Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival Features Dazzling Lineup Including Michael McDonald, Sing the Truth! with Angelique Kidjo, Dianne Reeves & Lizz Wright, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, George Wein & The Newport All Stars, The Bad Plus and More

Saturday, June 25 & Sunday, June 26 at Saratoga Performing Arts Center

Festival Founder and NEA Jazz Master George Wein To Receive "Walk Of Fame" Star

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y., Feb. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival, one of the most celebrated and longest-running jazz events in the world, marks its 34th year at Saratoga Performing Arts Center, June 25 and 26, with a dynamic lineup of more than 20 acclaimed artists and ensembles on two stages. Highlights include festival debuts by Michael McDonald, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Tia Fuller, the Lionel Loueke Trio, Hilary Kole and Pedrito Martinez among others. Online pre-sale for SPAC members begins February 24; online sales to the public begin March 24. Tickets and information available at www.spac.org.

Special festival features include:

• Dedication of a star in SPAC's Walk of Fame for George Wein, iconic jazz producer and festival founder.  
• Sing the Truth! featuring Angelique Kidjo, Dianne Reeves and Lizz Wright in a celebration of the music and civil rights legacies of Miriam Makeba, Abbey Lincoln and Odetta.
• Dee Dee Bridgewater in her acclaimed tribute to Billie Holiday, "To Billie With Love."
• A Night in Treme: The Musical Majesty of New Orleans featuring music inspired by the HBO series "Treme," which depicts the famous, culturally rich New Orleans neighborhood.

Located in Saratoga Springs, NY, Saratoga Performing Arts Center has been the site of the Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival since 1978. With an inside capacity of 5,200, lawn seating of 20,000, world class jazz talent performing on two stages and an idyllic State Park setting located just three hours from either Boston or New York City, the festival draws thousands of fans from across the Northeast and throughout North America. Absolutely Live Entertainment co-produces the festival with SPAC.

Other programming presented at SPAC includes the summer residencies of the New York City Ballet and The Philadelphia Orchestra, as well as programs in modern dance, chamber music, cabaret, opera and Live Nation rock and pop concerts.  SPAC's full 2011 summer schedule will be available at www.spac.org on February 24, 2011.

SOURCE Saratoga Performing Arts Center