Spring is in the air and so too are the sound of music as the “Swing into Spring” Jazz Festival makes its encore in Stony Brook village beginning tomorrow.  For its second act, the five evening event will treat visitors to live performances by local jazz artists at various locations throughout this historic business district.  The festival was launched last year as a way to attract and welcome back the locals, tourists, music lovers and foodies who seem to go into hibernation after the holiday season.

“Swing into Spring” is the brainchild of Suffolk County Legislator Kara Hahn, who developed the mini-festival with Tom Manuel, President and Founder of The Jazz Loft, and vocalist Catherine Green during the winter doldrums of 2017 and early 2018.  Suffolk County is sponsoring the festival through a grant intended to promote tourism through the arts. It will run from Tuesday, March 26, 2019 through Saturday, March 30, 2019 at The Jazz Loft and in village restaurants and will highlight talent drawn from across Long Island.

“By March, most people have grown tired of lying dormant and are ready to sprout back out into the world for an evening of great music and fine dining,” said Legislator Hahn.  “Understanding this, last winter I approached Tom with an idea to bring people back to our main streets and great downtown venues through music, and from that discussion the ‘Swing into Spring’ jazz festival was born. Our intention was to collaborate on a duet that matched Stony Brook’s reputation as a historic tourist destination with its more recent development as one of Long Island’s great cultural centers.  From the reception it received last year, and the anticipation for its return, I think ‘Swing into Spring’ has hit just the right note for visitors and local business owners.” 

“I am excited that we doing this festival again and especially that it has expanded so much. We're including a new restaurant, The Country House Restaurant, and we're welcoming new school district ensembles to the Jazz Loft for workshop, tour and performance based events,” said Tom Manuel.  “I'm thrilled to see our ‘Swing into Spring’ Festival expand and grow especially in a day and age where funding and support of the arts in general is diminishing, that Legislator Hahn is forging forward, supporting her community, the arts, and all that her district has to offer. We're lucky to have someone like that in leadership.”

“The entire Pentimento team and I are excited to be included in Swing into Spring,” said owner-manager Lisa Cusumano. “I am convinced that great music and great food have the power to create unforgettable experiences.”

The festival kicks off tomorrow with concurrent performances beginning at 6PM in several Stony Brook village venues and culminates at the Jazz Loft on Saturday with a Community Jazz Night.  A full schedule of events follows below.

“The winter is finally coming to an end, and now is the time to celebrate here in Stony Brook village with great food and great music that will have everyone swinging, and even singing, into spring,” Legislator Hahn concluded.

Tuesday, March 26th

Wednesday, March 27th

Thursday, March 28th

Friday, March 29th

Saturday, March 30th