Skip to main content
Gifts from The Morning Star
‘The privilege to partake in the simple act of being together’
Chris Searle speaks with saxophonist ABRAHAM BURTON
Abraham Burton [Joe Mabel/CC]

WE remember how monstrously Covid hit New York City. Its lockdown months of agony and isolation were finally broken in mid-2021, when at last its musicians could play again in open-air performances.

One significant venue was Summit Rock in Central Park, formerly the highest point of Seneca Village, a settlement founded in 1825 by free black Americans, which in 1857 was destroyed to create the park.

On June 20 2021, the New York trio of saxophonist Abraham Burton, drummer Eric McPherson and bassist Dezron Douglas performed live and free at Summit Rock to passing New Yorkers now released from lockdown.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
coe
Interview / 6 August 2025
6 August 2025

CHRIS SEARLE speaks to Chris Laurence, bassist and bandmate of saxophonist TONY COE

dankworth
Interview / 23 July 2025
23 July 2025

CHRIS SEARLE speaks to vocalist Jacqui Dankworth

moholo
Appreciation / 9 July 2025
9 July 2025

CHRIS SEARLE pays tribute to the late South African percussionist, Louis Moholo-Moholo

CS albums
Album Reviews / 7 July 2025
7 July 2025

Re-releases from Bobby Wellins/Kenny Wheeler Quintet, Larry Stabbins/Keith Tippet/Louis Moholo-Moholo, and Charles Mingus Quintet

Similar stories
CS albums
Album Reviews / 7 July 2025
7 July 2025

Re-releases from Bobby Wellins/Kenny Wheeler Quintet, Larry Stabbins/Keith Tippet/Louis Moholo-Moholo, and Charles Mingus Quintet

themen
Interview / 18 June 2025
18 June 2025

CHRIS SEARLE speaks to saxophonist and retired NHS orthopaedic surgeon ART THEMEN

Rory Gallagher in 1973
Culture / 30 December 2024
30 December 2024
A horn of plenty, no less!
Culture / 12 December 2024
12 December 2024
CHRIS SEARLE picks his favourites