Jazzfest honoring Willie ‘The Lion' Smith returns

Goshen — The Willie “The Lion” Smith jazzfest returns to Goshen this year on Saturday, Sept. 15. The annual festival honors Willie “The Lion” Smith, a piano player who developed the Harlem Stride, the East Coast jazz style of the late teens and early ‘20s that transformed the world of jazz. He was born in Goshen in 1897 as William Henry Joseph Bonaparte Bertholoff Smith. While he was growing up, his mother, Ida, played organ in church on Sundays. Smith once said, “Somewhere in Goshen, I began to get music on my mind.” Visual artists will display their work in a tent next to the main stage (on the church lawn) from 4 to 8 p.m. All items shown will be available for purchase. Artists wishing to show their work should e-mail Ken Tschan through the jazzfest’s Web page, www.goshenjazz.com. Space is available for $25 a spot. This year’s jazzfest is a cultural project of the Goshen Public Library and Historical Society. Sponsors include Burke, Miele & Golden, LLP, Union State Bank, Orange Regional Medical Center, and EGL Architecture. For more information call R. Vince Hammond, primary consultant, at 914-805-9392 or visit www.goshenjazz.com. The schedule is as follows: Daytime venues: 1 to 3:30 p.m. (free) • 170 Main Street — Steve Raleigh Duo • Maureen Mullany’s — Michael Jackson Trio • Howell’s — Joe Vincent Tranchina Duo • New Street Tavern — Elegant Swing • WV’s Coffee & Roastery — Metropolitan Hot Club • Il Limon Cello (Orange Inn) — The Kit Potter Experience On the Greens: 4 to 8 p.m. (free) Bring a lawn chair. The rain location is C.J. Hooker Middle School, 41 Lincoln Avenue. • Latin Jubilee Radio Show Host Judy Battista.....MC. Special Dance performances by Jubilee Dancers • Caribe Sol • East Coast “GUMBO” Jazz express • Neil Alexander & NAIL