Zappa & Hampton Tributes Open Jazz Series

Opening weekend of the Catskill Mountain Jazz Series at the Belleaye Music Festival features two diverse tribute shows by some of the top names in the genre. New York City's Hottest Tribute Jazz Band  Ed Palermo’s Frank Zappa Little Big Band gets the series off to a rousing start, blending jazz and rock, on Friday, Aug. 3 at 8 p.m. This show will be held in the Belleayre Jazz Club in the Overlook Lodge.

On Saturday, Aug. 4 at 8 p.m., the series veers in another direction with M.F. Production's Celebration of Lionel Hampton featuring vocalist Dianne Schuur and multi-instrumentalist extraordinaire Warren Wolf. Acclaimed Saxophonist Ed Palermo’s interpretation of the music of iconoclastic composer Frank Zappa has brought him wide recognition. His first CD of this material, “The Ed Palermo Big Band Plays the Music of Frank Zappa.” garnered rave reviews. Downbeat magazine gave the CD a four-star review. Ed’s second CD of Zappa material, entitled “Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance,” has been received with equal enthusiasm from publications all over the world. Whether at BB Kings, Iridium or at other jazz clubs throughout NYC, this Zappa Tribute band is a hot ticket. Ed Palermo is not a “business as usual” musician. At a show with Ed’s Big Band and you might hear Zappa, Hendrix, the blues of Paul Butterfield and Mike Bloomfield or one of Ed’s own compositions, loaded with lush turns and unexpected twists. Before forming his own band, Ed toured and recorded with many artists including Aretha Franklin, Tito Puente, Lena Horne, Tony Bennett, Mel Torme, Lou Rawls, Melba Moore, The Spinners and countless others.  General Admission tickets to the Zappa tribute are $26.

A Schurr thing - Two-time Grammy winner, jazz singer Diane Schuur and percussionist Warren Wolf lead an all-star 12-piece jazz ensemble in a memorable tribute to Lionel Hampton who played the Belleayre Music Festival with his big band 17 years ago. Vocalist/pianist Diane Schuur is as eclectic as she is brilliant. A longtime disciple of Dinah Washington and other legendary jazz singers of the ‘40s and ‘50s, Schuur has built a stellar career by embracing not only the jazz of her parents’ generation, but also the pop music of her own youth during the late 1950s and ‘60s. Her music has explored nearly every corner of the 20th century American musical landscape.

Warren Wolf has studied artist and composers from Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Wynton Marsalis and many others. He performs in the Rachael Price Group. Recording and touring with Rachael, Warren has had the opportunity to tour throughout the entire Unites States of America. He is also currently the drummer of choice for alto saxophonist Tia Fuller, who tours with internationally renowned pop star Beyonce Knowles. Warren is also a member of the Donal Fox Group. Warren also performs with Bobby Watson’s “Live and Learn” Sextet, Karriem Riggins’ “Virtuoso Experience” and Christian McBride & “Inside Straight.” He has performed throughout the world with these groups.

This show may be moved to the Belleayre Jazz Club and seating will be in accordance with level of ticket purchase. Tickets are
$56/$46/$36/$26.

The Catskill Mountain Jazz Series is sponsored by the A. Lindsay & Olive B. O’Connor Foundation.

The final weekend of the jazz series starts on Friday, August 10, with Jazz for the “Here & Now” Stefon Harris & Blackout; the series wrapsup in outstanding style on August 11 with the Pat Metheny Unity Band with Chris Potter, Antonio Sanchez & Ben Williams.

Up next on August 18, from noon-6 p.m. is the Belleayre Car Show
(free admission to car show). This event precedes a concert by The Texas Tenors. August 18, “America’s Got Talent” Sensations The Texas Tenors.

August 25, Carolines Presents Comedy in the Catskills starring “Curb Your Enthusiasm’s” Susie Essman.

September 1, “America’s No. 1 Tribute Show” The Music of Led Zeppelin - A Rock Symphony.

All shows begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are on sale via Ticketmaster. For additional information, please call 800 942-6904, ext. 1344, visit:
belleayremusic.org or e-mail: belleayremusicfestival@gmail.com
 For information on where to stay, dine, shop or to simply enjoy the great outdoors when you¹re in town for the Belleayre Music Festival, please visit: www.catskillhighpeaks.com, www.ulstertourism.info or www.greatwesterncatskills.com.
Belleayre Music Festival concerts are held on the grounds of Belleayre Mountain in Highmount.

Belleayre Mountain is located in the heart of New York's Catskill Mountain region. The area is located just off Route 28 and is 37 miles
west of Thruway Exit 19 at Kingston; 55 miles southeast of Oneonta on Route 28; 40 miles from the Route 17 exit at Roscoe; and 95 miles southwest of Albany and just two hours north of NYC.

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