As Super Bowl pregame coverage filled television screens Sunday, a different crowd of over two dozen gathered at the Uniondale Public Library to celebrate Black History Month with a concert honoring Black jazz musicians in America.
The concert, led by the Westbury Jazz Ensemble, featured performances highlighting the influence of Black composers and jazz musicians whose work helped shape American music. Before each song was performed, a member took a moment to discuss with background on who the performer was and what the song meant.
Selections included Duke Ellington’s “Take the A Train,” with Uniondale vocalist Dianne Allen leading many of the melodies. Allen also performed the jazz standard “Misty,” written and recorded in 1954 by pianist Erroll Garner, as well as “Stormy Monday,” later popularized by the Allman Brothers Band.
Several audience members stayed after the performance to thank the musicians and discuss music theory and performance. Among those in attendance was Jordan Lesperance, 16, a Uniondale High School student and member of the school band, who said the concert made him feel at home.
“To see other musicians play what they love, different genres and different songs — it makes me feel really good,” he said. “In school I see people my age play modern jazz, but to watch older jazz bands like those guys, it’s different.”
Lesperance said the program also resonated personally during Black History Month, noting that his great-grandfather, Edward “Little Buster” Forehand, performed as a member of Little Buster & The Soul Brothers.
The concert also served as a reminder of jazz’s roots in Black American communities, where the genre developed in the early 20th century and went on to influence nearly every form of modern popular music. Jazz originated in Black communities in New Orleans, blending African rhythms and improvisation.
“Jazz is different from our last performance,” said Michael Carpenter, saxophone player and founder of the ensemble and a retired music teacher at Westbury High School, referencing the group’s previous visit featuring a Christmas program.
“With jazz you open up a little more — you play the melody and then people get into solo when the chord changes,” he added.
The other performers were Roberto Hewett on drums, Derek Buchanan on bass, Julius Chen on piano and Jamiek Potter on trumpet, with each musician taking turns in featured solos throughout the evening.
As families filtered out ahead of kickoff, the evening underscored how live music and community gatherings continue to offer meaningful ways to celebrate Black History Month across generations
“The children side heard the music, parents and library staff were so excited everyone enjoyed. With the cold weather it warmed us up,” said Ilgar Guo adult programming specialist.
