What's happening for 2012
The 2012 Jazz Festival is set for Thursday August 16 to Sunday August 19
This year, we have interest from two new venues, Eddie's Roadhouse on Main St and The Iron
Forge Inn, just up the mountain on Iron Forge Road. We're hearing interest in Monroe, Chester
and other parts of the greater Hudson Valley.
Individual venues will be selecting jazz artists, with guidance, as needed from the festival.
While the idea of simultaneous shows has been raised, the festival wants each venue to have a
successful stand alone show so they can maximize the potential audience draw.
In the past two seasons, this format, though not exact, worked very well. Having local
businesses that support live music enjoy a successful night is in the best interest of community
and the spirit of celebrating local talent.
The festival is intent on bringing a “name” artist to the event for purposes of raising our press
profile and attracting tourism to this yearly happening.
This year weʼre considering expanding to Greenwood Lake, Sugarloaf and Chester. The festival
planners hope to include an outdoor performance and a theatre concert. These were two
environments that would broaden the appeal.
In addition, we're reviewing an educational component. A “jazz camp”, or work shop teaching
program coupled with a “student performance”. Local music educators have brought this idea
forward and we're very excited about that potential.
The success of the festival will have a positive impact on the community by heightening
awareness to this great American musical art form and celebrating Warwickʼs diverse and
beautiful environment as an attractive destination in NY State.
The goal is to fill the local B&Bʼs, have visitors stroll our town and make use of the many
restaurants, shops and art galleries.
In addition to being voted the number one music event in the Times Herald Record readerʼs poll,
for 2010 & 2011, the Warwick Valley Jazz Festival was awarded a grant from Arts in Orange for
the 2010 & 2011 seasons, Orange County Tourism for the first and recognized by The Orange
County Arts Council, for “Best New Arts Organization”.
The jazz festival is conceived and produced by local jazz musician Steve Rubin in cooperation with participating venues, sponsors and the supporting public.
Warwick and the surrounding areas is home to many jazz musicians including, but not limited to; , Jeff Ciampa, Joe Vincent Tranchina, Bob Rosen, Richard Kimball, Dave Smith, Mike Jackson, The New York Swing Exchange, Jon Werking, Dave Edwards, Andy Ezrin, John Arbo, Chris Persad, David Crone, Frank Vignola, Todd Williams, Dave Smith, Gabriele Tranchina, Rick Savage and James Emery.
The Music in the Courtyard Series supported and sponsored by the Railroad Ave. merchants led by George Laurence of The Eclectic Eye has been featuring jazz for 8 years. They were among the first to hire and support local musicians. The tradition has been to open the festival on Railroad Ave, as they co-sponsor the first night.
The Village of Warwick concert series presented by the Village of Warwick presents music and will feature jazz performance.
The Dautaj Restaurant on Oakland Ave presents jazz regularly. Ray Townley on their behalf has helped shape interest in jazz, presenting weekly quality shows. Ray has supported the local jazz community , hiring the neighborhood talent as well as reaching out for new artists. The Dautaj continues to be a strong supporting venue for jazz in the Hudson Valley.
Coquito, has featured top artists such as Dave Valentin , Arturo O'Farrill, Marcus Gillmore, Todd Williams, Jeff Ciampa, Mark Egan , The Skye Jazz Trio, Ed Littman, Dave Mullen, Rick Savage with Eliot Zigmund, amongst others.. Coquito features jazz, salsa, dancing and special events. Last year Coquito presented Arturo O'Farrill . For 2011 to honor the memory of Ray Barretto, owners Brandy (Annette) Barretto and Bill Leech presented "The Ray Barretto Legacy Band".
Vision Community Church is a dynamic sponsor and supporter of the jazz festival. Don Heatley has been a great community supporter.
Paul Siegal and Bozarts, have been instrumental in their promotional contribution to the event. Paul continues to shape this site and he and wife Ruth, who run Bozarts here in Warwick are part of a growing connective arts community. Paul is the designer of the jazz festival logo and Bozarts hosts and designed this site.
Warwick Valley Living owner George Nitti is an ongoing source of support and promotion for the jazz and the music community. The jazz festival greatly appreciates his personal and professional interest in jazz.
Warwick Grove has become a new performance venue. Warwick Grove is a great setting with an ideal music concert space. performance space.
Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or by phone: 917. 903.4380
*The Warwick Valley Jazz Festival is an owned and registered name.
Opening Night Railroad Ave. 2010
