Schedule and artists announced for 2011 Syracuse Jazz Festival

Monday, M&T Syracuse Jazz Fest executive director Frank Malfitano announced the lineup and schedule for this years event. Headliners for the free festival, which runs June 24 and 25, include the Robert Cray Band, the Average White Band, Felix Caveliere's Rascals, Return to Forever IV with Chick Corea and Stanely Clarke, and the Brothers of Funk Big Band featuring David Letterman Trumpeter Al Chez.

The All-County and City of Syracuse All-Star bands will open the festival Friday and the OCC Jazz Band will kick off Saturday's lineup.

Here's the schedule:

Friday, June 24, 2011

• 3:00 pm - Gates open
• 5 p.m. - City of Syracuse Department of Parks & Recreation Stan Colella All Star Band
• 5:45 p.m. - All-County H.S. All Star Jazz Band
• 6:30 p.m.- Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals
• 8 p.m. - Average White Band
• 9:30 p.m. - Robert Cray Band

Saturday, June 25, 2011

• 3 p.m. - Gates open
• 5 p.m. - The OCC Jazz Band Meets The Steelheads
• 6:30 p.m. - Jazz Guitars Meet Hendrix featuring Sheryl Bailey and Vic Juris
• 8 p.m. - The Brothers of Funk Big Band featuring Al Chez
• 9:30 p.m. - Return To Forever IV with Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Lenny White, Frank Gambale and Jean-Luc Ponty
• 11 p.m. - Annual Price Chopper Fireworks Display