Jazz at the Lake - 40 Year Celebration!

The Lake George Arts Project celebrates the 40th anniversary of Jazz at the Lake, a free, three-day festival (September 13-15) featuring renowned and rising jazz stars. This year's stellar lineup includes rising star Jahari Stampley, trumpet virtuoso Michael Mayo, GRAMMY-winning artists Ulysses Owens, Linda May Han Oh, Nicole Zuraitis, Danilo Perez, and many more. The festival also showcases local favorites, offering a vibrant mix of styles throughout the weekend. "As we celebrate forty years of bringing world-class jazz to Lake George, we are incredibly proud to present a lineup that reflects the festival's rich history while also pushing the boundaries of contemporary jazz. Jazz at the Lake has always been a cherished tradition, and this year's event promises to be our most unforgettable yet," said Tanya Tobias, Executive Director of the Lake George Arts Project.

The Festival Kicks-Off Friday Night (Sept 13)


6pm: Jahari Stampley Family Trio on the Shepard Park Stage
7:30pm: Jazz Around Town at partner locations around town

Opening night (September 13), sets the stage for our big 4-0 where we welcome the 2023 First Place winner of the Herbie Hancock International Competition Jahari Stampley who will perform with his family trio comprised of 7-time GRAMMY Award nominee Erania Stampley and Miguel Russell (drums) who, before he was 21, had played with jazz greats Wynton Marsalis, Nestor Torres, and Paquito D' Rivera.

Local bands remain an essential part of the festival, and on Friday night returning favorites and new artists to our festival will be playing at multiple locations around town as part of our Jazz Around Town program. Local artist highlights include The Arch Stanton Trio, Nook and Cranny, Dylan Perillo and Brad Brose, the Scott Hopkins Jazz Trio, and the Chuck Lamb Trio. Partner business include: The Barnsider, The Inn of Lake George, The Caldwell Lake George Library, Gaslight, and The Lagoon.

Unleash Your Inner Jazz Fan on Saturday (Sept 14)

10am: Coffee and Jazz with featured artist: Chad McLaughlin Trio at Hello Sunshine Bagel Bistro
Shows on the stage in Shepard Park at:
1pm: Michael Mayo
3pm: Ben Wendel Group
5pm: Ulysses Owens Jr and Generation Y
8pm: Nicole Zuraitis

We start early on Saturday with our popular Coffee and Jazz (10am - 12pm) program at Hello Sunshine Bagel Bistro. Jazz fans can grab a free coffee (generously donated by Hello Sunshine) and experience the sounds of the Chad McLoughlin Trio.

Saturday, on the Shepard Park Stage, Michael Mayo (1pm), a trumpet virtuoso celebrated for his soulful and innovative playing, will ignite the stage with his infectious energy. Renowned saxophonist Ben Wendel (3pm) will mesmerize audiences with his lyrical and complex compositions. At 5pm, three time Grammy™ Award-Winning Drummer Ulysses Owens Jr., known for being a drummer who (The New York Times) has said "take[s] a back seat to no one," will be performing with Generation Y, the next generation of dynamic talent from the top music conservatories in NYC and beyond. We'll finish Saturday night with a Shepard Park Stage favorite, GRAMMY winner Nicole Zuraitis (8pm) jazz singer-songwriter, pianist and arranger, New York-based bandleader, and winner of the prestigious 2021 American Traditions Vocal Competition Gold Medal.

Savor the Final Notes of the Festival on Sunday (Sept 15)

10am - 12pm: Lake George Jazz Cruise with featured artist: James Rissacher (this is a ticketed evet)

Shows on the stage in Shepard Park at:
1pm: Daniel Kelly Group Celebrating Paul Pines
3pm: Linda May Han Oh
5pm: Danilo Pérez, John Patitucci and Adam Cruz Trio

On Sunday, jazz fans can take a tour of Lake George on our Jazz Cruise. Passengers will enjoy live music, light breakfast fare, and breathtaking views while cruising the sparkling waters of the Queen of American Lakes.

Sunday on the Shepard Park stage, the Daniel Kelly Group (1pm), will pay tribute to festival founder Paul Pines in a performance that uses Pines' poetry (read by David Gonzales) as inspiration. At 3pm, GRAMMY award-winning Linda May Han Oh (bassist/composer who has performed and recorded with artists such as Pat Metheny, Kenny Barron, Joe Lovano) takes the stage with her dynamic quintet. We end the festival with the GRAMMY Award Winners and UNESCO Artist for Peace, Danilo Pérez who will be playing with John Patitucci and Adam Cruz (5pm) lauded as creative powerhouses in contemporary music.

The Lake George Arts Project would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Kenneth and Susan Gruskin and Gruskin Creative for their years of generous support and their dedication to one of our most vital programs. We are also thankful to the Town of Lake George, the Village of Lake George, the New York State Council on the Arts, Anonymous, and our generous members and supporters for supporting this year's Jazz at the Lake.

Category: Live Music | Jazz