bernie williams

7-22-08 #23
Bernie Williams performs before hundreds in Mt. Vernon
BY Joe Parisi
The 2008 Summer Breeze Concert Series has been a smash hit in Mount Vernon, thanks to Donna Jackson, who took over the helm this year as creative director of the popular concert series. She has compiled an impressive list of performers for the 17 evening performances taking place throughout the summer months in Mount Vernon. The concerts, which take place outdoors at City Hall Plaza, is attracting legions of people, not only from Mount Vernon, but from all across the tri-state area as well.
     On a hot and muggy Tuesday evening, July 21, hundreds flocked to City Hall Plaza to watch former NY Yankees superstar, Bernie Williams (#51) play his electric guitar in front of an adoring crowd that numbered in the hundreds. Accompanying Williams was internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano, Mary Ann McCormick and a very talented and well known pianist by the name of Thomas Cuffari, who awed the crowd on the keyboard.
     Playing an impressive dark brown electric classical guitar, Williams mesmerized the hundreds in attendance with his talent as a guitarist.
     Williams, who studied music on a scholarship beginning at age 13 at the Escuela Libre de Musica in Puerto Rico, had initially planned on a career in music before favoring Major League Baseball. He won four World Series Championships with the New York Yankees; a Gold Glove; a Batting Title, and was a lifetime 300 hitter. There is no doubt in anybody's mind that Williams will be inducted into the revered Baseball Hall of Fame as soon as he becomes eligible.
     McCormick was just as impressive with her high pitch opera singing, which may have shattered some windows at City Hall. The crowd could not get enough of her and Williams - they complimented each other fantastically during their extended performance. McCormick has been hailed in the press as "charismatic," "spell-binding," and "elegant." - and she was all of that and more during her July 21 performance. The words superlative and spectacular come to mind, but there are either way too many adjectives or not nearly enough to describe the performance of Williams and McCormick outside City Hall on July 21.
     Acting once again as the MC was Donna Jackson, who introduced Mayor Clinton I. Young to the large audience. After bestowing Williams with endless accolades, Mayor Young presented Williams with a City of Mount Vernon Proclamation, designating July 21 as Bernie Williams Day in the "City of Pride and Greatness."
     Williams was asked to say a few words to the cheering crowd by Mayor Young. "I am here today with Mary Ann to supports the arts and sports in Mount Vernon. I am a living example that you do not have to choose between the two, and you can be successful at both. And I strongly encourage the City of Mount Vernon to support both the arts and sports in a big way."
     When asked by The Inquirer if he would be pursuing music as a second career, Williams replied: "It is very hard to say, since I will be starting at a disadvantage. I think I will be trying to catch up after all the years of playing baseball. However, I do want to have fun and I am still very young to pursue my artistic talent as far as I can take it. And most importantly, I can do it on my own terms."
     Following the phenomenal performance by Williams and McCormick, Jackson next introduced Dr. Salvatore M. Febbraio, director of the internationally famous "Febbraio School of Music" in Mount Vernon.
     Accompanying Dr. Febbraio were current and former students of his who performed splendidly to the delight of the music savvy audience.
     After the performance by Dr. Febbraio's group, Mayor Young presented Dr. Febbraio with an award, in appreciation for the 52 years he has been the director of the "Febbraio School of Music" in Mount Vernon.
     Jackson surprised the guests by introducing yet another group of outstanding performers - "Guy Febbraio and His All-Stars." A dynamic rock group led by Dr. Febbraio's son, Guy, who played the drums.
     The large crowd, content with the great performances they had been a part of, stayed until the very end of the extended program.
     Floyd Meyers, Deputy Commissioner of the Mount Vernon Recreation Department, played a mayor role in making the July 21 concert possible.
     The concert series is sponsored in part by JP Morgan Chase, The Wartburg Adult Care Community, Hudson Valley Bank, The Bozeman Law Firm, NY State Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson, and NY State Assembly Man J. Gary Pretlow. "Jazz Tuesdays" are produced by Jazz Forum Arts with support from NYSCA and the Westchester Arts Council's Municipal Challenge Grant, Funded by Fuji Photofilm, USA.