History of simon’s valley stream jazz festival, inc.

An event that has been in existence for 19 years must have naturally secured a humble amount of history in time; however, this short narrative is only intended for your curiosity.

Dr. Herold Simon created the Valley Stream Jazz festival in 2003 following his lifetime admiration for Jazz, LP and CD collection, attendance at many jazz events, past obsession with the discontinued BET Jazz Channel and many birthday barbecues in the house backyard hosted by his wife, Doris.

The Simon's Valley Stream Jazz Festival since its creation has only been held in that backyard where notable players, in chronological order, Chardavoine, Buyu Ambroise, Waldron Wicks, Jeremy Powell, Marks Schwartz, Bobby Raymond, Jean Caze and Pauline Jean, Alix Julien, Boujoly, Michel Lemorin, Jean Raymond (Samba) Leconte, Guetens, to name a few, played with great character, rare musical fabric and unforgettable, colorful notes. Among them, Ashley Simon played piano solo in between sets in 2008 and 2009. In later years, some aspiring performers entertained the guests as well, including Sumner, Lesline Charles and Sheila Degraff.

With the development and inclusion of CESIMI, families of CEsar, SImon and Mlrville, a non-professional, family, musical group from a karaoke idea presented by Marthelly Cesar, the event became popular in 2015 as more guests were invited to attend. Combined with CESIMI's continuing superb performances and more robust and sophisticated jazz productions involving between 9-12 influential musicians at a time, led by collaborator, Gary Sylvain, the event became much more appreciated. Anticipation of many to attend became contagious among friends from Florida, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Texas, Boston, Connecticut, Canada, Haiti and of course, New York. As a result of all that, every year the event raises the bar for the next through meticulous preparation, diverse musicality, greater enthusiasm, better performance and attendance. By popular exclamation, the event of 2019 remains the most recent apogee/highest point.

Dr. Simon's vision since 2013 has been to transfer the event to a park in Valley Stream, feed it to grow and become an international event as a legacy for Haitians in Valley Stream and indiscriminately New York State and so on. He has worked tirelessly with well-known official Assemblywoman Michaelle C. Solages to facilitate this adventure. Here we are today! The Assemblywoman deserves so much credit!