Most Manhattanites consider the city of White Plains an undesirable destination, but it’s really just a few stops on Metro North or a short drive. The trek will be worth it for the JazzFest White Plains from September 11–15, with 18 live performances sprinkled throughout downtown White Plains, N.Y. Several performances are free, including all the noon and Sunday shows.
The 13th annual JazzFest White Plains will brew up a cauldron of early autumn ingredients from the genres of jazz, poetry, blues, and other hipness. Some musicians will include pianist and singer Nicole Zuraitis, whose latest album, “How Love Begins,” was co-produced by Christian McBride in 2023 and won the 2024 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album.
The following evening, September 14, will present an astounding musical expedition with the Vijay Iyer Trio, featuring drummer Tyshawn Sorey and bassist Linda May Han Oh. Blues is on the menu with Floridan guitarist and singer Selwyn Birchwood (performance and dinner, $70 per person).
Two young comets whose performances are required viewing are pianist Julius Rodriguez, who grew up in White Plains, and D.C.-born of Cameroonian-American descent vocalist Ekep Nkwelle. Both of these spirited artists are making waves by playing on the outside of the sun, having hurdled genre descriptions. Rodriguez has played with the likes of A$AP Rocky, Kassa Overall, and Meshell Ndegeocello, and made his solo debut for Verve Records with “Let Sound Tell All” (2022). Nkwelle has performed with Russell Malone, Cyrus Chestnut, and classical pianist Lang Lang.
For full lineup and ticket info, visit www.artswestchester.org.
An invigorating musical experience that holds the Crescent City of New Orleans in a perpetual state of second-line motion and all that swings mandates music pursuers to be anointed at the Quantum Leap Music Festival, curated by Big Chief and NEA Jazz Master, saxophonist, and composer Donald Harrison Jr. The three-day outdoor festival (September 13–15) will be held at Long Island’s Castello di Borghese Vineyard & Winery in Cutchogue, N.Y.
Some of Harrison’s musical family sharing the spectrum of their New Orleans roots will include percussionist and vocalist Cyril Neville, a funk innovator of New Orleans (the Meters and the Neville Brothers), with members of the Headhunters, featuring percussionist Bill Summers (founding member of the fusion jazz group led by Herbie Hancock), pianist Kyle Roussel, bassist Chris Severin, and Harrison. Surprise guests will include Louisiana-raised singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Tonya Boyd-Cannon; Big Chief Brian, who blends New Orleans Bounce and hip hop; and producer & DJ BlaqNmilD, who are bringing the city’s Bounce music to Long Island. Also to be featured are the Preservation Hall Legacy Band with trumpeter and bandleader Wendell Brunious, and the Joe Dyson Trio. Drummer Dyson is a former student of Harrison and longtime member of his band before he began leading his own groups and joining with Pat Metheny.
Harrison, the festival artistic director, will also perform with his Omniverse ensemble with Fred Wesley. “Before Fred, there was no soul and jazz on trombone,” said Harrison during a phone interview. “He was a great influence on me.”
After performing and recording with masters from Art Blakey to Latin master Eddie Palmieri, Harrison conceived Omniverse, a creative musical journey that travels effortlessly through nine genres, playing just one song, which gives listeners an inside perspective on various sounds, melodies, rhythms, and how they come together in each genre. This concept is an extension of his “Nouveau Swing,” which dances in the corridors of hip hop, soul, and blues.
“Both of these concepts or playing techniques broaden listeners’ musical palettes,” said Harrison. “When you listen to Charlie Parker, you can still hear soul, blues, and traditional jazz.”
The festival will conclude on September 15 (3 p.m.–10 p.m.) with a celebration of zydeco and Cajun music, featuring acts like C.J. Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band and Sonny Landreth. “This festival, which is a microcosm of the New Orleans Jazz Festival and Essence Fest, will bring together some of the top New Orleans artists in their respective sounds to Long Island,” said Harrison. “We will be playing traditional jazz with roots in the blues, jazz elements, the tradition of Africa, and dance music — everything is in there and hopefully it offers people something they never encountered before.”
For more info and tickets, visit http://bit.ly/NOLA2NOFO2024TIX.
Sista’s Place, where “jazz is a music of the spirit with culture as our weapon,” will commence its season on September 14 with the Festival of New Trumpet Music in association with Melchizedek Music Productions, with two sets (8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.).
The trumpeters whose names may not be household words but who are established musicians with critical acclaim throughout the country will include Sharif Kales, Nabaté Isles, James Zollar, and Satish Robertson. These musicians, whose primary base is New York City, have all released recordings under their names as well as leading their own bands. They will be joined by a rhythm section featuring pianist Luis Perdomo, bassist Mimi Jones, and multi-instrumentalist Will Terrill.
“These four trumpeters have played at Sista’s Place but not leading their own bands,” said Ahmed Abdullah, the inventive trumpeter/composer and co-producer of this event. “This is a chance for them to be presented on their own with a great rhythm section.” This trumpet happening intersects with the centennial of trumpeter and composer Kenny Durham (born August 30, 1924).
Abdullah and Monique Ngozi Nri will give the introductions for the evening. This fundraising jazz affair for Sista’s Place will include Abdullah being presented with the Jazz Journalists Association’s 2024 Heroes Award.
Reservations are a must. For guaranteed seating, call 718-398-1766 to reserve $35 tickets.
The Nyack Jazz Festival breaks loose on September 15 (1 p.m.–6 p.m.) with an array of experienced jazz musicians exploring new paths, such as saxophonist and composer Ravi Coltrane; Swedish multi-instrumentalist Gunhild Carling, who favors her trusty trombone; vocalist Idun Carling; drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts, who is expanding the drumming tradition of Elvin Jones and Philly Joe Jones; bassist Neil Caine; pianist David Budway; drummer Daniel Glass, and Josh Kaye & Baklava Express. Kaye, the composer, oud player, and frontman, fuses Arabic sound and gypsy jazz into an absorbing journey.
Nyack Jazz is a free all-day event of music and dancing taking place in front of Maureen’s Jazz Cellar (2 North Broadway). Bring your chair and enjoy the music blast; no coolers. Rain date is September 22.
For more info, visit visitnyack.org.
Funmi Ononaiye, the omnipresent music connoisseur, who was an inspiring ray of light to all who crossed his path, will be celebrated on September 17, set at 7 p.m., with an evening of vibrant music, song, dance, and drum. His legacy celebration will take place at Dizzy’s Club (10 Columbus Circle), where he served as programming manager (bringing in an assortment of varied artists).
Featured will be his good friends DJ and drummer Joe Clausell, pianists William Delisfort and Emmet Cohen, saxophonist TK Blue, drummer Joe Dyson, bassist Dezron Douglas, the Drum Circle, and vocalists Joy Brown and Tammy McCann.
As you enter Dizzy’s, be sure to acknowledge the spirit of Funmi in his usual spot — on your right near the last four stools. And during the show, make sure to order the club’s most spirited drink on the menu, “The Funmi,” which combines his favorite drink: ginger beer with lemon juice, honey, and Tabasco.
For reservations and tickets, visit jazz.org.