Real Good for Free: Lake George Jazz Weekend, 9/15-16/12

Yes, the weather certainly short-changed jazz fans at the Albany Riverfront Jazz Festival last Saturday, as the three headlining bands were washed out. Let’s hope the same thing doesn’t happen this weekend, as jazz fans gather at Shepard Park in Lake George for the 29th annual end o’ summer jazz blowout – the Lake George Jazz Weekend: Jazz at the Lake.

With the sparkling lake as a back-drop for the music, the little park in the heart of Lake George makes for a perfect festival setting. Sponsored by the Lake George Arts Project, admission to the fest is free all throughout the festivities on Saturday and Sunday (September 15 & 16). Bring along a lawn chair or blanket. Several food vendors will be present in the park, and there are plenty of restaurants and pubs within walking distance right there on Canada Street. And best of all is the opportunity to hear the fabulous line-up of world-class jazz musicians who will be gracing the stage throughout the weekend.

Here’s the schedule of performances for the Lake George Jazz Weekend: Jazz at the Lake 2012:

SATURDAY (SEPTEMBER 15)
1pm: EMILIO SOLLA & BIEN SUR
Argentinian pianist fuses together tango, classical and folkloric styles as one of the premier proponents of the tango jazz sound.

2:30pm: THE SACHAL VASANDANI QUINTET
American jazz vocalist Sachal Vasandani was one of the most pleasant surprises at the Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival, back in July.

4:15pm: THE WARREN WOLF GROUP
The multi-talented, cutting edge musician Warren Wolf focuses primarily on the vibraphone, bringing deep roots in both jazz and classical music to his sound.

7:30pm: DONALD HARRISON, JR. & CONGO SQUARE NATION
The veteran Crescent City saxman combines jazz roots with the sounds of the Mardi Gras Indians and more contemporary elements of jazz to capture the wide panorama of the New Orleans musical tradition.

SUNDAY (SEPTEMBER 16)
1pm: JOHN TANK & THE TIN PALACE REUNION BAND
The Canadian-born, New York City-based tenor saxophone player leads the all-star Tin Palace Band – featuring Jeff Hershfield, Calvin Hill and Michael Cochrane – in a tribute to the former NYC Bowery club owned by Paul Pines.

2:30pm: STEVEN BERNSTEIN’S MILLENNIAL TERRITORY ORCHESTRA
The versatile slide trumpeter leads his eight-piece band through innovative jazz-and-beyond arrangements of the vintage funk anthems of Sly and the Family Stone.

4:15pm: JOHN BENITEZ WITH DONALD HARRISON, JR.
The Puerto Rican-born Grammy Award-winning bassist teams up with saxman Harrison in an exploration of the rhythms and styles of his native Afro-Caribbean region and the entire Pan-American songbook.

NOTE: Read our interview with Steven Bernstein…

ADDITIONAL UPCOMING FESTIVALS FOR 2012:

The Irish 2000 Music & Arts Festival @ Saratoga County Fairgrounds, Ballston Spa, 9/14-15/12
FreshGrass Bluegrass Festival @ MASS MoCA, North Adams, 9/21-23/12
PearlPalooza @ North Pearl Street, Albany, 9/22/12, FREE
Riverfront Rocktoberfest @ Riverfront Park, Troy, 9/22/12
Hannaford Hispanic Heritage Celebration @ Empire State Plaza, Albany, 9/22/12, FREE
Kickin’ It Country @ Saratoga County Fairgrounds, Ballston Spa, 9/29/12
Capital Area Indie Fest @ The Egg, Albany, 10/6/12