TRANSART & Cultural Services, Inc. Celebrates the 15th Annual Jazz in the Valley Festival

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - July 20, 2015 - PRLog -- Join TRANSART & Cultural Services on Sunday, August 16, at 11:00 am for an afternoon celebrating TRANSART’s mission to bring the legacy and future of jazz together at the 15th annual Jazz In the Valley festival at Waryas Park. Listen to traditional jazz with an ear towards the future performed by renowned musicians, while soaking up the exquisite views of the Hudson River Valley.

TRANSART, building on its own 15-year legacy, will honor legendary pianist Ahmad Jamal who was commissioned and created “Picture Perfect” for the first festival in 2000. This year the festival explores the significance of the piano to the language of jazz. Sharing that message will be one of the world’s premiere jazz pianists, Bill Charlap with compositions chosen as homage to the innovative Jamal.

“Ahmad Jamal took in the natural beauty of the Hudson Valley and used it as inspiration when writing ‘Picture Perfect, ’” said Greer Smith, founder of TRANSART & Cultural Services and producer of Jazz in the Valley. “We want to honor his contributions to jazz and celebrate the way he influenced so many other great jazz musicians.”

As is customary, the festival will feature two performance stages, giving festivalgoers the option of attending main stage concerts with ticketed festival seating as well as free concerts on the Pavilion Stage just outside the festival gates.

Artists performing on the Main Stage are Ron Carter Trio with Javon Jackson and Billy Drummond; Arturo O’Farrill Octet; Bill Charlap Trio with Kenny Washington and Peter Washington; Tia Fuller; and Steve Kroon.

Taking the Pavilion Stage are A Perfect Gift, Bottoms Up, Dixieland, the Dutchess Community College Jazz Ensemble and the Poughkeepsie Jazz Project.

“The city of Poughkeepsie is delighted to once again host this important jazz festival, ” said Chris Petsas, chairman of the Poughkeepsie Common Council. “Jazz in the Valley has become one of our mid-summer traditions, a gathering of friends, neighbors, visitors and families who come together to appreciate jazz and the talented musicians who make it happen. It brings our community together.”

To kick off Jazz in the Valley, there will be a free concert on Saturday, August 15, at 5:00 pm on the lawn of City Hall sponsored by the city of Poughkeepsie’s Common Council Chairman Chris Petsas and the Exempt Firemen’s Association, featuring Sonando and the Mike Torsone Band with special guest Ernie Bruno and Ray Blue.

Frank M. Castella, Jr., President and CEO of the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce noted the significance of Jazz in the Valley on the community. “This event attracts people from all over the county and beyond. It’s a great way to introduce young people to jazz while entertaining traditional fans. The Dutchess County region is home to many creative people. This festival is an event that celebrates music and the people who create it.”

Tickets and Other Information

Early Bird discount tickets are $40 before July 17; after July 17, tickets are $50 and $60 at the gate. For tickets, online, group sales, directions and more information about Jazz in the Valley, contact TRANSART at (845) 384-6350 or log on to www.jazzinthevalleyny.org.

For tickets in the Hudson Valley: The Mid-Hudson Civic Center, 14 Civic Center Plaza, Poughkeepsie NY; Box Office Monday –Friday 10am-5:30pm Saturday 12-4pm

Get a ticket and travel combination: Travel by bus to Jazz in the Valley and leave the driving to Rodeo Rich Washington (646) 220-9051 or Jazzy Jazz, Lorenzo Patton (917) 345-1357 and Tyrone Woods at (646) 643-3035.

Promotional partner for Jazz in the Valley is Metro North. Take the train from Grand Central Terminal to Poughkeepsie Station and walk one short block to the festival.

TRANSART & Cultural Services, Inc. is a non-profit arts organization dedicated to promoting awareness of the art, history and popular culture of people of African descent. For more information, please visit www.transartinc.org.