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The Beat Goes On

July 10, 2009

It’s been a tough year for New York’s jazz fans. Economic woes contributed to the demise of two flagships in the business. JazzTimes, a magazine founded in the 1970s, temporarily suspended its publication, while the JVC Jazz Festival, was canceled. It reportedly will return in 2010 under the auspices of CareFusion.

Luckily, aficionados won’t have to wait until then for quality live performances. Jazzmobile, a nonprofit art and culture organization, has kept the music going for 45 years, and the hot summer months of 2009 will be no exception.

On June 21, the organization kicked off its Summer Festival, the longest-running continuous jazz event in the city. Wednesday and Fridays will feature popular acts at Grants Tomb and Marcus Garvey Park, respectively, through August 28. The acts go on at 7 p.m. at both venues. Other Jazzmobile events will take place throughout the boroughs.

This weekend’s artists include:

Enrico Granafei, July 10, from 9:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at the Dwyer Cultural Center in Harlem (RSVP required at 212 866-3616).

Winard Harper and Craig Harris, Friday July 10, 7 p.m. at Marcus Garvey Park

George Gee, Arturo O’Farrill, and Akiko Tsuruga, July 11, 2 p.m., at Central Park

Danny Mixon, July 11, 3 p.m. at McDonough Street in Brooklyn

A unique highlight on July 27 is the Jazz Vocal Competition, where singing hopefuls compete in front of a live audience and professional judges from the industry at Harlem’s Alhambra Ballroom (the competition is in its second round and is now closed). Admission -- $10 -- is required as well as an RSVP (212-866-3616),

Most events are free; some require reservation. For the full calendar, visit: Jazzmobile

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