LAKE GEORGE Celebrating 24 years, the Lake George Jazz Festival is this weekend, Sept. 15 and 16 in Shepard Park.
The festival runs from 1 to 6 p.m. each day with free admission and is presented by the Lake George Arts Project.
Because of possible traffic concerns, use Northway Exit 22 to enter the village.Rainsite is the Lake George High School Auditorium on Canada Street.
Saturday, Sept, 15:
Adela Dalto, composer and vocalist in the tradition of great Latina divas Graciela and Cecilia Cruz, has performed with such legendary artists as Mario Bauza, Hilton Ruiz, Chuchu Valdes, Ray Vega, Mauricio Smith and Jerry Gonzalez. Her command of vocal idioms that cross boundaries, coupled with the depth of feeling, the corazon she brings to her lyrics, gives her a range that is unique in Latin Jazz.
Drummer/percussionist Rashied Ali has been exploring the outer limits of rhythm and harmony since he first played with Elvin Jones in John Coletranes late ensemble. He went on to become a key figure in the free jazz movement of the 60s, and since that time has performed with Don Cherry, Archie Shepp, Gary Bartz and numerous others.
Dave Samuels, driving force of The Caribbean Jazz Project, is thought by many to be among the most accomplished mallet players alive today. His commanding vibes and marimba have been heard accompanying Stan Getz, Oscar Peterson, Gerry Mulligan and with the five time Grammy Award nominated group Spyro Gyra.
Sunday, Sept. 16:
Guitarist/composer Bob Devos has been hailed as the thinking mans guitar hero with roots in blues and bebop. Though comparisons to Wes Montgomery and Pat Martino have been drawn, what makes Bob a thinking mans player is the clarity of his playing which is both smart and emotional. His own Hammond B-3 trio will feature master saxophonist Eric Alexander.
Ben Ratliff in the New York Times wrote that drummer/composer Dafnis Prieto hit New York like an asteroid when he arrived here from Cuba in 1999. He has performed with artists as diverse as Dave Samuels, Henry Threadgill and Eddie Palmieri.
Oliver Lakes biography reads like a description of the avant-garde that evolved from the free jazz movement rooted in Coletrane to the loft jazz scene in NYC during the 70s. Starting in St. Louis, Lake moved from Paris back to NYC with many of his colleagues like Julius Hemphill and Rashied Ali. This impulse culminated in the eyes of many when Lake, Hemphill, Hamiett Bluett and David Murray formed The World Saxophone Quartet in 1977. This group changed the way audiences heard jazz from the seats of Carnegie Hall to the smoky rooms of jazz clubs all over the world.
