About Us
INWOOD JAZZ FESTIVAL
Bringing jazz all the way UP Uptown
The Inwood Jazz Festival has a clear objective: to provide support for jazz artists and the artistic community in their post-pandemic recovery. By organizing live performances, the festival helps these artists regain their financial stability while keeping the tradition of performing arts alive. Additionally, the festival aims to enrich the community by offering vibrant outdoor events that showcase the cultural richness of jazz. This not only benefits the Inwood neighborhood but also creates a positive impact on the wider community. Ultimately, the Inwood Jazz Festival serves as a platform for economic stimulus, artistic preservation, and community engagement.
Aaron Scott
Inwood Jazz Founder and Curator
Meet IJF Founder and Curator Aaron Scott - Jazz Artist, longtime musical associate of McCoy Tyner, three-time Grammy winner, Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres and a proud resident of Inwood. On this occasion, he has put together a stellar line up of renowned jazz artists, featuring the legendary Billy Harper Quintet. Talk about jazz legends!
photo credit: Chris Drukker.
Barbara Schnoor
Volunteer CoordinatorBarbaragardener76@gmail.com
Meet this Year's Artists
T.K. Blue
For more on TK Blue, click here
African Rhythm Alumni Sextet
TK Blue (music director, sax, flute, kalimba)
Ku-umba Frank Lacy
African Rhythm Alumni Sextet
Ka-umba Frank Lacy (trombone)
Sharp Radway
African Rhythms Alumni Sextet
Sharp Radway, piano
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Alex Blake
African Rhythms Alumni Sextet
Alex Blake, bass
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Chief Baba Neil Clarke
African Rhythms Alumni Sextet
Chief Baba Neil Clarke, percussion
Alfredo Colon
Kevin Nathaniel Hylton & Spirit Ensemble
Hayes Greenfield
Children’s Interactive Jazz Workshop
Hayes Greenfield’s Jazz-A-Ma-Tazz
Meet Last Year's Artists
Billy Harper
Photo: Dmitry Scherbie
For more on Billy, click here
Billy Harper Quintet
Billy Harper (sax)
Freddie Hendrix (trumpet)
Franchesca Tanksley (piano)
Ben Young (bass)
Aaron Scott (drums)
Patience Higgins
Photo: Wanda Lotus
For more on Patience, click here
Patience Higgins Quartet
Patience Higgins (tenor sax)
Silvano Monasterios (piano)
Barry Stephenson (bass)
Tommy Campbell (drums)
Francisco Mela
For more on Francisco, click here
Francisco Mela Trio
Francisco Mela (drums)
George Garzone (sax)
Nick Joswiat (bass)
Annette A. Aguilar
Photo: Argenis Apolinario
For more on Annette, click here
Annette Aguilar and StringBeans
Annette A. Aguilar (drums & percussion)
Barry Olsen (piano)
Lincoln Goines (bass)
With appreciation, we acknowledge the following grants awarded to Annette A Aguilar, which made the performance of Annette A Aguilar & StringBeans in the Inwood Jazz Festival possible.
Annette A Aguilar & StringBeans w/ Women In Latin Festival is made possible by UMEZ LMCC and NOMAA.
Melvin "Tiger" Vines
For more on Melvin, click here
Melvin ‘Tiger’ Vines
“Tiger” Melvin Vines (fluglehorn/trumpet)
Okaru Hoshino Love Lace (vocals)
Lonnie Plaxico (bass)
Victor Jones (drums)
JordanWilliams (piano)
Kevin Nathaniel Hylton & Spirit Ensemble
For more on Kevin, click here
Spirit Ensemble
Colette Michaan (flute)
Salieu Suso (kora)
Hasan Bakr (percussion and vocal)
Bill Dotts (bass)
Neil Clarke (conga)
Kevin Nathaniel (mbira)
Advisory Board
Martin Collins
Dana Hanchard
Morana Mesic
Rachelle Scott
Randy Simons
Jarvis Tyner
Lydia Bassett
A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU!
Baldo Sound Design ENT LLC - Staging, Sound, Backline Equipment
Tom Bosco, owner - Inwood Farm Restaurant
Dana Hanchard - Community Outreach
The Department of Cultural Affairs
Billy Harper - LYHARP Music
Carl Nelson - Drums Along The Hudson
Rachelle Scott - Web Design
Clarie Zimmerman - Graphic Design
Randy Simon - Videography
Acknowledgement of Support
IPRP 1970, Inc. proudly presents the Inwood Jazz Festival (IJF). We gratefully acknowledge the NYC Parks Department!
This project is made possible in part with funds from:
Senator Robert Jackson, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Chamber Music America (CMA), The Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC), The Howard Gilman Foundation (HGF), The Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone (UMEZ), State Assembly Member Manny De Los Santos, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, New York City Tourism Foundation, Medical Center Neighborhood Fund, The Puffin Foundation,
Jazz Foundation of America and supporters like you!
We’re also immensely grateful for the generous contributions and partnerships of:
WGBO 88.3 FM, ALL*ARTS created by The WNET Group, The New York Times, The NYC Jazz Record, WKCR 89.9 FM, WFUV 90.7 FM, Lyharp Music LLC, Robert C Arnold (CPA), Inwood Farm, CHOCnyc, Inwood Bagels, Kuro Kirin,
Evydent Dentistry, Grandpa’s Pizza, Annette Aguilar & String Beans, C-Town, Amores Cafe, JG & Tony Automobile Repair.
Their unwavering support plays a crucial role in creating an unforgettable experience for our community.
Our Current and Past Supporters
