Skip to main content
You agree to our use of third-party technology to collect, store, share and use data about your use of our site, and our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Manage your cookie preferences here.

Joel Forrester

New York City's best play in the park
Angelito Jusay
August 16, 2024, 12:30pm–2:30pm

A-one and a-two and a-you know what to do...!
Come on down and swing along with the best ragtime, stride, and jazz musicians in town.

Upper Terrace (at the base of the William Cullen Bryant Statue behind the New York Public Library)

Joel Forrester

Boogie-Woogie, Swing, Stride

“HE CAN PLAY!” - Thelonious Monk

Joel Forrester is a contemporary two-handed piano player, essaying the stride, boogie-woogie, and swing styles. He wrote the theme to NPR's Fresh Air, received the personal encouragement of Thelonious Monk, co-led the legendary Microscopic Septet, and produced music for the early films of Andy Warhol. Joel is currently playing and composing in south-central France; he recently completed his two-thousandth composition. Once a year, he asks his listeners to commission him to write a tune and dedicate it to the - to date, he has received (and honored) 210 such commissions. Be sure and ask Joel where else he’s playing while he’s in town!

Thank you for the music!

Many thanks to Sam Ash Music Stores for their support through the years.

Pianist Frank Owens sits at the piano in Bryant Park NYC with a crowd of listeners.
Angelito Jusay Photography