It may have a reputation for being the favorite genre of men who never take off their hats, but jazz can still produce some of music’s most exciting sounds. Between its cultural institutions and proximity to New York City, the Hudson Valley is often host to some of the most exciting young jazz musicians around.
Make sure to catch them — and all those elderly hep cats — at these not-to-miss summer concerts.
Singers & Songbooks: Fred Astaire
When: July 25
Where: Bard Spiegeltent
Though Astaire may never have written anything in the Great American Songbook, he sure danced his way along it. Dancer Michela Marino Lerman taps her way through classics by Berlin, Porter, and more, in a thrilling hybrid performance.
Singers & Songbooks: Anita O’Day
When: August 1
Where: Bard Spiegeltent
Veronica Swift has been called the “babe of bebop” for her dynamite voice. Here, she pays homage to her idol Anita O’Day by leaning into the beat and swinging it.
23Arts Music Fest
When: August 2-25
Where: Tannersville
World-class jazz performers of all styles and stripes ascend to Tannserville for several weeks of raucous performances. Opening with a set of Leonard Bernstein compositions from saxophonist Aaron Johnson, these scattered concerts include vocalists like Brianna Thomas and innovative programs like Chris Pattishall’s Borges in Tango performance, merging the author’s Fictions with the traditions of Tango.
Herb Alpert & Lani Hall
When: August 4
Where: The Egg
Alpert, of the Tijuana Brass, performs with Grammy-winning vocalist Hall and a jazz trio, reinterpreting both their own hits and songs by the Beatles and Irving Berlin.
Singers & Songbooks: Joni Mitchell and Friends
When: August 8
Where: Bard Spiegeltent
Jazz pianist Sam Reider and vocalist Kéren Tayár take the 60s to the oughts with this program of reimagined hits from Mitchell and contemporaries like Joan Baez and Mavis Staples.
Jazz is PHSH
When: August 23
Where: The Egg
This revolving cast of jazz musicians reinterprets the music of Phish for hep cats and jam band casualties alike. It draws support from Felix Pastorius, son of the legendary Jaco.
From Blues to Bebop
When: August 25
Where: The Falcon
Dominick Farinacci leads an octet of acclaimed young voices in this tribute to Harlem Jazz, performing songs by Ellington, Gillespie, Holliday, and more.
