SATURDAY,JULY20,2024
PRESENTED IN COLLABORATION
MEET THE ARTISTS
Georgia Heers
1-1:45 PM, DIME
MAINSTAGE
Georgia Heers is a vocalist and composer hailing from Greer, South Carolina. In 2017, she graduated from the Fine Arts Center in Greenville and began her undergraduate studies in jazz at Oberlin College and Conservatory. She moved to New York to pursue her graduate studies at The Juilliard School. Since graduating in the spring, Georgia’s voice has taken her to many legendary venues throughout the city. She has had the pleasure of sharing her gift and bringing her bands to places like Mezzrow, Dizzy’s, The Django, Room 623 and Minton’s Playhouse and has collaborated with musicians at venues such as The Jazz Gallery and Smalls. The artists that she’s had the opportunity to play with are nothing short of phenomenal. Among them being Terrell Stafford, Cyrus Chestnut, Clarence Penn, Rodney Whitaker, Camila Meza, Tim Warfield, Warren Wolf, Emmet Cohen, Joe Farnsworth, Benny Benack, Bryan Carter and Ben Williams. Some of these collaborations have taken Georgia to prestigious venues outside of NYC such as Chris’ Jazz Cafe in Philly, The Jazz Showcase in Chicago, and The Kennedy Center in DC.
Georgia’s goal in life and in music is to seek truthful answers to life’s most impossible questions. To help answer these questions, Georgia aims to dedicate her life to exploring the depths of music spanning across the African Diaspora. She believes deeply in the healing components of music and artistic creation to cultivate community. While she is still in the spring of her career, Georgia feels thankful to have accomplished as much as she has. She looks forward to shaping this new generation of jazz musicians with her unique perspective and voice.
Jalen Baker Duo 2-2:45 PM, WINNICK HOUSE
Jalen Baker, born in Washington, D.C. and raised in Houston, TX, is a vibraphonist and composer whose early training involved both classical and jazz. Jalen received his BA in Jazz Studies from Columbia College Chicago. He distinguished himself as a jazz vibraphonist and received several accolades including outstanding soloist at both the Notre Dame and Elmhurst Jazz Festivals.
Jalen was accepted as a Graduate Assistant in the Jazz Performance program at Florida State University and in 2019 received his MM in Jazz Studies. During his tenure at Florida State he was chosen as a Ravinia Jazz Fellow in 2018. He has been a performer with the Johnathan Blake Quintet, The Ulysses Owens Trio and Quartet, Jeremy Pelt Quintet, Tim Warfield Sextet, Michael Mwenso, Paul Cornish Group, Leon Anderson Quartet as well as leading his own band in venues all over the country. In 2021 Jalen released his Debut Album This Is Me, This is Us which was chosen as the #4 best Jazz Debut of 2021 and in 2023 released his second album Be Still that made it as high as #24 on the international jazz charts.
Elmont Global Jazz Orchestra
2-2:45 PM, ROSE GARDEN
The Elmont Global Jazz Orchestra is a unique ensemble that performs and celebrates jazz music and its influence from around the world. This unique ensemble has had the opportunity to perform various jazz music from a multitude of countries such as Brazil, Uruguay, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Africa in addition to the Duke Ellington repertoire. This ensemble was formed in January 2022 and has attracted students of all ability levels who are looking to collaborate and explore new music together from various global jazz genres. They are a diverse, enthusiastic, inclusive ensemble of string, band, and vocal students in grades 9-12 at Elmont Memorial High School in Elmont
Photo by Krystal Pagán
NY. The Elmont Global Jazz Orchestra has also had the opportunity to participate and perform in workshops held by David DeJesus (Birdland Big Band Director), Zack O’Farril (Afro Latin Jazz Alliance Education Director), and Livio Almeida (Brazilian Selmer & Vandoren Jazz artist).
The Elmont Global Jazz Orchestra has had the honor of performing at Purchase College Jazz Day Fall 2022 & 2023, and the Five Towns High School Jazz Festival Spring 2022. They were honored & performed at the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Winter Conference in Rochester NY, December 2023 and most recently performed at the Jazz at Lincoln Center Essentially Ellington Long Island NY Regional at the Tilles Center Winter 2024. The ensemble also had the opportunity to visit Jazz at Lincoln Center and meet composer-arranger bassist Carlos Henriquez who’s arrangement GuarachiGuara, from Dizzy Con Clave was performed by the ensemble Spring 2023 and has become one of their favorite tunes to perform.
Haborfields High School Jazz Band
2-2:45 PM, ROSE GARDEN
The Harborfields High School Jazz Band is one of its namesake school’s premier ensembles. This group has received numerous honors in recent years, including a personal letter of commendation from the Chancellor of the NYS Board of Regents, recognition from the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame, status as the only high school band to perform at Huntington’s inaugural Coltrane Day, selection as a finalist in the first three editions of MADD’s Battle of the HS Big Bands, and opportunities to perform at professionally-produced events at the de Seversky Mansion and Huntington Crescent Club. In addition the band has traveled to New Orleans for educational/performance opportunities; delivered world premieres of commissioned works from Grammy winner Steven Feifke, three-time Grammy nominee Alan Ferber, world-renowned low brass specialist Jennifer Wharton, and multi-reed marvel Jeff Lederer; co-produced two award-winning mini-documentaries; traveled to clinics to work with the likes of local big bands, Grammy-nominated composer-arrangers (Dan Pugach, Oded Lev-Ari), and legendary figures (Gary Smulyan); and brought some of jazz’s leading lights into the school to serve as visiting guest artists (Marshall Gilkes, McCoy Mrubata, Benny Benack III, Nadje Noordhuis, Bokani Dyer, etc.).
