The Lake George Arts Project’s Jazz at the Lake will be back in Shepard Park and around town for its 40th year Sept.13-15. The critically acclaimed festival features rising and renowned jazz stars. Admission is free and open to all.
“As we celebrate forty years of bringing world-class jazz to Lake George,” says Arts Project Executive Director Tanya Tobias, “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.”
Friday evening, the festival opens at 6 p.m. on the Shepard Park stage with Jahari Stampley, the 2023 first-place winner of the Herbie Hancock International Competition. Stampley will perform with his family trio — seven-time Grammy Award nominee Erania Stampley and Miguel Russell, who has played with jazz legends Wynton Marsalis, Nestor Torres, and Paquito D’ Rivera. Opening day will close with Jazz Around Town performances.
Friday Jazz Around Town Schedule: (All Jazz Around Town performances will begin at 7:30 p.m.)
- The Arch Stanton Trio
Gaslight, 91 Canada Street - Nook & Cranny
The Barnsider Restaurant, 2112 State Route 9 - Ria Curley, Chuck Lamb & The Curley Lamb Nu-Soul-Jaz Quartet
The Caldwell-Lake George Library, 336 Canada Street - Dylan Perrillo & Ryan Sullivan
The Inn of Lake George, 12 McGillis Street - Scott Hopkins Trio
Saluti Restaurant, 25 Canada Street
Saturday, 10 a.m.— noon, The Chad McLaughlin Trio will perform at the Hello Sunshine Bistro, 185 Canada Street. The Bistro is offering free cups of coffee at the event. The festival returns to Shepard Park at 1 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 14 in Shepard Park:
- 1 p.m. — Michael Mayo
- 3 p.m.— Ben Wendel Group
- 5 p.m.— Ulysses Owens Jr & Generation Y
- 8 p.m.— Nicole Zuraitis
Sunday, Sept. 15 in Shepard Park
- 1 p.m.— Daniel Kelly Group Celebrating Paul Pines
- 3 p.m.— Linda May Han Oh
- 5 p.m.—Danilo Pérez, John Patitucci & Adam Cruz Trio
Sunday morning, Sept. 15, the Lake George Arts Project is hosting a two-hour Jazz Cruise aboard the Lake George Steamboat Company’s Mohican. James Rissacher is the featured artist. Boarding starts at the Steel Pier on Beach Road at 10 a.m. The Mohican sails at 10:30 and will carry passengers to Bolton, returning to the Steel Pier at 12:30 p.m. Tickets for the jazz cruise are $75 and include brunch and non-alcoholic drinks. A cash bar will be open for beer, wine, mimosas and cocktails. Jazz Cruise tickets may be purchased online at the Lake George Arts Project event webpage.
The Shepard Park amphitheater is an open-air stage with tiered seating. Attendees may wish to bring camp chairs or blankets. Food vendors will be on-site. This is a child and dog-friendly venue. Metered parking is available on surrounding streets and in public parking lots.