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JOHN BAILEY INTERVIEWS
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JazzFest White Plains returns brighter than ever with more than 15 live performances taking place across five days, September 6-10, 2023. Jazz lovers will enjoy music by emerging talent and world-class artists, including four Grammy Award winners this fall in White Plains.
This year’s festival is presented by Montefiore Einstein and produced by ArtsWestchester, the City of White Plains and the White Plains BID. Free and affordable performances will occur on downtown streets and in intimate venues that include ArtsWestchester, Grace Episcopal Church and the White Plains Public Library.
“JazzFest features some of the most talented musicians you will ever hear, but it’s also so much more. It’s a celebration of cultures, communities and the artists who make the magic come to life,” says ArtsWestchester CEO Janet T. Langsam.”
Mayor Tom Roach explains, “The City of White Plains is excited to welcome back JazzFest to downtown White Plains. This event continues to delight and entertain jazz enthusiasts and budding jazz appreciators from around the region.”
JazzFest White Plains Schedule of Music Events:
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 6
12-2:00pm | FREE
Aaron Seeber Quartet
White Plains Farmers Market, 59 Court St.
Aaron Seeber is making his name as an emerging jazz drummer in New York City. Seeber, a graduate of SUNY Purchase, studied jazz drums under the tutelage of renowned instructors Kenny Washington and John Riley.
12-1pm | FREE
Helen Sung presents PUSH
Downtown Music at Grace, 33 Church St.
Acclaimed jazz pianist/composer Helen Sung presents PUSH, a solo piano program that celebrate the music and artistry of landmark women in jazz.
THURSDAY, SEPT. 7
6:30pm | Louis Hayes Quartet including dinner served by Via Garibaldi
(David Hazeltine on Keyboard, Dezron Douglas on Bass, Abraham Burton on Sax)
Under the Stars at White Plains Plaza, One North Broadway, White Plains
(Performance & Dinner Price: $65pp)
Join us for a one-of-a-kind dinner performance with 2023 NEA Jazz Master and legendary drummer Louis Hayes. Ticket purchase includes:
· Live performance and 3-course family style dinner (inclusive of tax & gratuity)
· Prime viewing on the plaza
* This performance will take place outdoors with advanced ticket purchase required for prime viewing. Please purchase tickets ahead of time. Each table has an eight-person maximum. If you have a party larger party than eight people, please call 914.328.5166.
12pm | FREE
Jazz at Noon: Edmar Castañeda
White Plains Public Library Plaza*, 100 Martine Ave.
*In event of rain, program will be held in the library auditorium
Colombian-born Edmar Castañeda has made a name for himself as the preeminent jazz harp virtuoso since arriving in the United States in 1994. Castañeda merges the jazz tradition with a diverse set of styles and genres.
7pm & 9pm | $45: single set (7pm or 9pm) // $80: both 7pm & 9pm sets (ArtsWestchester Members: $40 single set / $70 both)
John Scofield & Joe Lovano Quartet
ArtsWestchester, 31 Mamaroneck Ave.
Across more than three decades, a half-dozen albums, and hundreds of gigs, the partnership of John Scofield and Joe Lovano has defined contemporary jazz. John Scofield is considered one of the most important guitarists and composers in jazz. Cleveland native Joe Lovano stands out as one of the most successful saxophonists in jazz today.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 9
2pm | FREE
The MCW Jazz Faculty Ensemble: A Tribute to Wayne Shorter
Music Conservatory of Westchester, 216 Central Ave.
The Music Conservatory of Westchester presents its jazz faculty ensemble, which will perform the music of saxophonist Wayne Shorter. Celebrating the music and life of this pillar of the jazz tradition are Hiroshi Yamazaki on piano, Mark Kraszewski on tenor sax, Alex Wintz on guitar, Jake Robinson on drums and Miles Gilbert on bass.
7pm & 9pm | $45: single set (7pm or 9pm) // $80: both 7pm & 9pm sets (ArtsWestchester Members: $40 single set / $70 both)
Cécile McLorin Salvant & Sullivan Fortner
ArtsWestchester, 31 Mamaroneck Ave.
