During two days and nights in late June, the 33rd annual Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival will unfold in Saratoga Springs, New York. This year’s event — on Saturday and Sunday, June 26 and 27 — will feature more than 20 performances on the Saratoga Performing Arts Center’s amphitheater and gazebo stages. The lineup includes Al Jarreau & The George Duke Trio, Al Di Meola, Ramsey Lewis and Ahmad Jamal, the Tomasz Stanko Quartet, Stefon Harris & Blackout, Gladys Knight, and Taj Mahal.

Located in scenic Saratoga Springs, New York, Saratoga Performing Arts Center has been the site of Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival since George Wein established it in 1978. With an inside seating capacity of 5,200 and lawn seating available for 20,000 spectators, SPAC’s Jazz Festival draws thousands of jazz lovers from across the Northeast and the United States.

“Performances by some of today’s finest jazz musicians will delight festival audiences while also offering a taste of where the art form is moving in the year 2010,” says Marcia White, SPAC’s president and executive director. “Up-and-coming young artists like saxophonist JD Allen, singer Alyssa Graham, trumpeter Mario Abney, bassist Linda Oh and other contemporary young musicians will celebrate jazz, present and future.

“Our Festival also offers an atmosphere that is as spectacular as the music,” White adds. “Our lush lawn, framed by the 50- to 60-foot emerald pines of the Saratoga Spa State Park, is the perfect place to stretch out, relax and take in the music. In addition, our free parking, the opportunity to bring in your own food, beverages, blankets and tents make our festival a fabulous, affordable escape. Truly, our event offers an experience that few others can match.”

The 33rd Annual Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival is co-presented by SPAC and Absolutely Live Entertainment, LLC, a festival, tour and concert production company led by industry veteran Danny Melnick. Melnick has served as the festival’s artistic director and producer since 1999.

FREIHOFER’S SARATOGA JAZZ FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

Saturday, June 26, 2010
Main Stage
Al Jarreau & the George Duke Trio
Sax for Stax — Gerald Albright & Kirk Whalum
Ahmad Jamal — 80th Birthday Celebration
Taj Mahal
Al Di Meola — World Sinfonia
Evan Christopher
Mario Abney Quintet

Gazebo Stage
Tomasz Stanko Quartet
Alyssa Graham
JD Allen Trio
Steve Kroon Sextet
Mario Abney Quintet

Sunday, June 27, 2010
Main Stage
Gladys Knight
Juan De Marcos & The Afro Cuban All Stars
Ann Hampton Callaway
Stefon Harris & Blackout
Trio of Oz, featuring Rachel Z and Omar Hakim

Gazebo Stage
Linda Oh Trio
Kendrick Scott Oracle
Ralph Lalama Quartet
Hailey Niswanger
Trio of Oz, featuring Rachel Z and Omar Hakim

Ticket Information
Tickets are on sale now and can be ordered online at www.spac.org or by phone at 518-584-9330.  The Saratoga Performing Arts Center box office will open May 9.

Saturday, June 26 tickets are priced at $65 (adult amphitheater), $55 (children under 12 amphitheater), $44 (lawn) and $5 (lawn for children under 12).

Sunday, June 27 tickets are priced at $58 (adult amphitheater), $51 (children under 12 amphitheater), $44 (lawn) and $5 (lawn for children under 12).

Two-day passes can be purchased before May 10 for $115 (adult amphitheater), $98 (children under 12 amphitheater), $76 (lawn) and $10 (lawn for children under 12).

For more information, go to www.spac.org.