By Michele Deluca
Niagara Gazette
LEWISTON —
When Town of Niagara native Chris Tedesco takes the stage Saturday at the Historical Lewiston Jazz Festival, he will, like last year, be featuring music from his newest album. The difference is that this year the album is at the top of the charts.
Tedesco, a long-time studio musician in LA whose list of gigs is as star studded as they come — including some work on the score of a new movie starring Christina Aguilera and Cher called “Burlesque.” — is elated at the time he spent on the music charts since March, including two months in the top 30 and two weeks at number eight.
“I was up there with names I grew up listening to,” he said. “It was me at number 30 and Arturo Sandoval, a huge trumpet god, at number 29.”
Tedesco, who takes the main stage at 3:45 p.m. Saturday, said his album, “Living the Dream,” has brought him a lot of attention as a jazz performer, including a stint next week as a soloist with the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra in Wheeling, West Virginia.
The album features classic jazz, shaded by the stylings of Frank Sinatra and Count Basie, is now available worldwide, being played on Satellite radio, on airlines and on cable television music channels. “I just sold a cd to Finland,” he added with a note of pride.
Tedesco will be performing at the festival with four local musicians including Dave Schiavone on saxophone, Pat Georger on piano, Dave Siegfried on bass and Billy Thiele on drums.
The ninth-annual Historical Lewiston Jazz Festival will feature jazz musicians performing throughout the Village of Lewiston in numerous restaurants and pubs as well as at a variety of outdoor sites along Center Street.
Headliners include the West Point Band’s Jazz Knights who will perform on the main stage at 8 p.m. Friday. Internationally acclaimed vocalist Curtis Stigers, recently named “Best Male International Jazz Singer,” at the German Echo Awards, headlines at the main stage at 8 p.m. Saturday.
In addition to enjoying jazz performed by regional and world-class musicians, attendees can browse a jewelry show, view classic cars at a vintage car show and sample a wide array of culinary offerings provided by local restaurants and regional wine producers. The festival is hosted by the Lewiston Jazz Festival, Inc. and the Town and Village of Lewiston.
For more information visit lewistonjazz.com.
IF YOU GO
WHO: The ninth annual Historical Lewiston Jazz Festival
WHAT: Free jazz performances throughout the Village of Lewiston with upscale food tents, jewelry vendors, and car show along Center Street.
WHEN: Music performed at 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday and from 12:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday. A jazz “crawl” will be offered Sunday with many village restaurants featuring live jazz.
WHERE: Throughout Lewiston with the main stage on Center St.
MORE INFO: Visit lewistonjazz.com
