Jazz fans in NYC that find themselves still sulking over the (quite devastating) loss of this year's JVC Jazz Festival can dry their eyes hop on the Metro-North! The Caramoor International Music Festival, known for its stunningly beautiful grounds and eclectic summer programming, will host its 16th Annual Jazz Festival the first weekend of August. With a lineup that features both jazz giants and new talents, this event could turn out to be a memorable capper to the summer's musical season.

NYC-based French pianist and composer Jean-Michel Pilc kicks off the festival on Saturday afternoon with his trio, in a performance of his Chaplin Suite “Modern Lights” – music reflecting and inspired by Charlie Chaplin’s films. What's more is this year marks the 50th anniversary of the recording of the John Coltrane masterpiece "Giant Steps", and legendary pianist Cedar Walton, who participated in these sessions, has assembled a band to pay tribute to this historic music. Walton is followed by an outstanding program featuring the talent of twenty-five year old Gerald Clayton who, with his trio, demonstrates why he is one of the most significant young pianists emerging today.

After his sizzling performance in last year’s Cuban Piano Summit, pianist Chuchito Valdés returns to Caramoor with his quartet to give the weekend some Cubanismo flavor. Dianne Reeves, one of the premier vocalists in the world, headlines this year’s festival with her "Strings Attached" on Saturday evening featuring guitar masters Russell Malone and Romero Lubambo.

Two master pianists – Junior Mance and Cyrus Chestnut – each with his own trio kick off Sunday afternoon in swinging elegance. The leading Brazilian duo of singer Luciana Souza and guitarist Romero Lubambo follow with a sultry and expansive set of music from their native Brazil. The Caramoor Jazz Festival concludes with jazz piano giant Randy Weston with his African Rhythms band in an exploration of the connections between Afro-American classical music and the ancestral rhythms of the African continent.

To purchase tickets, call the Box Office at 914.232.1252 or visit the Caramoor website at www.caramoor.org. Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts is located at 149 Girdle Ridge Road, Katonah, New York.