Washington Square Music Festival Begins 64th Season June 7th | Tuesdays in June

Much loved Washington Square Music Festival begins its 64th season at Washington Square Park on Tuesday, June 7th, continuing Tuesdays throughout June. The festival did not perform live in the park in 2020 due to the heightened Covid pandemic; during that time, performances were conducted virtually.

Performances take place at Garibaldi Plaza, east of the fountain. All concerts are free.

From the Washington Square Music Festival:

WASHINGTON SQUARE MUSIC FESTIVAL WILL MAKE MUSIC AGAIN

Free Alfresco Concerts
Opening Tuesday, June 7th, 8 p.m.

Artistic Director Lutz Rath has announced the 64th season of the Washington Square Music Festival, taking place Tuesdays in June on the Main Stage in the center of Washington Square Park. Featured will be premieres, vocalists, and musical surprises. All four concerts are free, but because of social distancing seating is very limited.

TUESDAY, JUNE 7 AT 8 P.M.: The Festival Brass & Winds Ensemble

Lutz Rath, conductor

David Taylor, bass trombone

Rainspace: Grace Church, Broadway at 10th St.

Johann Sebastian Bach: Toccata and Fugue in D minor for brass quintet

Igor Stravinsky: Octet for wind instruments

David Taylor : “Tatanka Lyotanka,” (Sitting Bull), premiere

for 3 trombones & tuba

David Taylor, bass trombone soloist — photo attached

Edward Grieg : Holberg Suite

David Taylor, bass trombone and composer:

His work, “Tatanka Lyotanka” is a tribute to Sitting Bull, a leader of the Lakota Sioux nation. A brave warrior, he was victorious at the Battle of Little Bighorn that resulted in Gen. Custer’s death. Later in his life he was shot by army soldiers at the Standing Rock Reservation.

Taylor received B.S. and M.S. degrees from The Juilliard School of Music, and started his playing career as a member of Leopold Stowkowski’s American Symphony Orchestra, and with appearances with the New York Philharmonic under Pierre Boulez. Simultaneously, he was a member of the Thad Jones Mel Lewis jazz band, and recorded with groups ranging from Duke Ellington to The Rolling Stones.

Mr. Taylor performs recitals and concerts around the world: from Lincoln Center in NY to the Musikverein in Vienna and Suntory Hall in Japan. In addition to his own compositions, he has been involved in well over a hundred commissioning projects for solo bass trombone collaborating with composers including Alan Hovhaness, Charles Wuorinen, George Perle, and Daniel Schnyder. He has appeared and recorded chamber music with Yo Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, and Wynton Marsalis and performs with the Lincoln Center Chamber Music Society, the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra, Orpheus, and the St. Luke’s Chamber Orchestra as well as the Washington Square Music Festival. Throughout his career, Taylor has appeared and recorded with major jazz and popular artists including Barbara Streisand, Miles Davis, Quincy Jones, Frank Sinatra, and Aretha Franklin.

The season continues:

Tuesday, June 14

The Festival Orchestra, Lutz Rath, conductor, performs works by Johann Strauss II, Reinhold Glière, and Joseph Haydn, with Jeryl Cunningham, soprano soloist (rainspace Grace Church)

Tuesday, June 21

Pedro Giraudo Tango Band

Tuesday, June 28

Tivon Pennicott Quartet, Jazz with Strings.

Rain space for last two concerts: Judson Memorial Church, 55 Washington Square South

Programs are subject to change.

The Washington Square Music Festival is under the auspices of the Washington Square Association.

Website: Washington Square Music Festival

Photo: Sally J. Bair

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