Headlining the Main Stage
Matt Wilson
Matt Wilson’s Arts & Crafts Band–Fresh from a performance at the Village Vanguard in New York, Wilson – who for 5 consecutive years was voted #1 Rising Star Drummer in the annual Downbeat Critic’s Poll – leads an all-star quartet including noted organist Gary Versace
Gary Smulyan Quartet
The winner of the 2011 Jazz Times Readers & Critics Poll, Jazz Journalists Award and Downbeat Critics Poll for Best Baritone Sax will lead a quartet including guitarist Peter Bernstein, keyboardist Mike LeDonne and drummer Kenny Washington.
Sheryl Bailey
This New York guitarist possesses “one of the best tones of her generation,” (Guitar Player Magazine).
About the Northampton Jazz Festival
The second annual Northampton Jazz Festival will be presented on Saturday, September 15 from 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. in downtown Northampton, Massachusetts. Building on the success of the inaugural event, the NJF will feature two stages on Hampton Ave (behind Thorne’s Market) and a space in the Market.
The Festival presents internationally known musicians, as well as established local performers and promising young players from area Colleges and High Schools. Attendees can also watch the “12 Mile Meal Challenge,” and root for their favorite local chefs as they compete to see who can create the most innovative cuisine, using food grown by local farmers. As with last year, attendees can enjoy food, beer and wine from local restaurants that make Northampton a favorite among “foodies” everywhere.
“The Jazz Festival is the perfect event to showcase both Downtown Northampton and really great jazz music,” said Bill Collins, vice president of the Northampton Jazz Festival. “The mixture of top pros and student players was fantastic last year and we expect even more excitement from this year’s lineup.”
The Fest will run from 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. and is free of charge. The event is sponsored, in part, by TD Bank, The Spoleto Group, Peak Organic Brewing, the Northampton Business Improvement District, BayState Health, WRSI and other local businesses. Major sponsorship opportunities are still available by contacting John Michaels.