Come hang out with
us on Thursdays!!
7:00 - 9:30pm
(RAIN OR SHINE!)
July 5 - August 2,
2012
FREE!
32 Manhattan Avenue
White Plains, New York, 10607
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Every Thursday in July up 'til August 2 -
you can enjoy outstanding jazz for free at Yosemite Park, in back of the
Theodore Young Community Center (Manhattan Ave).
THE ANNUAL
2012
T.D.Y.C.C.
SUMMER JAZZ SERIES IS
ON!
We ARE the best
Free Summer Jazz Venue in Westchester County
July 5 - Jazz Elite
July 12 - Solomon Hicks
July 19 - Kenny Lee
July 26 - Wali Muhammad
August 2 - Ray Blue
August 9 - Ragan Whiteside
Get Your Jazz Fixx 24/7 with the
NewUrbanJazz Lounge
featuring
Bob Baldwin
Click below to listen!
JULY 12
SOLOMON HICKS
(Guitar/Vocals)
Known as King Solomon, Lil B.B., and EAST Montgomery, Solomon Hicks is a seventeen year old guitarist, singer and musical prodigy who has been playing for 11 years. He started developing his musical gifts at the New Amsterdam Music Association (NAMA), a 107 year old jazz house in Harlem and went on to pursue music at Harlem School of the Arts, Barry Harris’ BeBop and the Harbor Conservatory. He is currently attending Music and Performing Arts High School.
Lead guitarist for the well known “All-Stars” band since the age of 13, Solomon performs several times a week at the world famous Cotton Club in New York City. At the age of 14 he was recorded performing with the Cotton Club All Stars Band on their CD “EMBRYONIC.” He recorded his second CD at the age of 16 with four original songs, released on “iTunes.”
Solomon has been featured in a variety of magazines and news publications, including the cover of the Wall Street Journal. His performance venues include, Madison Square Garden, Giants/ Met Life Stadium, and audiences including Governor David Patterson and Congressman Charlie Rangel. He is the recipient of the 2008/9 Jazz Excellence Scholarship Award, the AUDELCO 'Rising Star' Honoree for the 2009/10 'VIV’ award for Jazz music and the 2012 JWT “Differenter” ~ Innovator of Change Award. In addition to his educational and professional schedule, Solomon makes time to teach music to youth at the Children’s Aid Society.
Solomon's Band of Brothers can be hired for events at 212.222.5759 or online.
For frequent updates,
please join our...
JULY 5
JAZZ ELITE
(Group)
Founded by conductor Iantheia Calhoun in 2003, Jazz Elite is a diverse band of middle school to college aged students celebrating the many cultural aspects of American jazz. The program challenges student’s aural, sight-reading, and improvisational skills, while providing a relaxing, and fun learning environment. Their workshops, mentors and coaching and collaborations with professional jazz musicians support and encourage the development of the participating students. Past coaches and partners include Jon Faddis, Cecil Bridgewater, Ron Carter, Tia Fuller, Andres Forero, Wycliffe Gordon, Steve Kirby, Alvester Garnett, Todd Coolman
Jazz Elite performs at a variety of local community events and record audition CD’s for national competitions. Additionally, the band hosts a two-concert series titled “A Night of Jazz” featuring world-renowned jazz artists. They are sponsored by a non-profit arts service organization, Fractured Atlas. Tax deductible contributions on behalf of Jazz Elite are welcomed and may be made payable to: Fractured Atlas at 248 W35th Street, 10th Floor, NY, NY 10001 or by phone at (888) 692-7878.
JULY 19
KENNY LEE AND
THE ALL-STARS
(Trumpet)
Jazz trumpeter Kenny Lee has earned the respect of jazz musicians across Westchester County, Connecticut and in New York City. He has played with a variety of jazz professionals and appeared at many clubs and restaurants all over the tri-state area with his band, “The Kenny Lee All-Stars.” Receiving his first trumpet lesson from his father, who also played the trumpet, Kenny began exploring his love for music at an early age, as a member of the White Plains elementary and high school marching bands. After graduating from White Plains High School, he joined the United States Marine Corps and played for four years in the US Marine Corps Band. He went on to study trumpet at the Westchester Conservatory of Music in White Plains, NY.
In addition to serving in the Marines, Kenny also served as a Law Enforcement Officer for 22 years. He retired as a Criminal Investigator for a major financial institution, and has now devoted his free time to his blessing others with his tremendous trumpet skills.
JULY 26
WALI MUHAMMAD
(Guitar)
Jazz guitarist Wali Muhammad has performed on Broadway and written music for television. He has performed and recorded with various artists, including Tom Browne, Norman Conners, Jean Carne, Donny Hathaway, Bobbie Humphrey, Taj Mahal, Melvin Van Peebles, Noel Pointer, Lonnie Liston Smith, Peter Tosh, and Stanley Turrentine.
