NEWSLETTER
Sat, June 25 & Sun, June 26, 2022
Freihofer’s celebrates 25 years as a festival partner, confirming a multi-year commitment as the title sponsor
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis; Booker T. Presents: A Stax Revue; Ledisi; Robert Glasper; and Galactic featuring Anjelika Jelly Joseph Headline the Two-Day Event Presenting 24 Groups, including 15 Festival Debuts
Saratoga Springs, NY (February 13, 2022) – The 45th Annual Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival will return for a full two-day and two-stage exhilarating festival experience on Saturday, June 25 and Sunday, June 26 at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. In addition to celebrating 45 years as one of the largest jazz music events in North America, the 2022 Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival will also mark the 25th anniversary of its partnership with Freihofer’s. The beloved bakery and its parent company Bimbo Bakeries USA have reaffirmed their commitment to the festival and the region with a multi-year title sponsorship that will increase the festival’s prestige on the national stage.
Featuring a remarkable roster of twenty-four musical groups, the line-up is headlined by Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, returning to the festival for the first time since 1998; soul music legend Booker T. Presents: A Stax Revue; powerhouse vocalist Ledisi for her festival debut; jazz/hip-hop crossover great Robert Glasper; and New Orleans funk and jazz collective Galactic featuring Anjelika Jelly Joseph for its festival debut. From jazz to roots, funk, blues and beyond, the festival will bring its signature blend of top notch artists and ensembles, solidifying its place as an international destination and a ‘must-stop’ on the 2022 festival trail.
“The 2022 Festival promises to be a memorable one in so many ways. Not only thanks to a stellar and varied line-up, but also to the sheer joy of being back to full scale. We’ll be celebrating 25 years of partnership with Freihofer’s, as well as the first of a new multi-year commitment from the company. While a number of other jazz festivals are changing and downsizing, Freihofer’s support is allowing us to go back to the full Saratoga Jazz Fest experience its long-time fans have come to love and expect,” says Elizabeth Sobol, President and CEO of Saratoga Performing Arts Center.
Of the partnership, Lorraine Hale, Vice President of Marketing at Bimbo Bakeries USA says “Freihofer’s and the Saratoga Jazz Festival both reflect the spirit of the region delivering delicious memories across generations.”
Highlighting the 15 festival debuts, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Booker T. Jones, the famed front man of Booker T. & the M.G.s, and the acclaimed producer of the legendary Memphis-based Stax Records, will showcase his 10-piece band with three lead vocalists performing his smash hits with the M.G.s, “Green Onions,” “Hang ‘Em High” and “Time is Tight” and classic Stax songs “Try a Little Tenderness,” “Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay” (Otis Redding), “Hold On I’m Coming” (Sam and Dave), and “Gee Whiz” (Carla Thomas), among others. Also making her festival debut is 2021 GRAMMY winner and fourteen-time GRAMMY-nominated vocalist Ledisi, who will return to SPAC on August 3 as part of The Philadelphia Orchestra’s season in a program dedicated to the music of Nina Simone.
Returning for the first time since 2019 is the popular Charles R. Wood “Jazz Discovery” Stage with rhythmic, global and funk grooves by groups from Red Baraat to Cha Wa to Tiempo Libre and some of the most exciting contemporary artists in jazz: Matt Wilson, Craig Handy, Connie Han, Ryan Keberle, Emmaline and Dan Wilson. In addition, the Skidmore Jazz Institute Faculty All-Stars will celebrate George Wein, the founder of the festival who passed away at the age of 95 in September 2021. Following stunning Jazz Fest debuts in 2021, Hot Club of Saratoga and Garland Nelson leading Joyful Noise will return to kick-off the amphitheater line-up on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
“My mentor and the festival founder, George Wein, always focused on producing events for everyone and that’s exactly what we’ve done for our big return,” says Danny Melnick, the festival producer and President of Absolutely Live Entertainment. “Our 45th festival features award-winning musical legends, unique all-star collaborations, cutting-edge bands and many popular rising stars.”
In addition to two non-stop days of great music on two stages, fans can also enjoy a host of amenities including a fine arts and crafts fair, artist CD signings, southern style barbeque and other food vendors at SPAC’s newly renovated concession area. 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 each day on the Charles R. Wood “Jazz Discovery” Stage at 11 a.m. and on the Amphitheater Stage at 12:00 p.m.