Cécile McLorin Salvant has developed a passion for storytelling and finding the connections between vaudeville, blues, folk traditions from around the world, theater, jazz and baroque music. Salvant is an eclectic curator, unearthing rarely recorded, forgotten songs with strong narratives, interesting power dynamics, unexpected twists, and humor. For the past decade, Sullivan Fortner has been stretching deep-rooted talents as a pianist, composer, band leader and uncompromising individualist.
SUNDAY, SEPT. 10
12:30-7:30pm | FREE
White Plains Jazz & Food Festival
On Mamaroneck Ave., between Main St. and Martine Ave., White Plains, NY
12:30-1:15pm | Westchester Center for Jazz & Contemporary Music
The Westchester Center for Jazz & Contemporary Music provides opportunities for musicians of diverse backgrounds, abilities and ages to develop their skills in jazz and other related musical forms. This performance features a selection of the Center’s top student musicians and faculty.
1:45-2:45pm | Richie Goods & Chien Chien Lu
Bassist Richie Goods, one of the most versatile and accomplished bass players on the scene today, is the youngest person ever inducted into the Pittsburgh Jazz Hall of Fame.
Chien Chien Lu is a vibraphonist, contemporary percussionist and composer whose Taiwanese upbringing, classical music education and passion for R&B grooves crystallize into a fresh and distinctive approach to contemporary jazz.
3:15–4:15pm | Mike Freeman ZonaVibe
Vibraphonist and composer Mike Freeman has been a part of the New York jazz and Latin music scenes for decades. His recordings of original music include tributes to Cal Tjader, Tito Puente and NEA Jazz Master Bobby Hutcherson.
4:45–5:45pm | Endea Owens & The Cookout
Detroit-raised recording artist, bassist and composer Endea Owens is known as one of jazz’s most vibrant emerging artists.
6:15–7:15pm | Mike Phillips
Mount Vernon native and contemporary jazz saxophonist Mike Phillips is one of the most electrifying instrumentalists today. Phillips combines smooth, romantic riffs with a funky, hip-hop-influenced sound.
Jennifer Furioli, Executive Director of the White Plains BID explains “White Plains is known for being a beacon of creativity and the arts, and every year both come to life in the heart of our downtown thanks to the longstanding and well-known White Plains Jazz Fest.”
JazzFest White Plains is made possible with major support by Montefiore Einstein with additional support from Westchester County, Apple Bank, Bright Energy Services, Westchester Center for Jazz and Contemporary Music, News 12 and Westchester Magazine.
For a full festival schedule and to purchase advanced tickets, visit artsw.org/jazzfest.
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We have a new COVID-19 variant—BA.2.86—turning heads even among the calm, cool, and collected scientists.
This is what we know, what we don’t know, and what’s likely next.
SARS-CoV-2 continues to mutate.
This is expected, as this is what viruses do to survive. There was ~20% possibility of another “Omicron-like event” in 2023. Since Omicron arrived on the scene in November 2021, we’ve only seen incremental changes, which have created a ladder-like pattern (see panel A below). This is a good thing—we wanted Omicron to mutate because then we can predict where it’s going (for vaccines and our immunity, for example).
However, BA.2.86 doesn’t follow the ladder-like pattern. It has so many changes at once that it seems to come out of nowhere (see Panel B above). The virus likely mutated over time in one immunocompromised individual and then jumped to others.
As of now, we’ve only seen 7 cases in 4 countries. Usually, this isn’t enough to warrant concern, but some details are noteworthy:
A lot.
Genetic surveillance is down 90%. Only 9,757 COVID-19 sequences were uploaded to the public database last week, compared to 137,878 for Omicron’s first week. In other words, we are searching in the dark.
