Variations of jazz, America’s most versatile musical art form, can be heard this month at venues across Central New York.
Whether you favor straight-ahead improvising, danceable swing, mind-blowing be bop or free-form jazz-rock fusion, you can catch any number of area artists making the music here this summer.
For instance, saxophonist John Spillett’s Jazz/Pop Duo performs every Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. at Lemon Grass on Walton, 113 Walton St., in Syracuse’s Armory Square; 315-475-4111; lemongrasscny.com.
On Saturday, Aug. 26, from 3 to 6 p.m. Spillett’s SuperTrio will entertain at Anyela’s Vineyards, 2433 W. Lake Road, in Skaneateles. The threesome returns to Anyela’s at 3 p.m. Sept. 9, Oct. 7 and Nov. 11; 315-685-3797; anyelasvineyards.com; johnspillett.com.
Meanwhile, a new jazz series dubbed Jazz al fresco continues on the patio at the Seneca Street Brew Pub, in Manlius between 1 and 4 p.m. every Sunday through Aug. 27.
The Menikheim Family opened Seneca Street Brewpub in April 2016 in the old First Baptist Church of Manlius built in 1829 at 315 E. Seneca St., in Manlius. The lineup of performers includes Tres Guitars on Aug. 13, The Instigators Aug. 20 and the Latin Groove Connection Aug. 27. Admission is free; 315-941-0457; senecastreetbrewpub.com/.
Rhythm-Airs in Camillus
The Rhythm-Airs big band continues its Wednesday-evening performances at the Camillus Elks Club, 6117 Newport Road, just north of the village of Camillus. Led by trumpeter Maureen Clum, the orchestra plays for dancers from 7 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday. Admission costs $6 per person or $9 per couple; food and drinks available. For info, call the Lodge at 315-672-3106.
In Baldwinville, audiences are now enjoying “Jazz at Timber Banks” on Tuesdays from 6 to 9 p.m., at Persimmons Restaurant, at 3536 Timber Banks Parkway.
The lineup features the finest area performers of jazz, blues, funk, R&B, Americana, country swing, Latin crossover and contemporary pop on a schedule that runs through Sept. 12. The series is presented by CNY Jazz Central.
The schedule features vocalist Scott Dennis and friends Aug. 15, trumpeter Nick Fields’ Trio Aug. 22, singer Marianne Solivan Aug. 29, Vanessa Vacanti and The Jazz Mafia on Sept. 5 and vocalist Cherie Giraud Sept. 12; cnyjazz.org/jazz-at-timber-banks/; 315-635-8800.
