Two-Day Saratoga Jazz Fest Returns This Weekend with Lake Street Dive, Norah Jones, Stanley Clarke

The annual two-day Saratoga Jazz festival will be staged at SPAC Saturday and Sunday.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The 47th Annual Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival returns this weekend for a full two-day and two-stage festival experience on Saturday, June 29 and Sunday, June 30 at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. 

The event will feature a roster of 22 musical groups and 10 festival debuts. 

The line-up is co-headlined by contemporary artists Lake Street Dive, Norah Jones, Laufey, and Samara Joy, alongside jazz and blues legends Stanley Clarke with his band N*4Ever, Terence Blanchard Sextet and Coco Montoya. 

Also highlighting the line-up is the next generation of jazz stars – Yussef Dayes, Joey Alexander, Miguel Zenon, Tia Fuller, Theo Crocker, Helen Sung and Sara Caswell, and electrifying Afro-Cuban and funk bands Cory Henry, Cimafunk, The New Orleans Groove Masters and Pedrito Martinez Group.

Headliner Lake Street Dive will make their festival debut on Saturday, June 29. 

Returning following her triumphant festival debut in 2023 is Samara Joy, and returning by popular demand to headline the festival on Sunday is singer and pianist Norah Jones.

Music icons returning to the festival include jazz and blues legends Stanley Clarke with his exciting new band N*4Ever, which is a celebration of his long-time collaborator Chick Corea and their time together in Return to Forever; opera composer Terence Blanchard with his Sextet, and blues guitar virtuoso and vocalist Coco Montoya. 

Representing the next generation of jazz talent on the stage is composer and drummer Yussef Dayes, jazz pianist Joey Alexander – who will celebrate his 21st birthday at the festival, jazz pianist and composer Helen Sung, and jazz violinist Sara Caswell.

Highlighting the weekend is also today’s most electrifying Afro-Cuban and funk bands including progressive R&B artist Cory Henry, Cimafunk, The New Orleans Groove Masters featuring Herlin Riley, Jason Marsalis & Shannon Powell, Cuban percussionist Pedrito Martinez with his band and Olatuja!, which reunites Alicia and Michael Olatuja in music. 

In addition to two non-stop days of great music on two stages, fans can also enjoy a host of amenities including a new craft beer tasting village, in partnership with New York State Brewers Association, new and diverse food offerings, a fine arts and crafts fair, and artist CD signings. Guests are welcome to bring in their own food and beverages, as well as blankets, tents and lawn umbrellas. Parking for the event is free. Performances will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 29 and at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 30. 

2024 Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival Line-Up:

SATURDAY, JUNE 29

Amphitheater – Lake Street Dive; Samara Joy; Yussef Dayes; Joey Alexander Trio with special guest Theo Croker; Cimafunk with special guest Pedrito Martinez; The New Orleans Groove Masters featuring Herlin Riley, Jason Marsalis & Shannon Powell.

Charles R. Wood “Jazz Discovery” Stage – Tia Fuller; Steven Bernstein’s Millennial Territory Orchestra; Theo Croker; Coco Montoya; Harold Lopez-Nussa; Sara Caswell Quartet.

 SUNDAY, JUNE 30

Amphitheater – Norah Jones; Laufey; Stanley Clarke N4Ever; Terence Blanchard Sextet; Cory Henry. 

Charles R. Wood “Jazz Discovery” Stage – Pedrito Martinez Group; Miguel Zenon Quartet; Olatuja!; Helen Sung presents Quartet; Skidmore Jazz Institute Faculty All-Stars Centennial Celebration of Max Roach, Bud Powell & J.J. Johnson featuring Clay Jenkins, Steve Wilson, Steve Davis, Mike Moreno, Bill Cunliffe, Todd Coolman & Dennis Mackrel. 

 Tickets & info – go to: spac.org.