The Howl Festival, held over three days in late August and comprising dozens of events all over New York City's East Village, celebrated the maverick creative spirit of a neighborhood best known for housing immigrants, students, independent entrepreneurs, artists, musicians, film-makers, and writers including the late poet Allen Ginsberg. The fest's climax was arguably the revival by the New York City Parks Department of the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival, a free Sunday afternoon of music dedicated to Bird, held in Tompkins Square Park (there is also a Saturday afternoon at Marcus Garvey Park, in Harlem). Bandleaders were bassist Lonnie Plaxico, drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts, Arthur Blythe, and Charles McPherson. JJA member Greg Masters was on hand with his new digital camera, and caught these shots.

	Alto saxophonist Arthur Blythe and tubaist Bob Stewart, at the Charlie Parker Festival in Tompkins Square Park
	Alto saxophonist Charles McPherson at the Charlie Parker Festival in Tompkins Square Park
	Pianist Hilton Ruiz at Tribes Gallery, during the Howl Festival
	Howl Festival wrap party at Niagra; players unknown
	Rob Schneiderman, pianist with Charles McPherson, at Charlie Parker Festival, Tompkins Square Park
	Arthur Blythe, up close
	Stewart, Blythe and drummer Cecil Brooks III
	Tenor saxophonist Marcus Strickland at Charlie Parker Festival, Tompkins Square Park
	Bassist Juni Booth, Howl Festival party at Opaline
	Roy Campbell on flugelhorn, Howl Festival party at Opaline
	Jeff "Tain" Watts behind his drum kit, at the Charlie Parker Festial, Tompkins Square Park
	Evelyn Blakey, vocalist and Roy Campbell on flugelhorn, at Howl Festival afterparty, Opaline
	Charles McPherson, close-up, at Charlie Parker Festival, Tompkins Square Park

copyright © 2003 Greg Masters