• the new Charles R. Wood "Jazz Discovery" Stage, photo credit: Explore Saratoga.
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the new Charles R. Wood "Jazz Discovery" Stage, photo credit: Explore Saratoga.
the new Charles R. Wood "Jazz Discovery" Stage, photo credit: Explore Saratoga.
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Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013? less
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, ... more
Photo: Michael Huber
Image 3 of 63
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013? less
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, ... more
Photo: Michael Huber
Image 4 of 63
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013? less
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, ... more
Photo: Michael Huber
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Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013? less
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, ... more
Photo: Michael Huber
Image 7 of 63
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013? less
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, ... more
Photo: Michael Huber
Image 8 of 63
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013? less
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, ... more
Photo: Michael Huber
Image 9 of 63
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013? less
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, ... more
Photo: Michael Huber
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Chris Bergson, playing his blues on a Gibson ES-335 with his band in the Gazebo at SPAC during the second day of the 35th annual Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013.
Chris Bergson, playing his blues on a Gibson ES-335 with his band in the Gazebo at SPAC during the second day of the 35th annual Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013.
Photo: Michael Huber
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Chris Bergson, playing his blues on a Gibson ES-335 with his band in the Gazebo at SPAC during the second day of the 35th annual Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013.
Chris Bergson, playing his blues on a Gibson ES-335 with his band in the Gazebo at SPAC during the second day of the 35th annual Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013.
Photo: Michael Huber
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Buddy Guy, 76 years old and still wailing the blues, walks into the crowd during his show-closing set on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013.
Buddy Guy, 76 years old and still wailing the blues, walks into the crowd during his show-closing set on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013.
Photo: Michael Huber
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Buddy Guy, 76 years old and still wailing the blues, walks into the crowd during his show-closing set  on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013.

Buddy Guy, 76 years old and still wailing the blues, walks into the crowd during his show-closing set  on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013.

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Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013? less
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, ... more
Photo: Michael Huber
Image 17 of 63
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013? less
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, ... more
Photo: Michael Huber
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Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013? less
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, ... more
Photo: Michael Huber
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Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013? less
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, ... more
Photo: Michael Huber
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Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013? less
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, ... more
Photo: Michael Huber
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Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013? less
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, ... more
Photo: Michael Huber
Image 23 of 63
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013? less
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, ... more
Photo: Michael Huber
Image 24 of 63
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013? less
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, ... more
Photo: Michael Huber
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Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013? less
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, ... more
Photo: Michael Huber
Image 27 of 63
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013? less
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, ... more
Photo: Michael Huber
Image 28 of 63
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013? less
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, ... more
Photo: Michael Huber
Image 29 of 63
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013? less
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, ... more
Photo: Michael Huber
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Image 31 of 63
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013? less
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, ... more
Photo: Michael Huber
Image 32 of 63
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013? less
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, ... more
Photo: Michael Huber
Image 33 of 63
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013? less
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, ... more
Photo: Michael Huber
Image 34 of 63
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013? less
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, ... more
Photo: Michael Huber
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Image 36 of 63
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013? less
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, ... more
Photo: Michael Huber
Image 37 of 63
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013? less
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, ... more
Photo: Michael Huber
Image 38 of 63
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013? less
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, ... more
Photo: Michael Huber
Image 39 of 63
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013? less
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, ... more
Photo: Michael Huber
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Image 41 of 63
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013? less
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, ... more
Photo: Michael Huber
Image 42 of 63
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013? less
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, ... more
Photo: Michael Huber
Image 43 of 63
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013? less
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, ... more
Photo: Michael Huber
Image 44 of 63
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013? less
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, ... more
Photo: Michael Huber
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Image 46 of 63
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013? less
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, ... more
Photo: Michael Huber
Image 47 of 63
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013? less
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, ... more
Photo: Michael Huber
Image 48 of 63
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013? less
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, ... more
Photo: Michael Huber
Image 49 of 63
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013? less
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, ... more
Photo: Michael Huber
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Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013? less
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, ... more
Photo: Michael Huber
Image 52 of 63
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013? less
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, ... more
Photo: Michael Huber
Image 53 of 63
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013? less
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, ... more
Photo: Michael Huber
Image 54 of 63
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013? less
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, ... more
Photo: Michael Huber
Image 55 of 63
Image 56 of 63
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013? less
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, ... more
Photo: Michael Huber
Image 57 of 63
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013? less
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, ... more
Photo: Michael Huber
Image 58 of 63
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013? less
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, ... more
Photo: Michael Huber
Image 59 of 63
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013? less
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, ... more
Photo: Michael Huber
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Image 61 of 63
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013? less
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, ... more
Photo: Michael Huber
Image 62 of 63
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, 2013? less
Were you Seen listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band,Tony Bennett, Buddy Guy and others on the final day of the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival at SPAC on Sunday, June 30, ... more
Photo: Michael Huber
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Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival weekend will see some major changes this year.

