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12:30 - 1:15pm | Westchester Center for Jazz & Contemporary Music
The Westchester Center for Jazz & Contemporary Music provides opportunities for musicians of diverse backgrounds, abilities and ages to develop their skills in jazz and other related musical forms. This performance features a selection of the Center’s top student musicians and faculty.
1:45-2:35pm | Albert Rivera Quintet
Bronx born and raised saxophonist Albert Rivera, described by NPR’s Owen McNally as “a modern jazz messenger,” has been a consistent force on a national and international level since finalizing his studies at The New School University’s Jazz and Contemporary Music program. DownBeat Magazine called him and his band “part of the next wave in this jazz ritual.” Rivera is a recipient of a Chamber Music America award and ASCAP Young Jazz Composers Award. He is currently Director of Operations at the Litchfield Jazz Camp.
3:05–3:55pm | Carlos Jimenez Mambo Sextet
The Carlos Jimenez Mambo Orchestra, Westchester’s hottest salsa band will get you out of your seat and onto the dance floor! Yonkers New York native, Carlos Jimenez, is an extraordinary flute player and vocalist as well as composer and band leader of Jazz, Latin jazz and Salsa. His family moved from New York to Villalba, Puerto Rico when he was six years old and it was there that his musical training began. Jimenez has performed all over New York state, across the country and toured internationally with artists Andy Gonzalez, Willie Rodriguez, Coto Pincheira, George Delgado, Bobby Sanabria, Adela Dalto, Willie Colon, Jimmy Delgado and many others!
4:25–5:15pm | G. Thomas Allen Quartet
Award-winning vocalist, composer and music educator G. Thomas Allen (affectionately known as “Sir Thomas”) was the first male winner of the Sarah Vaughn International Competition. Allen’s work spans multiple genres: he is a former Los Angeles Opera artist and lead vocalist on the GRAMMY Award-nominated album Choirmaster (Motown Gospel 2020). Having such a diverse musical background has greatly contributed to Allen’s unique approach to jazz — finding innovative ways for cross-genre experimentation, including the aesthetics of R&B, Pop, Gospel stylizing and operatic inflections, but always keeping the music swinging.”
5:45–6:45pm | Ragan Whiteside and Friends
Flutist, vocalist and songwriter Ragan Whiteside is currently taking the Contemporary Jazz world by storm. Whiteside, originally from Mt. Vernon, got her first taste of music in elementary school, where she played drums, piano and violin. It was a desire to be in the marching band that put the flute in her hand at age eight. With her unique style and soulful vibe, this triple-threat is bringing the flute back into mainstream focus.
*All performances will take place out front of ArtsWestchester on Mamaroneck Ave. between Main and Martine in downtown White Plains, NY.
*JazzFest White Plains is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.