Jazz in the City: Alex Torres Y Su Orquesta

Syracuse's urban neighborhoods continue to face a critical public health challenge. Health needs have gone undetected during the pandemic, causing serious residual effects to the urban community at large.

In response, Syracuse Community Health is again leading an aggressive public health outreach effort, using the arts as a mobile platform to bring people together, provide them with the joy of congregating to enjoy music, food, and fun. At these events, all attendees are offered health service information, consultations, and screenings, offering these basic health services to those without the resources for regular healthcare appointments.

These are among the many goals of the JAZZ IN THE CITY Public Health Concert Series.

The concerts will feature fantastic national artists, the best local bands, and neighborhood-based opening acts by community groups. Each concert features food and arts and crafts vendors, and an extensive “healthcare village” of local health and human service organizations. Guest speakers will take the stage during intermissions. New York Lottery scratch-off tickets will be awarded as incentives for those getting screenings and consultations by SCH staff.

Most importantly, the health center is expanding its array of event services to include consultations and screenings including body mass index and hypertension, plus consultation of all kinds and appointments for breast, colorectal and cervical cancer, diabetes, and boosters.

All of us at CNY Jazz Central thank the health center and every one of our many community health-conscious sponsors for helping us make Jazz in the City an important and vital element in the cultural, economic, physical, and mental health of our underserved urban neighborhoods.

And by the way, the music is AWESOME!