JAZZ IN THE VALLEY RETURNS TO POUGHKEEPSIE’S WARYAS PARK SUNDAY, AUGUST 15

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Jazz in the Valley (JITV) returns to Waryas Park in Poughkeepsie Sunday, August 15, 2021, noon to 6:00 pm, with a celebration of Legacy, History and the Future of Jazz. Presented by TRANSART & Cultural Services, Inc., the day-long festival features its Artistic Director Javon Jackson and his Quartet and celebrates the future of jazz with four young musicians – the Curtis Brothers, Lakecia Benjamin, Julius Rodriguez and Samara Joy – who are taking the jazz tradition to the next level.

"After the pandemic wreaked havoc on the music industry, and the the world in general, we are pleased to return to Waryas Park to celebrate our 21st year of Jazz in the Valley, " said Greer Smith, festival founder and producer. "The support from our festival family, sponsors, the city, the county and the state over this past year was overwhelming and we know, without a doubt, that jazz is alive, well and wanted here in the Hudson Valley. Based on the love shown to us, we know there is no better way to highlight our return than to present a special tribute to the future of jazz."

JITV observed its 20th anniversary last year as a virtual production, due to the pandemic. This year's edition features the return of live music, with a diverse assemblage of world-class and emerging jazz musicians, performing in spacious, nine-acre Waryas Park, located in downtown Poughkeepsie, in New York's historic Hudson River Valley, just 90 miles north of New York City.

While there will be some changes to help protect the audience, musicians, vendors and festival staff, TRANSART is looking forward to another exciting day of music. Tent seating will be limited this year, and producers encourage those who want a seat in the tent to arrive early to claim a spot. Lawn seating will have enhanced sound and attendees are invited to bring chairs or blankets. Due to evolving pandemic protocols, JITV will announce any additional safety procedures closer to the event.

"After more than a year of COVID-19-related venue closings, the deaths of so many jazz legends and the pandemic slowly receding, there is nothing like the life-affirming good vibes of Jazz in the Valley to remind people of the healing power of the improvisational arts, " said Smith.

In past years, JITV has presented many jazz greats, Grammy winners and NEA Jazz Masters including Randy Weston, Ron Carter, Roy Hargrove, Hugh Masekela, Kevin Mahogany, Bill Charlap, Cedar Walton, Curtis Fuller, Mulgrew Miller, Jimmy and Percy Heath, Eddie Palmieri, Arturo O'Farrill, Steve Turre, Michelle Rosewoman, Roy Ayers, Houston Person, Ray Mantilla, Lou Donaldson, and Ahmad Jamal.

TRANSART & Cultural Services, Inc. is a West-Park, NY-based non-profit arts organization dedicated to promoting awareness of the art, history and popular culture of people of African descent. The festival's origins go back to an afternoon of music in the year 2000, when TRANSART received funding from the New York State Council on the Arts to commission Ahmad Jamal to write an original composition for the organization. Jamal composed "Picture Perfect, " inspired by the scenic beauty of the Hudson Valley, which he played in concert. In addition to the music, JITV also features films and other programs designed to increase dialogue dealing with jazz music, the musicians and the audience. The festival also includes Behind the Beat: Intro to Jazz Programs, a series of workshops, master classes and traditional drum instruction. The festival can also be heard on WKNY, 107.9 FM, 1490 AM, www.radiokingston.org.

The festival is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts and New York State Council on the Arts. Additional support is provided by Dutchess County Tourism, City of Poughkeepsie and its media partners, the Poughkeepsie Journal and Metro North Railroad.

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