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HERALD Relay for life set for Saturday
Hangout one Happy is honored
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Vol. 32 No. 23
JUNE 5 - 11, 2025
$1.00
1304013
Bringing live music back to the library phone and steel pan. Between 40 and 50 audience members watched the live perM u s i c a l ly I n cl i n e d p e r- formance. Roddy described the formed a live concert at the crowd as mostly adults, with Baldwin Public Library on May one young child in the audience 18, continuing a tradition that who became an unexpected began four years ago during the standout fan. “It was very meaningful Covid-19 pandemic, when the local band put on a virtual per- especially since we started off formance that the library host- with the virtual concert during the pandemic through the ed. The popular group now has library,” Gallagher said. “The performed four times at the library gave us our first start. It venue since its iniwas cool to be back tial online debut. there and be able to The in-person setplay years later in ting, according to person.” bandleader Ronnie M u s i c a l l y Roddy Jr., offered a Inclined performed much different nine songs, includexperience than the ing original works virtual format that and jazz and R&B launched the band’s covers such as “Mr. RoNNiE RoDDy JR. Magic” by Grover public career. “In a virtual set- Baldwin Washington Jr. The ting, we could do g roup also premultiple takes and viewed unreleased really shape the performance,” tracks from its upcoming selfRoddy said. “But live, you go titled debut album, scheduled with whatever happens — it’s for release in July. real-time. This one felt really Roddy said performing those good.” new songs live gave the band Musically Inclined features more confidence about the seven musicians from across album’s potential success. Long Island: Roddy, of Baldwin, “After hearing the live feedon keyboard and piano; Matt back and revisiting the tracks Mener, of Massapequa, on in the studio, we’re really excittenor and soprano saxophones; ed to share this with everyone,” Mike Smith, of Massapequa he said. Park, on guitar; Joe Gallagher, The g roup previously of Baldwin, on bass; Gregory J. released an EP, but the upcomTyson, of Williston Park, on ing album will be its first fullbaritone and tenor saxophones; length project. It will include Nsikak Ekong, of Hempstead, studio-recorded songs with conon trombone; and Kevin Jackson, of Freeport, on alto saxoContinued on page 3
By HERNESTo GAlDAMEZ
hgaldamez@liherald.com
W
Courtesy Jared Cohn
Baldwin native Jared Cohn has made Hollywood his home, directing more than a dozen films.
From Baldwin to Hollywood Jared Cohn reflects on Long Island upbringing By HERNESTo GAlDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com
Before Jared Cohn was directing movies with multi-million-dollar budgets or working with networks like Lifetime, he was just a kid growing up in Baldwin. He walked the halls of Meadow Elementary and Baldwin High School, graduating with the Class of 2000. His path to filmmaking, however, wasn’t one he always envisioned. “I wish I could say I knew I wanted to be a filmmaker when I was a teenager in Baldwin,” Cohn said. “But honestly, I was a little lost.” After high school, Cohn enrolled at Northeastern University in Boston, majoring in
liberal arts. He wasn’t thinking about cameras or scripts—until a roommate, an aspiring actor, changed everything. “I went to visit him on set, and something clicked. I always loved watching movies and TV, but that was the moment I realized, wow, this is something I want to be part of.” That epiphany led Cohn to Los Angeles, where he spent several years exploring acting and filmmaking. But feeling like he was spinning his wheels, he returned home to regroup. Back in Baldwin, he enrolled in the New York Institute of Technology, where he earned his film degree in 2010. “I needed to hit reset. That time on Long Island really helped me get focused,” he said. After graduation, Cohn dove into the Continued on page 4
e’re really excited to share this with everyone.