129 or $116 if you are a member. To purchase tickets and for more information, visit the NYBG website.

Image: Evan Christopher, who is leading the band at the opening concert this Friday.
Photo courtesy of The New York Botanical Garden