Benny Benack III, SOMETHING ELSE! to shine on main stage at 2023 Northwest Jazz Festival

Submitted by the Upward Niagara Chamber of Commerce

An exceptional level of talent featuring jazz all-stars and rising stars will grace the stage on Friday, Aug. 25, and Saturday, Aug. 26, at the 2023 Northwest Jazz Festival. Headlining performances include the United States Air Force Rhythm in Blue Band, the Benny Benack III Quartet, and, on Saturday, experience the highly anticipated festival appearance of the supergroup SOMETHING ELSE! 

The two-day festival runs from 5-10:30 p.m. Friday, and again from noon to 10:30 p.m. Saturday. Center Street in historic Lewiston will come alive with live music and food/beverage vendors with five stages throughout the festival grounds.

The festival is free to attend (no coolers or carry-ins), with a limited number of tickets available for preferred seating at the main stage. Tickets are $25 each and available online at www.LewistonJazz.com. A limited number of tickets will be available at the festival.

Performances begin with The United States Air Force Heritage of America Band presenting Rhythm in Blue, the unit’s dynamic jazz ensemble, at 6 p.m. Friday. This stellar group presents exciting and uplifting music to inspire.

Friday evening showcases rising star jazz trumpeter and vocalist Benny Benack III, along with the talented pianist Emmet Cohen, who headlined the 2022 festival.

On Saturday, SOMETHING ELSE!, an elite gathering of award-winning jazz stars led by saxophonist Vincent Herring, headlines the main stage shows. These world-class musicians are going to captivate you with their unique tribute to the spirit of soul, jazz, and the 1958 Cannonball Adderley classic album of the same name.

The Northwest Jazz Festival has also partnered with Artpark & Company for special performances on Saturday at the Center Street stage, featuring entertainment between performances.

Local food and beverage vendors will line Center Street, with local favorites including Casa Antica, Brickyard Brewing Company and Viola’s Submarines.

The festival is free to attend, made possible by the support of sponsors. The presenting sponsor is Northwest Bank, with Modern Disposal Services, Sevenson Environment and the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission as stage sponsors. A full sponsor listing is available online.

For additional information, visit www.LewistonJazz.com.

Air Force Rhythm & Blue Jazz Ensemble (Photos courtesy of the Lewiston Jazz Festival Committee)

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JAZZ FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

•Friday, Aug. 25, 5-10:30 p.m.

√ Main Stage

6-7:30 p.m., Air Force Rhythm & Blue Jazz Ensemble

8:45-10:15 p.m., Benny Benack III Quartet

√ Center Street Stage

6-7:30 p.m., MMVPT

8:15-9:45 p.m., Encyclopedia of Soul

√ Frontier House

5:30-7 p.m., The Quentet

7:45-9:15 p.m., The Cousins Trio

√ Peace Garden

5:30-5:45 p.m., poet Robert M. Giannetti

7-8 p.m., Lindsey Holland Duo

√ DiCamillo Courtyard

7:30-8:30 p.m., Bob White

SOMETHING ELSE! (Photos courtesy of the Lewiston Jazz Festival Committee)

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•Saturday, Aug. 26, noon to 10:30 p.m.

√ Main Stage

1-1:45 p.m., UB Zodiaque Dance Co

2:15-3 p.m., Vibrant Strings

3:45-5:15 p.m., Janet Evra & Randy Brecker

6-7:30 p.m., Greg Abate Quartet

8:45-10:15 p.m., SOMETHING ELSE!

√ Center Street Stage

1:30-3 p.m., My Cousin Toné

3 p.m., special entertainment by Jonas Woolverton, presented by Artpark

3:45-5:15 p.m., Banjo Juice Band

5:15 p.m., special entertainment by Ryan Shinji, presented by Artpark

6-7:30 p.m., Joey Gonzalez Collective

7:30 p.m., special entertainment by Amy G, presented by Artpark

8:15-9:45 p.m., John Troy/Alex McArthur Quartet

√ Frontier House

1-2:30 p.m., Adam Bronstein Quartet

3:15-4:45 p.m., Kevin Hall Band

5:30-7 p.m., Dave Hill Group

7:45-9:15 p.m., Trigger and the Sermon

√ Peace Garden

1 p.m., Fanzini Productions, presented by Artpark

2:30-3:30 p.m., Griff Kaz and Bob Sneider

4:45-5:45 p.m., Cheryl Ferris & Lisa Hasselback Duo

7:15-8:15 p.m., Machine Dream Duo

√ DiCamillo Courtyard

3-4 p.m., John Snell

5:15-6:15 p.m., Ian Liedke

7:30-8:30 p.m., Katie Ann Grossi

(Photos courtesy of the Lewiston Jazz Festival Committee)

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The Northwest Jazz Festival, Lewiston, NY is a 501(c)(3) organization under the name of Lewiston Jazz Festival Inc. The Village of Lewiston is host to the region’s most-popular, two-day free music jazz festival featuring nonstop performances on five stages and an abundance of culinary delights with Niagara Region wineries.