Jazzmobile's multifaceted Jazz programming is the vehicle employed to support our mission while joining other arts organizations that are also affecting a positive economic impact on the communities we serve.

For over 50 years, we have brought Jazzmobile performance programs featuring acclaimed and emerging artists to neighborhood streets, parks, and community and senior centers in all five boroughs of New York City as well as local Harlem venues.

Are you a professional Jazz musician looking to take it to the next level? Do you enjoy singing or performing Jazz just for fun? Or are you seeking instruction for your child or school classes? Are you a lifelong student of Jazz and want to know the historical influence and the latest trends in today's Jazz music? Jazzmobile offers a variety of Jazz education programs for professional artists, New York City public school students and Jazz enthusiasts. Here, those who teach also do: many of our most popular Jazz performers also serve as our instructors.

Jazzmobile's core programs have become the model that others emulate across the United States.

One of our most popular annual events during SUMMERFEST is 'Great Jazz on the Great Hill' in beautiful Central Park. Each year, in partnership with the Central Park Conservancy we turn Central Park's Great Hill into a huge jazz 'Hall' complete with a wooden dance floor!

A Brief History
Created by Jazzmobile nearly 25 years ago, the first Great Jazz on the Great Hill concert was in tribute to the legendary Charlie Parker, also known as Byrd. Johnnie Garry, Jazzmobile's Production Coordinator for 30 years until 2012, wanted to celebrate the birth of his good friend a true legend who died way too young.

For two years Jazzmobile presented GJGH. The festival later switched to the hands of the Charlie Parker Foundation. They moved this celebration of 'Byrd' downtown. After several years of producing the festival with the CPF, Johnnie suggested they add a second day with a concert at Marcus Garvey Park.

After being dormant for 14 years, Robin Bell-Stevens and John Reddick (Assistant Vice President, Central Park Conservancy) met and together worked to bring back Great Jazz on the Great Hill. And on August 5, 2017 the 10th anniversary of GJGH will be presented.

Today
Over 5,500 men, women and children from neighborhoods near, far and wide converge on the Great Hill with family and friends for a 3 hour festival of great jazz! Bring a blanket or lawn chairs and a cooler for a true "New York City moment." The audience comes with their picnic basket or they enjoy the delicious options from mobile food vendors while enjoying 'A List' swing bands, vocalists, Latin, and blues bands. Many take to the special dance floor right next to the stage. For children and their families, there is always a special activity that is showcased during the festival!

Do you think you're the best Jazz singer in New York City? In 2004, Jazzmobile, Inc. was invited by (jazz singer) Cynthia Holiday to launch the " Best of the Best" Jazz Vocal Competition with the generous support of Anheuser-Busch Companies.

Contestants vie for the top spot in front of judges and a live audience. Winners are selected by a panel of industry professionals, including singers, producers, and radio personalities. Many of the winners and finalists have acknowledged Jazzmobile for launching their careers. Our list of competitors and winners are performing locally, nationally and internationally, singers such as the first winner, in 2004 French jazz vocalist Elisabeth Kontomanou. Other 1st place winners and top scorers have included:

Gregory Porter
Charenee Wade
Queen Esther
Lynette Washington
Brianna Thomas
Emily Braden
Alexis Cole

The Jazzmobile Vocal Competition is scheduled to return in 2017.

For 5 years Jazzmobile partnered or collaborated with The Apollo Theater Foundation, Harlem Stage | Gate House and Columbia University to present the HARLEM JAZZ SHRINES FESTIVAL. When it debuted May, 2011, JAZZ SHRINES became "The Apple's" latest entry into the annals of what makes New York the epicenter of the jazz global.

This 7-day festival celebrated the classic clubs and venues that made Harlem USA the jazz mecca - beginning in the 1920's. The festival serves to reimagine clubs such as Minton's Playhouse, Lenox lounge, the Savoy Ballroom, and The Palace. While it's a nostalgic look back at the greatness of the past, this festival's pulse is the present, showcasing an array of today's top and emerging talent and showing that what's happening right now in Harlem really is where it's at!

Today Jazzmobile also applauds todays Harlem Shrines including others that are emerging in Harlem every year 'such as Showman's, Minton's Restaurant, Ginny's Supper Club, Sapphire, Paris Blues and the list keeps growing! Plans are underway for a festival celebrating the jazz shrines of Harlem, 2017!

Think of Jazzmobile and you probably think of our free Summerfest mobile Jazz concerts, attended by tens of thousands of people annually from the New York Metropolitan area, tourists and other visitors. Together with our partners' neighborhood associations and the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Jazzmobile has brought top talent to under-served communities where many residents cannot afford to purchase tickets to the clubs and concert halls downtown. In addition to our neighborhood Jazz concerts our performances are held in large outdoor venues, such as Brooklyn Bridge Park, Grant's Tomb, Marcus Garvey Park and Central Park, drawing audiences from other boroughs and communities outside New York City.

Summerfest 2017 kicks off on July 5th and comes to a close on August 30th at Grants Tomb on Riverside Drive and West 122nd Street. Watch for summer season announcement in April 2017during National Jazz Appreciation Month!