‘Better than ever’ Jazz Fest in Lewiston

Preview by Joshua Maloni
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, August 22, 2008

Just a few months ago, it seemed as if the Historic Lewiston Jazz Festival was in jeopardy. Facing a $116,000 gap in funding – the result of losing the New York Power Authority as event sponsor – there was concern that the annual Center Street concert series would not happen in 2008.

That trepidation, however, quickly turned into motivation for event planners.

When Attorney General Andrew Cuomo offered his opinion that public institutions should not donate money to activities or organizations unrelated to their mission or purpose, the Jazz Festival’s board of directors saw the writing on the wall. When NYPA pulled out, a plan was set in motion to recoup the lost funding.

Within a matter of weeks, the Seneca Niagara Casino and Hotel and Sevenson Environmental Services stepped forward with $20,000 in donations. BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York, the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission, Certo Brothers, Molson and Coors soon duplicated their act, each making contributions to the Jazz Festival. A successful fundraiser was held at Water Street Landing, and State Sen. George Maziarz and Assemblywoman Francine DelMonte were both able to secure funding.

At the time, Lower Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce President Sandy (Hays) Mies said the board was working diligently to find alternative funding – and to find musical acts every bit as talented as past headliners.

“We will not compromise on the music,” she said.

To date, the board has raised enough money to stage two full days of Jazz Festival programming, complete with a pair of national headliners, beginning Aug. 22. A third day of music, “Jazz on the River,” will be held Aug. 24 in cooperation with local businesses on Center and Water streets.

“This is one of the biggest regional events in Western New York,” Town of Lewiston Supervisor Fred Newlin said. “I’m really proud how they pulled together after (losing) the New York Power Authority.”

He said the new funding sources “will enable us to deliver a first-rate Jazz Fest.

“It’s going to be better than ever this year.”

The Jazz Festival begins Friday with a 5 p.m. performance by the Dick Griffo Quartet on the main stage at Center and Fourth streets. From 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., a bevy of bands will perform along Center Street at Academy Park, in the DiCamillo Bakery courtyard and in front of the Frontier House.

Blue Martini Jazz

Live music can also be found at the Barton Hill Hotel, The Brickyard, Casa Antica, The Clarkson House, The Silo Restaurant, Tin Pan Alley and Water Street Landing. At 8 p.m., headliner Blue Martini Jazz (Jeanine Mackie and Pat Perez) will perform on the main stage.

Jazz continues Saturday at the aforementioned Center Street spots, beginning at 12:15 p.m. Once again, there will be evening music at the Barton, The Brickyard, Casa Antica, The Clarkson House and Water Street Landing.

Six-time Grammy Award nominee Mark Murphy is the marquee performer Saturday night. He will perform at 8 p.m. on the main stage.

On Sunday, “Jazz on the River” kicks off at the Barton. The hotel will present a brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with Saxman Slim. At 2 p.m., The Chu Nero Trio will perform at The Brickyard, while the Band of the U.S. Air Force Reserve will perform at the Lewiston Landing Park on Water Street.

At 4 p.m. in the park, The Carl Filbert Band will stage a tribute to the Rat Pack, sponsored by The Silo.

The Jazz Festival concludes with a 5 p.m. concert by Soul Committee at Water Street Landing.

In total, more than 140 musicians will present 35 free performances in the Village of Lewiston – which is music to Mies’ ears.

“We are expecting 30,000 guests over the next weekend,” she said. “We are really excited about this year’s event and believe that we have a winning formula for a premiere WNY festival. The music is hot and our restaurants will be sizzling.”

Other activities slated for Jazz Festival weekend include a South Fifth and Center streets jewelry show Friday, from 5 to 10 p.m., and from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday; a classic car show from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday along Center Street; jazz-themed food specials at local restaurants all weekend, and a jazz shop inside Stuart Sports at 486 Center St.

Lewiston Mayor Richard Soluri, chairman of the Jazz Festival board, said the lineup of music and activities would be, “an end of summer favorite for both residents and visitors from Western New York, Southern Ontario and other regions.”

For a complete list of Jazz Festival performers and times, visit www.lewistonjazz.com.

Detours during Jazz Festival

Fifth Street, between Plain and Ridge streets, will be closed from 9 a.m. Friday, Aug. 22, until 1 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 24.

Center Street, between Fourth and Seventh streets, will be closed Friday, Aug. 22, at 11 a.m. All cars must be removed from Center Street by that time.

The road will re-open at 1 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 24.

There will be traffic detours throughout the Village of Lewiston, as well as alternate routes to the waterfront.