Staten Island Jazz Festival 35
Returns to the St. George Theatre
DETAILS
Friday, December 15, 2023
7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are $35.00 and on Sale Now!
FEATURING
NEA Jazz Masters and Grammy-Award Winners
HONORING
Five Local Faith Leaders - Read About the Honorees Here
Universal Temple of the Arts promotes the Staten Island JAZZ Festival with images by Romare Bearden, America’s preeminent African American visual artist, signifying the special relationship between Universal Temple of the Arts with iconic cultural creators and innovators since its inception in 1967 as an art, cultural and educational nonprofit organization.
Hosted by WBGO 88.3 FM on air personality, Sheila E. Anderson, and curated by UTA’s Musical Director, Dr. Darrell Smith, the exciting lineup will create magic this holiday season by presenting performances for the first time by the Billy Harper Quintet, Nabaté Isles, Santi Debriano Septet, and the DLG Trio, channeling the energy of the Festival’s founder and UTA Artistic/Executive Director, Sajda Musawwir Ladner, who made her transition in 2021. Festival favorite, Winard Harper & Jeli Posse will also perform, and rounding out the roster will be the UTA All-Star Jazz Ensemble, this year featuring Percussionist, Leopoldo F. Fleming; Pianist, Danny Mixon; Vocalist, Antoinette Montague, and Drummer, Dr. Darrell Smith.
How to Buy Tickets
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Call the St. George Theatre Box Office at 718-44-2900 Tuesday through Friday from 12pm to 5pm. There is a nominal credit card fee but no TM fees to pay.
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2
Visit the St. George Theatre Box Office, 35 Hyatt Street, Tuesday through Friday from 12pm to 5pm. If paying cash, there are no additional fees.
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For convenience, tickets can be purchased online Ticketmaster.com 24/7. TM fees are applied.
Sajda Musawwir Ladner’s spirit lives on
Sajda Musawwir Ladner’s spirit lives on forever through the annual Staten Island JAZZ Festival and the organization’s mission of “quickening the creative spirit in the individual and community and fostering brotherly love.” Not only did Mrs. Ladner make it possible for lovers of jazz to experience quality, live performances on Staten Island stages, but she also firmly believed that audiences of all ages should experience everything, and anything related to jazz by presenting educational workshops and forums taught by prominent scholars, visual artists, dancers, poets, etc. The festival is NYC’s longest-running community jazz festival and is the most anticipated Staten Island jazz event every year. To honor Sajda Musawwir’s legacy, the organization encourages widespread community support of the Staten Island JAZZ Festival: by purchasing a ticket – one of the most affordable in NYC at $35 – and sharing the event on social media. All proceeds from the festival support UTA’s FREE year-round arts and educational programs.
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“As we enter our third decade as Staten Island’s oldest continuously run jazz festival, we remain committed to presenting iconic and popular jazz artists as well as showcasing Staten Island performers who stand tall delivering their understanding of this world-wide, cherished music called jazz. Universal Temple of the Arts thinks of JAZZ in all capital letters. We explore every aspect of the art form.”
– October 19, 2019: Quote from the late Sajda Musawwir Ladner, who was the Founder of the Staten Island JAZZ Festival and Artistic/Executive Director of Universal Temple of the Arts.
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"The Romare Bearden Foundation shares a part of our mission with Universal Temple of the Arts - the arts education of young people and adults. UTA stays true to the spirit of its founder Sajda Musawwir. The annual jazz festival is also a jewel of the arts in New York City!"
- Diedra Harris-Kelley, Co-director, Romare Bearden Foundation