Tag Archives: Live Music

Jazz WaHi Festival: Meg Okura Septet

There’s a secret I’ve been grappling with: In the past year, I started hearing whispers, and I’ve started questioning everything, especially the choices that may have caused discomfort or resentment in those I love. This revelation brought a deep sadness and an undercurrent of anger.
For a while, I found harmony in my identities: being a Jew by choice, an ex-Christian from Japan, and a Japanese immigrant married to a Black man, raising our Black daughter, a classical violinist and a jazz composer. But today, I struggle with the feeling of isolation in existing alone in my identity category—navigating a reality where the various parts of me seem at odds with each other. It’s an isolating experience that few, if any, can fully relate to. And sometimes, I can’t help but wonder if I should have made different choices.
One thing I find beautiful about jazz is its ability to unite musicians who are each unique and come from different cultures or beliefs, all driven by a common goal—to create moments of captivation, cohesion, and connection. My latest composition, Re-harmonizing Identity: Shifting Prisms of a Shattered Glass Ceiling”, explores my inner conflict through “vertical and horizontal harmony,” reflecting my attempts to reconcile conflicting truths and find coherence in my complex identity. Winning this year’s Washington Heights Jazz Festival Composition Award wasn’t just an achievement—it was a forced confrontation with my deepest inner thoughts.
I invite you to the world premiere of Re-harmonizing Identity on November 2nd at Le Cheile in Washington Heights during the Wa-hi Jazz Festi

WHCO – Echoes: A Celebration of Musical Heritage

Join the Washington Heights Chamber Orchestra as we present Echoes and discover how music that tells the stories of our past affects our present and future.

Program:

  • Valerie Coleman: Tzigane
  • Emmy Wegener: Suite for String Trio
  • Bohuslav Martinů: Nonet
  • Antonin Dvorak: String Quintet No. 2, op. 77

The stories that we make and share echo throughout time; our past affects our present and future. Our exploration of musical heritage continues with Echoes, where we look at chamber music by composers past and present from around the world.

The past and present interweave with Washington Heights composer Valerie Coleman’s Tzigane for woodwind quintet. Inspired by the work by Maurice Ravel of the same name, Coleman’s Tzigane is a present-day showpiece full of virtuosity and passion for the wind players of the WHCO. Moving back to the early twentieth century, Dutch composer Emmy Wegener’s Suite for String Trio is a rarely heard work, lush and sparkling as a set of miniatures. We continue our look to the past with Czech composer Bohuslav Martinů’s Nonet. Combining both string and wind players, the Nonet is a vibrant celebration of life in three movements. We conclude the program with Dvorak’s String Quintet No. 2, Op. 77. Written for a competition in Prague with the dedication “to my nation,” he weaves his Bohemian nationalism throughout the work.

Prior to the concert, at 2:15pm, bring the whole family to our “Meet the Instruments” petting zoo where even our youngest listeners can get up close and personal with their favorite instruments before seeing them come alive onstage. This event will take place (weather permitting) in the beautiful setting of the Fort Washington Green, the community garden space at FWCC.

And finally, join the musicians of WHCO after the concert for a reception!

Eli Yamin and the Jazz Power All Stars: Birthday, Blues, Bebop, and Boogaloo!

In celebration of Eli Yamin’s birthday, the Jazz Power All Stars play a celebratory mix of music that will blast open your imagination and make you want to dance.

Join us for a spectacular evening as Eli Yamin and The Jazz Power All Stars present “Birthday, Blues, Bebop, and Boogaloo!” in celebration of Eli Yamin’s birthday! This unforgettable event will ignite your imagination and get you moving with a dynamic mix of blues, bebop, and boogaloo. Featuring an all-star lineup—Eli Yamin, Michael Blake, James Zollar, Jennifer Vincent, David F. Gibson, Jonathan Troncoso “JBlak,” Charenee Wade, and Antoinette Montague and dance from Carmen Morillo—this performance promises to bring the best of Jazz Power Initiative to life. Don’t miss this high energy celebration!

Dyckman Farmhouse: José Luis Harp in the Parlor

José Luis Harp in the Parlor

Stroll through the Dyckman Farmhouse Museum while listening to the beautiful sounds of José Luis’ harp!

Catch his live performances during our open hours through the end of June!

On select Saturdays from 12pm-2pm

April 19th, 2025

May 3rd, 2025

May 17th, 2025

June 7th, 2025

June 14th, 2025

June 28th, 2025

José Luis Harp in the Parlor is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

José Luis arpa en el salón

¡Pasea por el Museo Dyckman Farmhouse mientras escuchas los hermosos sonidos del arpa de José Luis!

¡Ven a escucharlo en vivo durante nuestro horario abierto hasta que termine junio!

Sábados selectos de 12 p.m. a 2 p.m.

19 de abril de 2025

3 de mayo de 2025

17 de mayo de 2025

7 de junio de 2025

14 de junio de 2025

28 de junio de 2025

José Luis arpa en el salón es posible gracias al Consejo de las Artes del Estado de Nueva York con el apoyo del Gobernador Andrew M. Cuomo y la Legislatura del Estado de Nueva York.