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 4

West Point Band’s Jazz Knights

concert page: West Point Band’s Jazz Knights
Free Concert & Fireworks

artist website: www.usma.edu
artist website: www.myspace.com

Bringing over three decades of musical excellence to their audiences, the West Point Band’s Jazz Knights present the best in big band favorites, popular music, and original compositions and arrangements for jazz ensemble.

Members of the group are graduates of some of America's most prestigious music schools. They are recruited and selected through a competitive audition process specifically for service in the United States Military Academy Band at West Point.

A spectacular fireworks display in celebration of Independence Day follows the concert.

July 11

Michael Feinstein

concert page: The Great American Songbook

artist website: www.michaelfeinstein.com

Arguably the world’s foremost anthropologist and archivist of the Great American Songbook, Michael Feinstein has dedicated his career to preserving, protecting and promoting the work of the great tunesmiths, from Gershwin, Porter and Berlin to lesser known craftsmen such as Hugh Martin and Burton Lane.

It’s no wonder that the Library of Congress invited him to serve on its elite National Sound Recording Advisory Board. He has become so synonymous with both the Cabaret and Broadway genres that the Five Star Hotel in New York named their famous night club Feinstein’s at the Regency.

This year will mark the 25th anniversary of the four-time Grammy nominee’s professional debut.

July 18

John Covelli and Justin Kolb

concert page: Present - A Classical Benefit

artist website: www.johncovelli.com
artist website: www.justinkolb.com

Belleayre Festival originals Maestro John Covelli and fellow keyboard whiz Justin Kolb plus special surprise guests will present an evening of classical favorites in this special fund-raising event for the Belleayre Conservatory.

All seats $40 minimum donation.

July 25

Belleayre Festival Opera

concert page: Die Fledermaus – Johann Strauss II
Belleayre Festival Opera
Community Chorale of the Catskills

artist website: www.donaldwestwood.com

Donald Westwood, director of the Belleayre Festival Opera, puts his unique stamp on Die Fledermaus (The Bat) one of the greatest comic operettas of all time. Sung in English with music composed by Johann Strauss II and a libretto by Carl Haffner and Richard Genée this piece is often used by many opera companies, including the Met, to celebrate New Year’s Eve.

In a fashionable watering-place, described as "near a big city," lives Gabriel von Eisenstein, a wealthy man of independent means, with his attractive wife Rosalinda, and their maid, Adele.
The light-hearted story of Die Fledermaus tells of the revenge taken by a certain Dr. Falke on this Gabriel von Eisenstein for playing a practical joke on him.

The Belleayre Festival Opera will be joined once again by the Community Chorale of the Catskills and a small chamber orchestra in creating a cast of over 60 to present this joyous event

July 26

Free Children’s Opera

concert page: Humpty Dumpty - Children's Opera Theater

artist website: www.donaldwestwood.com

Donald Westwood continues his tradition of bringing classic tales to the stage as he introduces children to opera in highly entertaining fashion.

In this world premier commissioned by the Festival, we will join Humpty as he searches for his true story.

August 1

Ladysmith Black Mambazo

concert page: International Superstars

artist website: www.mambazo.com

Ladysmith Black Mambazo represents the traditional culture of South Africa and is regarded as the country’s cultural emissary at home and around the world. The band earned international acclaim when it’s a cappella sounds became an integral part of Paul Simon’s groundbreaking “Graceland” album.

In 1993, at Nelson Mandela's request, Ladysmith Black Mambazo accompanied the future President to the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo, Norway. Mambazo sang again at President Mandela's inauguration.

They are a national treasure, in part, because they embody the traditions suppressed in the old South Africa.

August 7

Catskill Mountain Jazz Series
South American Jazz Weekend

concert page: Pablo Ziegler – Trio for Nuevo Tango

artist website: www.pabloziegler.com
artist website: www.myspace.com

Argentine Tango pianist Pablo Zeigler has a playing style, both sharply percussive and metallically lyrical, that is instantly recognizable. He is the leading exponent of Nuevo Tango (New Tango), thanks to the skills and reputation he garnered while working extensively with Astor Piazzolla, Argentina’s most famous composer.

