(845) 254-5600 ext. 1344
send email

Press Contact:

Brian Sweeney,
Locust Grove Enterprises
Phone: (845) 586-4655
Fax: (845) 586-4460
E-mail: locustgrove@catskill.net

Belleayre Music Festival
Highmount Road, Box 198
Highmount, NY 12441
(800) 942-6904
www.belleayremusic.org

July 6

Dwight Yoakam
Country Superstar

concert page: Dwight Yoakam
Country Superstar

artist website: www.dwightyoakam.com

Dwight yoakam Since exploding onto the scene with Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc., Dwight Yoakam has deftly blurred the line between country, rock, pop and soul, winning new fans with each critically-acclaimed release.

Well-known for his trademark pale cowboy hat with the brim pulled low, Dwight pens intricate, catchy melodies paired with poignant, brilliant lyrics that mesmerize with their indelible imprint.

Dwight has amassed 12 gold albums and nine plati- num or multi-platinum albums, including the triple- platinum This Time. Five of those albums have topped Billboard's Country Albums chart with another 14 landing in the Top 10. More than 30 singles have charted, with 22 going Top 20, including the incomparable hits "Honky Tonk Man," "Please, Please Baby," "Little Ways," "I Sang Dixie," "It Only Hurts When I Cry," "Fast as You" and "Thousand Miles from Nowhere." He's won two Grammys and earned a staggering 21 nominations.

His current release, 3 Pears, finds Dwight exploring new ground and adding another chapter to his illustrious catalog. His parallel career on the big screen has included lauded roles in Sling Blade and The Panic Room.

Dwight's live performances are transcendent, and a great way to celebrate July 4.

[top]

July 13

Manhattan Transfer

concert page: World's Greatest Vocal Group
Manhattan Transfer

artist website: www.manhattantransfer.net

The astonishing prowess of what most critics agree is "The World's Greatest Vocal Group," will be on dazzling display when the Manhattan Transfer takes the Belleayre stage.

The Manhattan Transfer have been pushing and redefining the boundaries of vocal music since the early 1970s. Along the way, the collective efforts of Tim Hauser, Janis Siegel, Alan Paul and Cheryl Bentyne (the current lineup) have earned them a healthy collection of Grammy Awards and a loyal fan base that spans the entire globe. Their hits bridge many musical styles and include such chart toppers as "Operator," "The Boy From New York City," and "Route 66".

The critical praise and commercial success of the group's first seven studio albums could hardly have prepared them for the monumental 12 Grammy nominations they received in 1985 for the album Vocalese. Those 12 nominations made Vocalese the single greatest Grammy nominated album in one year, and cemented the group's status as one of the most important and innovative vocal groups in the history of popular music. The ensemble was inducted into the Vocal Music Group Hall of Fame in 1998.

[top]

July 20

The Doobie Brothers

concert page: Classic Rock Icons
The Doobie Brothers

artist website: www.doobiebros.com

The Doobie Brothers are synonymous with the power pop of the 1970s and the band's classic hits are an integral element of the era's soundtrack.

Taking the radio waves by storm, the California band racked up a string of gold and platinum albums, along with hit singles like "Listen to the Music," "Black Water" "Jesus is Just Alright" and "China Grove."

Founding members guitarist/vocalist Tom Johnston and guitarist Patrick Simmons lead the band. The group began its illustrious musical journey in a country-rock band vein, making its first significant impact with its second record, Toulouse Street. Driven by the singles "Listen to the Music" and "Jesus Is Just Alright," the band was quickly vaulted into prominence.

The Captain and Me, released in1973, continued the momentum, producing Top Ten hits "Long Train Runnin'" and "China Grove."

The Doobies' appeal took another leap forward with the release of What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits, which launched their first number one single, "Black Water."

The addition of former Steely Dan affiliates Jeff "Skunk" Baxter and Michael McDonald took the band in a different direction.

The new sound was showcased on the platinum-selling Takin' It to the Streets in 1976.

Next came the band's most successful album, Minute by Minute, which spent five weeks at number one on the strength of the number one single "What a Fool Believes."

The Doobies are renowned for their rollicking live performances and this show promises an evening of high-powered classic hits.

[top]

July 27

George Bizet's Carmen

concert page: George Bizet's Carmen
Belleayre Festival Opera
Donald Westwood,
Artistic Director

artist website: www.donaldwestwood.com

Bizet's thrilling music drama of passion, betrayal and revenge comes to Belleayre in an all-new production by Donald Westwood, director of fourteen previous main-stage operas at the Festival.

Set in Spain in the 19th century, the production features a company of 50 performers and musicians, including soloists with national and international credits. Musical highlights include the worldfamous "Toreador Song" and Carmen's seductive "Habanera."

Productions by Donald Westwood have been called "exemplary" by The New York Times, "very special" by The New York Post and "a welcome addition to this city's music" by New York magazine. Opera News magazine has recognized Donald Westwood's productions as "a dynamic alternative to the giants at Lincoln Center."

Carmen will be performed in the original French with simultaneous translation via SuperTitles.

