Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival
Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Saratoga Springs, NY
June 26-27, 2021

The possibility of Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival returning this year was shaky in the spring months of 2021. COVID was showing signs of remission, but troubles still lingered.

Both Danny Melnick, president of Absolutely Live Entertainment, which produces the festival at Saratoga Performing Arts Center, and SPAC President and CEO Elizabeth Sobol had their doubts, but worked hard behind the scenes, navigating the changing health and safety guidelines and regulations not only of the CDC, but New York state.

But return it did with a bang, musically.

It came back on a much smaller scale than normal. There were six national acts and two local bands that took the stage over two days. The festival always has artists of the highest order, sprinkled with high-powered pop or soul acts. The quality did not drop. If anything, there appeared to be an extra sense of ��lan. And why not? For these artists, the festival marked their first live gig after the long, dark and dangerous coronavirus lockdown that gripped the world and hit the music industry and musicians particularly hard. The smiles on the faces of the artists and the appreciation they expressed outwardly to Melnick and the audience told the underlying story. It was a visual and audible sign of the glee and relief musicians were feeling.

Music heals. And while recordings are invaluable, it needs to be brought to and played in front of the people.

Attendance had to be limited due to social distancing rules and the hours were also cut back. But there was a great sense of connection—fans to artists and artists to fans.