29th annual festival kicks off Friday, thousands turn out for music
TOWN OF ONONDAGA -- Jazz Fest kicked off with a beat Friday night on the campus of Onondaga Community College. Founder Frank Malfitano bills it as the biggest free jazz festival in the Northeast.
Friday night, thousands turned out to hear 5 bands play on stage. "I like it because its nice and smooth, relaxing and just easy going," said Greg Bumbray.
"It's soothing, comforting, and then with the uptempo stuff I kind of like getting my groove," said Kevin Brown.
"I love outdoor concerts, number one. I love the price, number two. And I just love the energy, it's all positive and that's hard to come by nowadays," said Ed Kinlock.
The headliners were the Average White Band and the Robert Cray Band.
"I'm here to listen to some music. Give my nieces and nephews a chance to listen to some music they have never heard. It's important for them to know the history of it. Maybe they want to get into it one day," said Mike Savage.
A brief bout of heavy rain stopped the music around 6:30 PM. Once it passed, crews dried off the stage and the music continued to play with the backdrop of a double rainbow.
Saturday's prime time acts are Al Chez and the Brothers of Funk Big Band at 8pm, followed by Return to Forever IV at 9:30pm.
Following Saturday's concert there will be a fireworks display.
There is no charge for Jazz Fest, but parking is $5. You can also get there via Centro.
For complete details on Jazz Fest go to their website.
