By Chuck Stewart, Jr.
Newburgh - The 18 day visual and musical marvel know as the Newburgh Jazz Series has officially begun.
Last Wednesday evening, City of Newburgh Mayor Nicholas Valentine, Councilwoman Christine Bello and the Jazz series festival organizer Aquanetta Wright (aka the Ferry Godmother) greeted over 200 people to the Newburgh waterfront.
For the second year, Ms. Wright has assembled some of the best professional musicians and vocalists in jazz and big band swing for the Newburgh Jazz Series. "Every Wednesday evening, we will have a different jazz group and every Thursday there will be big band swing," Wright said.
The opening ceremony featured the Chiku Awali African Drumming and Dancers. The group, from Rockland County, was created in 2003 to enrich its community, particularly its youth. From the moment the group took the stage, the rhythm of the drums came alive as the native sounds of Africa moved the audience to their feet. Before the hour was over, festival-goers would learn a few African phrases, and some dance moves as well.
The Mike Jackson Quartet would keep things moving in the second hour. Mike Jackson, who plays the guitar was accompanied by Kermit Driscoll on Bass, Bill Tesar on Drums and Rave Tesar on Keyboards. The quartet played a number of songs from Jackson’s album "Certified Jazz Guitar Volume One." The CD includes two original songs and a number of jazz classics such as, "Back at the Chicken Shack," "In Your Own Sweet Way," and "The Way You Look Tonight."
The series also showcases two visual artists this year, Richard Outlaw and Ramona Torres. Wright says that painter and sculptor Richard Outlaw will be showcasing his jazz themed works, while photo-artist Ramona Torres will be displaying her award winning photographs of Newburgh.
Last year the jazz series made history on the waterfront landing in the City of Newburgh, according to Wright. How? "By being both the first of its magnitude in the region, and as one of the longest running jazz series on the east coast." Perhaps that’s why the Daily News listed the Newburgh Jazz Series 2008 as number five on its top ten great stops along the Hudson Valley this year.
If you missed the first week, Ms. Wright invites and encourages everyone to come out to enjoy Neil Alexander and Nail on July 9th and the New York Swing Exchange on July 10th. "These are two wonderful performers that I think everyone will enjoy," Wright said.
