The line up for the 35th Annual Syracuse Jazz Fest was released during a press conference this afternoon at M&T Bank. At the podium Jazz Fest producer Frank Malfitano readies for media questions.
Thirty-five is halfway between 20 and 50, so the line-up for the 2017 Syracuse Jazz Festival includes some old school and some new school. The line up includes the following:
Syracuse Jazz Fest Producer Frank Malfitano announced the lineup at M&T Bank this morning. Pictured to the right is Jazz Journalists Association’s Susan Brink, who presented Malfitano with a 2016 National Jazz Hero Award.
Sure we saw the lineup for this year’s Jazz Fest in the current issue of Downbeat already, but we still attended this mornings announcement at M&T Bank, because some things are better in person. Jazz Fest also puts together the best press kit for any music festival in the area.
This year’s stellar lineup include a former Doobie (Michael McDonald), a Shorty (Troy Andrews) a Missy (Melissa Gardiner and her band Second Line Syracuse) as well as a tribute to a Murphy (Mark) and an artist-in-residence named Randy (Brecker). In addition, Groove Legacy, the Maverick’s and Notefied promise to make this another must see event.
We also found out that the Mayor issued a proclamation naming today “Frank Malfitano Day” in Syracuse.