Katonah musicians take center stage during Jazz Appreciation Month

KATONAH, N.Y. - Katonah’s rich musical roots were in the spotlight as New York State Senator Pete Harckham honored two of the hamlet’s own - cellist Akua Dixon and guitarist John Scofield - during a Jazz Appreciation Month celebration at the Katonah Village Library.

Joined by fellow honoree drummer-vocalist Tony Jefferson of Peekskill, the ceremony highlighted the deep connection between world-class jazz artists and the Katonah community. Friends, family members, and local residents gathered for the event, where each musician received a Senate proclamation recognizing their contributions to New York’s cultural landscape. Bedford Town Supervisor Ellen Calves welcomed attendees.

While the celebration marked the 25th anniversary of Jazz Appreciation Month, much of the focus remained on the extraordinary talent rooted right in Katonah.

“Communities like Katonah are enriched by artists who live and create here,” Harckham said. “Their work reflects both individuality and collaboration - the very spirit of jazz - and it benefits all of us.”

For many in attendance, the recognition of Dixon and Scofield carried special meaning as neighbors whose global impact is matched by their local presence.

Dixon, a pioneering cellist, composer, and educator, has built an international reputation while calling Katonah home. Her career spans performances with legends such as James Brown, Diana Ross, and Tony Bennett, as well as collaborations with jazz greats including Dizzy Gillespie and Carmen McRae. Beyond the stage, she has dedicated decades to music education, working with young people through programs affiliated with Carnegie Hall and Jazz at Lincoln Center.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dixon reflected on the journey behind her success. “After so many years playing music, the most important thing is having a dream—something unique that drives you,” she said. “To be recognized for that is truly special.”

Scofield, a three-time Grammy Award-winning guitarist, has also long been part of the Katonah community. A globally acclaimed performer who has worked with icons like Miles Davis, he has spent more than three decades living in the hamlet and raising his family there.

“I’m honored to be recognized in Katonah,” Scofield said. “We’ve lived here for 34 years, raised our kids here - it’s an incredible place to call home.”

Though the spotlight was firmly on Katonah’s honorees, Jefferson’s recognition underscored the broader Hudson Valley jazz scene. A longtime Peekskill resident, he is celebrated both for his dynamic drumming and his later-in-career emergence as a vocalist.

“I’m lucky to have a life filled with jazz,” Jefferson said. “It’s something I truly love and enjoy sharing.”

As the event concluded, the message was clear: Katonah is more than just a quiet hamlet - it is home to artists whose influence reaches far beyond its borders.

From international stages to local classrooms, Dixon and Scofield exemplify how world-class artistry can grow from - and give back to - a close-knit community.