Syracuse Jazz Fest to Feature Performances from University Student, Faculty Groups

Syracuse University is participating in and sponsoring the City of Syracuse’s 37th annual Jazz Fest, held June 22-25 at various locations around the city.

New this year, the festival has expanded to four days, with the University hosting a Sunday Gospel Jazz service inside Hendricks Chapel to close out Jazz Fest on Sunday, June 25. Members of the Syracuse community are invited to campus to hear performances from the Black Celestial Choral Ensemble out of Hendricks Chapel, along with a community choir and other nationally renowned gospel choirs and jazz groups.

Earlier in the week, the Orange Juice advanced jazz combo, made up of students in the Setnor School of Music, will perform from 4-5 p.m. on Thursday, June 22, at the Visit Syracuse Stage in Hanover Square.

The Syracuse University Jazz & Commercial Music Faculty Ensemble will play on the Amazon Stage in Clinton Square from 4-5 p.m. on Saturday, June 24. Both groups are housed in the Setnor School of Music in the College of Visual and Performing Arts.

“Syracuse University wants to ensure Jazz Fest will be a big success for our community. This is a great opportunity to support the local community and to open up our campus for a great closing event on Sunday showcasing our wonderful and talented students and faculty,” says Cydney Johnson, vice president of community engagement and government relations.

The headlining Jazz Fest performers are iconic jazz artists Herbie Hancock, a 14-time Grammy Award-winning keyboardist, and Gladys Knight, a seven-time Grammy Award-winning singer also known as the “Empress of Soul.” They will perform in Clinton Square on June 23 and 24, respectively.

Six other national and international artists and a collection of local acts will also play as part of the free five-day festival.