It is an honor to be recognized along with my fellow honorees from across the country that love the music and work equally as hard to keep the music alive.
A special thank you for the support and love goes to Carolyn McClair, Ron Scott, Rudy Lu and Susan Brink for reminding me what makes the music and people who love it special. I’ll be sharing performances from last year’s festival throughout the month…in our 20th year we found a safe way to ‘swing’ we didn’t let COVID win!
Thank you, Jazz Journalists for doing what you do.
Greer
To visit the Jazz Journalist Association’s 2021 Jazz Heroes page Click Here.
“It is a pleasure and an honor to know and work alongside Greer Smith. She is one of a kind and is deeply passionate, committed and absolute in her desire to bring Jazz to the greater Poughkeepsie, NY region,” said Jackson. Throughout the year, I witness firsthand her resolve to bring together faithful supporters of Jazz in the Valley with talented artists and vendors for a spirited time at the annual festival. It is really hard to know who loves Greer more, the fans who attend Jazz in the Valley or the numerous jazz musicians who have graced her stage! I am happy for this recognition of Greer Smith, one of my heroes!” – Javon Jackson
“Jazz in The Valley is an incredible example of how a small group of committed music people led by Greer Smith can present a major and significant festival. The festival has a tremendous impact on presenting our music and should be supported globally. All the musicians and festival-goers look forward to JITV with the same enthusiasm as they do Newport and North Sea festivals.” – Donald Harrison
“Save the trip to the Blue Note Club in New York City or the Newport Jazz Festival and enjoy an afternoon packed with preeminent musicians on the Hudson River’s breezy shores, for performances spanning straight-ahead jazz to more contemporary and international interpretations. Women are prominent at this year’s festival, including bands led by Rene Marie and Mimi Jones. Joanne Brackeen, performing in the Javon Jackson Superband, was recently named a Jazz Master by the National Endowment for the Arts.”
“World-renowned poet and activist Sonia Sanchez poses with several master jazz musicians following their recent dynamic performance at the Jazz in the Valley concert in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.”