On an immunologic level, it will take weeks to understand what these new mutations mean or, more importantly, what the combination of mutations means. Some labs, like those in Denmark, are already at work. In the meantime, we have a few educated guesses:
Epidemiologically, we don’t know whether this will cause a wave yet; it may be a dud. But with more cases, it becomes more likely. Again, we are flying blind. We don’t have testing or case data like we did 2 years ago.
We are at the mercy of time to see what this variant does. Like a hurricane, we don’t know if it will fizzle away, become a category 5 disaster, or somewhere in between.
Regardless, our next moves include:
We have a new variant on the horizon. We are in a lull now, waiting for the virus’s next move and for science to answer some key questions. Things should become more clear in the next two weeks.
Love, YLE
“Your Local Epidemiologist (YLE)” is written by Dr. Katelyn Jetelina, MPH Ph.D.—an epidemiologist, wife. During the day, she is a senior scientific consultant to several organizations. At night she writes this newsletter. Her main goal is to “translate” the ever-evolving public health world so that people will be well-equipped to make evidence-based decisions. This newsletter is free, thanks to the generous support of fellow YLE community members. To support this effort, subscribe below:
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STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL ON NEGOTIATIONS WITH BIDEN ADMINISTRATION ON FLOYD BENNETT FIELD
“After months of negotiations, the Biden Administration has provided us with a tentative contract that would allow New York to utilize Floyd Bennett Field as a shelter for asylum seekers. Once the final agreement is signed, we will work with Mayor Adams and his team to set up a Humanitarian Emergency Relief and Response Center at Floyd Bennett Field with the capacity to shelter more than 2,000 asylum seekers. We are grateful to President Biden for his support of this initiative and committed to continuing our advocacy on behalf of the people of New York.
“Ultimately the path out of this crisis is granting work authorization immediately, so these individuals can move out of shelter and into independent living arrangements. This site will be critical in the interim for the City of New York to provide humanitarian aid, as we work collectively to get people on the path to asylum seeker status and legal work.”
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IN ONE WEEK WHITE PLAINS HOSPITAL EXPERIENCES 59 ADMISSIONS (81%)OF 72 ADMITTED ALSO HAVE COVID
WPCNR COVID SURVEILLANCE. Statistics from NY COVID TRACKER. Observations & Analysis By John F. Bailey. August 21, 2023.
Last week ended Saturday August 19 was the sixth week in a row that new covid cases in Westchester rose. A total of 451 new covid cases were reported by the New York State Health Department this morning through Saturday.
The county averaged 7.5 new cases a day for those 7 days per 100,000 of population. Westchester has 1,004,000 people. Multiply 7.5 by 10.004 and we find the county saw 75 new cases a day (lab-verified).
That is a new case growth last week of 527 a week, or 2, 108 for the month of August pace. So far in August, Westchester has seen 1,313 new cases of covid. In three weeks This means 423 new cases in the first week of August have spread covid to at least 3 other persons.
Covid testing labs have done 3,874 tests of persons seeking lab confirmation of their covid positives. That means the county is only doing about 553 lab confirmation tests a day.
When you consider that Westchester has a 1,00,4,000 population and an average positive rate of lab covid tests conducted last week of 10.9%,, I believe this means there are a lot more covid positives out there socializing, going to work, going to entertainments, the beach, pools. Many of them are not practicing social distancing or at the very least getting a lab test to confirm they are not positive, the spread of covid cases maybe 10.9% of the County population right now. Ten percent of 1,004,000 ( the county population is 100,000 people with covid.
I have pointed out before that if you were testing 2,500 to 3,000 Westchesterites a day as the county was doing in August 2022 a year ago this wek you might find at a 10% positive rate, that would produce 300 a day. New cases but last week we had 451 new cases. So obviously there’s a lot more “spreading” going on.
The policy of antigen home testing has created a situation where persons testing positive are not making sure or not wanting to believe they are positive for possibility of quarantining or losing work days.
Until testing is reinstalled at restaurants, venues, workplaces, entertainment, the disease will continue to grow. This will happen big time in September when schools reopen. Vaccinations & boosters for covid available for students age appropriate must be brought up to date otherwise with August 2023 on track to deliver a possible 2,108 new cases for the month, and who knows how many in the school population have covid now. No one knows.
