First Posted: 8/5/2014
The Scranton Jazz Festival was established in 2004 and on Aug. 8, 9 and 10, jazz enthusiasts will have an opportunity to hear international, national and regional jazz/blues and world beat artists at the Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel and numerous downtown Scranton venues, according to Shlesinger.
“The jazz festival to me is an important part of the overall cultural development scheme of northeastern Pennsylvania because it is a once-a-year event,” said Bob Shlesinger, a resident of the Abington area for many years and one of the founding members of the Scranton Public Theatre and the Scranton Jazz Festival. “It’s different and it’s special. We are developing a larger audience for jazz appreciation. We are able to bring in some of the best of the best in the jazz area, ranging from Chuck Mangione to our headliner this year, The Manhattan Transfer, and other multi-Grammy award winning people. It shows the talent here can measure up with the talent anywhere.”
Shlesinger added, “It’s kind of a neat atmosphere at the train station at the Radisson. People seem to enjoy it and our audiences have been growing.”
The schedule for the festival is as follows:
(Main Stage at The Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel)
AUG. 8
7:30 p.m. – The Eric Mintel Group
8:30 p.m. – Clarence Spady Blues Band
9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. – Jazz Walk
The Marko Marcinko Latin Jazz Sextet – Ale Mary’s, Franklin Avenue
The Bog Swing Band – The Bog, Adams Avenue
Erin Malloy & Friends – Trax Patio at the Radisson
The Tyler Dempsey Trio – Le Bistro, Norty Washington Avenue (9:30 p.m. to 12 a.m.)
The John Andrews Jazz Group – Posh @ The Scranton Club, Washington Avenue (9 p.m. to 12 a.m.)
AUG. 9
7 p.m. – Chris Parker Band featuring jazz sax icon Chris Vadala
8 p.m. – The Manhattan Transferr, multi-Grammy award-winning vocal group
9:30 p.m. – 1:30 a.m. Jazz Walk
Music For Models w/ Gary Keller on saxophone – Ale Mary’s, Franklin Avenue
Indigo Moon Brass Band – The Bog, Adams Avenue
Ilona Knopfler & Friends – Trax Patio at the Radisson
Brazilian Sounds Quintet – Le Bistro, North Washington Avenue (9:30 p.m. to 12 a.m.)
Jim Buckley & Jim Tigue – Posh @ The Scranton Club, Washington Avenue (9 p.m. to 12 a.m.)
AUG. 10
11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. – The Jazz Brunch, Carmen’s Restaurant, Radisson Hotel
4 p.m. – The Keystone College Jazz Institute Student Combos
5 p.m. – Mike Fahn/ Mary Ann McSweeney jazz tribute to Woody Shaw
6 p.m. – Jazz guitar legend Bucky Pizzarelli and Ed Laub
7 p.m. – French Vocalist Ilona Knopfler and Trumpet Great Nate Birkey
8 p.m. – 10th Anniversary Festival Big Band
9:30 p.m. to 12 a.m. – The Festival Jazz Jam in Trax Bar, Radisson Hotel
More information can be found at Scrantonjazzfestival.org.