SYRACUSE, NY: Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett could bring one of jazz's most eclectic duos to Syracuse next year, if the community can find the money in the next four days.
Frank Malfitano, founder and executive director of M&T Syracuse Jazz Fest, said Gaga and Bennett's agent is seeking a date in Upstate New York in mid-July and reached out to the festival. Jazz Fest has about 96 hours to make an offer on the show, but will require an additional $150,000 to do so. If Jazz Fest cannot raise the money, CMAC or Bethel Woods Center for the Arts would likely secure the date.
The show would be the most expensive—and “arguably the hottest"—in Jazz Fest history, if they could land it. For that reason, Malfitano is asking the community for help.
“This sort of show doesn't come along every year," he said. “It's only playing major markets. Something like that is always attractive. It would be a huge win for the community."
The only obstacle in the way of bringing the show to Jazz Fest is money. The festival is currently financially sound, Malfitano said, after a successful event this summer and incoming money from private sponsors and government grants.
But Jazz Fest will not make an offer on the show without having the money in place. It wouldn't be responsible to “back the festival into a corner like that," Malfitano said. He is hoping for funding from the private sector to make up the difference.
Frank Malfitano, founder and executive director of M&T Syracuse Jazz Fest, said Gaga and Bennett's agent is seeking a date in Upstate New York in mid-July and reached out to the festival. Jazz Fest has about 96 hours to make an offer on the show, but will require an additional $150,000 to do so. If Jazz Fest cannot raise the money, CMAC or Bethel Woods Center for the Arts would likely secure the date.
The show would be the most expensive—and “arguably the hottest"—in Jazz Fest history, if they could land it. For that reason, Malfitano is asking the community for help.
“This sort of show doesn't come along every year," he said. “It's only playing major markets. Something like that is always attractive. It would be a huge win for the community."
The only obstacle in the way of bringing the show to Jazz Fest is money. The festival is currently financially sound, Malfitano said, after a successful event this summer and incoming money from private sponsors and government grants.
But Jazz Fest will not make an offer on the show without having the money in place. It wouldn't be responsible to “back the festival into a corner like that," Malfitano said. He is hoping for funding from the private sector to make up the difference.
