June 27 and 28 Two-Stage Shows Honor Tradition, Showcase the New
The 22 performers at the Saratoga Jazz Festival Presented by GE Vernova* include 13 making their Festival debuts among a line-up rich in singers and women artists. Some are both: veterans Dianne Reeves, a five-time Grammy winner; and (Saturday night closer) Patti LaBelle, plus relative newcomers Cecile McLorin Salvant and Sasha Dobson.
Patti LaBelle, above; photo provided; Cecile McLorin Salvant, below; Michael Hochanadel photo at New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, May 2015
Women players also lead several groups: drummer Terri Lynne Carrington (a Skidmore Zankel attraction some seasons ago), with Social Science, blues guitarist Ana Popovic and saxophonists Lakecia Benjamin and Alexa Tarantino. Also, the Brooklyn-based all women Brass Queens represent New Orleans tradition(s), as do Sunday night closers the Revivalists rock band and quietly dazzling pianist Kyle Roussel.
“From legendary performers and centennial celebrations to festival debuts and cutting-edge artists, this year’s Saratoga Jazz Festival offers so much to discover,” said SPAC CEO Elizabeth Sobol in Thursday’s festival announcement.
Also emphasizing the event’s range, Festival Producer Denny Melnick added, “From Patti LaBelle to The Revivalists, and from Dianne Reeves to ‘Kingfish,’ this year’s line-up captures 49 years of presenting iconic artists alongside the next generation.” He said, “That mix of legacy and discovery is the heart of the Saratoga Jazz Festival.” Its second stage broadcasts that idea: “The Charles R. Wood ‘Discovery Stage’” hosts emerging artists.
Bill Frisell. Michael Hochanadel photo at The Egg; Nov. 16, 2024
Straight-ahead jazz artists have often dominated past festivals, though non-jazz artists have grown in number and boosted the box office. Jazz veterans turn up this summer in bands led by guitarist Bill Frisell, pianists Orrin Evans and Gonzalo Rubalcaba. All generate all-star punch. Frisell leads a trio with drummer Rudy Royston and bassist Thomas Hardy with guest saxophonist Gregory Tardy. Rubalcaba plays with ace talents saxophonist Chris Potter, bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Eric Harland. By contrast, trumpeter Avishai Cohen leads the relatively new band Big Vicious, while Carrington’s Social Science represents a new direction for the drummer-composer and leader, and Evans appears with bassist Luques Curtis and drummer Mark Whitfield Jr.
Tribute bands honor tradition and legacy heroes both days. Saturday, the “Miles Electric Band: Celebrating Miles Davis’s Centennial” features veterans of the groundbreaking trumpeter’s later bands, including nephew/drummer Vince Wilburn, bassist Darryl Jones (longtime touring bassist with the Rolling Stones) and keyboardist Robert Irving. Younger players also join in, including trumpeter Keyon Harrold who played the festival last year.
Keyon Harrold. Michael Hochanadel photo at Saratoga Jazz Festival 2025
Sunday, the Skidmore Jazz Institute Faculty All-Stars, led by bassist-wit Todd Coolman, celebrate the centennial of sometime Miles bandmate (as on “Kind of Blue,” top selling jazz album of all time) John Coltrane.
Fresh talent also claims lots of spotlight time this year, notably the young singer Tyreek McDole, who closed Schenectady A Place for Jazz season in a smash performance last fall; blues guitar powerhouse Christine “Kingfish” Ingram whom I saw play an explosive opener for Buddy Guy in Springfield, Mass. in 2024, and Cuban funk-rap sensation Cimafunk who also played this festival in 2024.
Tyreek McDole. Michael Hochanadel photo at A Place for Jazz 2025, above; Cimafunk, below; Michael Hochanadel photo at Saratoga Jazz Festival 2025
Numerous new-to-me acts include The Dip, Eddie 9V, Sasha Dobson. Here the Discovery Stage will earn its title.
As usual, the upside-down artist listings below reflect recognition rather than chronology: Those listed first will play last.
Now 81, soulful fire-voiced singer Patti LaBelle closes on Saturday. A star since the 1960s, she led the Bluebells, which became LaBelle, with Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash. Active 1971 to 1976, they briefly reunited in 2008. Highlights of her busy decades-long stardom include the brilliant hits-charged “Nightbirds” album (1974), playing the first-ever popular music show at the Metropolitan Opera House and harmonizing behind Laura Nyro on her “Gonna Take a Miracle” doo-wop album (1971). She has also acted in films and on TV, including “Dancing With the Stars” and even contributed to a cookbook.
The Revivalists. Photo provided
In Sunday’s closing set, rockers the Revivalists face the tall challenge of LaBelle’s Saturday finale and superb recent Sunday festival wrap-ups by Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue (2025), Lake Street Dive (2024) and Bonnie Raitt (2023). A New Orleans rock collective, the Revivalists earned “10 Bands You Need to Know” notice in Rolling Stone in 2015. Their five studio albums have won Best Rock Band or Performer, Best Music Video, Artist of the Year or Song of the Year awards from New Orleans’ Offbeat magazine.
SATURDAY, JUNE 27
Amphitheater:
Patti LaBelle
Miles Electric Band: Celebrating Miles Davis’s Centennial
Cécile McLorin Savant
The Dip
Gonzalo Rubalcaba First Meeting Quartet with Chris Potter, Larry Grenadier and Eric Harland Terri Lyne Carrington + Social Science
Charles R. Wood “Discovery” Stage:
Bill Frisell Trio featuring Thomas Morgan & Rudy Royston with special guest Gregory Tardy
Orrin Evans Trio featuring Luques Curtis & Mark Whitfield, Jr.
Tyreek McDole
Ana Popovic
Avishai Cohen Big Vicious
Brass Queens
SUNDAY, JUNE 28
Amphitheater:
The Revivalists
Dianne Reeves
Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
Cimafunk
Lakecia Benjamin
Charles R. Wood “Discovery” Stage:
Eddie 9V
Alexa Tarantino Quartet
Kyle Roussel
Sasha Dobson
Skidmore Jazz Institute Faculty All-Stars
Please pardon spacing problems above
Tickets for the festival start at $89 – about $7.50 per artist on Saturday, $9 per artist Sunday. Box office www.spac.org opened today for members, with 15 to 20 percent discount, and Feb. 13 for the general public. Two-day passes are also available. Children 12 and under receive 50% off tickets in the amphitheater and are admitted free to the lawn. Full-time students with a school ID receive 25% off tickets in the amphitheater (except for top price levels), or $25 on the lawn; bring student ID to will call window.
- Billing now echoes the wording of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Presented by Shell, crediting presenting sponsor GE Vernova after decades of sponsorship by Freihofers and prior sponsorship by Kool.
Hoke's Jukebox 