Sounds Of Summer And Jazz En Plein Air Kickoff Outdoor Music At The Parrish

Memorial Day weekend brought the start of the Parrish Art Museum’s Sounds of Summer program. On Friday, May 22nd, The HooDoo Loungers performed during the kickoff of the summer outdoor music series. The season will continue on Friday, May 29th with the Parrish’s Jazz En Plein Air program featuring The Jam Session and the Thursday Night Live Band.

“Our summer music program brings together performers of diverse musical persuasions and encourages all ages to dance, dine, socialize or just enjoy the fresh air and the cool tunes,” noted series co-organizers, Andrea Grover, and Amy Kirwin, Visitor Services and Museum Programs Manager. “It’s a festive and fun way to kick-off the weekend.”

Jazz En Plein Air (Courtesy Photo)

Both series will continue for the rest of the summer until Friday, September 4th, with Sounds of Summer taking place on the first Friday of each month and Jazz en Plein Air taking place on the last Friday of each month, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Attendees of Sounds of Summer and Jazz en Plein Air concerts are invited to bring lawn chairs and blankets to the Mildred C. Brinn Terrace and Bonnie Comley and Stewart F. Lane Special Events Lawn. Food and beverages are available for purchase at the Museum’s Café. All concerts are free with Museum admission and do not require advance reservations.

Sounds of Summer (Courtesy Photo)

On Friday, May 29th, Jazz en Plein Air organizer Richard Siegler opens his third season at the Parrish with a band that has greatly influenced the East End jazz scene, The Jam Session and the Thursday Night Live Band. The Jam Session is a weekly live jazz performance series that began in 2009 at Bay Burger in Sag Harbor, and has attracted musicians from all across the globe. The Thursday Night Live Band, the core house band for the sessions, features Wayne Sabella on piano, Peter Weiss on bass, and Claes Brondal on drums. Special musical guests specializing in a variety of styles ranging from jazz to world music are invited to perform, completing The Thursday Night Live Band’s mission to show the audience to the many types of music within the jazz genre.

Sounds of Summer Schedule: (First Friday of each month, from 6 to 8 p.m.)

May 22nd: The HooDoo Loungers
June 5th: Southampton 375th Celebratory Contradance with Dave Harvey and Dunegrass
July 3rd: Mambo Loco
August 7th: Jake Lear Blues
September 4th: Bluegrass & BBQ with the Ebony Hillbillies

Jazz en Plein Air: (Last Friday of each month, from 6 to 8 p.m.)

May 29th: The Jam Session and the Thursday Night Live Band
June 26th: Richie Siegler’s Quartet
July 31st: Hendrik Meurkens and his Samba Jazz Quartet
August 28th: Alex Sipiagin

Parrish Art Museum is located at 279 Montauk Highway in Water Mill. For more information, call 631-283-2118 or visit parrishart.org.