Event Information

Soak up the sounds of summer as local musicians bring the museum courtyard to life! Pack a picnic, spread out on a blanket or lawn chair, and enjoy great tunes and snappy beats. Rotating food trucks will be on-site with tasty bites for purchase. Sponsored in part by Riverdale Park Arts and the Field of Firsts Foundation. FREE! No registration required; includes museum admission.

The Hyattsville Jazz Collective Trio delivers a high-octane exploration of the classic saxophone-bass-drums format. By stripping away the traditional safety net of piano or guitar, the ensemble leans into a “pianoless” setting that demands total harmonic freedom and unflinching accountability. It is a musical high-wire act where every note is exposed, and every decision is felt.

Featuring Mike Cemprola (saxophone), Ben Thomas (bass), and Kevin McDonald (drums), the trio pays homage to the titans who mastered this lean instrumentation — giants like Sonny Rollins, Joe Henderson, and John Coltrane. Their program seamlessly weaves original compositions with iconic arrangements, celebrating the raw, conversational power of jazz in its most essential form.