92NY, the Upper East Side cultural bastion historically known as the 92nd Street Y, has long played an important role in New York City’s summertime jazz scene with Jazz in July, a succinct but potent series launched in 1984. That offering returns again this year, now incorporated into a broader new festival, Midsummer MusicFest, running July 11 through 27.
In another new development, this year’s five-concert lineup will be the last under the artistic direction of pianist and bandleader Bill Charlap.
Artists featured in this year’s Jazz in July series include singer Dee Dee Bridgewater and trumpeter Nicholas Payton (July 18); pianists Aaron Diehl, Isaiah J. Thompson and Caelan Cardello (July 20); and iconic guitarist John Scofield (July 25). Charlap presents a solo concert on July 26, and ends his final series with a star-studded jazz party July 27.
Complementing and contrasting with those events, 92NY is offering concerts meant to mix genres and emphasize collaboration. The opening event features the versatile vocalist Norm Lewis (July 11). A collaboration between innovative dancer-choreographer Caleb Teicher and singer Veronica Swift will be followed by a swing-dance party (July 13). Another ambitious program combines the Vijay Iyer Trio with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra (July 16).
Amy Lam, who joined 92NY as vice president of Tisch Music in November 2021 after spending more than 20 years as artistic director of Boston’s popular Celebrity Series, says the expanded summer offering is part of an even bigger multiyear celebration marking the 150th anniversary of 92NY. The idea for Midsummer MusicFest, she says, is to look back at the institution’s storied history, while also surveying what’s happening now and anticipating what’s to come.
“As I went through the archives, and talking to folks internally, the history is so rich that I don’t know you could celebrate it all in just the nine or 10 months of the concert season,” she said. “Every little…
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