Jun 23, 2013
If we are closing in on the last weekend in June, then it’s time for Summer Jazz Festivals to kick into gear. Podcast 356 is a preview of the Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival in Saratoga Springs, New York, held this year on June 29-30th. A following podcast will focus on the Montreal Jazz Festival, which starts on June 27 and runs through the beginning of July.
The Main Stage Line-up for Saturday is: Arturo Sandoval; David Sanborn & Bob James featuring Steve Gadd; Gregory Porter; McCoy Tyner Quartet plus special guest John Scofield; The Cookers featuring Billy Harper, Eddie Henderson, David Weiss, Craig Handy, George Cables, Cecil McBee & Billy Hart; and Rudresh Mahanthappa's Gamak with David "Fuze" Fiuczynski, Dan Weiss & Rich Brown
The more intimate Gazebo Stage features the Gary Smulyan Quartet with Mike LeDonne, Peter Bernstein & Kenny Washington; Carmen Souza; Mahanthappa's Gamak; Ben Williams & Sound Effect; and the Gilad Hekselman Trio featuring Rick Rosato & Jeff Ballard.
The Main Stage Line-up for Sunday is: Buddy Guy; Tony Bennett; the Preservation Hall Jazz Band; Ladysmith Black Mambazo; Kevin Eubanks with Bill Pierce, Rene Camacho & Nate Smith; and the Donny McCaslin Group with Jason Lindner, Tim Lefebvre & Mark Guiliana. The Gazebo Stage on Sunday features: Chris Bergson Band; Brianna Thomas; McCaslin; Ingrid Jensen Quartet with Gary Versace, Matt Clohesy & John Wikan and the Fabian Almazan Trio with an all-star trio featuring Linda Oh on bass and Rudy Royston on drums.
Danny Melnick, the producer of the two day event, talked with me about this year’s lineup, giving us a little taste of why he books certain artists, and which players he is particularly high on. Download the Podcast here, and listen to our conversation, including musical interludes by:
Rudresh Mahanthappa's Gamak – “Ballad for Troubled Times” from Gamak.
The Cookers – “Croquet Ballet” from Cast the First Stone
Gregory Porter - “On My Way to Harlem” from Be Good.
Bob James & David Sanborn – “Montezuma” from Quartette Humaine.
Gilad Hekselman – “March of the Sad Ones” from This Just In.
Donny McCaslin – Title Track from Casting for Gravity.
Buddy Guy – “Mannish Boy” from Live at Legends.