The failure to monitor and report covid cases in the schools at the beginning of the last school year that was lifted by the State Education Department was not wise.
All school districts are in the dark as to what they can expect by the little reported rise in covid over the last 6 weeks.
Last September in 2022, in Westchester County, 3,546 covid cases reported in September, after covid vaccinations had reduced cases last August by 40% to 6,325 from 10,398 in July 22
What will the cases run this September?, I believe we are in for a very unhealthy situation. It is imperative testing resume in the schools as a precautionary measure to prevent spreading of covid because of the rise infections obvious in August which may be possibly disasterously undercounted by state policy towards the disease.
How bad is the spread? People are not afraid of it or being careful.
Another factor, the midweek number of positives is growing strong.
Last week in the County the numbers Sunday through Saturday mounted in midweek. Sunday (40) Monday(78), Tuesday (86), Wednesday (92–highest single day since med-February), Thursday (69), Friday (89) and Saturday (60)
White Plains Hospital Medical Center last week of 75 persons admitted to beds in White Plains Hospital,it was found 81% had covid in addition to the condition they were admitted.
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SUNRISE THIS MORNING WHITE PLAINS NY USA
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Post this link to your browser to see the highlights of the July 17 Forum at White Plains Library on racism, hate incidents in schools and anti-semitism in Westchester Schools, organized by NY State Senator Shelley Mayer. Video by John Bailey at the scene.
http://www.wpcommunitymedia.org/people-to-be-heard/07272023-507
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STICK-IT-TO-YOU SHOCKER OF A CON ED RATE HIKE– 15%
JOHN BAILEY TELLS HOW YOUR CON ED REALITY BILL RISES EVERY YEAR FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS
CON ED ACTUAL ELECTRIC RATES VS. FIXED RATE — MYTH SHATTERED — CON ED NOT AS LOW AS YOU THINK IT IS.
COVID LOVES WESTCHESTER 6TH STRAIGHT WEEK NEW LAB-VERIFIED CASES OF RISEN ON TRACK NOW FOR 2,000 NEW CASES IN AUGUST. NOBODY IS TALKING ABOUT IT.
HOW ARE WE DOIN’ IN 2023 ON BUILDING GREEN ENERGY RENEWAL SUPPLY TO THE GRID? LOUSY WITH 5 YEARS TO GO. ONLY 20% OF GRID IS MADE OF CLEAN ELECTRICITY
THE CHILDREN LEAD WHEN THE LEADERS DON’T. SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY MUM ON MIGRANT HOUSING AND MIGRANT ASYLUM COURT AND LETTING THEM WORK.
JOHN BAILEY AND THE REAL NEWS (WITH NY DISTRICT 92 ASSEMBLYMAN CHRIS BURDICK GUEST ON PEOPLE TO BE HEARD THIS WEEK, SATURDAY AT 7.
