SARATOGA SPRINGS —Saratoga Performing Arts Center announced that GE Vernova will serve as the new lead sponsor of Saratoga Jazz Festival, beginning in 2025.
The two organizations will embark on a five-year partnership, with $200,000 committed from GE Vernova for each year, ensuring the vibrancy and longevity of Saratoga Jazz Festival, one of the largest jazz events in North America. The sponsorship also signals the alignment of SPAC’s and GE Vernova’s shared values of tradition, innovation, community and sustainability.
“We are elated to welcome GE Vernova as the new sponsor of the Saratoga Jazz Festival. Our two organizations share deep roots in the Capital Region, and we are uniquely aligned in our commitment to tradition and innovation – much like Jazz itself — steeped in rich history, yet ever-vibrant and evolving,” Elizabeth Sobol, President & CEO of Saratoga Performing Arts Center, said in a statement.
“The festival is one of the longest-running jazz festivals in the world, but we are always looking ahead. This new relationship will be the bedrock for us to move through these next few years into the 50th festival, in 2027, and beyond. It is a gift for us, the artists, the Saratoga Springs business community, and for our audience,” said longtime festival producer Danny Melnick, President of Absolutely Live Entertainment.
Initially founded as “the Newport Jazz Festival at Saratoga” the weekend event was renamed Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival from 1998 to 2024. In 2025, the festival will be titled Saratoga Jazz Festival, presented by GE Vernova and is slated for June 28-29. Visit spac.org for more details.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — An active performer and recording artist for more than 40 years, Jon Pousette-Dart will be staging a show at Caffe Lena July 14.
Pousette-Dart founded The Pousette-Dart Band and carved a place in the landscape of American music in the 1970s, going on to record a series of albums for Capitol Records, two of which (Amnesia and Pousette-Dart Band 3) made the Billboard album chart. Their single “For Love” reached #83 on the Billboard singles chart in 1979.
A mainstay of album-oriented radio, and a busy touring groups in the U.S., he worked with such acts as The Byrds, Bonnie Raitt, Little Feat, The Eagles, James Taylor, and others.
After the original group disbanded in the early 1980’s, Pousette-Dart continued performing and recording, releasing five solo albums including 2015s “TALK,” a cohesive selection of his best songs to date.
For tickets and more information, go to: caffelena.org.
SCHENECTADY —Mokoomba, a vibrant guitar-and-vocal-driven sextet hailing from the southern bank of the Zambesi River, open the 34th Music Haven season at Central Park in Schenectady at 7 p.m. Sunday, July 7.
Revered worldwide for roof-shaking performances at venues like New York City’s famed Apollo Theater, London’s 100 Club and Washington D.C.’s Kennedy Center, Mokoomba, also a hit at the WOMAD World Music Festival, has shared stages with the legendary Hugh Masekela, Baaba Maal and Talking Heads’ Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth. The group’s latest disc, Tusona—another dose of soul/funk, reggae and African soukous—is subtitled “Tracings in the Sand.”
Supporting Mokoomba is Albany’s Jordan Taylor Hill, a West African drummer and educator, who will lead a hand-chosen selection of percussionists and dancers he trains in Afropop traditions.
A variety of food and beverages will be available for purchase at all shows, beginning at 6 p.m. on 7 p.m. concert nights and throughout festivals and special events.
In the case of inclement weather, Proctors (432 State St. Schenectady) remains the official rain site for Music Haven.
LAKE GEORGE — In celebration of Jazz at the Lake’s 40th anniversary, The Lake George Arts Project is putting together a groundbreaking exhibition, Synesthesia: Seeing Sound. Designed to challenge perceptions, blur the lines between sight and sound, and spark a visual dialogue that echoes the emotions and rhythms found in music.
The exhibition will be on view Aug. 28 – Sept. 15 and will coincide with the 40th Anniversary Jazz at the Lake Festival Sept. 13-15 in Shepard Park.
The juror for this exhibition is independent curator Dan Cameron. Cameron’s projects have long aspired to bring together visual and performing arts. After more than ten years as Senior Curator at the New Museum, in 2007 Cameron founded the triennial exhibition Prospect New Orleans, which has invited artists from around the world to create contemporary art installations throughout the birthplace of jazz.
Artists over the age of 18 living within 100 miles of Lake George are invited to submit up to two 2/D or 3/D works prepared for exhibition following the guidelines found on the Arts Project’s website: www.lakgeorgearts.org. All submissions must be made through the online form.
The deadline for submissions is July 5, 2024.
For more information, please contact June Waters, Director of Exhibitions, via email at june@lakegeorgearts.org.
Cassandra Kubinski will perform at the Lake George Arts Project’s Summer Concert Series on July 10.
LAKE GEORGE — For 44 years, the Lake George Arts Project’s Summer Concert Series has been a staple of summer evenings in Lake George.
