13th Annual Hudson Valley Jazz Festival
Melissa Dvozenja-Thomas, Director, Development & Marketing, Arts Mid-Hudson for The Poughkeepsie Journal
I don’t know about you, but when I hear or see the word festival, I immediately look to see when the dates are and if I am available to attend. Festivals contribute tremendously to social unity. Music festivals especially can bring you to a different level of excitement. The whole atmosphere of a music festival is euphoric and can transport you to a different place and yet allowing you to be present in the moment with those around you. The 13th Annual Hudson Valley Jazz Festival (August 18 - 21) operates a little differently than the average music festival. It’s not just a single stage event, but rather is held in multiple locations, clubs, cafes, restaurants, performing arts centers and parks, giving audiences even more options. And this year the series expands into Ulster County and upper Westchester. You'll see a blend of well-known artists and the region's deep resource of local talent.
Kicking off Thursday, August 18 at 6:30 p.m., enjoy The Hudson Valley Jazz Sextet, with Joe and Gabriele Tranchina, Ed Littman, J. Brunka, Steve Rubin and Bob Magnuson, presented by On The Lawn in Sugar Loaf. This venue provides that great outdoor summer vibe so bring your chairs and blankets to revel in the ambiance. Not interested in being outdoors? No problem. Go to Mary Ann’s Mexican Restaurant in Port Chester to hear the sounds of The Kaya Nicole Jazz Trio at 7:00 p.m. Among her many accomplishments, Kalya has performed a multi-city tour as an opener with rock and roll star Rick Springfield.
If you find yourself in the Ulster County area that evening, head to Unison Arts Center in New Paltz to hear Rave Tesar, with Jeff Ciampa and Frank Pagano at 7:00 p.m. Or join Gus Mancini & the Sonic Soul Orkestra at the Front Street Tavern in Kingston.
Moving into Friday’s schedule, The Teri Roiger Trio with John Menegon & Matt Garrity will be at The Front Street Tavern, Kingston and the Neil Alexander Group will be at the Unison Arts Center, New Paltz. Both shows start at 7:00 p.m.
With the weekend underway, clear your Saturday for The Steve Raleigh Jazz Band at 11:30 a.m. at Front Street Tavern in Kingston, with Steve Raleigh on guitar, Vinnie Martucci on the keys, Lew Scott playing bass, Matt Garrity on drums. Then, adding a new venue into the mix, Continuum Art & Photography in Greenwood Lake hosts improv music presented by Brian Kastan with special guests at 3:00 p.m. Saturday evening is full of excitement with Stanley Jordan at The Bearsville Theatre in Woodstock, and guitar virtuoso, Oz Noy and Anton Fig on Drums at The Village Green Railroad in Warwick. Close out the night with Slide Attack at Greenwood Lake or The Rick Savage Group at UpFront Gallery in Port Jervis.
If Sunday jazz is more your style, The Albert Wisner Library in Warwick will present Billy Ware at 2:00 p.m. Ware, a riveting musician, has collaborated with Steely Dan, Elvis Costello, Pink Floyd’s David Gilmore and many more. Conclude the weekend with Joe Vincent Tranchina Composers 4-um. with Eric Person, Robert Kopec and Peter O’Brein in Warwick.
No matter what venue, day, or time you choose, this festival will fill your heart with jazz and have you marking your calendar for next year’s festivities. This program is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by Arts Mid-Hudson.
If you go:
The Hudson Valley Jazz Festival
Various Locations
August 18 - 21, 2022
Contact: (917) 903-4380
www.hudsonvalleyjazzfest.org