3 minute read
Jazz Fest
FREIHOFER’S Saratoga Jazz Festival
Returns in Full Force This June
PHOTOS BY ERICA MILLER
The Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival, known across the country for its inclusive, joyous atmosphere and genre-busting lineup, is back this year in full-force on June 25 and June 26 at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. Celebrating its 45th year, the Jazz Festival features so many different styles and artists that everyone will find something to love, whether you’re a selfproclaimed jazz aficionado or someone who craves having a great time at a world-class venue.
It’s a unique opportunity to see 24 artists performing jazz, blues, soul, Latin, bhangra, New Orleans funk and more across two stages – the Charles R. Wood Jazz Discovery Stage and the SPAC Amphitheater Stage. “The Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival proudly remains one of the greatest, most prestigious jazz festivals in North America — but if you live in the Capital Region, you might know it better as one of the most fun weekends of the year,” said Danny Melnick, the jazz festival’s longtime producer. Cultivating a true festival environment, organizers allow ticketholders to bring food and drinks in coolers, as well as blankets, beach chairs and tents to spend the day on SPAC’s lawn. Beyond the musical performances, the Jazz Festival boasts a fine arts and crafts fair, artist meet-andgreets, southern-style barbecue and other food vendors at SPAC’s newly renovated concession area. “The laidback vibe of a block party collides with some of the planet’s top musical talent,” Melnick said. “It’s an experience where you’ll feel both comfortably ‘at home’ and also exhilarated by the artists you’re discovering for the first time or hearing live again.” An impressive 15 artists will be making their festival debuts, including Booker T. Jones, the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer who led Booker T. & the M.G.s and was a producer at the famed, Memphis-based Stax Records. He’ll lead a 10-piece band performing classic Stax songs. Grammy Award winning vocalist Ledisi will make her festival debut as will Con Tumbao, the all-star Latin Jazz band featuring Issac Delgado and Pedrito Martinez, along with New Orleans funk masters Galactic featuring Anjelika Jelly Joseph and emerging stars, the pianist Connie Han and vocalist Emmaline. Returning to Jazz Fest for the first time since 1998 is festival headliner, Wynton Marsalis performing with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Jazz/Hip Hop pianist Robert Glasper returns as will Brazilian pianist and vocalist Eliane Elias, who recently won a Grammy for “Best Latin Jazz Album.” 2021 debutantes and local favorites, Hot Club of Saratoga and Garland Nelson, will open the SPAC Amphitheater each day, respectively. “The fun, diverse lineup of award-winning musical legends, unique all-star collaborations, cutting-edge bands and popular rising stars speaks to the approach and mentality of the festival’s founder and my mentor George Wein, who focused on producing events for everyone,” Melnick said. A towering figure in the jazz world and the broader music industry, George Wein passed away in 2021. He lives on through his enduring impact on jazz and the Saratoga community. His legacy and love for giving people a worldclass festival will be memorialized by the Skidmore Jazz Institute Faculty All-Stars, who will play a tribute to Wein on Sunday, June 26. Tickets are available online at spac.org, where you can also view the full lineup. Lawn seating is free for children ages 12 and under. Performances begin each day on the Charles R. Wood Jazz Discovery Stage at 11 a.m. and the Amphitheater Stage at Noon. SS
