‘Jazz in Lewiston’ event to take place Aug. 27-28
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Northwest Jazz Festival in Historic Lewiston, NY has had to cancel its popular music 2-day event for two consecutive years. The difficulties related to logistical, operational, and financial requirements proving to be most challenging to overcome. The loss is felt in numerous ways and by numerous communities.
With sights set on a return in 2022, the jazz festival will host a “Jazz in Lewiston” fundraiser event on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 27-28, at dining establishments in the Village of Lewiston. Of course, the traditional two-day street festival will not take place this year, but jazz music will still be prominent throughout the weekend. Live music will be courtesy of veteran local jazz musicians and a rising class of next-generation jazz artists helping to reshape the jazz scene in the region.
The Jazz In Lewiston Fundraiser will begin on Friday night and carry through Saturday evening. The Grammy-winning pianist, George Caldwell, will lead his newly formed sextet in a special performance at 2 pm to open Saturday performances. The performance will take place at Gallo Coal Fire Kitchen and plaza pavilion at the corner of 4th and Center Street. Also at the same corner, the Grammy-nominated organ jazz trio, Paradigm Shift, will present their music. Scheduled to perform at the plaza pavilion is My Cousin Toné, which was voted the region’s favorite large jazz ensemble in the recent JazzBuffalo Poll. Making a guest appearance with My Cousin Toné will be Rainna Frombgen, this year’s winner of the Carol Calato Scholarship Fund presented by the festival to students. Closing the evening in the Gallo Plaza will be the evolving next-generation group, The Jay Sharp-tet, featuring special guest and bassist legend Sabu Adeyola.
Reservations are encouraged. Many of the dining establishments will have beverage/food specials with proceeds going directly to the 2022 festival. Helping the festival to plan for a bigger and better festival in 2022. Patrons and supporters will have opportunities to donate online or via Venmo.
The complete schedule can be found online at www.LewistonJazz.com.
Friday’s schedule includes:
•5-7 p.m., The Kuriscak Quartet at Carmello’s, 425 Center Street Side Patio; Reservations recommended; call 716-754-2311
•6-8 p.m., Saranaide with Dan Reitz at Gather by Gallo, 453 Center St. Reservations are recommended; call 405-7162.
•7-10:30 p.m., Elliot Scozzaro Quartet at Lewiston Stone House, 755 Center St. There is a $5 cover charge at the door.
Saturday’s lineup features:
•2-4 p.m., George Caldwell Sextet at Gallo Coal Fire Kitchen, 402 Center St.
•4-6 p.m., Paradigm Shift at Gallo Coal Fire Kitchen, 402 Center St.
•4-6 p.m., Dozo My Lady at The Silo Restaurant, 115 N. Water St.
•4-6 p.m., George Kane at The Spicey Pickle, 463 Center St.
•5-7 p.m., Dale Toliver Duo at The Brickyard Pub & BBQ, 432 Center St.
•5-7 p.m., Sol Y Sombra at Water Street Landing, 115 S. Water St.
•6-8 p.m., Joe Baudo / Denise Beehag Duo at Apple Granny Restaurant, 433 Center St.
•6-8 p.m., Rick Strauss / Bud Fadale Duo at Casa Antica, 490 Center St. Reservations are recommended; call 754-2581.
•6-8 p.m., Stu and Avery Weissman Duo at Cask + Cow, 840 Center St.
•6-8 p.m., My Cousin Toné at Gallo Coal Fire Kitchen, 402 Center St.
•8-10 p.m., The Jay /Sharp-tet with special guest Sabu Adeyola at Gallo Coal Fire Kitchen, 402 Center St.
•8-10 p.m., Ed Croft / Doug Yeomans Duo at The Griffon House, 810 Center St. Reservations are recommended; call 405-7291.
The fundraising event is made possible by sponsors and donors, including the presenting sponsor Northwest Bank, Kimmins Terrier Foundation, Calspan and Brown & Company LLP, Niagara University, Amendola Property Management, Betty Brice, Mark Cerrone Inc., Frey Electric Construction Co., Kent and Laurie Frey, Catholic Health/Mount St. Mary’s Hospital, Hardison Funeral Homes, Niagara Frontier Publications, Pamela and Joe Priest, New York State Sen. Robert G. Ortt and Village of Lewiston Trustee Claudia Marasco. A full listing of the sponsors and donors can be found online at www.LewistonJazz.com
The Northwest Jazz Festival, Lewiston, NY is a 501(c)(3) organization under the name of Lewiston Jazz Festival Inc. The Village of Lewiston is host to the region’s most popular, two-day free-music jazz festival, which annually features nonstop performances on five stages – and an abundance of culinary delights and Niagara Region wines.
The Jazz Festival will return Aug. 26-27, 2022.
