With seven years under its belt, it’s safe to say that Hudson Hall has now firmly ensconced world-class jazz in Hudson’s cultural marquee. Since its inception in 2018, the Hudson Jazz Festival has welcomed internationally renowned performers and the genre’s freshest voices to Hudson Hall’s historic stage every year. With the festival’s move to October offering attendees the chance to enjoy the Hudson Valley’s most picturesque season, this year’s festival is shaping up to be its best yet, thanks to another stellar mainstage lineup hosted media personality Keanna Faircloth of the Artimacy podcast, and over 20 free pop-up concerts from its “Sounds Around Town” programming.
“Whether audiences choose to join us for all festival performances or just one, our goal is the same, to bring people together for an experience that lifts spirits, brings joy, and inspires awe at the breadth of virtuoso talent on these stages,” says festival curator Cat Henry.
On Friday, October 3, the festival arrives at Hudson Hall’s mainstage at 7pm with the Julius Rodriguez Group. Rodriguez, a 26-year-old multi-instrumentalist phenom, has been hailed as a “prodigy of jazz clubs” by The New York Times. A Grammy-winning collaborator with legends like Roy Hargrove and Meshell Ndegeocello, Rodriguez represents New York’s new generation of jazz innovators, ensuring the festival opens with plenty of fire and groove. Friday’s kickoff continues a few blocks away at Second Ward Foundation for the Opening Night Dance Party featuring a virtuosic mash-up of jazz, soul, hip-hop, and electronica from Japanese-born keyboard wizard Masayuki Hirano, aka BIGYUKI at 9pm. BIGYUKI has collaborated with A Tribe Called Quest, Kamasi Washington, and Lauryn Hill, so expect an electrifying after-hours set.
On Saturday, October 4, the Caity Gyorgy Quartet heads to the Hudson Hall stage at 7pm. A two-time JUNO Award–winning Canadian vocalist, Gyorgy channels the spirit of jazz’s golden age with pristine vocals and playful scatting. Her band’s crisp arrangements pair vintage swing and bebop influences with a modern, joyous twist on the Great American Songbook. Later that night, at 9pm, bassist Tristen Jarvis leads his trio in “Deep Tones for Peace” at the cozy Park Theater. A faculty member at Ithaca College and versatile performer, Jarvis offers a heartfelt homage to legendary bassists from Charles Mingus to Jaco Pastorius and even modern trailblazer Thundercat.
On Sunday, October 5, the festival’s final day begins with an afternoon burst of brass. At 2pm, two-time Grammy nominee Alphonso Horne brings The Gotham Kings to The Caboose for a high-energy, New Orleans-style jazz party. Horne’s dynamic ensemble channels the joyous spirit of early Louis Armstrong-era jazz, complete with raucous rags, stomps, and infectious horn harmonies that feel straight out of Preservation Hall. It’s a family-friendly show designed to get toes tapping and spirits lifting.
Finally, Sunday at 5pm, the festival returns to Hudson Hall for a grand finale with vibraphonist Joel Ross’s Good Vibes. Barely in his 30s, Joel Ross has earned acclaim for his bold improvisations and bluesy, genre-defying compositions. A Blue Note Records artist and one of jazz’s most electrifying young voices, Ross will lead his Good Vibes ensemble through an emotion-rich journey to cap off the weekend.
Beyond the ticketed performances, the festival is weaving music into the fabric of the city itself with the return of its free “Sounds Around Town” series. The series features more than 20 pop-up concerts primarily from students, faculty, and alumni from the Bard College Jazz Program.
Curated by pianist and Bard professor John Esposito, these informal sets unfold at venues ranging from the Hudson farmers’ market and Amtrak train station to breweries, art galleries, and parks. “We’re thrilled to highlight the incredible talent growing right here in our own backyard,” says Esposito. “This series is not only a celebration of music but also of the vibrant community that makes it possible.”
The 2025 Hudson Jazz Festival will take place Friday-Sunday, October 3–5. Mainstage concert tickets start at $19 with festival passes starting at $89. To purchase tickets, explore the full schedule, or for more information, visit HudsonHall.org.