The refashioning is taking place in two ways. One is what will transpire on the grounds of Saratoga Performing Arts Center during the festival itself, the new vision of Danny Melnick, president of Absolutely Live Entertainment and the festival's producer since 2009. The other is the addition of Freihofer's Jazz Fest Friday, a series of events that are related to the annual event, the fifth-longest consecutive-running jazz festival in North America. The Friday events spring from SPAC CEO Elizabeth Sobol in collaboration with the local business community.

The routine has been for music to start on the festival's two stages around noon, with the second stage halting in the early evening and the amphitheater stage running to close. No more.

"I felt it was time to move things forward to accommodate the audience better and to allow for a better experience for the artists also," said Melnick.

Usually during the day, fans were at the second stage or picnicking on the SPAC lawn. The amphitheater seats would be largely unoccupied until the evening.

"The artists who were playing earlier in the amphitheater were not happy. They're excited to be on the festival," said Melnick, but it was disconcerting to see few in the seats. "I always felt it wasn't happening for the artist ... 800 to 1,000 people at 2 o'clock in the afternoon is no fun. The truth is that [fans] are simply not in the amphitheater all day and night."

A key to Melnick's revision was the new stage at the rear of the SPAC grounds that debuted last year. Before it was a small gazebo stage. Now it's a genuine second stage. It's dubbed the Charles R. Wood Jazz Discovery Stage (funds for it came from the Charles R. Wood Foundation in Glens Falls). It's much larger.

"I can book some good groups on this stage. I can book some different names. I can book, physically, some bigger groups. I want to be able to pump it up and do more," he said.

Performances at that stage will start at 11 a.m. The amphitheater will start at 3 p.m. There will be some overlapping of the stages, but the competition will be reduced. Artists will garner more individual attention. The arts and crafts tent in the rear will be moved to accommodate a larger audience at the second stage.

"I'm hoping people will respond to it," said Melnick. "I feel like, as the producer of a festival, you have to keep looking at the event and keeping trying to enhance it. You can't let it sit. You have to try to move the festival and make adjustments that will be better for the audience and the artists. Ultimately, those things benefit the event itself."

In another major twist, people who want to camp out early on the main lawn, or sit in an amphitheater seat, will be entertained. Melnick is bringing in Todd Barkan, a renowned jazz producer and NEA Jazz Master, who will be on the mainstage acting as a DJ, spinning classic jazz albums by greats who appeared during the festival's early years and sharing anecdotes. That will start as people are filing in at 10 a.m. and run until about 1:30 p.m.

"I think it's going to be very exciting for the fans. If you been coming to the festival for 30, 35 even 40 years, and you remember that music, you can have your place on the lawn or in the amphitheater ... Dizzy, Miles, Ella ... You're going to hear that music, plus you're going to hear stories," said Melnick.

"I'm trying to enhance the festival for everyone," he said. "You need to find a way to make the festival more relevant and more vibrant for everybody."

As for Friday, the main event will be at the Canfield Casino in Congress Park, in partnership with the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. "A Night on Bourbon Street" kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Friday with food and Crescent City-themed activities highlighted by a band led by trumpeter/vocalist Bria Skonberg.

Sobol said half of those who attend the festival come from outside the area and "we weren't giving them anything to do" prior to the fest.

Friday will also have other live jazz events, themed dining at various restaurants and social dance options that will serve as the kickoff to the weekend and help build the buzz, said Sobol.

"The cultural tourist spends 60 percent more than the average leisure tourist. Therefore, adding an evening of programming to showcase Saratoga's vibrant downtown and our incredibly talented local jazz musicians is a win for our community and an added value for out-of-town guests," she said.

Among the live events will be the Chuck Lamb [Brubeck Brothers] trio at Caffe Lena at 7 p.m., with guest artist Grammy-nominated pianist Jorge Gomez.