Baldwinsville — Blanketed by a series of blizzards, Central New Yorkers are already searching for a cure for their seasonal bout of cabin fever. One remedy for being cooped up is the annual January JazzFest, which will be held Sunday, Jan. 31, at Mohegan Manor.
Schedule for January JazzFest
11 a.m. Jazz Brunch with Joe Ferlo – 2nd Level Green Room
1 p.m. Joe Ferlo – Basta (Lower Level)
2:15 p.m. Scott Dennis (Lower Level)
2:15 p.m. Edgar Pagan’s GPL – 1st Level Lounge
2:15 p.m. Longwood Jazz Project – 2nd Level Green Room
3:30 p.m. Joe, Scott & Friends – Basta (Lower Level)
3:30 p.m. Edgar Pagan’s GPL – 1st Level Lounge
3:30 p.m. Longwood Jazz Project – 2nd Level Green Room
4:30 p.m. Rick Holland Little Big Band with Lindsey Holland and special guest Nancy Kelly – 3rd Level Ballroom
6 to 7:30 p.m. CNY Jazz Alumni Jam – 2nd Level Green Room
6:30 to 9 p.m. Celebrity Jam with Jeff Stockham’s Jazz Police – Basta (Lower Level)
January JazzFest is the largest annual fundraiser for the CNY Jazz Arts Foundation, which organizes more than 150 events per year. Proceeds from the event will go toward CNY Jazz’ educational and community outreach efforts.
Now in its sixth year, January JazzFest was born out of CNY Jazz’ need to break out of the “boring banquet” fundraiser rut that many organizations fall into.
“We’re a very democratic organization, so we decided a long time ago we’d have a ‘fun-raiser,’” said Larry Luttinger, executive director of CNY Jazz.
Luttinger said each of Mohegan Manor’s four levels, including Basta on the River and Club Sushi, will feature different continuous jazz acts throughout the day.
“The public loves it,” Luttinger said of the concert’s format. “If you don’t like what you’re hearing in one room, just go to a different room.”
continued — Festivalgoers can play “six degrees of jazz separation” with the multilevel show’s three headliners. Veteran bandleader Rick Holland and his 10-piece Little Big Band will perform, followed by Lindsey Holland, a 2015 Sarah Vaughan Competition finalist and daughter of Rick; a former teacher of Lindsey Holland will deliver the finale.
“She’s an ingenue,” Luttinger said of Lindsey Holland. “She was a student of an area favorite, Nancy Kelly, and Nancy’s going to come out and close the show.”
Luttinger said part of CNY Jazz’ mission is to bring students out of the classroom to experience music in real life and “identify and nurture cultural talent.”
In addition to the proceeds the organization will rake in from January JazzFest, CNY Jazz recently received $10,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts.
“For the second year now, we’ve gotten a NEA award for our inner city [summer program], Jazz in the City,” Luttinger said. “Jazz in the City is one program the fundraiser supports.”
Jazz in the City hosts an outdoor concert in each quadrant of the city of Syracuse, inviting urban and minority artists, small business owners and volunteers to “reconnect urban residents to their culture, bring diverse groups from the suburbs and the neighborhoods together, and provide educational and cultural benefits to youth and residents.”
In addition, CNY Jazz provides workshops for young jazz enthusiasts, collaborates with the City of Syracuse Parks and Recreation Department to form the Stan Colella All-Star Band and offers numerous other educational and cultural opportunities throughout the year.
January JazzFest takes place Sunday, Jan. 31, at Mohegan Manor, 58 Oswego St., Baldwinsville. Advance sale tickets are $25, but you can purchase tickets at the door for $30. Student admission is $15 with identification.
To purchase tickets, visit cnyjazz.org.
While the main acts begin at 1 p.m., early birds can join guitarist Joe Ferlo at the “Jazz Brunch” at 11 a.m. JazzFest ticketholders receive a $5 discount off the regular Sunday brunch price of $22.
Luttinger said festivalgoers will receive a wristband that allows for exit and re-entry throughout the day.
