Plan to jazz up your calendar with the 2020 Virtual JazzFest White Plains from Tuesday September 8 to Friday, September 11. This year, ArtsWestchester is combining the spirit of their annual ArtsBash with the JazzFest program.

For its ninth year, JazzFest remains true to its roots, presenting jazz from an outstanding roster of Westchester and NYC musicians. From the ArtsBash Virtual Mixology Party on September 8 to a unique series of online JazzFest events through September 11, they will celebrate established jazz greats who have shaped the genre, as well as rising stars who are carrying jazz in new directions. Virtual programs will be held on Zoom and livestreamed on Facebook.

 

The ArtsWestchester weekly e-newsletter at artsw.org/subscribe will provide updates on the 2020 JazzFest programs.

 

A partnership between ArtsWestchester, the City of White Plains and the White Plains BID, JazzFest has become a signature White Plains event presenting free and affordable jazz experiences to jazz enthusiasts from Westchester and beyond.

 

Enjoy a week of Jazz Happenings starting on September 8 at 4:30-5:30pm, with an ArtsBash Virtual Mixology Party presented by ArtsWestchester via ZOOM. Reservations are required. Live jazz music will be played by The Rico Jones Trio.

 

At 6pm, Jazz in the time of COVID-19 will be presented by ArtsWestchester, City of White Plains, and the WPBI, broadcast on Zoom and Facebook Live. A  discussion between some of Westchester’s top jazz presenters/producers, this conversation will focus on the history of these institutions/venues and the creative ways in which they are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program will feature: Mark Morganelli , Jazz Forum; John Brathwaite, PJS Jazz; Elizabeth Sander, The Westchester Center for Jazz & Contemporary Music; Wayne Bass, White Plains Commissioner of Recreation & Parks.{*list in formation}

 

At 8pm, Westchester Jazz: Then and Now will be presented by the White Plains Public Library and ArtsWestchester, broadcast on Zoom and Facebook Live. Show your Westchester pride by tuning in to this program that features jazz artists who have deep roots and ties to Westchester County. The program will include short performances by each of the artists and a moderated discussion about the history and development of jazz in Westchester.

 

Moderated by Tom van Buren, White Plains Jazz Fest Artistic Directory (2010-2017) and  featuring: Art Bennett, Sax; Kathryn Farmer,  Piano and Voice; Kenny Lee,  Trumpet; Rocky Middleton |Bass.{*list in formation}.

 

On September 9, at noon,| Isabella Mendes and  Flavio Lira Duo will perform, presented by Downtown Music at Grace and broadcast on Zoom and Facebook Live. Isabella Mendes is a singer-songwriter, pianist, composer and educator whose work is rooted in Brazilian jazz and bossa nova. Flavio Lira explores the musical traditions of Brazil, Cuba and Colombia. Together, the two will present a special all-originals set, during this midday performance.

 

At 6pm, Jazz Education in Westchester will be presented by White Plains Public Library and ArtsWestchester, broadcast on Zoom and Facebook Live. Enjoy an intimate conversation between Westchester’s top jazz instructors as they delve into topics such as their personal histories in education, the development of local institutions of jazz learning, and a discussion of COVID-19 and its impact on teaching jazz inside and outside the classroom. The program will include short performances by each of the artists including: Tim Veeder,  White Plains High School; Ray Blue,  Cross-Cultural Connection; Hiroshi Yamazaki,  Music Conservatory of Westchester.

 

At 8pm,| Jazz, From One Generation to the Next will be presented by ArtsWestchester, City of White Plains and White Plains BID and broadcast on Facebook Live.

 

This program will be a discussion between master jazz artists and their mentee and will delve into the topics of intergenerational exchange and transmission in jazz education. The moderated program will also include short live performances by each master-mentee pair. Moderated by Pete Malinverni of Purchase College and features Alexis Cole and Lucy Wijnands, Bobby Sanabria and Gabrielle Garo; Ulysses Owens Jr. and Aaron Jennings.

 

On September 10, at 8pm, Jazz at the Intersections will be presented by ArtsWestchester, City of White Plains and White Plains BID, broadcast on Zoom and Facebook Live. Featured Artists include: Amir ElSaffar,| Arabic music and jazz; Jomion and  the Uklos , West African/Carribean music and jazz; Pablo Mayor, Columbian music and jazz.