The 22nd annual Albany Riverfront Jazz Festival has announced its artist lineup for 2024. The all-day free concert will feature five live acts on September 14.
Since its start in 2002, the Riverfront Jazz Festival has been a staple of Albany’s live music scene. Each year, the festival has featured legends of jazz music and highlighted local up-and-comers, providing a vast array of sounds for audiences. The 2024 event will likewise feature jazz artists from across the country, each sharing their unique take on the genre.
The first artist to perform is Bright Dog Red at 12:30pm. The Albany-based jazz rap octet has made waves for their unique genre blending. Their sound mixes improvisational jazz in the vein of Ornette Coleman and Mahavishnu Orchestra with 90s hip-hop. The group’s socio-politically charged lyricism has drawn comparisons with legendary acts like A Tribe Called Quest and Digable Planets. Glide Magazine describes the group as “Genre-agnostic, uncategorizable, and intensely thrilling.”
Following up the first performance is a set by Melanie Charles at 2:00pm. The Brooklyn-based musician has gained traction for her blending of jazz, R&B, and soul. Following a 2021 NPR Tiny Desk Concert, Charles was propelled further into the mainstream. In the past years, she has collaborated with everyone from Gorillaz to Mach Hommy. Her music, while heavily indebted to jazz, looks to the future of the genre. She said “I love jazz, I really fell in love with it deeply. But I was interested in young people interacting with it.”
Third-up is the Philadelphia-based septet Snacktime. The group first made a name for themselves playing free shows in Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Square, with their shows soon growing to sold-out concerts across the country. Their sound combines jazz, funk, punk, and more, creating songs that sound like no one else. Since their start, they have gained endorsements from Portugal. The Man and celebrities like Eric Andre and the Impractical Jokers. This performance comes in the leadup to their studio debut recorded by GRAMMY-nominated producer Will Yip. Snacktime’s set will begin at 3:30pm.
Following these performances is a presentation of the 8th annual Henry Johnson Award for Community Service. The ceremony is set for 4:30 pm with performances resuming at 5:00pm. At this point, Roosevelt Collier will perform a set, exhibiting his pedal steel guitar prowess. Since his start, Collier has performed alongside legends like the Allman Brothers Band and Los Lobos. In 2017, Collier launched his all-star band the “get-downs,” combining gospel, funk, rock, and more.
The final performance of the night comes from Nate Smith at 6:30pm. Hailing from Chesapeake, Virginia, Smith is a composer, drummer, and producer all in one. His emotional and raw style of drumming has brought collaborations with countless artists. Everyone from Norah Jones to Pat Metheny has sought out Smith for his percussion chops. Across his studio albums and collaborations, Smith has received three Grammy nominations. In recent years, his viral videos have introduced millions to Smith’s drumming, making him one of the most influential of this generation.
The Riverfront Jazz Festival is scheduled for Saturday, September 14th at Jenning’s Landing in Albany. The all-day free festival is an all-ages event, featuring music, food, beverages, and local vendors. For more information, visit the Albany Office of Cultural Affairs website here.
Riverfront Jazz Festival Schedule
12:30pm – Bright Dog Red
2:00pm – Melanie Charles
3:30pm – Snacktime
4:30pm – Henry Johnson Award Presentation
5:00pm – Roosevelt Collier
6:30pm – Nate Smith
8:00pm – Fireworks Show
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