The tradition continues in 2024 with a lineup featuring the genre-bending violin virtuosity of Sons of Mystro to the Grammy-nominated Louisiana powerhouse the Pine Leaf Boys. Acclaimed singer-songwriters like Cassandra Kubinski and Angelina Valente will share the stage alongside legends Walter Parks & The Unlawful Assembly and Matt Schofield, a British-born blues legend, who has reshaped the boundaries of the genre.
The Arts Project is also showcasing the best of the 518 and brings The E-Block, Eventually Epic, and Reese Fulmer & The Carriage House Band to the stage for the first time, alongside regional favorite, Big Medicine.
All concerts begin at 7 p.m. at Shepard Park in Lake George.Admission is free.
Wednesday, July 3rd:Eventually Epic (Rock, Pop, Bollywood); Wednesday, July 10th: Cassandra Kubinski (Singer-Songwriter); Wednesday, July 17th: Pine Leaf Boys (Cajun, Zydeco); Wednesday, July 24th: The E-Block (Indie R&B); Wednesday, July 31st: Big Medicine (Rock, Folk, Country, Blues) ; Wednesday, August 7th: Walter Parks & The Unlawful Assembly (Spirituals, Gospel, Blues); Wednesday, August 14th: Matt Schofield (Blues); Wednesday, August 21st: Angelina Valente (Indie Folk); Wednesday, August 28th: Reese Fulmer & The Carriage House Band(Americana, Indie-Folk).
The Lake George Arts Project’s 2024 Summer Concert Series kicks off with a special Saturday show featuring Sons of Mystro on June 29. For more information about dates and performers, visit the Lake George Arts Project website at www.lakegeorgearts.org
Fred Astaire Dance Studios Saratoga Springs hosted its summer showcase in their studio on Sunday, June 23, 2024. Photo: FADS.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Fred Astaire Dance Studios Saratoga Springs on June 23 hosted its summer showcase in their studio on Route 9 with all ticket proceeds donated to Old Friends at Cabin Creek, an organization that provides dignified retirement options for thoroughbred horses.
This year’s summer showcase featured various styles of dance – from Waltz and Swing to Mongolian Folk Dance and more, with students dancing alongside the studio’s professional instructors.
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.
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.
Erin Harkes/ Sofia Corts in Saratoga Springs July 12.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Singer-songwriter, solo musician and comedian Erin Harkes will be performing at Caffe Lena on Friday, July 12.
Doors open at 7 p.m.and the show will include support artistry from 17-year-old singer songwriter Sofia Corts, a self-taught guitar and keyboard player from Albany.
For tickets and more information, go to: caffelena.org.
Veronica Swift, performing in 2025, as part of SPAC’s new McCormack Jazz Series. Photo by Matt Baker.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Performing Arts Center announces that it has established a new annual McCormack Jazz Series in honor of “Saratoga’s Champion of Jazz,” Don McCormack, and his family. Presented as part of SPAC’s 2024-2025 fall and spring seasons in Spa Little Theater, the inaugural series will feature a roster of international talent.
Kicking off the series this fall is Christian McBride and Ursa Major (Oct. 24), alongside four of the most exciting young jazz instrumentalists performing today.
Veronica Swift (May 1), will close the season with her “transgenre” music concept that weaves between classic jazz, rock, funk, and even vaudeville accentuated by her signature stage presence. Bringing the party to the Spa Little Theater stage is Alfredo Rodriguez Trio (April 5), known for their mastery of Cuban and Latin rhythms, and hot jazz ensemble Dorado Schmitt and Sons: Django Festival All Stars (Nov. 22), who will be joined by local opener Hot Club Saratoga.
“As the Saratoga Jazz Festival is one of the jewels in the crown of our Summer amphitheater programming, presenting diverse jazz perspectives is an integral part of our mission and vision for year-round programming in the Spa Little Theater,” said Elizabeth Sobol, President and CEO of Saratoga Performing Arts Center, in a statement. “It’s a pleasure to be able to announce the new McCormack Jazz Series in honor of one of Saratoga’s most passionate jazz advocates.”
Tickets are available for purchase. Visit spac.org for additional details.
SARATOGA SPRINGS – Post Malone has announced his F-1 Trillion Tour, a 21-show outing with stadium, festival, and amphitheater performances around the U.S.
This tour kicks off Sept. 8 in Salt Lake City, Utah and stages a show at Saratoga Performing Arts Center on Monday, Sept. 23.
TICKETS: Tickets will be available starting with a Citi presale (www.citientertainment.com.) beginning at 10 am on Wednesday, June 26. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general on-sale beginning on Monday, July 1 at 10 am at livenation.com
VIP: The tour will also offer a variety of different VIP packages and experiences for fans to take their concert experience to the next level. Packages vary but include premium tickets, pre-show VIP Lounge, exclusive VIP gift item & more. VIP package contents vary based on offer selected. For more information, visit vipnation.com.
