Bela Fleck, Bill Charlap Trio, esperanza spalding To Perform at Skaneateles Festival in August

Nineteen-time GRAMMY award winner banjo player Bela Fleck will perform at Skaneateles Festival on Friday, Aug. 1 at Anyela’s Vineyards in Skaneateles, anticipating a performance blending the lines of tradition and genre.

A photo of Béla Fleck with his banjo. Photo by Hazel Coonagh.
Photo by Hazel Coonagh

Fleck’s recognizable jazz-to-classical sound serves him as an icon instrumentalist and composer in the bluegrass world. For over 30 years, Fleck and the quartet deemed The Fleckstones have explored genres, from traditional folk to the banjo’s African roots. His most recent project with the legendary Chick Corea was recently awarded with a GRAMMY on Feb. 2 for Best Jazz Instrumental Album, one of many of Fleck’s accomplishments. 

Fleck’s performance at Skaneateles Festival will be joined by harpist Edmar Castañeda and drummer Antonio Sánchez. Colombian harpist Castañeda has led his own bands with renowned artists such as Hiromi and Paquito D’Rivera, and Drummer Sánchez is also a five-time GRAMMY award recipient, working with artists such as Gary Burton and Charlie Haden. The trio will be playing original repertoire, consisting of Fleck’s signature blend of bluegrass, jazz, classical and world music. 

A photo of The Fleckstones with their instruments. Photo by Shervin Lainez. skaneateles festival
The Fleckstones. Photo by Shervin Lainez

For over 40 years, the Skaneateles Festival has drawn audiences from all over the northeast and world-class musicians to celebrate music. Located in the breathtaking area of the Finger Lakes region, the festival aims to be one of the nation’s exceptional summer music festivals, prioritizing community engagement, education, outreach and dynamic performances.

The Skaneateles Festival is announcing one headliner, in addition to Bela Fleck, each Friday throughout the month of February for the upcoming season from July 31-Aug. 23. The full lineup and season pass will be available on March 5, whereas individual tickets will be available on May 1. 

Most recently, the Skaneateles Festival announced the return of the Bill Charlap Trio this summer. Led by the acclaimed classic jazz pianist and GRAMMY Award-winner Bill Charlap, the trio will perform on Saturday, August 23 at 8:00 pm at the Robinson Pavilion. Known for his masterful artistry and impeccable technique, Charlap promises an unforgettable evening of jazz.

Grammy award-winning pianist Bill Charlap has performed with many of the leading artists of our time, from Wynton Marsalis and Tony Bennett to Barbra Streisand. He is acclaimed for his interpretations of the American Popular Songbook and has recorded albums featuring the music of Hoagy Carmichael, Leonard Bernstein, George Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers and Duke Ellington.

The most recently announced addition to the lineup is esperanza spalding. Renowned for her innovative fusion of jazz, soul, and classical music, she says, “Jazz has always been a melting pot of influences and I plan to incorporate them all.” She will perform at the Festival on Saturday, August 9, at 8:00 p.m. at the Robinson Pavilion at Anyela’s Vineyards in Skaneateles, NY. Joining her is her duo partner, the brilliant Argentine pianist Leonardo Genovese.

skaneateles festival
esperanza spalding

For more information, visit. www.skanfest.org

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