Real Good for Free: Lake George Jazz Weekend, 9/19-20

One of the best music values around, the Lake George Jazz Weekend offers two days of free, world-class in the beautiful setting of Shepard Park with Lake George shimmering just behind the stage.

I’ve seen countless truly magificent performances at the fest over the years – including the ageless Chico Hamilton, the great Jimmy Scott and a heartwrenching performance by David Amram just days after 9/11.

The fest was in danger of extinction this year, but organizer Paul Pines and sponsoring organization the Lake George Arts Project thankfully managed to make it happen again this year despite the abysmal economic downturn. A special thanks goes out to angels Kenneth and Susan Gruskin.

And they obviously didn’t skimp on the talent, either. Here’s the schedule of performances:

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
1pm: Bill Mays’ Inventions Trio
2:45pm: The Ignacio Berroca Quartet
4:30pm: Giacomo Gates

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
1pm: The Roland Vasquez Quintet
2:45pm: The Steve Turre Quintet
4:30pm: Diane Moser’s Composers Big Band

Previously:
Real Good for Free: Central Avenue Farmers Market (Saturdays)
Real Good for Free: LarkFEST!!!!!!!! (Sept. 19)
Real Good for Free: Castleton Library (Thursdays)
Real Good for Free: Sonny Landreth @ Mountain Park (August 15)
Real Good for Free: Riverfront Park, Athens (Fridays)
Real Good for Free: Albany Jazz Festival @ Riverfront Park (Sept. 12)
Real Good for Free: The Fabulous Folk Fest @ Bolton Landing (Sept. 6)
Real Good for Free: Spencer Day in Hudson(Friday, August 21)
Real Good for Free: Big Soul Ensemble @ Tess’ Lark Tavern (Tuesdays)
Real Good for Free: :30 Live! @ Berkshire Fringe (Mon / Wed)
Real Good for Free: Lake Luzerne (Thursdays)
Real Good for Free: Dutchman’s Landing, Catskill (Thursdays)
Real Good For Free: The Crossings in Colonie (Thursdays)
Real Good For Free: Rensselaer Riverfront Park (Wednesdays)
Real Good for Free: Kids’ shows in Troy (Wednesdays at noon)
Real Good for Free: Valatie’s Glynn Square (Sundays)
Real Good for Free: Schaghticoke Town Hall Gazebo (Thursdays)
Real Good For Free: Brunswick Community Center (Tuesdays)
Real Good for Free: Thurman (Mondays)
Real Good for Free: Sharon Springs (Wednesdays)
Real Good for Free: Rock-It in Schenectady (Fridays)
Real Good for Free: Bethlehem Public Library (Wednesdays)
Real Good for Free: East Greenbush Comm. Library (Wednesdays)
Real Good for Free: Stony Creek Town Park (Tuesdays)
Real Good For Free: RiverLink Park, Amsterdam (Saturdays)
Real Good For Free: Halfmoon (Wednesdays)
Real Good For Free: Chestertown (Thursdays)
Real Good for Free: Bolton Landing (Tuesdays)
Real Good for Free: Greenport Park, Hudson (Fridays)
Real Good for Free: The Sounds of Salem (Saturday mornings)
Real Good for Free: Latin Fest @ Washington Park (Sat. Aug. 29)
Real Good For Free: Schenectady Central Park (Sunday afternoons)
Real Good For Free: Clifton Park (Sundays)
Real Good for Free: Albany Public Library (Third Fridays)
Real Good for Free: At The Plaza, Albany (Wednesdays)
Real Good for Free: Skidmore’s Tang Museum (Fridays)
Real Good For Free: Pearl Street Live (Thursdays)
Real Good For Free: Freedom Park, Scotia (Various days)
Real Good For Free: Jazz on Jay (Thursdays at noon)
Real Good For Free: Cook Park, Colonie (Tuesdays)
Real Good For Free: Lake George (Wednesdays)
Real Good For Free: Canajoharie (Tuesdays)
Real Good For Free: Guilderland (Thursdays)
Real Good For Free: Alive @ 5 (Thursdays)
Real Good For Free: Powers Park (Saturdays)