News & Events

It’s great to be back working with our students at the Westchester Center for Jazz. All the new technology we’ve installed to make us Covid friendly also allows us to record and playback during rehearsal and also allows us to share what we do.

And always enjoyable to watch our director Joey Berkley in action.

Joey as usual says it better than me:

For me, the journey of Jazz is about learning and expressing. I think we can all agree we now face historic uncertain times as musicians collectively. While we race to find the “new normal”, as performing musicians we do not want to give up on the “only normal” and what it takes to get there. In our own way, the Westchester Center for Jazz and Contemporary Music is back at it live, expecting their students to know their scale/arpeggio exercises; rhythm-changes; time is Number 1; intonation matters, forever!!! I say, let’s learn and teach for the one normal that matters most: Miles, Monk, Trane, Bird, Brecker, Ellington, SRV, James Brown, Hendrix, Stevie Wonder, Louis Armstrong and on and on…..and In Our Own Sweet Way, the Westchester Center For Jazz is back at it live.

Please check out the improvisation section of our Sunday class below

Check out this video that outlines all of our latest updates and provisions in order to ensure a safe environment for the return of our students. With guidance form the CDC and our team’s collective efforts, we have made state of the art upgrades and accommodations so that we can all come together, social distance, play our tunes, and remain as safe as possible.

For their third annual “Second Fridays” series of live jazz music, the Westchester Center for Jazz and Contemporary Music has agreed to donate a portion of each ticket sold to benefit the Foundation for the Yonkers Public Library. “I am excited for this opportunity to combine our efforts presenting great live music in Yonkers and making the city a cultural destination for jazz,” said Liz Sander, owner of the Westchester Center for Jazz & Contemporary Music. “We welcome everyone to join us for a fun night out, to hear great live music and support the library, at the same time.”

The series consists of three concerts, held on the second Friday of the month: March 13, April 17,* and May 8. Each show includes a guest artist playing original works, standards, and R&B with the Joey Berkley Band.

“We are so grateful to the Westchester Center for Jazz for their support,” said Nancy Maron, President of the Foundation. “Music has deep roots in Yonkers cultural life, and we hope to see lots of library supporters there.”

Shows are located at 540 Nepperhan Avenue, Yonkers, NY at the Yoho Artist Lofts in the Carpet Mills Art District. Each $25 ticket includes table seating in the intimate cabaret-style room. Tickets are available online here. Seating is on a first come, first served basis. Doors open at 7:30; Show starts at 8:00.

* 3rd Friday in April due to Easter Holiday

The Westchester Center for Jazz & Contemporary Music
Second Friday Jazz Concert Series
540 Nepperhan Ave, Yonkers, NY at the Yoho Artist Lofts in the Carpet Mills Art District

Friday, March 13

Matt McDonald, Trombone

https://www.mattmcdonaldmusic.com

Trombonist Matt McDonald has performed at jazz festivals and venues around the world, including North Sea, Montreux, The Blue Note, Birdland, Carnegie Hall, and with world-class ensembles including Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Wynton Marsalis, The Max Weinberg Big Band, Mambo Legends Orchestra, The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Christian McBride Big Band, and the Jimmy Heath Big Band.

For tickets: https://www.artful.ly/store/events/20076

Friday, April 17

Christine Tambakis, Vocalist

Instagram- @christinetambakismusic

Christine Tambakis has shared the stage and/or recorded with such artists as John Oates, The Neville Brothers, Matt Schofield, Bernard Purdie, Jon Herington, Boyz II Men, Bobby Brown, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Sugarland, Gretchen Wilson, Vince Gil, Amy Grant, and more and has performed at venues including B.B. Kings Blues Club NYC, Saturday Night Live stage, Brooklyn Bowl, The Bitter End, Joe’s Pub, The Cutting Room, and at major festivals around the world.

For tickets: https://www.artful.ly/store/events/20077

Friday, May 8th

Tony Kadleck, Trumpet

Jazz trumpeter Tony Kadleck is a multi-talented force whose fiery blasts and sweet distinctive sound carry his horn into a musical space that defies categorization. One of the most sought-after trumpet players in the New York area, Tony Kadleck has performed & recorded with luminaries including Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Elton John, the Boston Pops Orchestra, Tony Bennett, Natalie Cole, Luther Vandross, and Celine Dion. He’s also performed with the Count Basie Orchestra, Ella Fitzgerald, Isaac Hayes, and Steely Dan and is currently a member of the Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra and the New York Pops.

For tickets: https://www.artful.ly/store/events/20078

About The Westchester Center for Jazz and Contemporary Music

The Westchester Center for Jazz and Contemporary Music provides an opportunity for musicians of diverse backgrounds, abilities, and ages to develop their own skills playing jazz and other related forms of contemporary music. Led by tenor saxophonist and band leader Joey Berkley, the team of instructors includes some of NYC’s best professional musicians on all instruments. The school’s priority is to develop musicians who play with confidence, skill, and knowledge. Courses currently offered include Big Band ensembles, improvisation and theory, composition, and R&B. Students join year-round and are welcome to sit in for a trial class.

Westchesterjazzcenter.com

facebook.com/westchesterjazzcenter

@jazzcenteryonkers

About Joey Berkley and the Joey Berkley Band

Veteran tenor saxophonist Joey Berkley has been a part of the NY music scene for more than 30 years. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Joey’s career has evolved from being known as a highly sought after sideman at ease in a wide variety of musical settings, to the present where Joey focuses his energy mostly toward writing and performing with his bands. Joey’s compositions can be heard on his CD releases: “Made in NYC”, “More’n Four” and “Joey Berkley’s Bandits.” The Joey Berkley Band includes pianist Gary Deinstadt, guitarist Andy Abel, drummer Chris Parker and bassist Joris Teepe. The title track from their 2019 release, “Moving Forward,” has been described as a “post-bop burner with energy to spare.” (All About Jazz)

About the Foundation for the Yonkers Public Library

The Foundation for the Yonkers Public Library is a not-for-profit organization created by the Trustees of the Yonkers Public Library to enhance the Library’s ability to provide outstanding programming, cutting-edge technology, and vibrant meeting places that best serve our diverse community.

www.foundationforypl.org

www.facebook.com/foundationforypl

@foundationforypl

We are so excited to have Porter Carroll Jr grace our stage one more time! His talent and years of expertise are like no other. Have you gotten your tickets yet?!

Use promo code “LiveJazz” and save $5 on each ticket when you purchase 2!! What are you waiting for?!

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS!!

We promised a special surprise and…..we always honor our promises! Next weekend is huge for Yonkers:

Joey Berkley’s Album “Moving Forward” Release Party and Showcase (Friday 09/13) along with Yonkers Downtown/Waterfront BID Riverfest (Saturday 09/14)…the music will fill the streets!

We are happy to announce and welcome Elisa Mini to the Center’s stage to bring in the jazz! We crossed paths with Elisa’s lovely talent in the hills Florence, Italy and now she will be featured all weekend here in Yonkers for YOU ALL! Don’t miss out! Be sure to purchase your tickets to the Release Party and stop by our stage at Riverfest. See you there!

Click below for a sneak peak!

https://youtu.be/bdH8UHNYEOo