DATE: Saturday, April 19
TIME: 7:00 Dance Lessons, 8:00 PM Concert
General Admission: $25 Adults / $20 Seniors and Students w/ID / $18 Members

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Get ready for a high-energy, cross-cultural musical experience as this Global Mashup will have you moving and grooving to start your night. Then The Steve Kroon Latin Jazz Ensemble and The Patience Higgins Swing Band will come together and present an unforgettable night of rhythm, melody, and dance!

On April 19, we’re fusing the irresistible beats of The Steve Kroon Latin Jazz Ensemble with the electrifying swing of The Patience Higgins Swing Band. These master musicians will take turns igniting the stage with their signature sounds—then come together for a once-in-a-lifetime mashup that will have you dancing in the aisles! But the fun doesn’t stop there! Before the show, acclaimed dance instructors Mickey Davidson and Vanda Polokova will get you moving with a dance lesson that blends Latin and Swing styles. Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or just want to have fun, this is your chance to step, spin, and sway to the night’s infectious rhythms.

Experience the magic of live music, the joy of dance, and the energy of a crowd united by the universal language of jazz. Don’t miss this extraordinary night of cultural fusion.

"Steve’s music is loaded with the instantly-likable melodically attractive and rhythmically intriguing performances that once made Latin jazz the kind of music a diverse audience could groove to. “A lot of guys today play too much,” Kroon adds, explaining how he approaches the style reverently, with an emphasis on finesse." 
-latinjazz.com

Parking Information: Flushing Town Hall has a small parking lot at the rear of the building, which fills up quickly during events. Additional paid parking is available nearby at:

• PEC Parking – 35-15 Farrington St, Flushing, NY 11354
• The Farrington Parking – 33-66 Farrington St, Flushing, NY 11354
 

Artist Bios:

Steven Kroon

Steven Kroon has been a professional musician for more than 50 years. Born in Harlem, then raised in St. Albans Queens. Percussionist Steven Kroon is mostly noted for adding his percussion sounds to the great late vocalist Luther Van Dross from 1981 to 2001, as well as recording and touring with Ron Carter. He has also recorded and performed with much of the “Who's Who” in the music business, such as Stanley Turrentine, Jimmy Heath, Roberta Flack, Bette Midler, Aretha Franklin, Diana Krall, Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga, just to name a few. For the last 20 years he’s been working on his solo career, and his band has been performing at most major clubs and festivals throughout the states.

Adding to his credits, he has Six CD's released in his name: “In My Path," “Senor Kroon,” “El Mas Alla” (Beyond), "Without A Doubt" (Sin Duda), “On The #1”, and his latest “In Your Dreams,” all under his own record label “Kroonatune Records, LLC.”

My Sextet is a high-energy electrifying Latin Jazz Sextet. Our musicality consists of Jazz with the blend of Afro Cuban and Brazilian music.

Patience Higgins

Patience Higgins is a New York-based jazz saxophonist, flutist, and multi-reed musician. He also plays clarinet, oboe, and English horn. He has performed with Duke Ellington Orchestra, Barry Harris, Archie Shepp, Jimmy Scott, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Paquito D’Rivera, Cleo Laine, and The Sugar Hill Jazz Quartet. Higgins has a history as a Broadway musician. He is a music educator and teaches at the New York Jazz Workshop Music School. Higgins has toured with the Duke Ellington and Count Basie Orchestras.

In 1998, he was featured artist playing saxophone and flute for double Grammy Award-winning recording Dee Dee Bridgewater's Dear Ella.

Higgins along with the Sugar Hill Quartet were the house band for the Lenox Lounge, and regular Monday night sessions at St. Nick's Pub in Harlem. His 1998 album 'Live in Harlem' documents Monday night sessions at St. Nick's Pub.

Teacher Bios:

Vanda Polakova

Began her dance journey at the age of 9 in her hometown of Bratislava, Slovakia, where she became a two-time Amateur Latin Champion. In the neighboring Czech Republic, she earned the title of National Professional Latin Champion. After moving to the United States, Vanda continued competing as a Latin dancer before transitioning to Rhythm in 2012, 

Vanda’s career has extended beyond competition floor, where she has had the privilege to consult and contribute to productions such as the Radio City Rockettes’ Summer Spectacular, Vanda was cast as a dancer in the film Musical Chairs, directed by Susan Seidelman, which showcased the art of wheelchair dancing. 

In 2022, Vanda earned the Mirror Ball Trophy on Let’s Dance! the Slovak edition of Dancing with the Stars, and was featured in two highly successful seasons. Most recently, in 2024, Vanda starred as a principal dancer in the Off-Broadway production of Grand Hotel at the 54 Below Theatre. 


 

Mickey Davidson



Mickey Davidson has been affiliated with Lindy Hop since 1985 when she started rehearsing with Norma Miller and her Jazz Dancers. When Norma returned to Las Vegas, Mickey maintained the group under the name "Savoy Swingers". Not only does the group maintain Ms. Miller's choreography, but they also perform other diverse jazz styles such as Tap and Modern Jazz in addition to floor and aerial Lindy Hop. Ms. Davidson frequently partnered and assisted Lindy Hop legend Frankie Manning in workshops, video ("Everybody's Dancing"), TV (Swingin' with the Duke, PBS) and during live performances. Ms. Davidson inherited the maintenance of Mr. Manning’s choreography for the road tour of the Broadway show “Black and Blue”.  Mickey can also be seen in National Geographic’s “Jitterbug” partnered by Clyde Wilder with Norma Miller and Frankie Manning.