Jazz Fest Founder Frank Malfitano, Y94 FM Radio Personality Kathy Rowe & The Legendary Richie Havens

Frank Malfitano Syracuse Jazz Fest Producer

ABOUT SYRACUSE JAZZ FEST PRODUCTIONS, INC.

Syracuse Jazz Fest Productions, Inc. (SJFP, Inc.) is the presenting organization and parent corporation of the annual Syracuse Jazz Fest; and a 501 (c) (3) Charitable, Tax-Exempt, Not-for-Profit Corporation, founded in 1982 by Frank Malfitano for the purpose of developing an audience for Jazz in Central NY, through the presentation of regional jazz 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 40 festivals and special events, inclusing indoor mini-festivals, jazz subscription series, jazz concerts, and 30 outdoor summer Jazz festivals at the Onondaga Community College Campus, Clinton Square Park, Longbranch Park and Song Mountain Ski Resort.

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 four 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 recently as director of the prestigious Detroit International Jazz Festival from 2000 to 2006.

PRODUCER'S BIO

1982 to 2012, founder & executive producer Syracuse Jazz Fest
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 2012, artistic advisor to Arts Across Campus (AAC) Syracuse, NY
2010 to 2012, artistic director, Arts Across Campus Legends of Jazz Series
2009 to 2012, producer, Dunbar Association's Jazz Christmas Concert
2001 to 2012, presidential consultant to Onondaga Community College President Debbie L. Sydow.

AWARDS & HONORS

2011 Syracuse New TImes Best of Syracuse Aaard - Best Free Music Event
2011 Syracuse New TImes Best of Syracuse Aaard - Best Music Festival
2011 Prince Hall Free Masons / Order of Eastern Star Community Service Award
2010 Syracuse New Times Best of Syracuse AWard - Best Music Festival
2009 Outstanding Community Service Award - Dunbar Association
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