A new schedule has been released for the 31st Annual M&T Syracuse Jazz Fest and it features one of the more critically acclaimed voices in jazz today. Thanks to a recent grant from the Central New York Community Foundation, chart-topping jazz singer Giacomo Gates is headed to Syracuse. Syracuse Jazz Fest Executive Director Frank Malfitano describes Giacomo Gates as a "vocalese hipster in the style of Jon Hendricks and Eddie Jefferson." Gates performs Friday, July 5th at 5:00 PM.
Voted "Talent Deserving Wider Recognition" in consecutive years by The Down Beat Critic's Poll, Giacomo Gates' latest recording, Miles Tones, Giacomo Gates Sings the Music of Miles Davis, sat atop the jazz radio air play list as the #1 recording for several weeks. Gates combines music, history and humor with a compelling stage presence and natural rapport with an audience, making his presentations fun, exciting and educational.
The CNYCF grant allows Jazz Fest to introduce new programming that pairs nationally celebrated artists like Gates with local and regional jazz stars. Under the same grant, Jazz Fest attendees will also see West Coast Cool with Manhattan Transfer's Cheryl Bentyne and Mark Winkler along with the Rick Montalbano Trio on opening day of the festival.
The 31st Annual M&T Syracuse Jazz Fest takes place July 4, 5 and 6th in Jamesville Beach Park. It is free and open to the public. The complete schedule is available at syracusejazzfest.com.
