File photo from previous Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Concert event (Sunnyside Shines)
Aug. 14, 2024 By Shane O’Brien
Hundreds of people are expected to attend the 20th annual Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Concert in Sunnyside this Friday, which returns after a five-year hiatus.
The 1920s-themed concert is set to take place on 46th Street under the Sunnyside Arch between 3:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 16.
The concert celebrates Bix Beiderbecke, a highly acclaimed jazz musician who grew up in Davenport, Iowa, before living out his final days at 43-30 46th St. in Sunnyside. Beiderbecke, who struggled with alcoholism, died on Aug. 6, 1931, at the age of 28.
Now in its 20th year, the concert has returned for the first time following a five-year pause due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the death of Paul Maringelli, a beloved local musician who founded the event in 2001 after discovering Beiderbecke’s connection to Sunnyside.
Maringelli was able to document Beiderbecke’s history in the neighborhood after he tracked down the jazz great’s great nephew.
In its early years, the concert took place at All Saints Church courtyard before Maringelli joined forces with Sunnyside Shines and the event moved to the Sunnyside Arch.
Friday’s concert features performances from jazz bands Sweet Tooth Jazz Band – a jazzy, bluesy ensemble based in Brooklyn – and Honk NYC (featuring Bixology) – a project celebrating the music of Bix Beiderbecke.
The concert will also feature performances from tap dancers from Core Collective.
Poster by Sunnyside Shines
Dirk McCall de Paloma, Executive Director of Sunnyside Shines, said the organization is excited for the return of the event, adding that they are still trying to reach out to musicians who performed with the original Sunnyside Wolverines, a pick-up group founded by Maringelli that performed at the concert every year.
“We are honored to bring the Annual Bix Beiderbecke concert back and look forward to it continuing to grow each year,” McCall said in a statement. “We are still hoping to make contact with some of the original Sunnyside Wolverines who performed in past years.”
Council Member Julie Won said she is looking forward to the return of the annual concert, stating that it is an “honor” to celebrate the life and career of Bix Beiderbecke.
“Bix Beiderbecke lived just blocks away from the Sunnyside Arch’s current location, making it the perfect backdrop for our neighbors to enjoy live jazz performances,” Won said.
In a statement, Won paid tribute to Sunnyside Shines for helping to preserve Beiderbecke’s legacy.
State Sen. Mike Gianaris said Friday’s concert was further evidence that Queens is home to a diverse array of local institutions and history.
“Bix Beiderbecke left a lasting impression on jazz music and I’m so glad to see Sunnyside Shines shining a light on this legacy following the pandemic,” Gianaris said in a statement.
The event kicks off with a series of announcements at 3:30 p.m. before Sweet Tooth Jazz Band’s first set at 4 p.m.
The Brooklyn-based band will be back on stage for a second set at 5:15 p.m. before a performance from Core Collective at 6 p.m.
Honk NYC will close out the night of jazz with a performance at 6:30 p.m.
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One Comment
Great show thanks!