New York City’s soundscape was on full display at the second annual Bronx Summer Jam this past Saturday, July 15. Local Bronx artists encapsulated the Bronx’s vast musical environment, performing everything from rock and hip hop to reggae and soul.
Bronx Summer Jam participants and audience members ’23. Photo courtesy of Michael Nickerson.
This wide array of genres not only reflects the Bronx’s sound but the individuals that create it. Take Emelia Vero for example, who performed on the Kings Stage from 1:30-2:30 pm under her stage name Bombii. In between her silky-smooth songs, she explained why her lyrics switched from English to Spanish. She said by singing in both languages, her music was able to fully represent herself. As such, she loves when people call her by her stage name. If they know her music, they know her. The notes bind audience and singer together, creating a family.
Audience member Francesca echoes Bombii’s sentiments. “I remember being a teenager, and a lot of people from different high schools would all go to these concerts. These would be people whose real names I didn’t even know. But when we were there, we were best friends. We were family.”
For some, it truly is family. From 4:30-5:00 pm, DJ F1rst Class performed. His wife Alina and daughter were front and center to watch him. Alina said the reason they are together is because of their passion for music.
Alina was glad she was able to bring her daughter to relish in the music as well. Most of the time, it isn’t easy to bring children to concerts. But the Bronx Summer Jam was outside at a local park, making it easily accessible for everyone.
“Usually they have it at places where there’s alcohol or it’s indoors. I couldn’t always bring my daughter,” Alina said. “But the Bronx Summer Jam is for all ages.”
Wastewood performing for the crowd at Bronx Summer Jam ’23. Photo courtesy of Michael Nickerson.
Bronx Summer Jam was produced by Sirens & Kings, a co-production company made of two Bronx music collectives, Sounds & Sirens and The Fox & King. They hoped that by locating the festival at a park, it would allow everyone to be able to participate. It was a hope that was achieved.
“I live right across the street, and I came out for just a few minutes to sit on the park bench. Then I started hearing the music and walked right over here,” said Ivecte Lopez.
Despite the scorching heat, the crowd grew throughout the day. Those walking through the park stopped by to enjoy the music. Some set up hammocks or chairs under the trees’ shade and within hearing distance of the festival. Others took on the sun’s beating rays, standing within feet from the stage.
With a bigger crowd, the musicians began to engage with the crowd. Bombii did a call-and-answer. Everytime she said “Para,” the audience sang back “Siempre.” Later in the day, artists Ray Pearson, Ki Storii, WIN, Kony Brooks, and July Quinn left the confines of the stage. They moved across the park’s lawn to the beats of their rap and hip-hop songs.
Their performances were contrasted with the full rock sounds of Wastewood and Balcony Talk. The bands’ sounds were then further contrasted by the acoustic sounds of Drew Torres.
Drew Torres performs at Bronx Summer Jam ’23. Photo courtesy of Michael Nickerson.
During his set, Torres sang an original upbeat song titled “Minus 4,” named for his glasses prescription. He later ended his set with tapping, a technique that involves tapping one’s hands on the guitar’s body.
“This is not just a hobby for me,” Torres said. “This is my therapy. This is the way I personally express myself. I just want to inspire others.”
Audience member and devoted member of the Bronx music scene, Mocha said it was concerts like the Bronx Summer Jam that inspired him to play music. “I was inspired to pick up an instrument at a local show back in 2004. I saw bands and immediately was like, ‘This is what I’m going to do.’ I was sixteen then. Without that concert, I don’t have any clue who I would have been now.”
Perhaps this festival inspired someone in the audience to learn an instrument or to start singing. The festival’s music definitely reached a number of people ranging from those who knew about the festival to those in the park who happened upon it.
To see more of what Sirens & Kings will produce, click here and here.
Performers:
12:30-1:00 pm – DJ JYNN
1:00-1:30 pm – Drew Torres
1:30-2:00 pm – Emelia Vero (Bombii)
2:00-2:30 pm – Wastewood
2:30-3:00 pm – DJ Mike
3:00-3:30 pm – Ray Pearson
3:30-4:00 pm – Richard Pigkaso
4:00-4:30 pm – Balcony Talk
4:30-5:00 pm – DJ F1rst Class
5:00-5:30 pm – Ki Storii
5:30-6:00 pm – WIN
6:00-6:30 pm – Kony Brooks
6:30-7:00 pm – July Quinn Band
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