07/24/2026
Billy Harper & Morana Mesic
There are moments in every endeavor when the future is uncertain and all you have is conviction.
Long before the Inwood Jazz Festival had a stage, an audience, or even a history, Billy Harper and Morana Mesic believed in the vision. They were among the very first people I shared the idea with, and without hesitation, they stood behind it. I have never forgotten that.
When the inaugural festival arrived, we were operating with little more than determination and an impossibly small budget. Billy and his remarkable quintet became our very first headliner, and in an extraordinary act of generosity, donated their performance to help make the festival possible.
That gift was about far more than finances. It was an expression of faith, friendship, and a shared belief that this community deserved a world class celebration of jazz.
As the festival continues to grow, I often think back to those early days and the people who helped carry the dream before it had taken root. Billy and Morana have continued to encourage and support the festival through the years, and I remain deeply grateful.
Their kindness, generosity, and quiet commitment are woven into the very fabric of the Inwood Jazz Festival. Whatever the future holds, their place in its story will always be among its very first and most important chapters. Thank you, Billy and Morana. Your faith in this festival helped make it what it is today.
