Manhattanville Launches Jazz Series in Historic Castle

^{[see also: ArtsNews Guide: 2026 Jazz Events in Westchester]}

Mark Morganelli knows playing castles: he’s played at Tarrytown’s Castle Hotel & Spa’s Equus Room hundreds of times. He’s also played for presidents (Clinton) and Powells (Colin). But playing a jazz series at Manhattanville University’s historic Reid Castle is, in the words of the late Richie Havens, something else again.

“This castle is a different level!” says Morganelli, Executive Director of Tarrytown’s Jazz Forum Arts. “It’s two or three times the size of [Equus], with beautiful inlaid wood throughout, and we’re playing in a ballroom that overlooks grounds designed by Frederick Law Olmstead [of Central Park and Golden Gate Park fame).” A marbled entry hall, entire chambers imported from French chateaux, and views extending to Long Island Sound comprise some of the Purchase, NY property’s “oh wow” moments. 

The music series, first proposed by the school to showcase its landmark property, was eagerly accepted by Morganellli who, after four decades as a jazz promoter/producer, is shifting gears into full-time performing. Trumpet and flugelhorn are his instruments of choice.

“We have this beautiful, iconic space and we just had to figure out who we could collaborate with,” says Manhattanville’s director of marketing and communications, Kelly Beyrer. 

Jazz at Reid Castle guests may even expect culinary surprises: VIP ticket holders noshed on Brazilian beef charcuterie plates at the February debut concert, courtesy of Chartwells caterer. “We let them be inspired by Mark’s work,” says Beyrer.

The four-part series, set in the 19^th-century home of publishing magnate Whitelaw Reid, sets the stage for Morganelli’s wide-ranging jazz sensibilities: the first was a tribute to his beloved Brazilian jazz, while May 21 will honor Miles Davis’ 100^th birthday with a set of the trumpeter’s ‘50s-era classics; the Fall will bring songstress Sherma Andrews belting out the Great American songbook on September 24; and December 10 rings in some multifaith holiday favorites. Each concert features a slightly different revue of Jazz Forum All-Stars, Morganelli’s rotating ensemble of jazz musicians. The series joins the growing list of diverse venues, series and festivals that are helping to put Westchester on the map as a significant jazz destination.

Morganelli, a self-confessed “Miles-o-phile,” met the legendary St. Louis born trumpeter as a burgeoning 11^th-grade horn player, so he relishes the opportunity to tackle the Davis oeuvre in May. For the concert, he’s assembled an all-star cast, including Vincent Herring (saxophone, flute), Craig Handy (saxophone), Helen Sung (piano), Rufus Reid (bass) and Billy Hart (drums). Tunes from the landmark 1959 album Kind of Blue will feature, including “Freddy Freeloader” and “So What.” 

“I love that period of Miles’ music because of its melodicism, and his alternating between his own compositions and standards,” says Morganelli. “And the musicians he collaborated with! Sonny Rollins, Cannonball Adderley, Bill Evans, Philly Jo Jones—many of whom I got to know.” In fact, the trumpeter/flugelhornist recorded his own tribute to Davis, For Miles, in 2023. 

A different lineup will honor the Great American Songbook in September, including Roni Ben-Hur on guitar and Sherma Andrews on vocals. “She can do everything from Ella (Fitzgerald) to Whitney (Houston) and she kills it!” enthuses Morganelli. The ensemble will take its turn with songs from Jerome Kern, Rogers and Hart, Cole Porter and Harold Arlen, among others. 

The December holiday show reunites Morganelli with accordion legend Eddie Monteiro. In addition to “White Christmas” and “Channukah, Oh Channukah,” it’s possible they’ll even decide to dip into their shared wellspring of Brazilian tunes, bringing the series full circle, back to the bossa nova vibe of the first show. 

For Morganelli, the series is a chance to step back into a purely artistic role. “I totally enjoy performing and collaborating with musicians, conversing with other artists. Onstage, everything else drops away.” 

“We had all ages in the audience for the first show,” says Beyrer. “Seeing people from age 20 to 90 experience Mark and his music [and] the storytelling through jazz was special.” 

You May Also Enjoy:

• ArtsNews Guide: 2026 Jazz Events in Westchester
• The Westchester Philharmonic’s Spring Season: Winter, Cellos, Fire and Grace
• Performing Arts Center at Purchase Announces 2025-26 Lineup
• Tarrytown Music Hall Builds Future for Academy in New (Old) Building

_{(photos courtesy of Manhattanville University)}