| What
an achievement! Totally free, and financed entirely by sponsorship.
Given
that fact, you would expect, and I'm sure be happy to settle for,
a much lower profile line up than you get. But hey, the good people
of Syracuse will have nothing of it. They pack each year's line
up with pure quality. Just check out the artist history of previous
years:
...Les
McCann - Sonny Rollins - Dizzy Gillespie - Jean-Luc Ponty - Boney
James - Lee Ritenour - Count Basie Orchestra - George Benson -
Diane Schuur - Manhattan Transfer - The Rippingtons - Grover Washington,
Jr. - Dave Brubeck - The Yellowjackets - Spyro Gyra - Tuck & Patti
- Chick Corea - Pat Metheny - Ahmad Jamal - Freddie Hubbard -
Dr. John - The Rippingtons - Joshua Redman - New York Voices -
Chuck Mangione - Blood, Sweat & Tears - Bela Fleck - Freddy Cole
- Ivan Lins - James Carter - The Jazz Crusaders - Herbie Mann
- Gato Barbieri - Jose Feliciano - Najee....
Established
in 1983, this open air event attracts upwards of 60,000 each year.
The only official seating area is reserved solely for the sponsors.
That's a small price to pay considering there would be no festival
without their support.
Where's
the downside...? Well, if there is one, it's a pretty well kept
secret, and long may it continue that way.
Mr9@jazzonjazz.com |
USA