Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival moving to the Landmark Theatre

SYRACUSE — It’s an event that’s moving from one historic Syracuse location to another near the end of the month. The Berkshire Bank Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival, which has been held in Clinton Square since 2001, is moving to a new part of downtown Syracuse July 26-27. The Landmark Theatre will host the festival’s main stage and a second stage on the mezzanine level. In addition to the music, the festival will include wines from around the world in the lobby bar, along with beer and whiskey. The event, presented annually by CNY Jazz, is considered “the performing arts anchor of Artsweek in Downtown Syracuse,” per the June 20 announcement. Besides the activity inside the Landmark, the 100 block of West Jefferson Street, adjacent to the theater, will host a food truck and vendor village, the event organizer said. It’ll include the Stanley Law youth and community stage, which will feature the area’s emerging talent, along with community groups and strolling musicians. “The move makes a lot of sense for us, and for our audience,” Larry Luttinger, CNY Jazz founder and festival organizer, said in the announcement. “We’re enhancing public safety and improving climate resiliency in one stroke and retaining all the elements of a festival that’s been serving Syracuse for over 20 years. We’re now only two blocks from the Arts and Crafts Festival, and now situated at the gateway of Armory Square. We’re reducing street closings at a time when we’re entering a long period of I-81 construction around downtown. Plus, we’re next to the biggest parking lot downtown, next to the Armory. All this spells success, a better audience experience, and a better arts showcase for downtown, Central New York, and cultural tourists.” Event headliners include Shayna Steele, who will be the final performer on July 26, and the Family Stone will take the stage July 27 to “celebrate the five decade-plus legacy that changed soul music forever.” The new band is led by original member and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jerry Martini and includes second generation band members Phunne Stone and Swang Stewart. The group is presented in association with Tom Honan and Live Space Entertainment. The main stage lineup also includes the smooth jazz guitar and sax double bill of Blake Aaron and Will Donato; dean of the west coast jazz trumpet scene Clay Jenkins with the Lamb, Mack, and Sorgen Trio; Brass Inc, high energy horn band and regional favorite; and CNY Jazz legacy Mike Kammers, returning from Brooklyn to his hometown with his entire MK Groove Orchestra. The Artsweek map is changing this year as well. The festival will coincide with the opening week of the new downtown “Art Trail” connecting multiple cultural destinations across the city. “We’re grateful to work with the Downtown Committee to produce this summer’s first-ever Art Trail, which coincides with the Northeast Jazz and Wine Festival and the Syracuse Arts and Crafts Festival,” Steve Butler, executive director of CNY Arts, said in the announcement. “The Art Trail is an exciting opportunity for everyone to enjoy all the fabulous free art that Syracuse has to offer. CNY Jazz has made significant contributions to our creative community over the years, and we’re thrilled that these events offer such a unique lineup next month.” The jazz and wine festival continues to benefit from “strong” support at the state level, and a large group of corporate sponsors also contributes to the success of the festival, per the announcement. “We’re once again delighted to sponsor this festival. We look forward to enjoying this family friendly event with the entire Central New York community,” Jim Morris, New York State president of title sponsor Berkshire Bank, added in the announcement.