Friday, June 5 @ 6:00 pm
Jackie Robinson Park Bandshell - 116 Bradhurst Ave., New York, NY 10039
Celebrate an evening of big band jazz as we kick off our Juneteenth Black Music and Dance festival at the Jackie Robinson Park Bandshell featuring two large ensembles rooted in swing, soul, and the Harlem jazz tradition. The Bethune Big Band, led by 92 year old bassist and composer Paul West, brings together generations of musicians in a program honoring the big band tradition. Joining them is the Dick Griffin Big Band, led by 86 year old trombonist and composer Dick Griffin, known for original compositions, arrangements and a strong sense of groove. This concert is presented in partnership with the West Harlem Jazz Festival.
Set in Harlem’s historic Jackie Robinson Park park, this free concert celebrates community, legacy, and the enduring sound of large ensemble jazz. Bring a chair, bring a friend, and enjoy an evening of music in the park.
The Bethune Big Band began at the Bethune Senior Center in Harlem, where Charles “Lonny” West, the center’s longtime director, noticed that many of the seniors gathering there were retired jazz musicians who had played in major swing and big bands during the Big Band era. Rather than let that experience go untapped, he brought these musicians together to form an ensemble, creating what became the Bethune Big Band. The group initially performed at senior centers across New York City, preserving a living connection to the music’s history. In 2003, Lonny West appointed his brother, bassist Paul West, to lead the band, and he has continued the ensemble’s work ever since. Today, the band carries forward its founding mission of honoring veteran musicians, mentoring younger players, and sustaining the big band tradition.
Paul West is a veteran bassist, composer, educator, and bandleader whose career spans more than six decades. A New York native trained first as a classical violinist, he turned to bass and soon joined the orchestra of Dizzy Gillespie at age 22, launching a remarkable career in jazz. He has performed and recorded with major artists including Lee Morgan, Abbey Lincoln, Max Roach, and Cecil Taylor. Equally committed to education and mentorship, West has taught generations of musicians while advancing the music through performance and community engagement. As leader of the Bethune Big Band, he continues to honor and extend the big band tradition
The Dick Griffin Big Band is a dynamic large ensemble led by trombonist, composer, and educator Dick Griffin. Drawing on hard bop, post-bop, funk, and avant-garde traditions, the band is known for original compositions, inventive arrangements, and a strong rhythmic foundation. Griffin’s writing blends structured ensemble passages with open space for improvisation, creating music that is rooted in tradition while pushing forward. Featuring a roster of accomplished musicians, the ensemble reflects Griffin’s expansive musical vision and long-standing contributions to creative music. The band’s performances are marked by power, precision, and deep ensemble interplay.
Dick Griffin is a trombonist, composer, educator, and bandleader known for his distinctive voice in creative and contemporary jazz. A longtime presence in New York’s jazz community, he has performed and recorded with artists including Sun Ra, Count Basie, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, and Archie Shepp. His work blends hard bop, avant-garde, and funk influences, reflected in both his solo projects and large ensemble writing. As leader of the Dick Griffin Big Band, he continues to create original music while mentoring younger musicians and contributing to the ongoing evolution of jazz.
We are your go-to venue for off-site meetings, receptions, film screenings, workshops, networking events, socials and more. Located in the heart of Central Harlem’s thriving culinary and entertainment district, The National Jazz Museum in Harlem is the perfect place to hold your next gathering.