Tag Archives: Central Park Summer Stage

Jonathan Batiste

It was a perfect afternoon in Central Park on Sunday! Hot, sunny, no rain with talented artists scheduled to perform at Central Park’s Summerstage: Jonathan Batiste, Esperanza Spalding and Ledisi. 

Honoring the King of Pop Michael Jackson, Jazz Pianist Batiste took the stage wearing a Michael Jackson T-shirt.  Midway through his set, the Batiste led band broke down a Curtis Mayfield song into Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean. 

Esperanza Spalding

Spalding followed Batiste and raised the energy level at Summerstage.  This firecracker rocked the upright bass, the electric bass and sang her tail off.  After playing nearly an hour, Spalding and her band left the stage.  However, an overwhelming roar from the audience guided Spalding and crew back.  Before performing one more tune, Spalding instructed the audience to participate because that’s the only way she could continue on with her feet hurting.  

Closing out this lovely afternoon, was the two-time Grammy nominated R&B singer Ledisi.  From the moment she sang the first note and that soulful sound came pushing through the speakers, it was on! Although Ledisi playful said she was leaving the stage a couple of times because the crowd was not with her, clearly she knows New York City loves some Ledisi. 

Ledisi