His playing style, both sharply percussive and metallically lyrical, is instantly recognizable. As a composer he has taken Piazzolla's contrapuntal approach to tango music and added more jazz influence to create a unique sound.

August 8

Leny Andrade

concert page: "Magical Queen of the Bossa Nova" with the Cesar Camargo Mariano/Romero Lubambo Duo

artist website: cliquemusic.uol.com.br

Leny Andrade has long been regarded as Brazil’s best jazz singer, building a reputation on her outstanding improvisational abilities. During the 1980s and 1990s, she divided time between her native country and the U.S., where she enhanced her status with several samba-jazz records, including classics like “Luz Neon.”

Performing with renowned artists like Dick Farney, Luiz Eça and João Donato, Leny established herself as the best Brazilian jazz singer, due to her improvisational skills.

At this performance she will be backed by two of Brazil’s most famous musicians: guitarist supreme, Romero Lubambo and brilliant pianist, Cesar Camargo Mariano.

Belleayre Festival goers will remember the raucous standing ovation the duo received at our 2001 Jobim tribute.

August 14

Belleayre Jazz Club

concert page: Kevin Mahogany
A Night of Romance
Tribute to Johnny Hartman

artist website: www.kevinmahogany.com

Kevin Mahogany’s spectacular baritone vioce brought him to prominence in the 1990s. He gained additional notoriety in Robert Alman’s film “Kansas City,” in which he played a character based on jazz legend “Big Joe” Turner. With 11 CDs as a leader and many more as a sideman, Kevin has proved to be the quintessential jazz vocalist. Newsweek describes him as “the standout jazz vocalist of his generation.”

“A Night of Romance,” his tribute to the late Johnny Hartman, perhaps Jazz’s best male vocalist, is an event not to be missed.

August 15

Kevin Eubanks Band

concert page: Kevin Eubanks Band - Jay Leno’s Tonight Show Band Leader

artist website: www.kevineubanks.com

From playing alongside legends like Art Blakey and Dave Holland, to his long-running work as band leader on the Jay Leno show, Kevin Eubanks has gained acclaim for a guitar style that incorporates the likes of Wes Montgomery, Jimi Hendrix and John McLaughlin.

Kevin’s discography includes a wide spectrum of styles from GRP styled smooth jazz to avant garde acoustic to straight ahead trio to newer electric fusion. He has appeared on various TV shows and has written four feature film scores.

August 22

The Original Wailers

concert page: The Original Wailers
Reggae Legends

artist website: www.originalwailers.com
artist website: www.myspace.com

The Original Wailers, featuring Al Anderson and Junior Marvin, keep alive the timeless reggae beats popularized by Bob Marley and helped sell more than 400 million albums during the last four decades. These three founding members of The Wailers toured with Bob Marley until his death and continue to spread his music throughout the world.

The band performs all the songs of Bob Marley and the Wailers as they faithfully have since the meteoric rise of Bob Marley and the Wailers.
The band carries forward the true spirit of “One Love” that they helped create with Bob Marley as one of the most influential bands of all time.

August 23

Uncle Rock's Family Party

concert page: Uncle Rock's Family Party - Snuffy's Pet Food Pantry Benefit

artist website: www.unclerock.com

Uncle Rock has been dazzling audiences of all ages with his inspiring music that seamlessly bridges the gap between adult and children's music.

Adults $10, Kids bring pet food, treats and supplies to support the work of Snuffy's Pet Pantry.

August 29

Mary Wilson of the Supremes

concert page: Motown 50th Anniversary

artist website: www.marywilson.com

Mary Wilson is the only original member of The Supremes who remained with the group from its founding until its disbandment. She sang on a dozen number one hits with the band in the 1960s and ’70s and continues to bring those memorable tunes to life with a busy performing schedule.

Mary still performs with the same passion as she did singing with the original Supremes, but the world renowned celebrity is also using her fame and flair to promote humanitarian efforts to end hunger, raise AIDS awareness and encourage world peace.

September 5

Abba the Tour

concert page: Abba the Tour
Mamma Mia and More

artist website: www.abbatheshow.com/

Audiences around the world sing, dance and have the time of their lives as this ultimate Abba tribute band (featuring several original members of Abba's performing band), offers perfectly executed renditions of more than 20 of this legendary's bands greatest hits.