Trans-Hudson Jazz Fest - High Notes and Fast Boats -- by the Half Moon Press

July, 2001 issue

Trans-Hudson Jazz Festival -- High Notes and Fast Boats Two major residential development companies are joining hands across the Hudson River this summer in sponsoring what they are calling the first Trans-Hudson Jazz Festival.

It will feature three evenings of live music, one each in July, August and September, with programs on the east shore at Ossining, the west shore at Haverstraw and on the New York Waterways ferry in between.

Ginsburg Development Corporation (GDC) of Hawthorne and Cappelli Enterprises of Valhalla said they joined in creating and sponsoring the program to focus on the beauty and potential the Hudson offers. They also wanted to highlight the value of the ferry service that now links the two riverfront communities. The companies are collaborating with Jazz Forum Arts, a not-for-profit arts organization.

The program started on July 7, and will continue on August 11 and September 8. They all begin at 3 p.m. in Ossining, where listeners will hear live jazz. It then moves on-board the ferry at 5 p.m. where live Dixieland jazz by the T. J. Tomlin Dixieland All-Stars is played as it travels to Haverstraw. Once there, starting at 6 p.m., there will be Latin jazz. Westchesterites who travel to Haverstraw for the later portion of the program will be given free ferry service back to Ossining.

On August 11 the Trumpeter Ted Daniel Septet, featuring Jamila Daniel, will entertain in Ossining. In Haverstraw the music will be played by Ralph Irizarry and Timbalye and Adrian and The Fuego Band.

Drummer Jon Dotty and the Unity Septet, featuring Shunzo Ono, will play in Ossining in September. Johnny Almendra and Los Jovenes Del Barrio and Chris Washburn and The Syotos Band will entertain in Haverstraw.

Parking for the jazz program is available at The Ferry Landing site, and an area on the Rockland side will be provided for local restaurateurs to set up tents, where concert-goers may buy picnic dinners. Ample parking is available in the parking areas at the Ossining Metro-North station.

GDC and Cappelli are each contributing $10,000 to the event. Others sponsors are Union State Bank, Mirant, Metro-North Railroads, and New York Waterway. The Village of Haverstraw and the Village of Ossining are donating in-kind services.

Martin Ginsburg, principal and founder of GDC, said, "We thought that partnering with Cappelli in this fun and cultural event would be a great way to encourage people to get out and participate and see attractions which, while not around the corner, are now easily accessible, with the Haverstraw/Ossining Ferry."

Joseph Apicella, Vice President of Cappelli Enterprises, said that his company "was thrilled when GDC asked us to join them in sponsoring this series of events. This is truly a great way to bring people to the waterfront on both sides of the river."

For more information about the festival, call Jazz Forum Arts (914) 631-1000.