Northeast Jazz and Wine Festival 2011

A new location and outlook breathe new life into a summertime favorite

By Jessica Novak

This weekend at downtown’s Clinton Square, bounded by East Water, South Franklin, South Salina and West Genesee streets, three stages will be filled with free jazz, blues, world and rhythm’n’blues programming, complemented by wine-tasting events. The fest, part of Syracuse ArtsWeek, is also celebrating its first year with new partner La Liga, aka the Spanish Action League, who will provide the talent for “World Jazz Sunday.”

The 2011 edition of the festival marks 10 years of jazz programming in downtown Syracuse organized by the Central New York Jazz Arts Foundation, Inc., which brings free music programming to the region each year. Local legends and international stars will meet at this year’s fest, bringing a wide variety of talent right to the heart of the city.

Audiences are encouraged to bring a lawn chair, sunglasses, sunscreen, umbrellas and ID tags for small children. Food and beverages from outside the site are not allowed, nor are coolers, backpacks, video or audio recording devices, weapons, cell phones during performances and littering. Festival schedules will be available at the CNY Jazz Arts tent; more information can be found online at www. nejazzwinefest.org.

Friday, July 29

Main Stage

Atlas

(7 & 9:30 p.m.)

The nine-piece fusion powerhouse, born in Syracuse under the name Atlas Linen Company, will celebrate with a 30th anniversary dance party, performing songs from its long and eclectic set list. Over the years the band has opened for some of the greatest names in music: Michael McDonald, Earth, Wind and Fire, Chaka Khan, Tower of Power, James Cotton, Herbie Mann and many more. www. atlasband.com

Mardi Gras Pavilion

Dave Hanlon’s Cookbook

(5 & 8:30 p.m.)

Spreading funk to the Syracuse masses since 1983, Dave Hanlon’s Cookbook has performed throughout Central New York at numerous clubs, concerts, weddings and parties. This highly talented and versatile band continues to win over new fans with its high-energy rhythm’n’blues and dance-oriented presentation. Cookbook has shared the stage with Paquito D’Rivera, Average White Band, George Benson, Bela Fleck, The Rippingtons and many others. www.davehanlonscookbook.com

World Beat Pavilion

The J Project

(5 & 8:30 p.m.)

This outfit has received several Syracuse New Times Syracuse Area Music Award (Sammy) nominations, including for Best Soul/R’n’B Group. Taking its grooves beyond Central New York to New York City and other locations, The J Project is loved everywhere for its mix of jazz and soul fusion. thejprojectband.com

Saturday, July 30

Main Stage

Stan Colella Parks & Recreation All-Star Big Band

(noon) This group, which is a paying summer job for music students from the Syracuse City School District, plays concerts at city events, nursing homes, schools, parks and public places throughout the area. CNY Jazz Arts provides a home base for its “youth orchestra” at Jazz Central in downtown Syracuse. www.cnyjazz.org/ public_programs.aspx

Paul V. Moore High School Vocal Jazz Ensemble

(1 p.m.)

Dennis Goettel directs these talented students from the Central Square School District. www.cssd.org/paulv.cfm

Stage Music Big Band

(2 p.m.)

This 18-piece community group from Uitca features a five-piece sax section. It was formed in 2008 and began playing in public within about a month of its first rehearsal. www.smbbmusic.com

Jazz Kats Big Band

(3 p.m.)

This Central New York community big band, also formed in 2008, offers a venue for local musicians to play jazz, swing, funk, blues, rock and more. www.jazzkatsbigband. com

Tradewind

(4 p.m.)

This corporate jazz band features employees of Syracuse-based embedded systems engineering firm Critical Link strutting their sonic stuff. www.criticallink.com

Antonio Hart Quartet with the Noah Kellman Trio

(6:30 p.m.)

See feature story on page XX www.antoniohart.com, www.noahkellman.com

Dee Dee Williams

(8:15 p.m.)

