Queens Jazz Orchestra honors late local music scholar

Queens Jazz Orchestra, led by Antonio Hart (right), is honoring the work of Charlie Parker Jr. (left) and Phil Schaap (center). Photo courtesy of Jazz at Lincoln Center/Photo by Patrick Hillaire

By Rachel Vick

The Queens Jazz Orchestra is honoring staples of the jazz world with a performance on June 17.

“Bird Flight” will honor broadcaster Phil Schaap and jazz great Charlie Parker, with the orchestra led by new conductor Antonio Hart for the first time.

“We are thrilled to once again welcome Flushing Town Hall’s Queens Jazz Orchestra for the first time since the onset of the pandemic,” said Executive and Artistic Director Ellen Kodadek.

Schaap, a Hollis resident, received six Grammy Awards for his compilations of vintage jazz recordings and was awarded an NEA Jazz Master in 2021. His radio show was dedicated to the work of innovative saxophone player Parker, who played alongside trailblazers including Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk.

The concert will be Hart’s debut as conductor.

“Antonio Hart is an amazing musician and conductor, who was personally selected by Dr. Jimmy Heath to be his successor for QJO,” Kodadek said. “We can’t wait to see him lead the full orchestra of amazingly talented artists at our beautiful venue! Jazz and Queens lovers, rejoice.”

Hart — a Grammy-nominee and director of Jazz Studios at the Queens College Aaron Copland School of Music — succeeded co-founder Heath, who died in 2020.

In-person tickets are $45 for the public, $35 for members and $20 for students. The performance will be streamed live on Flushing Town Hall's YouTube channel.