Matt Wilson’s Good Trouble 3-3:45 PM, DIME MAINSTAGE
Few musicians embody the spontaneous energy of jazz quite like Matt Wilson. The New York-based drummer combines buoyant zeal, idiosyncratic style, infectious humor, joyous swing and an indomitable spirit of surprise, making him one of the most in-demand players and educators on the modern jazz scene. He leads many distinctive ensembles: Good Trouble, the Matt Wilson Quartet, Arts & Crafts, Honey and Salt, Big Happy Family, Topsy Turvy and the Christmas Tree-O.
Matt Wilson was named 2018 Musician of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association and his album, Honey and Salt (music inspired by the poetry of Carl Sandburg), won 2018 Album of the Year. He has appeared on over 500 albums and has played with an impressive array of jazz legends. Wilson has released 15 acclaimed recordings as a leader and his latest album, Good Trouble, was released in June of this year.
Wilson’s commitment to jazz goes far beyond his estimable skills as a drummer, composer and bandleader. Also a renowned educator, he is on a tireless mission to foster a lively and deep connection between music and people, whether they be playing or listening to it. Wilson is on faculty at the New School, San Francisco Conservatory, SUNY Purchase and Sarah Lawrence College.
Matt Wilson resides in Baldwin, NY and is the proud father of four children.
Brandee Younger
4-4:45 PM, ROSE GARDEN
The sonically innovative harpist, Brandee Younger, is revolutionizing harp for the digital era. Over the past fifteen years, she has worked relentlessly to stretch boundaries and limitations for harpists. In 2022, she made history by becoming the first black woman to be nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition. That same year, she was also nominated for an NAACP Image Award. Ever-expanding as an artist, she has worked with
cultural icons including Common, Lauryn Hill, John Legend, and Moses Sumney. Her current album, Brand New Life, builds on her already rich oeuvre, and cements the harp’s place in pop culture. As the title of the album suggests, Brand New Life is about forging new paths–artistic, personal, political, and spiritual. On this album, Younger salutes her musical foremother, the trailblazing harpist Dorothy Ashby, while also speaking to the sentiments of more recent generations. “We’re bringing new life to Dorothy Ashby’s popular and previously unreleased compositions. We’re creating new life…for the instrument,” Younger said. Brand New Life is an album about living fully, in neon bright color.
In 2020, Younger was named winner of the DownBeat Critics Poll in the category of “Rising Star” harpist. Her work as side-woman is evidence of Younger’s undeniable presence in the sound of contemporary jazz today. In recent years, she has appeared on albums by Lakecia Benjamin, Robert Glasper, Jeremy Pelt, The Baylor Project and Makaya McCraven, just to name a few. In addition to her contributions as a side-woman, Younger’s commitment to honoring the legacy of black women harpists can be seen through her curatorial work. She has curated a number of performances dedicated to honoring the work of Dorothy Ashby and Alice Coltrane. This work speaks to her dedication as a purveyor of black music and history.
Mariel Bildsten
4-4:45 PM, WINNICK HOUSE | 5:45 SECOND LINE FROM WINNICK HOUSE
Downbeat Magazine calls New York City-based jazz trombonist Mariel Bildsten “irrepressibly spontaneous.” Mariel has earned global distinction through her performances with Jon Batiste, Roy Hargrove, Jennifer Hudson, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and the Mingus Big Band at venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Radio City Music Hall, London’s O2 Arena, the Newport Jazz Festival and the Apollo Theater. Her lyrical and swinging style has thrilled audiences around the world.
Mariel Bildsten’s band has performed for sold out crowds at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Times Square, The Bickford Theatre, and the Caramoor Jazz Festival. She is featured in a monthly residency at the Django Jazz Club in New York City and released an album Steppin’ Out! in August 2023. Mariel Bildsten’s band will be performing this year at the Montreal Jazz Festival, the Perth International Jazz Festival, Tilles Center Jazz Fest, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Mariel’s arrangements and originals celebrate the prestigious music of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Duke Pearson, and more. Her acclaimed ensemble captivates its listeners by presenting a timeless tradition of jazz. Through audience interaction and storytelling, Mariel and her band provide insight into this classic American music. Audiences are carried from past to present, rooted in the warm and inclusive environment that Mariel creates. The exhilarating spirit of New York City jazz clubs is brought to the stage, where dancing is encouraged.
Sean Mason Quartet
5-5:45 PM, DIME MAINSTAGE
When Sean Mason speaks about music, you can hear the notes falling into place. The cadence of his ideas unfolds with deliberate tempo, each exploring and resolving tension like an inspired chord progression. On his debut album, The Southern Suite, he emerges as a guiding luminary, shining his introspective command as both a pianist and composer through the historic lens of jazz to create a work that distills the essence of the genre for our time even as it points the way forward.
Born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, Sean took to the piano at the late age of 13, teaching himself by ear to play the styles of music he was most attracted to. His approach quickly evolved into a highly original language. Sean’s unique voice in jazz is steeped in the sound of the South, allowing an extended time for groove while also displaying a vocabulary far beyond his years. As a bandleader, he leads the Sean Mason Quartet, a band assembled to play Sean’s original music, which has been described as highly melodic and infectious.
ADDITIONAL GUEST ARTISTS
LIU JAZZ SHARKS & LIU JAZZ COMBO
Performing at the south and west entrances from 12:15-1:15 pm
NORTH SHORE JAZZ QUARTET
Performing on the Castagna Plaza from 6:15-6:45 pm
Ailey II
Sesame Street Live!
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis
Dear Evan Hansen
Yo-Yo Ma
Misty Copeland
Kristin Chenoweth
America London Philharmonic Orchestra with Randall Goosby
Steve Martin & Martin Short: The Dukes of Funnytown!