New York Guitar Festival: Pedro Cortes Flamenco, Big Lazy, Marel Hidalgo

Pedro Cortes comes from a family of Spanish Gypsy guitarists and began his studies with his father and the esteemed Flamenco guitarist Sabicas. Having toured professionally since the age of 17, he is gaining international recognition as a soloist and composer. He premiered his work, En la Oscuridad de las Minas, at the Teatro Albeniz in Madrid and has had works premiered by the Carlota Santana Spanish Dance Company at the Joyce Theater in New York. He has two books on Flamenco, El Dron del Faraon and Cruzando el Charco, published by the American Institute of Guitar.

Cortes, was commissioned by the Cohen Brothers to compose music for the film Paris Je T'Aime. He also wrote music for a children’s program on HBO called Fairy tale for Every Child.

He has toured with Jose Greco and Maria Benitez, La Conja and has performed with artists including Farruqita, La Tati, Merche Esmeralda, Manolete and the late Lola Flores. He has been guest artist with the St. Louis Opera and the New York Grand Opera, and has been commissioned by and performed as Musical Director with the Guthrie Theater In Garcia Lorcas BODAS DE SANGRE.

Pedro Cortes also starred in a documentary alongside Diego Amador and La Susi that won first place in the Madrid International Film Festival. The film is called Flamenco Pasion en Peligro and was produced by WakeUp Music in 2023.

Big Lazy, New York City’s gritty instrumental trio has flourished for over 25 years, playing its singular brand of Guitar Noir from the Whitney Museum of American Art to the Opéra National de Lyon. The band is known for its cinematic music and legendary live performances. With Stephen Ulrich – guitar, Yuval Lion – drums, Andrew Hall – bass.

"Big Lazy, the elegantly gritty instrumental trio led by the extraordinary guitarist Stephen Ulrich, plays stunningly beautiful music that evokes everything from truckers' romps to the haunting film scores of Bernard Herrmann."  The New Yorker

Marel Hidalgo is a sixteen-year-old guitarist, and bandleader from Bradley Beach, New Jersey, and was the leader and founder of "The Marel Hidalgo Band". He began studying music at the age of four, under the instruction of guitar teacher Jerry Franklin at Big Beat Music Studio in Neptune City and within a few months, he had his first presentation working with renowned reggae artist Tim P-Dub.

Two years later, at the age of six, Marel formed his first band "Marel Hidalgo & Friends," a multicultural and multi-generational project that explored a wide variety of music genres, including reggae, classic rock, soul, blues, funk, country, bluegrass and Latin jazz. After his band’s debut in a jam-packed local venue, Marel started building a name in the Jersey Shore music scene.  During this period in his career, he performed in numerous festivals such as the South Orange Blues Festival, South Mountain International Blues Festival, and The Denver Day Of Rock just to name a few, other venues in the Tri-state area and The Brooklyn Conservatory of Music in New York and The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, and was featured on National TV on the Harry Connick Jr. Show.

 During his 11 year career as a musician, Marel has had the honor to be on stage with many talented, legendary, and renowned musicians, such as jazz legends such as drummer Roger Humphries, bassist Dwayne Dolphin, Don Aliquo Sr, bassist Mike Griot and many other jazz greats, as well as performing at the Exit Zero Jazz Festival, The Atrium at the Lincoln Center, the City Winery in Pittsburgh, the Count Basie Vogel Theater, just to name a few.

Bryant Park lends out hundreds of free blankets on a first-come, first-served basis, or bring your own cotton or fleece blanket. To protect the lawn, please do not sit on waterproof materials such as plastic tarps, yoga mats, or inflatable chairs. 

Take a seat in one of the pre-set chairs on the lawn or grab a chair from the gravel. You can use a chair anywhere in the park except for the center lawn "blanket zone". 

Bring your own picnic or purchase food and drinks from tents on the east side of the lawn. Attendees can enjoy cuisine from the five boroughs with a rotating line-up of artisanal vendors curated by Hester Street Fair.

Stout NYC also offers giant pretzels, gourmet popcorn and other light bites as well as a selection of beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages for purchase.

Visit the Bryant Park Shop tent for exclusive Picnic Performances merchandise and more!

Find a parachute, hula hoops, and more fun on the east side of the lawn at select events. 

Dogs are welcome on the gravel and bluestone, but not on the lawn.

Performances are cancelled when it is unsafe to be outdoors. In some cases, the lawn may be too wet to open but the performance may continue. Follow @bryantparknyc on Twitter and Instagram for day-of event updates. You can also check the lawn status on the bryantpark.org homepage.