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Over the next few weeks and months the entire 2013 lineup will be announced officially. You can always visit our 2013 lineup for the latest updates.

As of Febuary 22nd, here are the artists that have been confirmed:

Saturday – June 29th

• Ben Williams & Sound Effect, on the Gazebo stage
• Gregory Porter, Grammy nominated vocalist
• Rudresh Mahanthappa, saxophonist/composer
• Carmen Souza, a female singer of Cape Verdean ancestry
• Gilad Hekselman, young Israeli guitarist on the Gazebo stage

Sunday – June 30th

• Chris Bergson, modern blues master
• Donny McCaslin, tenor saxophonist

Rudresh Mahanthappa should be a treat:

The first performer has been announced for the 2013 festival! Carmen Souza will perform on Saturday June 29th.

Festival favorite Dave Brubeck passed away December 5th, in Norwalk Connecticut, one day before his 92nd birthday. Dave performed at the Saratoga Jazz Fest 13 times, most recently in 2009.

From the long obituary for Mr. Brubeck published by The New York Times:

Mr. Brubeck once explained succinctly what jazz meant to him. “One of the reasons I believe in jazz,” he said, “is that the oneness of man can come through the rhythm of your heart. It’s the same anyplace in the world, that heartbeat. It’s the first thing you hear when you’re born — or before you’re born — and it’s the last thing you hear.”

The 2012 Festival wrapped up moments ago. I hope you all had as much fun this weekend as I did!

You can vote for your favorite performer in the following poll.

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Festival Producer Danny Melnick will participate in a live chat at noon on Friday June 15th! Danny will be joined by Jordy Freed, longtime jazz PR pro and festival consultant. The chat will be hosted by The Saratogian, local newspaper of Saratoga Springs (the festival’s host city).

For details, or to sign up for an email reminder for the chat, visit The Saratogian – LIVE CHAT: Get the inside scoop on this year’s Freihofer’s Jazz Fest at SPAC with two jazz experts.

SPAC is collecting videos from fans about why they love the Saratoga Jazz Festival. Go to the link below and tell them why you love the Jazz Fest, a favorite memory, how long you’ve been going to the festival, who you are looking forward to and why, anything! They are creating the ultimate video mash-up that we will play on the new video screens at the festival this year.

For more information go to:

http://www.spac.org/jazzfest/videopage.php

Online ticket sales to the general public will begin on Monday, March 12 at 10 a.m. at spac.org.

Ticket prices are:

                              Adult           Child under 12
                              -----------     --------------
    Saturday Amphiteatre      $65 – $80*      $40 – $65*
    Saturday Lawn             $55             Free
    Sunday Ampitheatre        $50 – $70*      $35 – $55*
    Sunday Lawn               $55             Free
    Two-Day Pass Ampitheatre  $95 – $140*     $65 – $110* (expired 5/1/2012)
    Two-Day Pass Lawn         $90             Free (expired 5/1/2012)

    * Price varies with seating section

If you are a SPAC member you don’t have to wait until Monday; you can buy your tickets now!

Unfortunately for Jazz Festival fans, Sarah Morrow got a really nice offer to perform at a private event in Ohio hosted by Whoopi Goldberg and can’t make the festival.

As always, you check our 2012 Lineup Page to see all of the artists confirmed so far.

Trombone Shorty is performing at the Festival on Sunday. This weekend he is in New York City, and today he’s playing at the Giant’s game! This could be a great chance to check out a festival performer in advance.

Trombone Shorty will be performing the National Anthem and at half-time of the New York Giants’ NFC Wild Card Playoff Game vs. the Atlanta Falcons on January 8, 2012 at 1:00 PM ET. The Anthem and the game will be broadcast live nationally on the Fox network. Half-time will feature the full band of Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue.

– The Official Announcement on Trombone Shorty’s Website