White Plains Annual Jazz Festival Set for Sept. 2-7

The following press release is from the White Plains Department of Recreation and Parks:

Music lovers will be happy to know that the White Plains Jazz Fest, a collaboration between the City of White Plains, ArtsWestchester, 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. White Plains 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.

White Plains Jazz Fest 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 (pictured) 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 Avenue

$10 food and cover charge

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). Hosted by Eric ZORK Alan.

White Plans Public Library, 100 Martine Avenue

Free

Thursday, September 4

Noon - 2:00pm Noonday Concert in Renaissance Plaza 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; and 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, The Journal News Media Group

With support from: 107.1 The Peak; Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza; Apple Bank; Buffalo Wild Wings; David Lerner Associates; Elements Food and Spirits; Erie Insurance; Famous Famiglia; Inspiria Media; The Iron Tomato; Jon Hotz; Lothrop Associates; News 12; NFP Property and Casualty Services; The Original Long Island Iced Tea; Panera Bread; PHATBURN; Sam Ash Music Corporation; Sofrito; The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester; T-Mobile; The Westchester

Photo: Pianist Gilberto ‘Pulpo’ Colon