Ronnie Leigh has shared jazz with the Central New York Community for more than four decades

The 16th Annual Jazz-N-Caz, set for Sept. 14 through 16, will honor local jazz great Ronnie Leigh during the Friday, Sept. 15, performance at the Catherine Cummings Theatre on the Cazenovia College campus. The evening will begin at 7:30 p.m. with Soda Ash Six followed by Harry Allen with Nancy Kelly and her trio.

Jazz in the City’s founder and artistic director, Ronnie Leigh, has been impressing audiences for years from Syracuse to Seattle, and from New York City to Istanbul, giving the bands he has performed with leadership and a distinctive flare.

This Albany, N.Y., native and five-time SAMMY (Syracuse Area Music Award) winner has recorded with Cabo Frio on Zebra/MCA records as well as with Larry Arlotta on Spirit Jazz. Though primarily a jazz interpreter, he has a variety of musical interests and has released a debut album on Eiffel Records with his own band, Prime Time Funk.

As a frequent performer in resorts, jazz clubs and concert halls throughout the country, Canada and the Syracuse Jazz Festival, Ronnie Leigh has shared the stage with The Drifters, Pat Metheny, The Yellowjackets, David Benoit, Special EFX, Spyro Gyra, David Sanborn, Tom Scott, Etta Jones and Jon Hendricks, as well as the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra.

His television work includes a program in the locally based PBS series All American Jazz, serving as a host for the Big Broadcast (live from the Landmark Theater) as well as commercials for the New York State Fair, Syracuse Heart of New York, Hometown Hunger Relief Fund, the Sam Dell Group and C.S.E.A. (Civil Service Employees Association).

Larry Hoyt of WAER Jazz 88 says, “Ronnie Leigh has a smooth, mellow, and multifaceted voice. Whether singing with the Syracuse Symphony or scatting with a small combo, he’s a vocalist with plenty of presence.”

Frank Malfitano, founder and director of the Syracuse Jazz Fest remarks, “Ronnie has never failed to delight audiences whenever he performs. His range, stage presence, engaging style and his love for the music always comes across, whether he’s interpreting MONK, Carmen McRae, Al Jarreau or DUKE … In my estimation, he’s one of the finest song stylists working in jazz today.”

The Jazz-N-Caz weekend is free and open to the public; however, a $10 donation is suggested for performances held in the theatre.

For additional event information, contact Colleen Prossner at 315-655-7238 or [email protected].