Real Good for FREE: Skidmore Jazz Institute Concert Series

For the past quarter century, the two-week Skidmore Jazz Institute program has provided opportunities for young musicians to study on campus with world-class jazz artists in an intimate setting. The Institute also affords lucky Nippertown jazz fans to see and hear some of the best jazz musicians on the planet perform – for free.

All of the concerts will take place at Skidmore College’s Zankel Music Center in Saratoga Springs.

Here’s the line-up for the 2012 Skidmore Jazz Institute Concert series:

Tuesday, June 26, 8pm
The Terence Blanchard Quintet
The Grammy Award-winning composer and trumpeter Terence Blanchard leads his band which also features tenor saxophonist Brice Winston, pianist Fabian Almazan, bassist Joshua Crumbly and drummer Kendrick Scott.

Thursday, June 28, 8pm
The Skidmore Faculty Sextet
Featuring pianist Bill Cunliffe, bassist Todd Coolman, drummer Dennis Mackrel, saxophonist Pat LaBarbera, trumpeter Bobby Shew and trombonist Curtis Fuller

Friday, June 29, 1 pm
Jazz Student Concert
Featuring Skidmore Jazz Institute participants

Tuesday, July 3, 8pm
The Joe Lovano and Dave Douglas Quintet: Sound Prints
Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Joe Lovano and Grammy nominated trumpeter Dave Douglas lead the band, which also features pianist Lawrence Fields, bassist Linda Oh and drummer Joey Baron.

Thursday, July 5, 8pm
The Skidmore Faculty Sextet
Featuring pianist Bill Cunliffe, bassist Todd Coolman, drummer Dennis Mackrel, saxophonist Pat LaBarbera, trumpeter Bobby Shew and trombonist Curtis Fuller

Friday, July 6, 1pm
Jazz Student Concert
Featuring Skidmore Jazz Institute participants

ADDITIONAL REAL GOOD FOR FREE EVENTS:
The Third Friday Charity Concert Series @ the McKownville United Methodist Church, Albany (Monthly through May 18)
Upbeat On the Roof @ Skidmore College’s Tang Museum, Saratoga Springs, Fridays through August 31
Art On Lark @ Lark Street, Albany, June 9
Second Sunday Concert Series @ the Guilderland Public Library, Guilderland (Monthly through June 13)
Alive at Five @ Riverfront Park, Albany (Thursdays from June 7-August 9)
Backlot Music Festival @ Waterford Public Library, Waterford (Thursdays from June 28-July 26)