The son of 1st Lt. P.E. Saunders, who was a fighter pilot during WWII with the Tuskegee Airman, and the son-in-law of famous actors and activists, Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee, Wali’s passion for jazz has always been coupled with his passion for civil justice. He received his undergraduate degree from the State University of New York at Purchase and went on to graduate from Pace University School of Law. Presently, he balances his performance schedule with his courtroom one as an attorney in White Plains, New York with Mayo Bartlett, practicing criminal defense law.
AUGUST 9
RAGAN WHITESIDE AND
THE FAM
(Flute)
Sexy, elegant, and undeniably funky, flute sensation Ragan Whiteside's ultra-hip take on contemporary jazz is irresistible. An accomplished flutist, singer and songwriter from Mt. Vernon, this multi-talented artist started playing music at the age of 5. She studied classical music with a focus on the flute.
However, instead of becoming a classical flute soloist, she became enamored with the sounds of contemporary jazz, R&B and funk. The musical transition was a good move for Ragan, who released her debut album, Class Axe, in November of 2007, inspiring rave reviews. The world anxiously awaits the next CD, hopefully to be released in 2012.
The breathtaking piece of work features 11 soulful tracks with a neo-soul flavor. The album reflects Ragan’s elegance and dexterity as a jazz artist, while fascinating listeners with the integrity of her musical composition. Her signature sound fuses jazz with funk and classical music. Ragan Whiteside is definitely one of the most influential artists in the industry today.
PRESS RELEASE
William L. Carter/Commissioner
Paul J. Feiner / Town Supervisor
James Robinson /
Deputy Commissioner
For Immediate Release:
June 20, 2012
Contact: Tina Harper
tharper@greenburghny.com
914-989-3631
THEODORE D. YOUNG COMMUNITY CENTER HOSTS ANNUAL “NEWURBANJAZZ” SERIES THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 7PM THIS SUMMER IN YOSEMITE PARK
The Theodore D. Young Community Center presents the annual "NewUrbanJazz Series,” every Thursday night at 7:00pm, starting July 5th at Yosemite Park, located directly behind the community center at 32 Manhattan Avenue, White Plains, NY 10607. The series fuses contemporary jazz with urban accents and features a variety of incredibly talented jazz artists from across Westchester County and the tri-state region. Replete with great food, dance space, a children’s playground and water sprinkler, the Thursday night series offers summer fun for the entire family.
On July 5th, Westchester’s new and dynamic band of young musicians, Jazz Elite, will kick off the series, showcasing the many cultural contributions to the American musical art form of jazz. Conducted by Iantheia Calhoun, Jazz Elite seeks to develop the advanced musical talent of middle school to college students through professional training and experimenting with different techniques.
On July 12th, the seventeen year old jazz sensation, Solomon Hicks, will continue the Thursday night series with his distinctive blend of jazz, blues, classical, gospel, R&B, funk and classic rock. His unique sound, soulful voice and guitar skills have earned him the nickname, “King Solomon.”
On July 19th, the traditional sounds of the Kenny Lee ‘All Stars’ will ignite the venue and the hearts of listeners with their explosive emotional sounds of jazz.
On July 26th, Wali Muhammad’s JimiJango Band will take the stage to generate awe inspiring sounds of guitar over mind blowing bass.
On August 2nd, the renowned Ray Blue will grace the Yosemite Park stage with his engaging melodies and eloquent lyrics. His special “Blue Jazz” will demonstrate a brilliant balance of both nostalgic and modern jazz.
Finally, on August 9th, Ragan Whiteside and The Family will close out the spectacular series with a funky flute, sultry vocals and jumping jazzy grooves. This contemporary group is known for generating jazz sounds that appeal to all generations.
AUGUST 2
RAY BLUE
(Saxophones)
Ray Blue is a saxophonist and composer known for communicating intuitively to his listeners through a creative combination of passion and percussion. He connects with his audience on an emotional level with spirited, soulful melodies and piercing lyrics that compel their attention. He was inspired in high school by the legendary Miles Davis. Since then, he has been as passionate about developing his own musical talent as he is about passing on his love of jazz to the next generation. Ray consults at colleges, universities, schools and communities around the world and is the founder of Cross-Cultural Connection, Inc., a 501 (c) 3 performance and educational organization that promotes jazz in educational and community institutions and theaters. Since
2002, Mr. Blue’s Pro-Am Ensemble Workshops, which offer students the opportunity to prepare and perform with professional musicians, has been presented in the U.S., Germany, Finland, South Africa, Gabon and China.
Ray’s first CD, Always with a Purpose, was released in 2001 and was followed by Ray Blue Live at Liars Theater in 2004, Ray Blue Live at Liars Theater 2 in 2005, Transvision in 2006 and his most recent, Berries and Blues in 2010. His latest project, Music of Change, is a history of the African-American community told through Spoken Word, Gospel Jazz and Modern Jazz in a multimedia format. It features dynamic live performances depicting specific eras in African-American history, complemented by an evocative slide show.
THANKS TO
OUR SPONSORS
