Charlie "Bird" Parker 1920-1955 Musician (Saxophone)

Parker was one of the jazz greats. Birland opened in 1949 immortalizing his name and style. There is a plaque on the building where he lived on Ave B. The Charlie Parker Festival in Tompkins Square is held yearly.

Billie Holiday 1915-1959 Jazz-blues Singer

"Lady Day" is considered one of the greatest, noted for her unique style and phrasing. She was a star attraction at Cafe Society Downtown. She sang with bands such as Count bassie, Artie Shaw, etc.. and is remembered for The Man I Love, Porgy, Strange Fruit, Lover Man, and her own God Bless the Child.

Miles Davis 1926-1991 Musician (Trumpet) Bandleader

The world-famous Davis showcased his progressive jazz at the Cafe Bohemia on Barrow St., where the Beat poets listened and were inspired to create their spontaneous prose. He also played at The Village Vanguard and The Open Door and hung out at San Remo, the famous bohemian coffeehouse.

Patti Smith 1946- Poet, Painter, Writer, Rock Icon

Smith is well known as one of the first and the best female punk rock stars, for her St. Marks Poetry readings, and her performances at many Village clubs and theaters as a performer/writer. She was success both in England U.S. Much of her life has been devoted to political activism, i.e. her famous song Power to the People and speaking out for the Tibetan freedom cause.

Theolonius Monk 1917-1982 Musician (Jazz Piano)

Monk grew up in NYC. He began playing piano in NY at the age of five. He played at the famous Village Vanguard and Five Spot (bebop and jazz mecca frequented by artists, writers, poets and musicians during the 50s). His best known composition Round Midnight is a jazz standard.

Joan Baez 1941- Guitarist, Folk Singer, Civil Rights and Nonviolence Activist

Baez was at the forefront of the 60s folksong revival. She played the "music strip" on Bleecker St. between Sullivan and LaGuardia. Her activism involved refusing to pay Federal taxes that went toward war expenses. She was jailed twice in 1967.

Bob Dylan 1941- Guitarist, Folk/Rock Singer and Socially Conscious Songwriter

Dylan performed at Greenwich Village coffeehouses. His songs Blowin' in the Wind and The Times They Are a-Changin' are anthems of the civil rights movement. He is a most admired and influential songwriter of his time and is currently touring and enjoying a revival of his new popularity with new releases.

Woody Guthrie 1912-1967 Writer, Folk Singer Sonwriter

Guthrie is a legendary figure of American folk music, playing and writing songs with themes of social, political, and spiritual justice. He wrote over 1,000 songs, including the renowned This Land is Your Land, and was inducted into the Songwriters' Hall of Fame.