Cool Jazz in a Hot Town at Ellicottville's Jazz and Blues Festival

What better way to enjoy the summer than to be sipping on a cold beverage, enjoying some great food and listening to some smooth Jazz! It all happens in the village of Ellicittville NY during the 2011 Jazz and Blues Festival July 29th and 30th. The annual event gathers many regional Jazz and Blues artist to play in the streets, pubs, cafes and gazebo throughout the village.

The Festival begins on Friday July 29th; however, come out on Thursday night and enjoy The Lake Effect performing at the downtown Gazebo series concert 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm or On A Moments Notice playing at The Gin Mill at 8:00 pm. The 2011 Jazz and Blues Festival artists include B.D. Lenz, the John Troy Jazz Trio, Matt Felske Quartet, Steve Swanson's Bluzeinn, the Jim Tudini Band and more. Throughout the weekend there we be performances at the town gazebo, streetside, at the Ellicottville Brewing company, at Coffee Culture, and other pubs and restaurants. All of the venues are withing walking distance of each other. Enjoy the smooth sound and soulful rhythms throughout the entire weekend.

2011 Jazz and Blues Festival Weekend Performance Schedule*

Day / Time                      Performer                          Location
Thur., July 28, 2011  
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm          The Lake Effect                    Gazebo
8:00 pm                           On A Moments Notice          The Gin Mill

Fri., July 29, 2011      
7:00 pm to 11:00 pm       Niche Modern                       Balloon's
8:00 pm                           Sean Patrick McGraw           The Gin Mill
9:30 pm                           Southern Influence                 Double Diamond

Sat., July 30, 2011    
1:30 pm to 4:30 pm          Matt Felske Quartet              Monroe St. Stage
1:00 pm to 4:30 pm          John Troy Trio                      Ellicottville Brewery
5:00 pm to 9:00 pm          B.D. Lenz Quartet                 Balloon's
6:00 pm to 9:00 pm          John Troy Trio                      Coffee Culture
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm          Steve Swanson's Bluzeinn     Monroe St. Stage
7:30 pm                           Easy 3                                  The Silver Fox
8:00 pm                           Roll the Dice                         The Gin Mill
8:00 pm                           Paul DeRitter Trio                 Ellicottville Brewery

Sun., July 31, 2011
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm          The Jim Tudini Band              Monroe St. Stage
1:00 pm                            The John Troy Trio               Ellicottville Brewery
5:00 pm                            Paul DeRitter Trio                 Ellicottville Brewery

*Additional performaces in other pubs / cafes and locations were not available for the article. Times and performances are subject to change. Thursday and Friday night and the Gin MIll entertainers may not be Jazz related music.

About the Performers

Each of the enterainers are well established in their field of Jazz and Blues. Many of the performers travel accross the region and even internationally.  It is a true treat to enjoy the talent that will be on dispaly during the festival weekend. Some of the artists' Bios are listed below:

John Troy Trio:  John Troy has studiend the saxaphone since age 12 has developed into a premier Jazz saxaphone player. He has studied abroad, has studied with numerouse greats in the industry and won numerours awards in his career. He has released several compact discs and the trio will be performing through the state of New York this year. The John Troy trio has a hard "bop" sound and is a delight to see live!

B.D. Lenz Quartet:  B.E. Lenz had been hailed as one of the top 20 "up and coming" jazz musicians of New Jersey by the Newark Star-Ledger. He has played the guitar since the age of 14 and studied with many of the great jazz guitarists. He has released 7 compact discs of contemporary Jazz and has music featured in many major network television shows. His 2011 tour includes performances in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. He plays a funky jazz guitar!

The Jim Tudini Band: The Jim Tudini band is a 12 piece band with two vocalists and is comprised of some of Buffalo's best session and concert musicians. They play many of the traditional big band music as well as songs from the 70s, 80s and 90s. Jim Tudini plays the baritone saxophone; and has been playing since he was 9 years old. He has played accross the U.S and globally; from Carnegie Hall, to Paris, to Concerts by the Sea in Redondo Beach. They have a full sound that will fill the streets!

The Matt Felski Quartet: The Matt Felski quartet plays traditional jazz sets but also through in some improvisation. Matt Felski plays the drums and has performed in the Buffalo area for many years as well as toured nationally. He also plays in the band Lazlo Hollyfeld. Prepare for some cool sets!

The Paul DeRitter Trio: Paul DeRitter is native of the metro New York area. While leading his jazz groups, Paul performs on the trumpet, flugelhorn, cornet, pocket trumpet and does most of the lead singing.  In addition to his jazz groups, Paul also performs with the International Championship American Legion Band of the Tonawandas, the Buffalo Silver Band, the Joe Baudo Big Band at the Colored Musicians’ Club of Buffalo, the Quaker Tones of Orchard Park, the Repertory Jazz Orchestra of Orlando, Florida, Southern Express Big Band of Ocala, Florida and L.C. Swing of Leesburg, Florida. They play smooth jazz and big band music from the 1930s through the 1960s.

About Ellicottville

Ellicottville is hopping with great restaurants, eclectic shops, fantastic cafes and bistros as well as hand crafted wines at the Ellicottivlle Winery and hand crafted ales and beers at the Ellicottville Brewing Company. Stop by the Bruce Candle company for some hot custom candles or stop into one of the fabulous jewelry stores for come cool jewels. Shop and swing all day long at the festival. At the end of the day, you can enjoy some hot food and some cool jazz at one of the fabulous restaurants, pubs or cafes. The 2011 Ellicottville Jazz Festival weekend will fill your soul with soothing rhythms, your stomach with fantastic food and beverages and your trunk with fabulous gifts'; leaving cool memories from this hot little town.