From high energy to slow blues, Dee Dee Williams’ music is joyous, life-affirming, powerful and soul-stirring. The vocalist has notched gigs across North America, from New York City to San Francisco and from Vancouver to New Orleans, and has played alongside top acts including Keb Mo, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Marva Wright. Her releases include Livin’ the Blues, Dee Dee Williams Sets the Blues on Fire and Music to Wine By (Zany Summers). www.myspace. com/duanettewilliams

Jackiem Joyner

(10 p.m.)

This Fowler High School graduate burst onto the scene in 2007 with Babysoul on the ARTizen label. Also that year, Smooth Jazz News named Joyner its Debut Artist of the Year. His second release, Lil’ Man Soul, was released on Artistry Music and showcased his urban jazz sound via a pair of chart-topping singles, “I’m Waiting For You” and “Take Me There.” Joyner’s eponymous third album was released in 2010. www.jackiem joyner.com

Mardi Gras Pavilion

Jeff Stockham’s Jazz Police

(5, 7:30 & 9:15 p.m.)

Stockham, a graduate of Syracuse University and the Eastman School of Music, is a trumpeter and French hornist with Monk on Monk, Thelonius Monk Jr.’s big band, which has toured Europe, Israel and the United States, He has also backed numerous national acts including Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra Jr., Rosemary Clooney, Aretha Franklin, Harry Connick Jr., Natalie Cole and Johnny Mathis. www.jeffstockham.com

World Beat Pavilion

E.S.P.

(5, 7:30 & 9:15 p.m.)

This Syracuse-based quartet plays real jazz that you don’t need a GPS to follow. The group’s contemporary sound has been described as “yesterday’s bebop meets today’s modern jazz.” E.S.P.’s 2010 release Time’s Up (Spider Records) won a Sammy for Best Jazz Album of the Year. www.wix. com/espjazz.esp

Sunday, July 31

World Jazz Sunday, presented by La Liga

Main Stage

33 DC

(1 p.m.)

The high-octane world music gospel group known as 33 DC (or 33 AD in English, referring to the year Jesus Christ was crucified) was started more than 20 years ago by university friends who wanted a musical vehicle with which to spread the Gospel in their native Puerto Rico. Since then, the band has recorded eight albums and its exciting, energetic music has gained crossover appeal on secular stations in Puerto Rico and elsewhere. www.33dc.net

ADANFO African Ensemble

(4:30 p.m.)

David Etse Nyadedzor is the founding director of ADANFO and an experienced traditional drummer who studied drumming at the Folkloric Selamta Center for National Culture in Accra, Ghana. ADANFO brings not only Ghanaian but Togolese, Nigerian, Guinean, Senegalese, Zimbabwean and South African drumming and dancing to the stage. www.adanfo.net

Ricky Encarnacion & Heaven Report, featuring Paoli Mejias and Norbert Stachel

(7:30 p.m.)

A real showcase of Latino musical talent.

Encarnacion is a producer and bass player who has toured with Bryan Ferry, Sheila E and Tito Puente. Mejias is a distinguished young master percussionist, clinician and bandleader who has performed for more than 20 years. And Stachel is a saxophonist best known for his work with Tower of Power, although he has also worked with Prince, Roger Waters, Eartha Kitt and many more.

Mardi Gras Pavilion

AudioInflux

(2, 4:30 & 7 p.m.)

Describing its music as “jazz-infused funk wrapped in soul,” this Rochester-based band began in 2007 as a studio project but has since become a full-scale live experience. AudioInflux’s self-titled debut album was released in late 2010. www.audioinflux.net

World Beat Pavilion

SOHO Trio

(2, 4:30 & 7 p.m.)

This triumvirate blends jazz standards and contemporary pop tunes into a style that is dynamic and modern. The band’s name is an acronym taken from the names of pianist David Solazzo and bassist Bill Horrace (or SOlazzo/HOrrace). Max Roach protégé drummer John Betsey II completes the threesome. www.sohotrio.com