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SPAC Freihofer’s Jazz Fest Stay Home Sessions
Friday, June 26, 2020 @ 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Saratoga Performing Arts Center and Absolutely Live Entertainment, in partnership with Caffè Lena announces “Freihofer’s Jazz Fest Stay Home Sessions,” presented in lieu of the 2020 Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival, previously canceled by SPAC due to health and safety concerns as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Headlined by national artists JON BATISTE, BÉLA FLECK and ABIGAIL WASHBURN, and PEDRITO MARTINEZ, Jazz Fest Stay Home Sessions will also feature acclaimed local musicians CHUCK LAMB & JORGE GOMEZ, GARLAND NELSON’s “Reflections: A Motown Tribute Ensemble” and the SKIDMORE JAZZ INSTITUTE ALUMNI TRIO.
Slated for June 26, 27 and 28 at 8 p.m., the series of streamed concerts will feature produced videos from the national artists alongside performances from Lena’s stage from beloved local ensembles. The festival will be free to experience and hosted through Caffè Lena’s “Stay Home Sessions” YouTube platform.
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Friday, June 26 | 8PM
Pedrito Martinez
Four-time Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Fest headliner and Grammy-nominated music sensation PEDRITO MARTINEZ shares his irresistible and seductive Afro-Cuban grooves to kick off the weekend. Widely regarded as one of the world’s leading percussionists, he has recorded or performed with Eric Clapton, Wynton Marsalis, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Chucho Valdez, and Sting.
Chuck Lamb & Jorge Gomez
Pianist and composer CHUCK LAMB will join forces with keyboardist/pianist JORGE GOMEZ to share their original “Cuban meets Jazz Fusion” music.
Saturday, June 27 | 8PM
Béla Fleck & Abigail Washburn
Fifteen-time Grammy Award-winning banjo virtuoso BÉLA FLECK remains a powerfully creative force globally in bluegrass, jazz, classical pop, rock and world beat. Fleck, as a duo with his wife – singer, songwriter and banjoist ABIGAIL WASHBURN – have recorded two award-winning albums.
Skidmore Jazz Institute Alumni Trio
The Skidmore Jazz Institute Alumni Trio is comprised of Brian Halliday (piano), Samuel Smith (bass), and Quinton Cain (drums). Members of the trio proudly hail from New York State and have attended the Skidmore Jazz Institute summer program as part of their musical training. The Skidmore Jazz Institute has been called the “non-pareil destination for attentive and engaged instruction in the improviser’s art” by DOWNBEAT. The Institute, now in its 33rd year, has successfully helped to launch the music careers of past festival headliners Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews and Jon Batiste, among others.
Sunday, June 28 | 8PM
Jon Batiste
Recognized for his jaw-dropping talent and role as bandleader for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Grammy-nominated artist JON BATISTE transitions from commanding the piano with virtuosic skill, to soulfully crooning, to wailing on the “harmonaboard.”
Garland Nelson’s “Reflections: A Motown Tribute Ensemble”
Led by “soulist” and bandleader Garland Nelson, this ensemble of singers from top Capital Region bands pays tribute to the golden age of Soul Music.
