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Jazz Fest Founder Frank Malfitano
w/ the Legendary Richie Havens  &
Y94FM Radio Personality Kathy Rowe

 
Frank Malfitano Syracuse Jazz Fest Producer

 

ABOUT SYRACUSE JAZZ FEST PRODUCTIONS, INC.

Syracuse Jazz Fest Productions, Inc. (SJFP, Inc.) is a 501 (c) (3) Charitable, Tax-Exempt,  Not-for-Profit Corporation, founded in 1982 by Jazz Fest founder Frank Malfitano  for the purpose of developing an audience for Jazz in Central NY, through the presentation of concerts, series, club events, and outdoor jazz festivals.

Since that time, Syracuse Jazz Fest Productions has produced more than 2,000 events nationally, regionally and locally, including 38 festivals and special events,  indoor mini-festivals, jazz subscription series,  jazz concerts, and 28 outdoor summer Jazz festivals at the Onondaga Community College Campus, Clinton Square Park, Longbranch Park and Song Mountain Ski Resort.

Along the way, Mr. Malfitano also co-created and hosted a popular weekly jazz radio program, "Just Jazz," and  hosted two critically-acclaimed cable TV series, "Jazz In The Park" and "Jazz Beat On Location."  In addition to his work in Central NY, Mr. Malfitano has also been actively involved on the national jazz scene for close to three decades, having served as executive producer of the 1990 Jazz Times Magazine (International Jazz Industry) Convention in New Orleans and Associate Producer of the 1988 Jazz Times Convention in Los Angeles, and most  as director of the prestigious Detroit International Jazz Festival from 2000 to 2006.

PRODUCER'S BIO

  • 1990 to 1996,  executive director Syracuse Area Landmark Theatre.
  • 1997, executive co-producer of the first-ever Jazz Awards at Lincoln Center.
  • 2000 to 2006, executive director Detroit International Jazz Festival
  • 2000 to 2006, artistic director  Detroit Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts.
  • 2006 to 2009, presenting manager Stanley Center for the Arts Utica NY,
  • 2001 to 2010, artistic advisor  to Arts Across Campus
  • 2001 to 2010, presidential consultant to Onondaga Community College President Debbie L. Sydow.

AWARDS & HONORS

  • 2009 Emmy Award Nomination - "Jazz Fest Profiles" produced by Matt Mulcahy
  • 2008 NAACP Community Service Award
  • 2007 Syracuse Press Club Award - "ABC's of Jazz Fest" Special produced by Tim Fox
  • 2007 OCC Trustees Exemplary Service Award
  • 2007 IAJE Special Recognition Award for 25 years of outstanding service to jazz education
  • 2006 OCC "Alumni Faces" Honoree
  • 2006 IAJE Outstanding Service to Jazz Education Award
  • 2004 Syracuse Convention & Vistors Bureau Community Service Award
  • 2001 New Orleans Mayoral Award - "Outstanding Contributions to New Orleans Music"
  • 2000,1999 "Best Festival Award" Syracuse Area Music (SAMMY) Awards
  • 1999 "Chancellor's Award" - State University of New York Honor Roll
  • 1999 IAJE "Award of Excellence"
  • 1997 NYS Legislative Resolution recognizing 15 years as executive producer of a world class jazz festival
  • 1996 Syracuse Post-Standard Achievement Award
  • 1996 Syracuse Area Music Awards (SAMMYS) Hall Of Fame Award
  • 1995 Joseph Pietrefesa Foundation Memorial Award
  • 1994 Syracuse Mayor's Special Recognition Award
  • 1992 Cultural Resource Council's (CRC) Service To The Arts Award
  • 1992 Updowntowners Downtown Award of Excellence
  • 1992 International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE) Award Of Excellence
  • 1983, 1987, 1989 Public commendations from the Syracuse City Council and Onondaga County Legislature
2010 Syracuse Jazz Fest