“Jazz in the Valley”
[Music]
She’s 21 years-old now, and after a one-year pandemic-induced hiatus, “Jazz in the Valley” returns to serenade the hungry aficionados with the music they love and the atmosphere to boot.
Coined by the Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium as “Jazz: the Music of the Spirit”, its last live performance featured bassist Ron Carter in 2019. Past concerts staged Ahmad Jamal, Les McCann and Randy Weston, to name a few. Established in 2000, “Valley” has become the perfect entertainment getaway, a bucolic setting in Waryas Park, Poughkeepsie, New York.
The founder and creator Greer Smith, dabbled with the virtual element last year and billed a super lineup at a Woodstock site named Bearsville. The milestone 20th year brought together horns Tia Fuller, Javon Jackson, vibraphonist Jay Hoggard, percussionist Bobby Sanabria, bassist Christian Dean Sullivan, and many more. Waryas Park ’21 will be no exception.
Documentarian and photographer Joanne Cheatham, Smith’s friend and confidant since inception, passed in 2015. She was the publisher of Pure Jazz Magazine prompted by the “Valley”; the publication chronicled the growth of “Jazz in the Valley”, and offered other jazz-related articles and profiles.
Cheatham’s brother, Dwight Brewster, a.k.a. Dr. Mambo, pianist and radio host, continues the legacy with podcasts, website and live streaming at various music events.
Now “Valley” returns and jazz enthusiasts will trek. So, hitch up your buses, vehicles and Metro North as all roads lead to Poughkeepsie on August 15. See you in the Valley.
For tickets and more information, go to www.jazzinthevalleyNY.org
