One of the annual rites-of-passage every spring is the release of the Syracuse M-and-T Jazzfest Lineup. This year’s announcement has plenty of story lines...the music, the local gathering of talent, and some national recognition for the founder.
First off let’s start with the music.
Popular jazz-funk musician trombone shorty will be one of the headliners of the July 2nd and 3rd festival, preceded on the Sunday night by Larry Coryell. Saturday’s lineup has Michael McDonald, The Mavericks and a tribute to Mark Murphy featuring Randy Brecker.
Jazzfest Executive Director Frank Malfitano also always includes local talent
“We’ve been fortunate to stay in touch with our alums. Student musicians who have gone onto greater success and acclaim often come back with their groups after they make it big. I’m pleased to say saxophonist and native Syracusan Paulie Cerra will be coming in with his Groove Legacy Band from Los Angeles and they’ll be doing a musical tribute to the Crusaders.”
Jazzfest will kick off with local ensemble Notefied, who’ll be joined by high school phenom Julia Goodwin. The tribute to Murphy features jazz legends, and a host of national artists with Syracuse ties and roots, who have performed and recorded with Murphy over the years, including: Ithaca College grads New York Voices, trumpet legend Randy Brecker, Syracuse jazz legends Joe Carello, Ronnie Leigh and Nancy Kelly, and Syracuse natives , guitarist Marty Ashby and trombonist Jay Ashby.
Julliard trained trombonist Melissa Gardiner and her Second Line Syracuse Brass Band are also on the schedule.
Malfitano can’t do it without backing…M-and-T Bank is title sponsor again, and National Grid’s Melanie Littlejohn explains why her firm helps out.
A big part of why we do this year on year is because it represents community. It brings out every age range; it brings out family; it brings out people from every hue, everyone socio-economically. It brings us all out together around a common good, and that’s music.
Malfitano gained national recognition today. The Jazz Journalists Association gave him its Jazz Heroes award for decades of music promotion here and elsewhere.
The music takes place, July 2nd and 3rd … the 34th Jazzfest returns to Onondaga Community College…more on artists and times at SyracuseJazzfest.com.