[top]

August 1

Sammy Figueroa and His Latin Jazz Explosion

concert page: Sammy Figueroa and His Latin Jazz Explosion
Latin Dance Party
Belleayre Jazz Club

artist website: www.sammyfigueroa.com

Sammy Figueroa and his Latin Jazz Explosion kick off this new mini Fest with a Latin Dance Party in the Belleayre Jazz Club so come prepared to listen and even dance when the rhythms move you. Sammy has long been regarded as one of the world's great percussionists, providing the rhythmical framework for hundreds of hits.

As one of New York's most sought after session players, Sammy has played on countless albums, jingles and film scores and appeared often with The David Letterman Band and the Saturday Night Live Band, and earned two Grammy nominations for his initial solo release. When Sammy plays percussion he tells a story, taking the listener on an unforgettable journey.

To help us launch the Hot Latin Nights series, your first Mojito is on us.

[top]

August 2

The Pedrito Martinez Group
featuring Ariacne Trujillo

concert page: The Pedrito Martinez Group
featuring Ariacne Trujillo

artist website: pedritomartinezmusic.com

Pedrito Martinez has been described as "a force of nature with hands of thunder and a voice like lightning." Since arriving in the United States at the end of the 1990s, the Cuban percussionist has been all over the place, putting Latin rhythms into the weave of all kinds of groups. But when his drums, singing and writing are the focus "he's an incomparable performer," wrote Ben Ratliff of The New York Times.

The band has built a fan base that includes Eric Clapton, Roger Waters, Derek Trucks and Taj Mahal, who calls Pedrito's quartet "the best band in New York City."

Rounding out the quartet are percussionist Jhair Sala, electric bassist Alvaro Benavides, and keyboard player/vocalist Araicne Trujillo.

[top]

August 3

Paquito D'Rivera and the Dizzy Gillespie's Big Band

concert page: Paquito D'Rivera and the
Dizzy Gillespie's Big Band

artist website: www.paquitodrivera.com
artist website: dizzygillespie.org

Ten time Grammy winner Paquito D'Rivera takes the helm of the great Dizzy Gillespie All Star Band and fires up its Latin Soul. This red-hot finale culminates the Hot Latin Nights Jazz Series with a wall of Latin sound heard all way to Havana.

One of the finest saxophonists in the world, Paquito D'Rivera has released over 16 CDs as a leader and was a founding member of Dizzy's United Nation Orchestra. In 1997 Paquito's Portraits of Cuba received a Grammy award for best Latin Jazz CD. Paquito's Cuban heritage and his move to the United States in search of the artistic freedom to play jazz is at the forefront of all of his work and promises to bring joyous authenticity to this amazing evening of music.

Joining Paquito in leading the big band will be long time Dizzy bassist John Hall, the founder of this world renowned 16 piece ensemble, formed in the summer of 1998 to perform Dizzy Gillespie's classic big band repertoire and continue the legacy left by the late master.

[top]

August 4

Car Show Benefiting The Belleayre Conservatory

concert page: Car Show
Benefiting The Belleayre Conservatory

artist website: www.emersonresort.com

The show is scheduled for Sunday August 4, 2013 (rain dateSunday August 11, 2013) from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. This year we are thrilled to have a new location - The Emerson Resort on Route 28 in Mt. Tremper, N. Y.

This outstanding facility enjoys one of the finest reputations in the country for fine accommodations, dining and beautiful scenery.
Also, I am told that the concert series will feature many top notch artists in 2013 and prove to be very exciting.
I know it's early but mark your calendars for a fun and successful 4th Annual Car Show."

[top]

August 9

Bill Charlap Trio

concert page: Bill Charlap Trio
Belleayre Jazz Club

artist website: www.billcharlap.com

Pianist Bill Charlap has performed and recorded with many leading artists of our time, ranging from jazz masters Phil Woods and Wynton Marsalis to singers Tony Bennett and Barbra Streisand.

Since 1997, he has led the Bill Charlap Trio with bassist Peter Washington and drummer Kenny Washington, now recognized as one of the leading groups in jazz.

Bill is the artistic director of New York City's Jazz in July Festival at the 92nd Street Y, and he has produced concerts for Jazz at Lincoln Center, the JVC Jazz Festival and the Hollywood Bowl.

A two-time Grammy nominee, Bill is best known for his unique interpretations of American popular songs. Time magazine wrote, "No matter how imaginative or surprising his take on a song is, he invariably zeroes in on its essence."

[top]

August 10

Kenny Barron's All-Star Quintet

concert page: Kenny Barron's All-Star Quintet
Kenny Barron's 70'th Birthday Celebration

artist website: www.kennybarron.com

One of the all-time great jazz pianists, Kenny Barron will mark his 70th birthday celebration with accompaniment by a "who's who" of some of the most accomplished players on today's jazz scene, including Lionel Loueke, Marcus Strickland, Lee Pierson, and Linda Oh.

Kenny Barron's unmatched ability to mesmerize audiences with his elegant playing, sensitive melodies and infectious rhythms is what inspired The Los Angeles Times to name him "one of the top jazz pianists in the world" and Jazz Weekly to call him, "The most lyrical piano player of our time."

