ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, NY – Experience the irresistible grooves of South African jazz that inspired Paul Simon’s Graceland with Uhadi, masters of Johannesburg’s jazz scene. Uhadi comes to the Fisher Center’s Sosnoff Theater for the final performance of their 2016 nationwide tour in Salute to Africa! on Saturday, April 16th at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35-50. For tickets and more information go to at fishercenter.bard.edu or call the box office at 845-758-7900.
 
Salute to Africa! is presented in conjunction with the Jazz at the Fisher Center spring concert series, a collaboration between 23Arts’ program Catskill Jazz Factory (CJF) and the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Bard College. Catskill Jazz Factory founder and artistic director Piers Playfair says “The Catskill Jazz Factory has been working up to an event of this magnitude for a few years now and we can’t wait to have this group up— not only Uhadi, who we have the pleasure of bringing over Johannesburg for a second Catskills tour—but just the outstanding talent of the special guests.”
 
All-star South African jazz quintet Uhadi is led by saxophonist McCoy Mrubata and features trumpeter Feya Faku, pianist Paul Hanmer, bassist Herbie Tsoaeli, and drummer Justin Badenhorst. In what promises to be a celebratory and joyful evening, Uhadi will be joined by a host of special guests, including master Afro-Latin trombonist Chris Washburne, the remarkable trombonist Raynel Frazier, rising star South African vocalist Vuyo Sotashe, blues guitarist Gary Wittner, saxophonist TK Blue, trumpeter Lesedi Ntsane, extraordinary vocalist Nonhlanhla Kheswa, and Evan Christopher, master New Orleans clarinetist. This exclusive lineup is one night only.
 
The Fisher Center performance caps off Uhadi’s week of residency with Catskill Jazz Factory during which they are presenting workshops and lectures at eight Hudson Valley schools and colleges, and free public performances, including a concert at Millbrook High School with the Millbrook High School Jazz Ensemble on Friday, April 15th at 7 p.m., and a performance at Twin Peaks Coffee & Donuts on Sunday, April 17th at noon.
 
These programs are presented with the support of Arts Mid-Hudson, the Millbrook Arts Group, and the generous donations of Philip Mactaggart. Visits include Bard College, Marist College, Hunter-Tannersville Central Elementary, Bennett Intermediate School, Dover Middle/High School, Kingston High School, Millbrook High School and Webutuck High School.

Uhadi & the Millbrook High School Jazz Ensemble at Millbrook High School
Millbrook High School
Friday, April 15th at 7 pm. Admission is free.
Sponsored by Millbrook Arts Group and Philip MacTaggart
For more information about this concert contact Chandra Knotts at [email protected]

Salute to Africa!
Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Bard College, Sosnoff Theater
Saturday, April 16th at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35-$55
For tickets and more information about this concert contact the Fisher Center Box Office at 845-758-7900 or go to fishercenter.bard.edu.
 
Coffee, Donuts, and Jazz
Twin Peaks Coffee & Donuts, 5950
Sunday, April 17th at noon. Admission is free.
For more information about this concert contact Chandra Knotts at [email protected]
 
The Catskill Jazz Factory
 
A sister program of the 23Arts Initiative, the Catskill Jazz Factory is a non-profit program founded in 2012 by Hudson Valley residents Piers and Lucy Playfair.  
A powerful new arts model, the program offers in-school workshops and concerts, artist residencies, and world-class performances throughout the Hudson Valley. Through this programming, the Catskill Jazz Factory supports some of today's best young jazz artists with educational, creative, and performance opportunities at diverse venues across the region. By partnering with educational facilities, arts organizations, and a variety of local non-profits and businesses, the Catskill Jazz Factory encourages audiences of all ages to participate in community building through jazz. The 23Arts Initiative’s 2016 season anticipates over fifty events including a library sessions series, nine artist-led mountaintop jazz residencies, a free church chamber series, three guest jazz series with co-presenting organizations, and year-round educational visits with nearly ten regional schools. For an ongoing list of Catskill Jazz Factory’s year-round regional jazz programming, see catskilljazzfactory.org.
 
Catskill Jazz Factory is funded by Friends of Tannersville Organization (FOTO), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
 
The Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Bard College
Named for the late Richard B. Fisher, the former chair of Bard’s Board of Trustees, the Fisher Center has become an influential force in performing arts programming, earning critical acclaim for innovative productions of opera, orchestral, chamber, dance, and theater programs. The Center was designed by legendary architect Frank Gehry and distinguished acoustician Yasuhisa Toyota, and has received international praise for its breathtaking architecture and superb sound.
 
Each summer the Fisher Center presents the Bard SummerScape festival, eight weeks of performing arts programs reflecting the life and times of the featured composer of the esteemed Bard Music Festival, now celebrating its 26th year. Fall and spring seasons include original productions, special one-night-only concerts, and touring artists from around the globe.
 
The Fisher Center is home to the Bard College Theater & Performance and Dance Programs, providing students access to exceptional theater facilities and opportunities to work with professional directors and dramaturges on publicly attended productions throughout the year. The Bard College Conservatory of Music and Bard College Music Program stage regular orchestral and chamber concerts.
 
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April 4, 2016