On the weekend of Oct. 4-6, Hudson Hall at the Hudson Opera House will hold the 2024 Hudson Jazz Festival for fans of all ages. Ekep Nkwelle, Riley Mulherkar, and the Ethan Iverson Trio will each headline a night of the festival respectively. With the event being held in October for the first time, the festival will succeed a Community Day on Sept. 28.
Bottom (left to right): Riley Mulherkar, Melanie Charles
Hudson Jazz Lineup
A selection of renowned jazz musicians with diverse backgrounds will take the stage in the historic town of Hudson for crowds of jazz fans every night at 7 PM. Starting on Oct. 4, the first mainstage performance will be Ekep Nkwelle, with her renditions of Ella Fitzgerald tunes. The Cameroonian-American vocalist has significantly exhibited her talents at Julliard, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and Radio City Music Hall. Her performance at the Hudson Jazz Festival will be the perfect way to kick off the weekend of Jazz.
The next day, on Oct. 5, the Riley Mulherkar Quartet will headline the mainstage with a versatile performance. The set will feature Riley Mulherkar on trumpet and Chris Pattishall on piano, with bass and drums to be announced later. The quartet’s music presents classic jazz while bordering on more contemporary sounds. Especially with songs labeled “folk-like and composerly, lovely and intellectually rigorous” by NPR Music, the performance will definitely be a special one.
To close out the Hudson Jazz Festival on Sunday, Oct. 6 the Ethan Iverson Trio will undoubtedly close out the festival with an enamoring performance. Made up of Ethan Iverson on piano, Reuben Rogers on bass, and Gerald Cleaver on drums, the group will give a multi-faceted performance. With a dynamic layering of jazz and classical music, the trio’s performance will appeal to attendees regardless of taste.
We are thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase not just some of the most exciting jazz artists of today, but the unique beauty of our region during the spectacular fall season and the unique community that embraces it.
Tambra Dillon, Hudson Hall executive director
More From Hudson
For fans who want to experience more of what Hudson Hall has to offer, the Hudson Jazz Festival Community Day will take place ahead of the festival. On Saturday, Sept. 28 from 2-6 PM, jazz fans can experience different activities and musical performances. At 2 PM at City Hall Place, there will be a drum circle with Kuumba Dance & Drum as well as a Barbeque for attendees.
The main event will take place at 3 PM with the Make Jazz Trill Again Mega Jam. Additionally, the improvised jam will feature 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. This performance will exemplify the pride of jazz musicians and the love the artists and fans have for the genre. This particularly energetic show with talented musicians is an exciting treat ahead of the festival.
Melanie Charles is an artist that “takes us on a journey that embodies the soul of jazz” (NPR) and a central figure in a vibrant musical community made up of loving, talented, and innovative musicians, poets, DJs, and artists. The festival weekend that follows features three charismatic headliners with wide-ranging musical influences whose virtuosity has earned them acclaim from audiences across the globe.
Cat Henry, festival curator
The last event starts at 4:30 PM with an exhibition opening reception with the artist who is currently unannounced.
For tickets, reservation information, and upcoming announcements visit hudsonhall.org.
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