Rabbit Moon Productions Inc.

With the weather getting warmer, it's time again for Madison Square Park's free Summer programming, Summer Nights on 6 consecutive Wednesdays starting on 6/12. This year we have a great lineup, ranging from Jazz Legends to up and coming folk stars. We hope to see you in the park for Summer Nights! For our friends in the neighborhood, we are also curating a great new series focused on up and coming acts who play in the NY subway system called NYC Above Ground. These noontime c...oncerts will be on the main stage, and are a great way to see up and coming artists during lunchtime. More details here https://www.madisonsquarepark.org/music/summer-nights

If anything is consistent, it's the power of music to refresh and renew. This past weekend at Jazz Standard we were honored to host the 91st birthday of the legendary composer and pianist Randy Weston. Randy has spent his life bringing people and cultures together through music, transcending geography, language, and generations. The run was a testament to the universal language of music, and to Randy's giving spirit. Here is a picture from Randy's actual birthday last Thursda...y, with his biographer Willard Jenkins, and his band, Cecil Bridgewater, Neil Clark, TK Blue, Alex Blake, the man of the hour himself, and Lewis Nash. Not pictured was another of Randy's guests for the evening, one of the fathers of modern conga playing, Candido Camero. With Randy's 91 years and Candido's 95, they brought the median age up quite a bit, but even more so they brought the energy and life up as well. Happy birthday Randy! We can't wait until the next one. Thanks to Willard Jenkins for the photo.

We always feel lucky to be in the presence of these two great piano masters, Kenny Barron and Freddy Cole. Freddy wanted to come and hear Kenny's great new quintet last week at the club, who went straight to the studio the day after the engagement. We're also lucky to have another piano master starting a weekend run tomorrow, the great Steve Kuhn. It's a great time for piano at Jazz Standard! Thanks to Karen Kennedy for the great picture!

It's always nice when great music is discussed in front of a large audience! Last week, celebrated actor and rabid jazz fan James Spader was on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon discussing jazz in NYC, and were kind enough to mention Jazz Standard along with the Village Vanguard and two friends of the club, the great Christian McBride and Jeff "Tain" Watts. We look forward to having James, Jimmy, and any other lovers of the music back at the club! https://www.facebook.com/officialchristianmcbride/videos/10154960230622929/?pnref=story

After another year, the APAP Conference NYC / NYC Winter Jazzfest / Jazz Connect Conference season comes to a close! We had a great time presenting Regina Carter and Anat Cohen, and as usual, got to see many old familiar faces and friends from around the country. Martin and Seth were also happy to be a part of two sessions at Jazz Connect as experts in the field. Seth's panel concerned developing vocalists, and he gave his insight alongside three great vocalists, Bria Skonberg, Catherine Russell, and Kate McGarry, and Industry vet Jeff Levenson. Martin was part of the "Meet the Experts" session which allowed artists and presenters to ask questions of presenters and bookers from across the country. Thanks to Lee Mergner for inviting us!