We are thrilled to continue our partnership with ArtsWestchester, The City of White Plains, and the White Plains Business Improvement District on White Plains Jazz Fest 2016! Below is a third set of clips from the People & Stories Oral History Project. Each of the clips below includes stories and music from musicians who live locally, but have performed all over the world. Tom Van Buren, of ArtsWestchester, co-produced the interviews. Check out the Jazz Fest 2016 webpage for tickets and more information about all the great music happening September 20-25, 2016 in White Plains. Here’s a link to our first Jazz Fest post.
Joe Boykin. A lifetime resident of Greenburgh, Joe Boykin first learned music as a child from his father, who sang gospel, and on visits to his uncles in Savannah, Georgia, where music was part of every family gathering. He first went out for sports, playing college football at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Through contacts he made there he was later introduced to the entertainment business, working as a bodyguard to comedian Richard Pryor, and meeting singer Patti Labelle, who heard him sing and gave him encouragement to continue. In 1980, he sang with the doo-wop group, the Exhilarations which did backing vocals for Bobby Womack and Millie Jackson. He has developed a close rapport with talented musicians in the Greenburgh and White Plains communities, forming an ensemble that interprets blues, jazz, R&B and related styles. Joe will perform on Mamaroneck Avenue Stage on Sunday, September 25th.
Kenny Lee was born and raised in White Plains. He learned trumpet at an early age from his father, also a musician. After serving four years in the Marine Corp Band, he returned to Westchester, mastered the trumpet and jazz styles while also serving as a 20-year veteran of the White Plains Police force. He has played jazz music throughout his life and performs regularly with his band. Kenny will perform during the “Jazz Stroll” on Wednesday, September 21st at Copperface Jacks on Mamaroneck Avenue at 7:30 PM.
Gerry Malkin graduated with a degree in performance from The University of Bridgeport in 1974. He subsequently studied with Dave Liebman, Frank Foster and Bob Berg. He has performed with The Temptations and The Four Tops along with Tito Puente, Dave Weckl, Adam Nussbaum, Joey Calderazzo, Lew Soloff, Harvie S., Chip Jackson, Yoron Israel, Ray Vega, Steve Johns, George Colligan and Jon Burr. Gerry performed twice at ArtsWestchester and at the White Plains Jazz Fest in 2014.
