SARATOGA SPRINGS — The 46th Annual Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival will return for a full two-day and two-stage festival experience on Saturday, June 24 and Sunday, June 25 at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.
This year’s lineup features 21 musical groups, headlined by Bonnie Raitt, Pat Metheny, Angelique Kidjo, Tower of Power, and Chucho Valdes.
Additional appearances include: Snarky Puppy, Cory Wong, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Hiromi, Cindy Blackman Santana, Samara Joy, Kurt Rosenwinkel, and Emmet Cohen.
“The 2023 jazz festival features ‘A-list’ artists from start to finish, on both stages, all weekend,” Danny Melnick, the festival producer and President of Absolutely Live Entertainment, said, in a statement. “All of the amphitheater groups will perform longer sets and we’ve built in more time in between sets to allow the audience to go from stage to stage more easily. I couldn’t be more excited about what we’re planning.”
Bonnie Raitt will be making her return to the festival for the first time since 1988. Headlining on Saturday for its second festival appearance is the 19-piece mega-band Snarky Puppy.
Returning jazz icons include Pat Metheny; global music superstar Angelique Kidjo, called “Africa’s premier diva” and named one of the 100 most influential people in the world for 2021 by Time Magazine; R&B and funk group Tower of Power, who is celebrating its 55th anniversary, and Afro-Cuban jazz legend Chucho Valdes.
Highlighting the 11 festival debuts is jazz and funk guitarist Cory Wong, best known as a frequent guest rhythm guitarist for Vulfpeck as well as for his ebullient solo material; eight-piece psychedelia and funk fiery band St. Paul & The Broken Bones; jazz and rock drum dynamo Cindy Blackman Santana, who is the regular touring drummer for Carlos Santana and previously Lenny Kravitz, and “Silky-voiced rising jazz star” (New York Times) Samara Joy, fresh off of her 2023 Grammy nominations for Best Jazz Vocal Album and Best New Artist.
In addition to two non-stop days of music on two stages, fans can also enjoy a host of amenities including a fine arts and crafts fair, artist CD signings, and new and diverse food offerings. 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 the Charles R. Wood “Jazz Discovery” Stage and noon on the Amphitheater Stage on Saturday, June 24 and 11:30 a.m. and 12:45 p.m., respectively, on Sunday, June 25.
Tickets for the festival start at $78 and will be available online at www.spac.org beginning 10 a.m. on Jan. 6 to the general public and starting on Dec. 15 at 10 a.m. to SPAC members (tiered by level). New for 2023, members will also receive a discount of 15-20% (depending on level) on their ticket purchase. Two-day passes are also available for a savings of 10% off per ticket (offer ends 6/15). Children 12 and under receive 50% off tickets in the amphitheater and are free on the lawn. Full-time students with a school issued ID receive 25% off tickets in the amphitheater, or $28 on the lawn (student ID must be presented at will call).
