About to collect the music
charts, Eyal Vilner called band
musicians who provided an
afternoon concert in the park.
Big band makes
‘impromptu’
performance
at Washington
Square Park PHOTOS BY TEQUILA MINSKY
BY TEQUILA MINSKY
Bandleader Eyal Vilner
recently called band
members together and
brought the charts for an “impromptu”
and delightful concert
at Washington Square Park, offering
parkgoers a brief sense of
normality.
Eyal Vilner’s Big Band provided an unexpected concert in Washington Square Park.
Washington Square Park is
usually not lacking in musical
entertainment when regulars set
up drums and other instruments
on the south end of the fountain,
or ad hoc groups performing near
the arch, or along the east or west
pathways. The presence of musicians
in the park subsided during
the pandemic, but the band
helped bring some sweet sounds
back to the greenspace.
Heading east from the Plaza,
the saxophonists sat on park
benches and played, backed by
standing musicians playing trumpets
and trombones. There were
also a bass, guitar and drums.
Eyal Vilner’s Big Band typically
performs outdoors at Lincoln
Center, Summer Stage and jazz
clubs around town. The pandemic
has frustrated musicians across
the city, as festival gigs have
been canceled with strict social
distancing and capacity guidelines
in place.
But the listeners at Washington
Square Park showed plenty
of appreciation, contributing to
the “tip the band” case while
these musicians do what they
want to do—perform.
An opportunity to show appreciation. An artist at work captures the musicians.
14 August 27, 2020 Schneps Media