Kenny consistently wins jazz critics' and readers' polls, including Downbeat, Jazz Times and Jazziz magazines. In 2005, he was inducted into the American Jazz Hall of Fame and won a MAC Lifetime Achievement Award. He is a six-time recipient of Best Pianist by the Jazz Journalists' Association and was a finalist in the 2001 Jazz Par International Jazz Award.

Whether he is playing solo, trio or quintet, Kenny is recognized the world over as a master of performance and composition.

[top]

August 17

Steppin' Out with Ben Vereen

concert page: Steppin' Out with Ben Vereen

artist website: www.benvereen.com

Actor, singer, dancer Ben Vereen will display his full-range talents at Belleayre during his one-man show, "Steppin' Out with Ben Vereen."

Ben's performance is a unique blend of artistry, combining a tribute to Broadway, Frank Sinatra, and a very special tribute to Sammy Davis Jr. Featuring hit songs such as "Defying Gravity," "Mr. Bojangles," "Something's Coming" and "Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries," Ben Vereen's "Steppin' Out" is a contemporary and timeless journey through the Broadway songbook.

After formally studying his craft and earning steady work on Broadway, Ben earned critical recognition for his dazzling performance as Judas Iscariot in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar. The following year, he was cast as the effervescent leading player in Pippin, for which he won the prestigious Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical. In 1975, Ben starred with Barbra Streisand in Funny Lady.

Ben was introduced to a more mainstream audience with his crafty portrayal of Chicken George in the landmark TV miniseries Roots, receiving an Emmy nomination.

Ben returned to Broadway this fall with an extended run at 54 Below and a new Broadway-bound project is in rehearsal.

[top]

August 23

Harrison Greenbaum

concert page: Harrison Greenbaum
Belleayre Comedy Club

artist website: www.harrisongreenbaum.com

Rising standup comedy star Harrison Greenbaum had the audience rolling in the aisles with his performance at the inaugural Comedy in the Catskills and promises more of the same this year.

Harrison has quickly become one of the most in-demand comedians in New York, performing in more than 600 shows a year and thus leading the NY Daily News to call him "the hardestworking man in comedy."

One of Comedy Central's "Comics to Watch," Harrison has received many awards and honors, including the Andy Kaufman Award (2010) for creativity and originality in comedy, the Shorty Award in collaboration with Comedy Central and the New York Comedy Festival for "Best Emerging Comic" (2011), and the Magners Comic Stand-Off (2011). He currently warms up the audience every day for Katie Couric's ABC TV show.

[top]

August 24

Rita Rudner

concert page: Rita Rudner
Comedy in the Catskills II

artist website: www.ritafunny.com

Rita Rudner brings her droll one liners to Belleayre's Main Stage headlining Comedy in the Catskills II.

One of the country's top comedians and a New York Times bestselling author, Rita Rudner is also an award-winning television personality, screenwriter, playwright, Broadway dancer, and actress. A house-filling favorite in Las Vegas since she opened as one of the hottest tickets in town in June 2000, Rudner is known for her epigrammatic oneliners. Over the course of a 2,000-plus show run in Las Vegas, she has sold more than 1 million tickets and become the longestrunning solo show in the history of Sin City. She was named Las Vegas Comedian Of The Year nine years in a row.

Rita catapulted to national prominence with numerous appearances on CBS' The Morning Program. By 1989, she had landed her first solo gig on HBO with One Night Stand: Rita Rudner. Two others, Born to Be Mild and Rita Rudner: Married Without Children followed.

The comic has also written several books and has continued to perform regularly in Las Vegas and on the road and in concert just for 12 weeks per year, delivering self-deprecating insights that are at once honest and hilarious. Don't miss this rare performance.

[top]

August 31

The Music of Pink Floyd: A Rock Symphony

concert page: The Belleayre Festival Orchestra Performs
The Music of Pink Floyd: A Rock Symphony
Brent Havens, conductor;
Randy Jackson, Vocalist

artist website: www.randyjackson.com

Following their fantastic The Music of Led Zeppelin performance last season, The Belleayre Festival Orchestra under the direction of Brent Havens returns with the second installment of its Rock Extravaganza series. This year The groundbreaking progressive rock of Pink Floyd will be celebrated at Belleayre on the 40th anniversary of one of the most enduring albums of all time, Dark Side of the Moon.

The nature of Pink Floyd's music made it a natural match for the orchestra. Unusual harmonies, ethereal high string lines and rich underscore allowed the orchestra to enhance what the band was playing. And much of the synthesizer sounds are recreated within the orchestration. A blazing rock band rounds out the sound.

As with The Music of Led Zeppelin, the band plays as close to the original recordings as possible and the orchestra both enhances and becomes an integral part of the music. There are even a couple of songs that feature only the orchestra and piano or orchestra. Music from Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall is prominently featured, and amazing colored lighting effects on the tent ceiling, lasers and fog complete the experience.

If you missed last year's show don't make that mistake again. This performance is a great way to celebrate the Labor Day Weekend and the end of our summer season.

[top]