by Laura Wasson
The summer concert season is officially in full swing, and one of the mainstays here in NYC is SummerStage, which since 1986 has been hosting exceptional performances in parks across all five boroughs. Each year, the SummerStage season kicks off with a special benefit performance, and this year’s gala is no exception, celebrating the music and spirit of the legendary Jimi Hendrix.
I recently chatted with City Parks Foundation/SummerStage Arts & Cultural Programs Director James Burke about the gala, and he told me they selected Hendrix in honor of what would have been his seventieth birthday this upcoming November. As such, Burke and his colleagues worked to build a compelling and diverse lineup that includes The Roots, Bebel Gilberto, G. Love & Special Sauce, John Scofield, Amel Larrieux, Keller Williams and Wyclef Jean, who'll be playing Hendrix’s iconic version of “The Star Spangled Banner.”
While the gala promises to be a truly special evening, that isn’t the only exciting thing SummerStage has planned for the season. “Our first really big free program," Burke told me "is the New York Pops with Ozomatli (June 12), both of whom we've worked with four or five times.” A few other big names to look out for this season include Alabama Shakes, Norah Jones, Carolina Chocolate Drops, and M83.
“The Music of Jimi Hendrix” takes place next Tuesday, June 5 at 8pm in Central Park's Rumsey Playfield. General Admission Tickets ($50) are still available. Check out the SummerStage website for more information.