FULTON – The Fulton Jazz Festival, returns Aug. 12 and 13, featuring trumpeter Jumaane Smith, lead trumpeter for internationally famous vocalist Michael Buble, it was announced by festival committee co-chairs Joe Cortini and Bill Hubel.
The event is on the shore of Lake Neahtahwanta, behind the Fulton War Memorial on Route 3 and admission is free.
“This year, the big bands are back at jazz fest,” Cortini said. “The vibe starts Thursday, August 11, with the 7 p.m. performance by the Rhythm Airs big band at Fulton’s Bullhead Point as part of the City of Fulton summer concert series. That makes the perfect segue into our Friday-Saturday weekend featuring a variety of jazz styles with an emphasis on big band performers. In fact, during those two days, there will be more than 60 musicians from all across America in six different groups performing on the Fulton Savings Bank Stage.”
The lineup is as follows:
Friday, August 12
5 p.m. Salt City Jazz Collective
6:30 p.m. Longwood Jazz Project
8:30 p.m. Atlas
Saturday, August 13
4 p.m. FreeFall Jazz Orchestra
6 p.m. Headliner Jumaane Smith featuring Carmen Intorre on drums
8 p.m. Classified
Saturday night headliner Jumaane Smith is a trumpeter and singer who studied at Julliard from 2001 to 2005, and privately with Wynton Marsalis, according to his website.
Smith has toured and recorded with Michael Buble for the past 10 years and was also the special guest soloist/opener for Jackie Evancho’s, ‘Songs of the Silver Screen’ world tour.
In addition to working with Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock and many others, Jumaane has performed on several Grammy-winning recordings.
His critically acclaimed debut album, ‘I Only Have Eyes For You,’ features Michael Buble, Jackie Evancho, and Naturally 7.
Smith’s musical accomplishments also include a performance on the Grammy Awards with Stevie Wonder, appearing on American Idol, and performing at the White House.
Joining Smith will be New York City drummer Carmen Intorre.
A graduate of The Institute for Jazz Studies at the Juilliard School, he has performed and recorded with numerous musicians such as George Benson, Larry Coryell, Wynton Marsalis, Monty Alexander, George Coleman, Eric Alexander, George Cables, Benny Golson, Richie Cole, Joe Locke, Lew Tabackin, Bobby Watson, Ira Sullivan and many others.
Intorre was a 2011 Grammy nominee for his performance on the critically acclaimed album by organist Joey DeFrancesco entitled “Never Can Say Goodbye: The Music of Michael Jackson.”
Intorre also had the pleasure of performing alongside DeFrancesco and Dr. Lonnie Smith on the PBS show Legends of Jazz, hosted by Ramsey Lewis.
“Carmen is one of my favorite drummers. He has a very wide groove and strong beat and most of all he swings his ass off! I love him!” said DeFrancesco.
The Salt City Jazz Collective, which kicks off jazz fest on Friday, is a 16-piece big band with solid traditional roots and is fronted by vocalist Cookie Coogan, Cortini said.
The Jazz Collective delivers historical compositions of its genre’s greatest icons, including Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Stan Kenton, Buddy Rich, Woody Herman, Glenn Miller, and Tommy Dorsey.
In addition, the band has established its own unique sound by performing original compositions by band members Joe Riposo and Angelo Candela.
Among the local musicians who perform with them are trumpeter Jeff Stockham and trombonist Bill Palange.
They are followed, Friday, by The Longwood Jazz Project Who have performed several times at the Fulton Jazz Festival and can be heard regularly at clubs, wineries, and events around central New York.
“The party band, Atlas, will close out the first night and they will be sure to keep the crowd dancing from 8:30 to 11 p.m.,” Cortini said.
At 4 p.m. Saturday, the 17-piece FreeFall Jazz Orchestra, with vocalist Dani Ryan gets the evening started.
“FreeFall, which has appeared at two previous jazz fests, is composed of some of Central New Yorks’ most talented jazz musicians, and features many original compositions by group director and keyboardist Stan Gosek,” Cortini said.
Gosek, who taught for 22 years at SUNY Oswego as director of Jazz Studies, also conducted the college’s Solid State jazz ensemble and the State Singers pop vocal ensemble.
Following headliner Jumaane Smith, the evening will close out from 8 to 10 p.m. with the return of Classified.
According to its website, “Classified has shared the stage with several international artists including Maynard Ferguson, Benny Mardones, Rare Earth, Eddie Money, KC & the Sunshine Band, Jason Marsalis, Gap Mangione, The Pointer Sisters and Earth, Wind & Fire to name a few. The abilities of the members of Classified encompass all styles of music, which is why they are the most sought after black-tie affair act in the area, and beyond.”
The major sponsor for this year’s Fulton Jazz Festival is Fulton Savings Bank.
Other prominent sponsors include: Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, Mimi’s Drive-In, Oswego Health, PathFinder Bank, Community Bank, Sunoco, Fulton Music Association and Oswego County Federal Credit Union.
Additional sponsors include: Foster Funeral Home, Empower Federal Credit Union, Burritt Motors, Huhtamaki, Inc., Key Bank, Price Chopper, Davis-Standard, Johnston’s LP Gas, Universal Metal Works, Fulton Community Development Agency, Eastern Shore Associates, Jim and Patricia Karasek, Riccelli Northern, David Mirabito, Pinnacle Dental, and D-K Manufacturing.
Also, Oswego County Heritage Credit Union Staff, Fulton Teachers Association, Canalview Travel, Realty USA, Ellen Ladd Tax & Financial Services, Raponi Plumbing and Heating, Paul A. Castaldo Construction, Inc., Critical-Vac Filtration, Oswego Valley Insurance Agency, Compass Federal Credit Union, KBM Management, Big John Sales, Gina Camardello and Dan Dievendorf, Fulton Professional Firefighters Association, Hargraves Pharmacy, Longley Brothers Dodge, Fulton Medicine Place, Cayuga Community College, and Oswego County Promotion and Tourism.
Other support comes from City of Fulton DPW & Recreation, Fulton Community Revitalization Corporation, Greater Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce, Oswego County Today, Uniforms, Etc., Oswego Harborfest, Tobacco Free Network of CNY, TOPS Market-Fulton, and Mitchell’s Speedway Press.
For more information about the festival or sponsorship opportunities, call or text Cortini at (315) 760-5299, or [email protected]
The event is also on Facebook under “Fulton Jazz Festival.”
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