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Freihofer Jazz Festival 2019

By Rudolph Lu
August 9, 2019
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The 42nd Annual Freihofer Jazz Festival in Saratoga Springs, NY was held from June 28-20, 2019 at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. The broad spectrum of jazz was well represented. Well over 25 artists performed.

There was an unofficial opening on the 28th held at the Caffe Lena, a venue located in Saratoga Springs itself. With local artists performing at various venues throughout the city.

Joe Locke

vibraphone
b.1959

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Locke and his Quartet was the unplanned last minute opener at Caffe Lena as

Fred Hersch

piano
b.1955

" data-original-title="" title="">Fred Hersch cancelled due to a sudden illness. They also opened the festival at SPAC the following morning.

The 29th exposed fans to traditional jazz including rising star

Veronica Swift

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Veronica Swift accompanied by the

Emmet Cohen

piano
b.1990

" data-original-title="" title="">Emmet Cohen trio, festival favorite

James Carter

multi-instrumentalist
b.1969

" data-original-title="" title="">James Carter and the 50 year old Cuban Jazz big band

Los Van Van

" data-original-title="" title="">Los Van Van. Modern jazz was represented by the

Black Art Jazz Collective

" data-original-title="" title="">Black Art Jazz Collective, and

Lionel Loueke

guitar
b.1973

" data-original-title="" title="">Lionel Loueke with

Raul Midon

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Raul Midon.

George Benson

guitar
b.1943

" data-original-title="" title="">George Benson headlined the evening.

The 30th pushed the boundaries of jazz with

Joel Harrison

guitar, electric
b.1957

" data-original-title="" title="">Joel Harrison improvising to country and western standards, the other worldly voice of

Youn Sun Nah

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Youn Sun Nah, the down home blues of

Ruthie Foster

guitar
b.1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Ruthie Foster and

Allison Miller

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Allison Miller's Boom Tic Boom. New Orleans funk was also represented with

Cha Wa

band / ensemble / orchestra

" data-original-title="" title="">Cha Wa and

Trombone Shorty

trombone
b.1986

" data-original-title="" title="">Trombone Shorty. View Slideshow

Blues great Ruthie Foster

Jenny Scheinman with BoomTic Boom

The Chiefs of Cha Wa leading the band and audience

Allison Miller leading her band boom Tic Boom

Joshua Redman With His Quartet

Youn Sun Nah accompanied by Tomek Mierkowski

Brian Blade playing with Joel Harrison

Cha Wa rocking the house with the sounds of NOLA

Trombone Shorty closing out the festival

Joel Harrison with jazz versions of Country/Western

Youn Sung Na with her unique vocal stylings

Lionel Loueke

James Carter with Gerald Gibbs on Be

Veronica Swift interpreting standards

George Benson dancing across the stage

Cuban band Los Van Can celebrating their 50th anniverary

Black Art Jazz Collective

Creative humorous audience tent

George Benson singing away

Joe Locke Quartet at Caffe Lena

Joe Locke and Jonathan Kreisberg finale

Joe Locke at Caffe Lena

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