Syracuse Jazz Fest Canceled For Now

The Syracuse Jazz Fest in Syracuse, N.Y., has reached a milestone that organizers most likely hoped wouldn’t happen. For the first time in 33 years, the free event held at Onondaga Community College is canceled for this summer.

Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra With Wynton Marsalis
Vaclav Salek / CTK via AP – Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra With Wynton Marsalis
JazzFestBrno, Sono Centrum, Brno, Czech Republic

Festival Executive Director Frank Malfitano announced May 24 that funding is about $150,000 short of this year’s $400,000 budget mainly because M&T Bank decided not to renew its sponsorship agreement. Officials are now focused on funding strategies for the 2019 season.

Performers have included Wynton Marsalis, Aretha Franklin, Todd Rundgren, Rebirth Brass Band, Asleep At The Wheel, Michael McDonald and many others.

Syracuse Jazz Fest took a year off in 1984 but celebrated its 35th anniversary last year in June.

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