White Plains to Host Outdoor Jazz Festival
Hot food and cool jazz will take center stage in an outdoor International Food and Jazz Festival in White Plains, Sunday, September 9.
Featured artists include White Plains’ own Reegal Beegal and the Brian Carter Quartet opening for legendary contemporary/smooth jazz artist Bob Baldwin and the world renowned Westchester Jazz Orchestra Sextet. The event is the first of its kind in White Plains and has been developed by the city’s Recreation and Parks Department with the White Plains Business Improvement District (WP BID). The festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mamaroneck Avenue, between Martine Avenue and the Post Road.
Recreation and Parks Commissioner Wayne Bass told The White Plains Examiner he is a jazz enthusiast. “I thought White Plains would be the perfect place for a jazz festival,” said Bass. “I worked with Kevin Nunn, executive director of the WP BID. He added the food element. With all the different types of food available in White Plains, we were able to call this an international event.”
Bass described local artist Reegal Beegal’s music as a fusion of jazz and reggae. “The Brian Carter Quartet is coming off a gig in France,” he added. “Tom van Buren and ArtsWestchester were instrumental in bringing in Bob Baldwin and the Westchester Jazz Orchestra Sextet.”
The main stage will be located close to Martine Avenue with a large tent for music enthusiasts. Umbrellas, tables and chairs will be set up for food service by the vendors participating from various local restaurants and food establishments.
Inside the ArtsWestchester building at 31 Mamaroneck Avenue two free music focused workshops will be held. From noon to 2 p.m. children and adults can participate in a clay workshop to make jazz instruments. At 2:30 p.m. families are invited to a music movement workshop.
“We are looking forward to good weather so everyone can come and move and groove,” said Bass.
Sponsors of White Plains’ first jazz festival include ArtsWestchester, Sam Ash Music Stores, Energy Kitchen – White Plains, Famous Famiglia Pizza, Delicious Licks, Emigrant Savings Bank, Hudson Valley Bank, Whole Foods Market, City Sketches Inc., and NewUrbanJazz.com.
