Great Jazz on the Great Hill Returns to Central Park on August 9

Great Jazz on the Great Hill: Big Band, Dance Floors & Jazz’s Next Generation

There’s no better way to spend a summer Saturday than with great jazz, fresh air, and good company — and this weekend, Jazzmobile brings it all together with Great Jazz on the Great Hill in Central Park. Set against the stunning backdrop of nature, this annual celebration turns the park into a swinging open-air concert hall — complete with a dance floor, live big band, and rising jazz stars.

Hosted by WBGO 88.3 FM’s Lezlie Harrison (also a renowned vocalist), at the heart of the event is the incomparable George Gee Swing Orchestra, one of the country’s most dynamic and dance-friendly big bands. Known for their electrifying arrangements and infectious rhythm, George Gee and his ensemble serve up a classic swing sound with modern energy that makes it impossible to stay seated. With decades of experience and deep roots in jazz tradition, the orchestra is beloved for bringing danceable swing back to center stage, and with a dedicated dance floor set up on the Great Hill, audiences are encouraged to get up and move.

The lineup also includes two of today’s most exciting young trumpet voices — both deeply rooted in jazz tradition while boldly pushing its boundaries. First up is the Josh Evans Quartet. Evans, a fiery and thoughtful trumpeter, has made a name for himself in New York’s straight-ahead and avant-garde scenes. A veteran sideman with legends like Jackie McLean and Rashied Ali, Evans leads with intensity, intelligence, and deep emotional range. His quartet delivers a powerful, modern sound grounded in the language of hard bop — a true force in the next generation of jazz.

Also on the bill is the Wallace Roney Quartet, led by Wallace Roney Jr., a rising star with a deep personal connection to jazz history. The son of the legendary trumpeter Wallace Roney and the esteemed pianist and educator Geri Allen, Roney Jr. honors the legacy of both parents while forging his own artistic voice. His playing reflects a mastery of tone and technique that belies his age, and his band channels the fearless innovation that made his family name synonymous with jazz greatness.

Together, these three groups create a vibrant snapshot of jazz’s past, present, and future. From the swing-era grooves of George Gee to the forward-thinking sounds of Evans and Roney Jr., Great Jazz on the Great Hill is more than a concert — it’s a celebration of community, legacy, and living tradition.

Jazzmobile: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future

As Jazzmobile celebrates its 60th Anniversary, the mission that began in 1964 remains as urgent and inspiring as ever: to bring world-class jazz directly to the people, and to nurture both the legends and the rising stars of this music.

Great Jazz on the Great Hill is a perfect reflection of that vision — a place where seasoned big band leaders like George Gee share the stage with artists like Josh Evans and Wallace Roney Jr., whose artistry is shaping the next era of jazz. These young bandleaders represent the future of the genre, and Jazzmobile is proud to give them the stage, the spotlight, and the audience their music deserves.

Through programs like Summerfest, Jazzmobile not only presents free concerts across New York City, but also provides educational outreach, artist development, and mentorship — ensuring that the tradition of excellence continues across generations. Evans and Roney, though young, are already carrying the torch passed down from jazz’s greatest icons, including those who have long been part of the Jazzmobile family.

Whether honoring the past through swing or championing the future through innovative improvisation, Jazzmobile continues to build bridges between the icons of yesterday and the visionaries of tomorrow — all while keeping the music playing, alive and accessible for everyone. To see the full schedule, go to www.jazzmobile.org.