Red Hook Jazz Festival Returns This Weekend

Hep cats, post boppers, funk fans and lovers of outdoor music, this one's for you. returns to the Urban Meadow for the first of two consecutive Sundays, June 10 starting at 1 p.m.

Can you dig it?

The festival began when the  first opened as a way to provide low-cost, interesting concerts to the community, raise funds for the garden and offer a local outdoor venue to musicians. 

"As soon as I saw the open space, I immediately thought: 'Jazz festival!'" said Mike Golub, one of the producers of the shows. "It started small as the 'Jazz in June' series and then I got bolder and invited some bigger names like Tony Malaby, Chris Speed, James Carney, the Hunger March Band, Willie Martinez—many of whom live in the neighborhood—and folks said yes!"

Now in its fifth year, Golub remains as ecstatic about the project as ever.

"All of the groups this year are really incredible, but I am very excited to have Mostly Other People Do the Killing, who are calling themselves Hot Cup Chili Pepper 7 because they're adding a few other folks," said Golub. "Ray Anderson will be playing with Harris Eisenstadt's Canada Day Octet—that will be great—and Travis Sullivan's Björkestra I think will get folks dancing big time!

The Björkestra, which interprets the catalog of Icelandic pop star Björk through big-band jazz arrangements, has toured internationally at festivals from Montreal to Milan. Generally an 18-member ensemble, the group will be appearing as a special 7-piece band at Sunday's show.

"But it is a sick lineup," said drummer Joe Abbatantuono, adding that the singer, Shayna Steele, just came off of a year and a half tour with Rihanna.

"Multi-day jazz festivals like the Red Hook have become an essential element for musicians and fans alike," Abbatantuono said. "I cannot wait to be a part of it this weekend. Experiencing the different artists throughout the day, as well as performing that evening makes for such a great experience. Plus, I love to make music outdoors."

Nick Gianni, who has played at the festival multiple times since its inception, echoed that sentiment.

"This is a great festival that my old friend Mike has organized," said Gianni. "It's easy-going and fun, and the sound is really amazing for an outdoor music event."

Because the show takes place in a community garden, many families bring a picnic blanket and their children—who are all admitted free.

"One of the reasons why I started the festival was to expose my own children, Sophia, 8, and Ariel, 5, to jazz," explained Golub. "The Urban Meadow is a beautiful spot to hang out, eat some food and have some lemonade while listening to incredible music."

See and hear for yourself this weekend.

The Red Hook Jazz Festival will take place on Sunday, June 10 at 1 p.m. and resume on Sunday, June 17. Tickets are $10 per adult; children attend for free. For more information, click here.

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