Saratoga Jazz Festival Brings Strong Mix of Familiar and New Faces

Thursday’s announcement of 22 artists performing at the Saratoga Jazz Festival lists well-known stars on both Amphitheater (Main) and Discovery stages and introduces new artists; 10 in festival debuts. None will likely wield the young-audience box office clout of Laufey, who drew hordes who seemed new to the festival last year, but fresh faces and sounds abound.

Laufey fans at Saratoga Jazz Festival 2024

Sponsorship has shifted from Freihofer’s to GE Vernova, yet the formidable strengths of this festival, nearing half a century on the same stage(s), remain undiminished.

Welcoming GE Vernova, Saratoga Performing Arts Center President and CEO Elizabeth Sobol said, “we continue to find new ways to evolve and expand our vibrant weekend event” in the festival announcement news release. In the same announcement, longtime festival producer and President of Absolutely Live Entertainment Danny Melnick echoed this sentiment, hailing the “magical kaleidoscope of artists who are going to elevate this festival to new heights.”

Let’s start at the top: the closing sets each night that have traditionally honored the biggest names on the marquee. Both blues-rock guitarist Gary Clark Jr. (Saturday) and Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue (Sunday) have earned these top spots, though purists may argue that neither is jazz. 

Texan fret-board force of nature Clark is among festival newcomers, a powerful guitarist anointed by Grammys, prime spots in reigning guitar god Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Festival and a melt-the-screen-intense Austin City Limits appearance. 

Guitarists also star on Sunday, all on the main stage and all boasting sparkly track records. Cory Wong was a smash in 2023 with thrilling electric funk while Al DiMeola (Return to Forever, all-star guitar ensembles and his own bands) delivered a dynamic acoustic solo set last time around and returns with a full acoustic band; and Vernon Reid (Living Color) plays in DJ Logic’s all-star crew to open the main-stage action. But we digress.

Trombone Shorty closes the festival Sunday on the main stage with his explosive Orleans Avenue ensemble that lit up The Egg in Albany, a 2023 highlight. He now also owns the festival-closing spot in the eight-day 12-stage Jazz and Heritage Festival in his hometown.

Louisiana is also in the house Saturday when accordionist C.J. Chenier (heir to zydeco eminence dad Clifton Chenier) leads his aptly named Red Hot Louisiana Band.

Singers grab the Main stage mic both days: Gregory Porter of burly baritone and trademark hat and newcomer Veronica Swift on Saturday, longtime star Cassandra Wilson on Sunday with her deliciously deep voice, fearless song choices and magnetic presence.

Bria Skonberg at A Place for Jazz this fall

Let’s also note Bria Skonberg (Sunday on the Discovery Stage) among the singers, though she also plays versatile trumpet. And, hats off to area venues and programs who present these arena-level stars on our area stages: both Skonberg and the all-woman Artemis (Discovery Stage on Saturday) at A Place for Jazz this fall, C.J. Chenier coming up at Feb. 7 at Universal Preservation Hall in Proctors Passport series booked by Music Haven, and Veronica Swift at SPAC’s nearby Spa Little Theater May 1.

Artemis at A Place for Jazz; leader Renee Rosnes at the piano

Like country audiences, jazz fans hold dear for decades the venerable stars who first brought them into the fold. Saxophonists hold the longest tenure among 2025’s artists. Gary Bartz, 84, began recording in 1967 and plays Sunday on the Discovery Stage. His resume includes stints with Miles Davis, McCoy Tyner and dozens of others, as leader and sideman. Kenny Garrett, 64, plays Saturday on the Main Stage. Like Bartz, Garrett, 64, played with both Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and Miles Davis and made dozens of albums as a leader and sideman including the Grammy-winning “Five Peace Band” with Chick Corea, John McLaughlin, Christian McBride and Brian Blade or Vinnie Colauta.

While longtime fans might gravitate to familiar names, lesser-known artists will likely surprise and delight, as usual. In that sense, both stages are venues for discoveries, the large, indoor Amphitheater or Main Stage and the Charles R. Wood “Discovery” Stage. Formerly the open-air Gazebo stage, it’s now comfortably roofed from sun and rain.

Favorites, Revisited

Like most fans, I expect to join fans flocking to artists I’ve enjoyed here and elsewhere including Cassandra Wilson’s deep and magical way with a song, the fiery funk fun of Cory Wong, C.J. Chenier’s zydeco zip, the versatile Artemis, Gregory Porter’s warm-as-sunshine baritone, Trombone Shorty’s joyous New Orleans gumbo, the elegance of Bria Skonberg as both singer and player, the wit and respect for jazz pioneers of the Skidmore Jazz Institute Faculty All-Stars.

New Faves?

But I’m looking forward maybe even more to being surprised by artists I’ve never seen live including the venerable saxophonists Gary Bartz and (half a generation younger) Kenny Garrett, the intriguing hip-hop hybrid of DJ Logic and Friends, the group improv fireworks of Lettuce, and completely new-to-me Gary Clark Jr., Keyon Harrold, Nicole Zuraitis, the Brandee Younger Trio, La Excelencia, the String Queens, Julius Rodriguez and others. I’ll go there with sunblock AND rain gear, and happily open ears.

The festival offers food, drinks and crafts and allows tents in rear areas and blankets and chairs elsewhere – unlike at shows that promoter LiveNation presents at SPAC. Tickets go on sale Jan. 21 to members and Jan. 24 to everyone.