JOHN BAILEY AND THE NEWS
EVERY WEEK ON WHITE PLAINS WEEK
FOR 22 YEARS
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JOHN BAILEY INTERVIEWS ASSEMBLYMAN BURDICK ON ALBANY ISSUES AHEAD:
ENERGY, INFLATION, GOVERNOR’S POWER TO CALL AN EMERGENCY, AID TO EDUCATION STABILITY AND MORE
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There are so many new or updated vaccines on the market this fall that we thought it would be helpful to collect information about them in one place. This guide outlines the “what,” “who,” and “when” for each. Seasonal influenza (flu)What: The vaccine covers four strains of seasonal flu offered by four pharmaceutical companies. Selecting vaccine strains for rapidly changing viruses, like flu and COVID-19, is an art and a science, so the vaccine formula doesn’t always align perfectly. We are optimistic that this year’s is a good match because the vaccine composition matches flu strains that recently circulated in Australia (which is a good predictor of the upcoming Northern Hemisphere season). During the years when the vaccine does match, it can reduce the risk of needing to go to the doctor by 40% to 60%. Who: Everyone ages 6 months and older. There are special formulations to provide added protection to older adults. Children should get two shots during their first flu season. When: Protection wanes throughout a season. For most people, October is the best time to get vaccinated so that you’re fully protected before a flu wave. The full list of timing recommendations for specific populations (pregnancy, older adults, young children) is available here. Covid-19 vaccineWhat: The fall Covid-19 vaccine has an updated formula, targeting XBB.1.5, which should be a good match to the currently circulating Omicron subvariant. Moderna, Pfizer, and Novavax all plan to have boosters on the market this fall. Who: We don’t know yet but should know in mid-to-late- September. Why the delay? The CDC determines who is eligible only after the FDA has fully approved the vaccine. The FDA can only fully approve once the pharma companies submit data showing the vaccines are safe after manufacturing. We are waiting on this process to play out. Last year, though, eligibility was dependent on the manufacturer (it will likely be the same): When: Guidance will be provided by the CDC soon. (Hopefully, they will guide recently infected people, too.) For protection against severe disease, you can get the vaccine when it becomes available because it’s more lasting. For protection against infection, though, keep in mind that protection wanes in a few months, so it’s best to get vaccinated right before a wave. Of course, this can be challenging to time. More info: To understand why we need an updated vaccine and what clinical trials found, go to this previous YLE post. RSV vaccine (older adults)
SELF MAGAZINE. Photographer: Heather Hazzan; Wardrobe: Ronald Burton; Props: Campbell Pearson; Hair: Hide Suzuki; Makeup: Deanna Melluso at See Management. Shot on location at One Medical. Source. What: For the first time, an RSV vaccine is available from GSK and Pfizer. Both effectively protect against severe illness, with 82-86% efficacy. The two vaccines are slightly different in design, but only at a microscopic level. And, good news, side effects like fever and body aches are not common. Who: People ages 60 and older “may” get the vaccine in the U.S. In the UK, those over 75 years should get the vaccine. People with underlying health conditions (like heart or lung disease or diabetes) and those living in long-term care facilities should strongly consider the vaccine. When: They are available now. RSV vaccines do not wane as quickly as flu and COVID-19 vaccines, so you can get it now and it should protect you throughout the entire season (and maybe even next season). More info: For a breakdown of the clinical trial findings, go to this previous YLE post. RSV medication (infants)What: AstraZeneca has a new monoclonal antibody called Beyfortus, which protects against severe RSV in infants. This is not a vaccine (i.e., doesn’t teach the body to make antibodies) but rather a medication (it provides antibodies). In clinical trials, it reduced the risk of hospitalization and healthcare visits by ~80%. Who: All infants under 8 months should get it for their first RSV season. High-risk children between 8 months to 19 months should also get it. High-risk categories include:
When: Beyfortus is unavailable now, but the manufacturer has committed to making it available for this RSV season. The protection lasts about 4-6 months, so get this as soon as it’s available. RSV vaccine (pregnancy)What: Pfizer is actively pursuing approvals for an RSV vaccine given to pregnant people. The protection will pass from mother to baby so that the baby is protected in the first 6 months of life, which is the riskiest time for severe RSV. Clinical trials showed 82% efficacy in preventing hospitalization during the first 3 months of life, and 69% efficacy at 6 months. Who: If approved, the vaccine would be given between 24 to 36 weeks of pregnancy. When: This vaccine is not yet available. It is still going through review by the FDA and CDC. Whispers suggest we may have a decision this month. If so, it may become available this fall, but the timing is uncertain. Bottom lineGet vaccinated! It is one of the best things you can do this fall and winter to keep healthy and minimize disruption. P.S. We know many people have many questions. Please comment or send to us, as we plan on following up with a FAQ. Love, Drs. Caitlin Rivers and Katelyn Jetelina Caitlin Rivers, PhD MPH, is an assistant professor and epidemiologist at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. She served as the founding associate director of the Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. |
