The Lake George Arts Project will present the 41st annual Jazz at the Lake festival from September 12-14, 2025 at Shepard Park, continuing a long tradition of free, world-class jazz, set against the backdrop of Lake George.
Widely regarded as one of the Northeast’s premier jazz festivals, Jazz at the Lake is ranked as one of the top 20 longest, consecutive-running jazz festivals in the country and is one of only two in that group that remain free to the public. The festival celebrates the vibrant and evolving genre of jazz and brings together talented musicians from around the country.
This year’s lineup showcases a dynamic mix of today’s jazz voices, blending tradition with bold innovation. From the lyrical violin of Sara Caswell and the poetic storytelling of Matt Wilson’s Honey & Salt to the Afro-Cuban brilliance of Alfredo Rodríguez and the boundary-pushing sounds of Trio Grande, the program offers a wide-range journey through contemporary jazz.
“I am tremendously excited about each of the artists who will be performing at this year’s jazz festival. As curator of the festival, each year I aim to create an exciting musical journey for our audience. Over the course of the weekend, audiences will hear a wide range of artists who continue to expand and explore the limitless possibilities of jazz music.”
Daniel Kelly, Festival Curator
Established in 1977, The Lake George Arts Project offers comprehensive programs in the arts. Its mission is to provide exposure and income opportunities to professional and emerging artists, and to provide quality arts programming for the residents and visitors of the Lake George region. Jazz at the Lake remains a cornerstone of its mission.
“For over four decades, Jazz at the Lake has exemplified the Lake George Arts Project’s mission to present world-class arts programming that is both accessible and impactful. We are honored to continue this tradition in 2025, offering a festival that not only showcases the extraordinary breadth and depth of contemporary jazz but also contributes meaningfully to the cultural and economic vitality of the Lake George region.”
Tanya Tobias, Executive Director of the Lake George Arts Project
2025 Festival Highlights
Friday, September 12
6:00pm: Sara Caswell Quartet
Grammy-nominated violinist Sara Caswell has been featured on over 100 recordings and has been voted into the DownBeat Magazine Critics and Readers Polls every year since 2013, Sara has released three highly-acclaimed albums under her own name –The Way to You (2023), But Beautiful (2005), and First Song (2000) and has toured internationally with Esperanza Spalding and Mark O’Connor.
7:30pm: Jazz Around Town
Jazz Around Town celebrates local and regional jazz musicians with performances at partner locations throughout Lake George. Locations include: The Barnsider, The Inn of Lake George, The Caldwell Lake George Library, Mezzaluna, and The Lighthouse, with performances by Scott Hopkins, Chad McLoughlin, and more.
Saturday, September 13
10:00am: Coffee and Jazz
At Hello Sunshine Bagel Bistro: All are welcome for Coffee and Jazz, a program that combines the melodies of jazz with coffee and the camaraderie of fellow jazz enthusiasts. Enjoy free coffee with a performance by Jazz at the Lake favorite, Dylan Perrillo.
1:00pm: Matt Wilson’s Honey & Salt
NEA Jazz Master Matt Wilson leads this acclaimed ensemble whose album Honey & Salt received praise for its fusion of jazz and poetry. Wilson is a four-time DownBeat Critics Poll winner for “Rising Star Drummer.”
3:00pm: Lucía
Lucía, is a Mexican-born vocalist who gained international recognition as a finalist in the prestigious Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition. Her debut album, Lucía, showcases her versatility with a blend of jazz standards and Latin American songs, featuring collaborations with renowned musicians such as Edward Simon, Larry Grenadier, Antonio Sánchez, and David Sánchez.
5:00pm: Jeremy Pelt Quintet
Jeremy Pelt, a regular in DownBeat and JazzTimes polls, has released over 20 albums as a leader. He has performed with legendary artists including Roy Hargrove and Ravi Coltrane and was a longtime member of the Mingus Big Band.
7:00pm: Alfredo Rodríguez Trio
Grammy-nominated Cuban pianist Alfredo Rodríguez, discovered by Quincy Jones, has performed at top venues including the Montreux Jazz Festival. His albums like The Invasion Parade and Duologue have received international acclaim.
Sunday, September 14
10:30am: Jazz at the Lake Jazz Cruise
Enjoy live music, light breakfast fare, and breathtaking views while cruising the sparkling waters of the Queen of American Lakes. The tour will take passengers on a two hour cruise, north to Bolton Landing and return to Lake George in time for our first act on the Shepard Park stage. This is a ticketed event.
1:00pm: Trio Grande
Trio Grande features saxophonist Will Vinson, guitarist Gilad Hekselman, and drummer/bassist Nate Wood – each a celebrated bandleader with acclaimed recordings. The members have collaborated with artists like Chris Potter, John Scofield, and Kneebody.
3:00pm: Edmar Castañeda Quartet
Colombian harpist Edmar Castañeda has redefined the harp in jazz, performing at Carnegie Hall and collaborating with artists like Hiromi and Paquito D’Rivera. His genre-defying albums have topped world and jazz charts globally.
5:00pm: David Gilmore Quartet
Guitarist David Gilmore, who has performed with Wayne Shorter and Steve Coleman, is a recipient of a Chamber Music America New Jazz Works grant. He has released several critically acclaimed albums and is currently on faculty at Berklee College of Music.
For full schedule details, artist bios, and event updates, visit lakegeorgearts.org.
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