Podcast 356: Previewing the Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival

If we are closing in on the last weekend in June, then it’s time for Summer Jazz Festivals to kick into gear.  Podcast 356 is a preview of the Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival in Saratoga Springs, New York, held this year on June 29-30th. A following podcast will focus on the Montreal Jazz Festival, which starts on June 27 and runs through the beginning of July. The Main Stage Line-up for Saturday is: Arturo Sandoval; David Sanborn & Bob James featuring Steve Gadd; Gregory Porter; McCoy Tyner Quartet plus special guest John Scofield; The Cookers featuring Billy Harper, Eddie Henderson, David Weiss, Craig Handy, George Cables, Cecil McBee & Billy Hart; and Rudresh Mahanthappa's Gamak with David "Fuze" Fiuczynski, Dan Weiss & Rich Brown The more intimate Gazebo Stage features the Gary Smulyan Quartet with Mike LeDonne, Peter Bernstein & Kenny Washington; Carmen Souza; Mahanthappa's Gamak; Ben Williams & Sound Effect; and the Gilad Hekselman Trio featuring Rick Rosato & Jeff Ballard. The Main Stage Line-up for Sunday is: Buddy Guy; Tony Bennett; the Preservation Hall Jazz Band; Ladysmith Black Mambazo; Kevin Eubanks with Bill Pierce, Rene Camacho & Nate Smith; and the Donny McCaslin Group with Jason Lindner, Tim Lefebvre & Mark Guiliana. The Gazebo Stage on Sunday features: Chris Bergson Band; Brianna Thomas; McCaslin; Ingrid Jensen Quartet with Gary Versace, Matt Clohesy & John Wikan and the  Fabian Almazan Trio with an all-star trio featuring Linda Oh on bass and Rudy Royston on drums.  Danny Melnick, the producer of the two day event, talked with me about this year’s lineup, giving us a little taste of why he books certain artists, and which players he is particularly high on.  Download the Podcast here, and listen to our conversation, including musical interludes by:  Rudresh Mahanthappa's Gamak – “Ballad for Troubled Times” from Gamak. The Cookers – “Croquet Ballet” from Cast the First Stone Gregory Porter  - “On My Way to Harlem” from  Be Good. Bob James & David Sanborn – “Montezuma” from Quartette Humaine. Gilad Hekselman – “March of the Sad Ones” from This Just In. Donny McCaslin – Title Track from Casting for Gravity. Buddy Guy – “Mannish Boy” from Live at Legends.