Jazz Fest Comes to White Plains, September 2-7

August 4, 2014  (ArtsWestchester) White Plains, NY – Music lovers will be happy to know that Jazz Fest, a collaboration between ArtsWestchester, the City of White Plains, and the White Plains BID – is back,and it’s going to be bigger, bolder and hotter than ever before. Now in its third year, the highly anticipated event has expanded from three days of performances to a six-day festival that includes Latin, smooth, classic and contemporary styles of jazz – a globally influenced art form that originated in America.  Jazz Fest, taking place from September 2-7, will feature free and affordable performances by accomplished musicians throughout White Plains, in venues as varied as the art form itself. The festival promises to be a jazz-lover’s heaven – true to the indescribable nature of our country’s own original art form… multicultural, innovative, glorious jazz. For more information, visit: artsw.org/jazzfest.

ArtsWestchester will be a significant contributor to this year’s festivities, hosting two events in The Arts Exchange, its historic landmark building on Mamaroneck Avenue, and co-hosting a third event with the White Plains Performing Arts Center.

At the Arts Exchange Sept. 4 & 5:
Alysa Haas, a classically trained vocalist who has performed on stage and screen, will bring her jazz/cabaret show to the organization’s Peckham Gallery on Thursday, September 4, followed by The Gerry Malkin Jazz Collective the very next day, on Friday, September 5. A tenor sax-led six-piece of acclaimed Westchester jazz musicians, the band, comprised of some of the finest jazz performers of our day, will be joined by special guest artist/trumpeter Scott Wendholt. Tickets for each event will be $20.

At the White Plains Performing Arts Center (WPPAC) Sept. 6:
The music of Miles Davis will be the focus of an event that will be presented by ArtsWestchester and White Plains Performing Arts Center this year on Saturday, September, 6.  The Blue in Green Project: A Tribute to Miles Davis will be a convergence of great talents, featuring music by one of jazz’s greatest performers, whose ground breaking sounds and styles played a major role in the evolution of the art form. Performances by guitarist Wali Ali, pianist Bob Baldwin, saxophonist Ray Blue, bassist Harvie S, trumpeter Antoine Drye and drummer Tony Jefferson will be an exciting addition to the festival. Admission will be $25.

For those interested in attending all ArtsWestchester/WPPAC events:
Those interested in catching all three ArtsWestchester and WPPAC performances might consider purchasing a “Jazz Pass.” New this year, the “Jazz Pass” will grant the holder access to all three ticketed Jazz Fest events at a discounted rate. Limited to the first 50 purchasers, buying a “Jazz Pass” will allow the holder to attend performances by both Alysa Haas and The Gerry Malkin Jazz Collective at ArtsWestchester on Thursday and Friday, September 4 and 5, in addition to The Blue in Green Project: A Tribute to Miles Davis at WPPAC on Saturday, September 6 – for just $50 per pass.

JazzFest 2014 will kick off with an opening reception at Elements Restaurant & Bar, where a $10 cover charge will include food and a night of Latin jazz with accomplished pianist Gilberto ‘Pulpo’ Colon and his trio. Additional events will include a jazz poetry slam at the White Plains Public Library, where the audience will enjoy the mellow, poetic stylings of The Duende Project, featuring veteran poet Tony Brown and the ever-brilliant bassist Faro, and many others throughout the week. The massive celebration will go out with a bang, culminating in the White Plains Jazz and Food Festival on Sept. 7, a block-long party which will welcome Lynette Washington & Dennis Bell Jazz NY, Mark Morganelli Jazz Forum Brazil Project w/ Monika Oliveira and Eddie Monteiro, two-time Grammy nominee percussionist and bandleader Bobby Sanabria (performing this year with his nonet Ascensión) and more. Besides a wide menu of musical offerings, local eateries will offer a variety of culinary delights to purchase, complementing the music throughout the day.

The full Jazz Fest 2014 Lineup Roster includes:

Tuesday, September 2
7:00 – 9:00pm
Festival Opening Reception – Latin Jazz with Gilberto ‘Pulpo’ Colon
Elements Restaurant, 161 Mamaroneck Ave.
$10 cover includes food

Wednesday, September 3
7:00 – 9:00pm
Jazz Slam with the Duende Project, featuring performance poet Tony Brown, Steven Lanning-Cafaro aka “Faro” (bass guitar), Chris Lawton (guitar), and Chris O’Donnell (drums)
White Plans Public Library, 100 Martine Avenue
Free

Thursday, September 4
Noon – 2:00pm
Noonday Concert in Renaissance Plaza
White Plains Dept. of Recreation & Parks presents the Brian Carter Quartet
Mamaroneck Avenue @ Main Street
Free

8:00 – 10:30pm: Alysa Haas Jazz Cabaret, featuring Tedd Firth (piano) and special guest, Joe Luckinbill (guitar)
ArtsWestchester, 31 Mamaroneck Avenue
Admission: $20

Friday, September 5      
Noon -1:00pm
Downtown Music at Grace Church presents Doug Munro & La Pompe Attack, gypsy jazz quartet
Grace Church, Main Street @ Mamaroneck Avenue
Free

8:00 – 10:30pm
The Gerry Malkin Jazz Collective, featuring Scott Wendholt (trumpet) and Jeff Pittson (piano)
ArtsWestchester, 31 Mamaroneck Avenue
Admission: $20

Saturday, September 6                
8:00pm
The Blue in Green Project: A Tribute to Miles Davis with Wali Ali (guitar), Bob Baldwin (piano / keyboard), Ray Blue (saxophone), Harvie S (bass), Antoine Drye (trumpet), and Tony Jefferson (drums)
White Plains Performing Arts Center, 11 City Place
Admission: $25

Sunday, September 7
11:30am-5:15pm
White Plains Jazz and Food Festival
Mamaroneck Avenue, between Martine Avenue and Main Street
Free
Performances by:
Hervé Alexandre Quintet
Curtis Winchester and Friends
Lynette Washington and Dennis Bell Jazz NY
Mark Morganelli Brazil Project w/ Monika Oliveira and Eddie Monteiro
Bobby Sanabria & Ascensión

Jazz Fest 2014 is presented by:  Macy’s

Additional sponsors:  Peckham Industries, Inc., All New York Title Agency, Inc., Crowne Plaza, Cappelli Organization, Meet me in Westchester County

With support from:  107.1 The Peak; Apple Bank; Buffalo Wild Wings; David Lerner Associates; Elements Food and Spirits; Erie Insurance; Jon Hotz; Lothrop Associates; News 12; NFP Property and Casualty Services; Panera Bread; Sam Ash Music Corporation; The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester; T-Mobile; The Westchester