|
 Yonkers, NY - The Yonkers Downtown/Waterfront Business Improvement District—in partnership with the City of Yonkers— will again present the weekly “Jazz and Blues at Dusk” Summer Concert Series at the Yonkers Waterfront amphitheatre.
Introduced last year, the concert series—free of charge to the public— provides musical entertainment by some of the New York metropolitan area’s top jazz and blues artists. Sponsored by Con Edison and Nationwide Insurance, the Friday night concerts will be staged from 6:30 to 8:00 PM, July 11 through September 5.
Listed below is schedule of the featured artists:
July 11
Roxy Perry, known as the “New York Blues Queen,” recently received the 2007 Artist of the Year Award from the Westchester Arts Council. She has performed nationally, has produced three CD’s and has received rave reviews for her original songwriting and vocals. She was born and still resides in New Rochelle.
July 18
Mala Waldron, a jazz/soul vocalist pianist, and songwriter. She has been performing since age 15 and has produced three CDs. Her most recent CD, Always There, was placed among the “Top 20 Jazz CDs of 2006” by JazzUSA. Based in New York City, she has performed in Japan, France, Belgium, and most recently China, Taiwan, and Malaysia.
July 25
Funkasaurus Rex, a nine-piece band based Yonkers, combines rhythm ‘n blues and jazz with well-known NYC players. Their CD, Etched in Stone, was released this year. “Real funky music ain’t extinct yet.”
August 1
The Element Band, a nine-piece, multi-cultural band playing Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, Jamaican, Funk, Dance and Jazz music. Founded in 2003 by world-class performer Charlie Lagond, The Element Band has toured both locally and internationally, playing venues such as BB Kings, The Knitting Factory and Swing 46. The Element Band released its third CD, Future Proof in 2007.
August 8
DeForest Raphael “loves singing songs about love.” Primarily a balladeer, he has been singing since junior high school in Detroit, Michigan. He sings in all genres from classical to jazz at local clubs in Westchester and New York City and at venues throughout the country. He lives and works in Yonkers.
August 15
Antoinette Montague, a jazz & blues singer from Fairfield, CT, regularly performs with her quartet at famous New York City venues. She was in the Great Women in Music Festival at Birdland with the Duke Ellington and selected to perform at the 10th Anniversary of International Women in Jazz. She emanates energy, joy and fun on and off the stage.
August 22
Joan Crowe, a versatile jazz, standards pop, rock, blues, and folk singer originally of Indianapolis. Along with her jazz trio, she has performed at The Rainbow Room, The Carnegie Club and Brunelli’s, among other New York City and Westchester venues. She is also a well-renowned comedian and earned the 2002 Manhattan Association of Cabaret and Clubs award for Female Music Comedy.
August 29
Vanessa Falabella, a Brazil native whose sound is classic yet a contemporary mix of pop, Brazil, jazz, and R & B. She is influenced by Brazilian and American music and sings in both English and Portuguese. Currently promoting her CD VIBE, she has performed at many New York City venues, including The Knitting Factory, Town Hall, and The Supper Club.
September 5
The Sweet Suzi Band, a four-piece blues band that won the 2006 International Blues Challenge. Based in Long Island, the band has played countless venues throughout the New York metro area.
The Yonkers Downtown/Waterfront Business Improvement District (www.yonkerdowntown.com) was created to promote and implement the economic revitalization of the District and the City of Yonkers. The BID is also designed to maintain the downtown streets, contribute to public safety, landscape the district, market special events and create promotional opportunities to highlight the area. Additionally, the BID will preserve and encourage the cultural, historic, tourist and civic interest of the District and the City of Yonkers.
 |
