The Blues and Early Jazz

Join us on Sunday, October 27th, from 3:00 - 4:00 pm for a very special program with Eric DiVito- The Blues and Early Jazz. The first part of the multi part performance/lecture series, The History and Evolution of Jazz in the 20th Century Through Performance, this session will focus on the origins of Jazz. Specific focus will be on the roots of jazz that go back to the music of Africa and Europe with the development of the Blues and then early jazz that originated in New Orleans in the beginning of the 20th century.  Special attention will be paid to the role of the music from a cultural and historical standpoint.

This project is made possible with funds from ArtsAlive, a regrant program of the ArtsWestchester with support from the office of the Governor, the New York State Legislator, and the New York Council on The Arts.

Eric DiVito

New York area guitarist, composer and educator Eric DiVito has been performing throughout the greater NY area since 2003.  Either as a soloist or leading his own groups, he has performed at many of NYC’s renowned jazz clubs and live music venues as well as performances and festivals both domestic and abroad.  DiVito has recorded two studio jazz albums, Breaking the Ice (PJC Records, 2012) and The Second Time Around (PJC Records, 2013) and one solo classical guitar album, Soothing Classical Guitar Music (Inner Splendor Media, 2016).  He has also worked as a guitarist for Carnival Cruise Lines and the Bateaux NY.

As an educator, Mr. DiVito has taught classroom and instrumental music in the NYC public schools and Westchester public school districts since 2006.  He teaches as an adjunct lecturer of music at Dominican University in Orangeburg as well in his private guitar studio both in person and remotely.

DiVito is an Eastman guitar artist and has been published several times in Downbeat Magazine, RAE Magazine, PlayJazzGuitar.com and more.

He resides with his wife and three children in Pearl River, New York.