Taking place during the stunning autumn season throughout the bucolic town of Hudson in Upstate New York, this year’s Festival celebrates several firsts: a free outdoor block party launching the start of the Festival; a city-wide expansion to several different venues; and a shift from Winter to Fall to take advantage of the region’s famous leaf-peeping season.
Having grown in both size and reputation since it first began in 2018, this seventh annual Hudson Jazz Festival presents world class headliners with wide-ranging musical influences and styles in a celebration of music, art, and community.
2024 Hudson Jazz Festival Main Stage lineup
Cameroonian-American vocalist and two-time Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition finalist Ekep Nkwelle kicks off the festival with an evening dedicated to the indomitable spirit of Ella Fitzgerald
Downbeat magazine’
Ethan Iverson closes out the mainstage on Sunday afternoon with his “truly remarkable” trio (Jazzwise). Media personality and host of the popular jazz podcast Artimacy, Keanna Faircloth, joins the festival as host.
Opening night party at Return Brewing
A late night set by Jesse Fischer at The Half Moon, Wayne Tucker and the Bad Mothas at Kitty’s Garden, and pop-up performances around town by Bard College Jazz musicians
Free Community Day
When: Saturday, September 28, 2024 from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Where: Hudson Hall & Outdoors at City Hall Place
Tickets: Free; reservations recommended. To reserve your spot or for more information, visit HudsonHall.org or by phone at (518) 822-1438.
Kickstart the Festival with a Hudson Hall Community Day! Bring your friends, neighbors, kids, and lovers and kick back at a block party on City Hall Place with BBQ by Chef Cleveland Samuels and music by Kuumba Dance & Drum, wander through the opening of a new exhibition in Hudson Hall’s first floor galleries, and join a free, all-ages jam session with the Make Jazz Trill Again (MJTA): Trill Mega Jam.
2:00pm (City Hall Place – next to Hudson Hall):
Community Drum Circle with Kuumba Dance & Drum
BBQ by Chef Cleveland Samuels to support the AME Zion Church
3:00pm (Hudson Hall Performance Hall):
Make Jazz Trill Again: Trill Mega Jam
Grab your instruments and join the the Make Jazz Trill Again (MJTA): Trill Mega Jam – a high-energy, improvisation-centered jam session with an all-star house band led by Melanie Charles on vocals and flute, with Yunie Mojica on vocals and sax, Zacchae’us Paul on keys and key bass, Jerome Jennings on drums, Malik Kiyoshi McLaurine on upright, and E Bass and DJ OOOChild on the turntables.
MJTA is a movement for the people, by the people. Musicians and music lovers of all backgrounds and skill levels are welcome!
4:30pm (Hudson Hall First Floor Galleries):
Between the Cracks: Exhibition Opening Reception with the Artists, music by DJ Fulathela
Curated by Reginald Madison; featuring Nchota Badila, Lyle Ashton Harris, Francine Hunter McGivern, Shanekia McIntosh, Sedat Pakay (1945-2016), Rando, Kian
New for 2024
The Hudson Jazz Festival expands city-wide with the addition of three new festival venues. Hudson brewery and taphouse Return Brewing hosts the Hudson Jazz Festival Opening Night Party with live music by Phat, Incorporated (Oct 4), jazz pianist Jesse Fischer at the The Half Moon (Oct 5), while Wayne Tucker and the Bad Mothas offers festival goers a chance to wind down their weekend in style at Kitty’s Backyard (Oct 6). The festival vibe permeates throughout town all weekend thanks to popup performances by Bard College Jazz musicians and local jazz artists.
