The Staten Island JAZZ Festival, presented by Universal Temple of the Arts for more than three decades, has set its 38th edition for Saturday, Dec. 19, at the St. George Theatre, 35 Hyatt Street. The evening runs from 7 to 10:30 p.m. and will honor NEA Jazz Master Reggie Workman and cultural leader Laurie A. Cumbo. General admission tickets are $38.

Who is playing

The lineup announced by Universal Temple of the Arts has four acts:

  • Nicole Zuraitis, a vocalist, pianist, songwriter and arranger based in New York, who has won two GRAMMY Awards and been nominated four times.
  • Jumaane Smith, a trumpeter and vocalist.
  • Kersten Stevens, a violinist.
  • The Dal Segño Trio, joined by guest vocalist Jazzmeia Horn.

The musical director is Dr. Darrell Smith, an educator and bandleader who grew up on Staten Island. Sheila E. Anderson of WBGO 88.3 FM is the host.

The honorees

Each year the festival recognizes people for their work in jazz, education and the arts. This year the honors go to Reggie Workman, who has been named a Jazz Master by the National Endowment for the Arts, and to Laurie A. Cumbo, whom the organizers recognize for her work in arts and culture.

Who is behind it

Universal Temple of the Arts is a Staten Island nonprofit for arts, culture and education that dates to 1967. Its festival was founded by Sajda Musawwir Ladner, who also served as the organization's artistic and executive director, and the organization describes it as one of the city's longest-running community festivals.

The festival's posters and promotion use images by Romare Bearden, the African American artist, a connection the organization traces to its founding years. This year's program is also tied to the nation's 250th anniversary, with the festival framing jazz as an American-born art form and part of that history.

Tickets

There are two ticket levels:

  • General admission, $38, sold online through Ticketmaster or in person at the St. George Theatre box office, which is open Tuesday through Friday from noon to 5 p.m.
  • Golden Circle, $138, which includes VIP seating, a cocktail reception and invitations to events with the festival's cultural partners. Universal Temple of the Arts handles these directly through its director of community engagement, Todd Seward, at tseward@utasi.org.

Getting there

The St. George Theatre is a short walk from the St. George Ferry Terminal, which makes the festival reachable from Manhattan on the free Staten Island Ferry. The Staten Island Railway's St. George station is in the same terminal, and several bus lines, including the S40, S44 and S62, stop there.

The 38th Staten Island JAZZ Festival is Saturday, Dec. 19, from 7 to 10:30 p.m. at the St. George Theatre, 35 Hyatt Street. General admission is $38; buy through Ticketmaster or at the box office, Tuesday to Friday, noon to 5 p.m.

Sources