Yonkers Public Library Celebrates International Jazz Day with a free Library Jazz Band concert featuring composer Joseph Daley, conducting The Seven Deadly Sins
A Celebration of Jazz
On April 30, 2025, Yonkers Public Library will celebrate UNESCO’s International Jazz Day with a performance by the Yonkers-based Library Jazz Band at Riverfront Library, starting at 6pm. Thanks to generous funding from ArtsWestchester, the performance is free to attend. This exceptional performance, entitled Hitting The Low Notes, celebrates instruments from the lower end of the sonic spectrum, some not often seen in a jazz band. For this performance, the 17-member Library Jazz Band (trumpets, trombones, saxophones, and rhythm section), will be joined by two French horns, tuba, bass saxophone, and expanded trumpet and percussion sections.
Guest Conductor Joseph Daley
For the first time, the ensemble welcomes a guest conductor. The 75-year-old jazz elder Joseph Daley (pictured above) will lead the ensemble as they perform his seminal composition, The Seven Deadly Sins. This seven-movement piece is based on the paintings of contemporary painter/musician Wade Schuman and was completed at the MacDowell Colony in 2001. Rounding out the program will be classics old and new by Jaco Pastorius, Charles Mingus, Thad Jones, and Frank Foster/the Count Basie Orchestra.
“Over the last two years, Library Jazz Band concerts have become highlights of YPL’s busy and eclectic calendar. We’re so excited to have them back, and to welcome Joseph Daley as their guest conductor.” said Jesse Montero, Yonkers Public Library director.
“LJB could not be happier to celebrate the work of Joseph Daley, who has long been influential as a performer, educator, and composer,” said Nancy Maron, co-founder of the Library Jazz Band. “By bringing in a composer and expanding the band with less-conventional instruments into this program, we hope to encourage students and jazz lovers of all ages to join us.”
Event Details
Hitting The Low Notes with Guest Composer Joseph Daley Wed., April 30 6 – 8pm Riverfront Library, Auditorium, 1 Larkin Center, Yonkers, NY 10701 Riverfront Library is located directly across the street from the Yonkers station, on the Metro North’s Hudson Line. There is street parking, and ample parking available at the Buena Vista Parking garage nearby.
About the Library Jazz Band
Library Jazz Band is a 17-person jazz orchestra based in Yonkers, New York. We perform throughout Westchester and beyond, in venues – like libraries and festivals – that make our music available to all. Our musical selections are a mix of classics performed by the greatest jazz bands (Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Buddy Rich, Stan Kenton, Thad Jones/Mel Lewis, and terrifically creative new compositions and arrangements by members of our band. Our members are outstanding jazz professionals who come together to celebrate and share a love of America’s original music. All are working musicians, and many are teachers, as well. LJB has been awarded both an Arts Alive Community Project grant and a Yonkers Arts Initiative Project Support grant. Arts Alive is a regrant program of ArtsWestchester with support from the Office of the Governor, the New York State Legislature, and the New York State Council on the Arts; Yonkers Arts Initiative Project grant is made possible through funding from the Westchester County Executive and the Board of Legislators.
About Joseph Daley
After over 50 years of recognition as one of the consummate sidemen on the adventurous music scene – with remarkable artists like Sam Rivers, Carla Bley, Gil Evans, Charlie Haden, Muhal Richard Abrams, Taj Mahal and so many more – Joseph Daley has emerged as one of Jazz and contemporary music’s most extraordinary composers and leaders. Stunning musicians, fans and critics alike with his brilliant 2011 CD, The Seven Deadly Sins, featuring his Earth Tones Ensemble (a full Jazz orchestra augmented by six additional low-tone horns, and including a seven-member rhythm section and four special guests), this powerfully innovative music mines the same rich vein of musical expression as that of immortals like Charles Mingus, Duke Ellington and George Russell, receiving rave reviews and making several Best of Year lists.
About UNESCO’s International Jazz Day
International Jazz Day (April 30, 2025) brings together communities, schools, artists, historians, academics, and jazz enthusiasts all over the world to celebrate and learn about jazz and its roots, future and impact; raise awareness of the need for intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding; and reinforce international cooperation and communication. Each year on April 30, this international art form is recognized for promoting peace, dialogue among cultures, diversity, and respect for human rights and human dignity; eradicating discrimination; fostering gender equality; and promoting freedom of expression.
About the Yonkers Public Library
For 130 years, The Yonkers Public Library (“YPL”) has been an essential and dynamic institution whose dedicated staff provide outstanding service, meaningful collections, and impactful programs in welcoming and inspiring spaces for the people of Yonkers. With three locations: Riverfront Library, Grinton I. Will Library, and Crestwood Library, YPL’s vision is to improve the life in Yonkers for everyone by fostering literacy, culture, connection, and community. For more information about the Yonkers Public Library, visit ypl.org or follow-on social media – Facebook and Instagram.
