MIDTOWN — The summer swelter takes a soothing turn Friday evening, when Bryant Park launches its free eight-week "New Music" series featuring acclaimed jazz and classical ensembles.
From July 12 through Aug. 30, eight small chamber groups, each awarded a grant by Chamber Music America, will perform their commissioned works near the eastern edge of the lawn at 6 p.m.
But a stuffy snooze-fest this isn't — while the term "chamber music" once referred only to Western classical music for small ensembles, it now encompasses funk-inflected jazz and innovative string pieces from bands with names like the "Forum for Electro-Acoustic Research."
“We are thrilled to partner with Bryant Park to showcase eight of our accomplished grantees in one of New York City’s most iconic locations, and look forward to introducing these wonderful compositions to New York City audiences," CMA CEO Margaret Lioi said in a statement.
The Forum for Electro-Acoustic Research, which blends classical and jazz, opens the series July 12. Read on for the rest of the schedule:
July 19: Le Boeuf Brothers
July 26: JACK Quartet
Aug. 2: Imani Winds
Aug. 9: Enso String Quartet
Aug. 16: Matt Wilson's Carl Sandburg Project
Aug. 23: Jane Ira Bloom Quartet
Aug. 30: Dorian Wind Quintet