The incredible Jazz in the Valley Festival fills scenic Waryas Park with music on Sunday, August 20th in Poughkeepsie. No car? No problem! Walk from the train station as the gates open at 11am. You won’t miss a beat when the music starts at 12pm.
On the main stage groove to the outstanding music of:
Jeff “Siege” Siegel Sextet: Jeff “Siege” Siegel – Drums, Dylan Canterbury – Trumpet/Flugelhorn, Erica Lindsay – Tenor Saxophone, Francesca Tanksley – Piano, Rich Syracuse – Bass, and Fred Berryhill – Percussion.
Christopher Dean Sullivan Ensemble: Christopher Dean Sullivan – Bass, Mala Waldron – Piano/Vocals, Bobby Sanabria – Drums, and Steve Nelson – Vibes.
Elio Villafranca and The Jass Syncopators: Elio Villafranca – Piano/Composer, Greg Tardy – Tenor Sax, Bruce Harris – Trumpet, Dion Parson – Drums, Peter Slavov – Bass, and Miguelito Valdes – Percussion.
Swing Unlimited: Delfeayo Marsalis – Trombone, Cyrus Chestnut – Piano, Javon Jackson – Tenor Sax, Jimmy Cobb – Drums, and David Williams – Bass.
Juliette Hemingway is featured fine artist. These superb bands rock the main stage (ticketed seats) while others jam on the pavilion stage (free) all day long.
Bassist Christopher Dean Sullivan performed and recorded with Archie Schepp, Sheila Jordan, Yusef Lateef, Odean Pope, Freddie Hubbard, Billy Hart, Irene Reid, Jon Faddis, Vanessa Rubin, Eddie Henderson, Bob Gluck, Charli Persip, and Stanley Turrentine. Chris’ discography runs from the traditional art forms to open free style expressions.
Mala Walton Piano/Vocals – A NYC native, she studied jazz piano, voice & composition with Makanda Ken McIntyre, Richard Harper, Warren Smith and Amina Claudine Myers, at SUNY Old Westbury, earning a BA Degree. Her recordings include “Lullabye”, her debut and tribute to godmother Billie Holiday and “He’s My Father”, with her father, Mal Waldron. She’s performed in Japan, France, Italy, Belgium, Italy, and Russia.
Pianist Elio Villafranca was born in Cuba and classically trained in percussion and composition. He’s resident professor at Temple University. Villafranca is at the forefront of musicians making major creative contributions to the development of jazz. His performance, composition and coproduction of “Things I Wanted To Do” by Chembo Corniel was Grammy nominated as “Best Latin Jazz Album of the Year” in 2010.
Lift the audience vibes with your presence! Enjoy terrific music with the picturesque Hudson River and Catskill Mountains as the backdrop. Early Bird Tickets ($40) on sale thru August 1st; then tickets are $50, and $20 for students.
This article appears in July 2017 Issue.