SPAC is offering a $20 student and child amphitheater pass, available for children ages 12 and under and students with school-issued ID at time of entrance. Children ages 12 and under are admitted free on the lawn. SPAC will continue to monitor health and safety guidelines mandated by New York State and the CDC and will adjust ticketing and safety policies accordingly. Full guidelines will be published in advance of the ticket on sale and may be found at spac.org.
2022 FREIHOFER’S SARATOGA JAZZ FESTIVAL LINE-UP:
SATURDAY, JUNE 25
Amphitheater:
Booker T. Presents: A Stax Revue*
Robert Glasper
Galactic featuring Anjelika Jelly Joseph*
Con Tumbao* featuring Issac Delgado, Robby Ameen, Oscar Hernandez, Conrad Herwig, Pedrito Martinez, Juan Munguia, Alain Pérez, Mike Rodriguez, Tony Succar & Miguel Zenon
Ozmosys Band featuring Omar Hakim & Rachel Z
Amina Figarova Sextet plus Strings*
Hot Club of Saratoga
Charles R. Wood “Jazz Discovery” Stage:
Red Baraat*
Matt Wilson’s Honey & Salt with Dawn Thomson, Nadje Noordhuis, Jeff Lederer & Martin Wind
Craig Handy & 2nd Line Smith*
Connie Han Trio*
Emmaline*
Dan Wilson Trio*
SUNDAY, JUNE 26
Amphitheater:
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis
Ledisi*
SuperBlue: Kurt Elling featuring Charlie Hunter
Eliane Elias
Matthew Whitaker*
Garland Nelson’s Joyful Noise
Charles R. Wood “Jazz Discovery” Stage:
Cha Wa
Tiempo Libre*
Carolyn Wonderland*
Ryan Keberle & Catharsis*
Skidmore Jazz Institute Faculty All-Stars celebrate George Wein* featuring Mike Rodriguez, Steve Davis, Jimmy Greene, Bill Cunliffe, Dave Stryker, Todd Coolman & Dennis Mackrel
###
*Indicates Festival debut for that project
ABOUT FREIHOFER’S SARATOGA JAZZ FESTIVAL:
Founded in 1978 by jazz impresario George Wein, Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival is the fifth longest-consecutive-running jazz festival in North America. Initially founded as “the Newport Jazz Festival at Saratoga” the weekend event was renamed Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival in 1998. With an inside seating capacity of 5,200, and lawn seating of 20,000, the two-day, two-stage festival continues to be one of the largest jazz music events in North America, beloved by audiences for both the remarkable annual line-up of international jazz talent and the spectacular setting at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in the idyllic Saratoga Spa State Park.
More information about what to bring to the Jazz Festival can be found online at www.spac.org.
TICKETS:
Tickets for the festival start at $65 and will be available online at www.spac.org beginning March 16 at 10am to the general public and starting on March 7 at 10am to SPAC members (tiered by level). Two-days passes are also available for a savings of $10 per ticket (offer ends 5/1). $20 amphitheater ticket options are available for children ages 12 and under and students with school-issued ID at time of entrance. Seating is best available with some exclusions. Lawn seating is free for children ages 12 and under.
ABOUT SARATOGA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
The Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC), located in the historic resort town of Saratoga Springs in upstate New York, is one of America’s most prestigious summer festivals. Its tranquil setting in a 2,400-acre park preserve surrounded by hiking trails, geysers, and natural mineral springs draws vacation crowds and arts connoisseurs each year for immersive experiences of performances by resident companies New York City Ballet, The Philadelphia Orchestra, The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, the Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival, Opera Saratoga, and concerts by Live Nation. SPAC also hosts imaginative programming such as CulinaryArts@SPAC and Caffè Lena @ SPAC.
SPAC is a 501c3 charitable organization. Donations and proceeds from fundraising events benefit the Center’s children’s education programs and support the vibrancy of its classical season. For more information visit spac.org.
The Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival is co-presented by SPAC and Absolutely Live Entertainment, LLC.
*Indicates Festival debut for that project
*** Please note 2022 Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival line-up is subject to change
Press Contact:
Kristy Godette Ventre– 518-584-9330 ext. 125
518-316-1435 (m.)