Hudson Hall, housed in the historic Hudson Opera House, is gearing up for the much-anticipated return of the Hudson Jazz Festival, landing in town October 3 to 5, 2025. Under the creative direction of producer Cat Henry and hosted by jazz media maven Keanna Faircloth, this year’s festival brings a wave of fresh talent to the Hudson Valley just as the fall foliage hits its dramatic peak.
The 2025 edition is all about spotlighting jazz’s rising stars, with a stacked lineup that includes Joel Ross, Julius Rodriguez, Caity Gyorgy, and BIGYUKI. From vibraphone virtuosity to vintage vocals and late night dance beats, every night delivers its own musical vibe—a weekend-long tasting flight of the genre’s most exciting new voices.
The mainstage shows unfold inside the beautifully restored Hudson Hall, while free pop-up performances and after-hours sets spill out across town from cozy bars to repurposed industrial spaces. And it’s all happening in one of the most walkable, art-filled towns in the region. Add in Hudson’s independent shops, buzzy restaurants, and sweeping Catskill views, and you’ve got the perfect jazz and leaf-peeping getaway—just a direct two hour train ride from NYC.
2025 Hudson Jazz Festival Lineup
Friday October 3
7 PM – Julius Rodriguez Group at Hudson Hall
The New York Times calls him a “prodigy of jazz clubs,” and NPR hails him as “a torchbearer” for the city’s next jazz generation. With a genre-bending sound that fuses jazz, gospel, funk, and R&B, pianist-drummer Julius Rodriguez kicks off the festival in soulful, boundary-pushing style.
9 PM – Opening Night Dance Party with BIGYUKI at Second Ward Foundation
Start your weekend dancing: NYC’s own keyboard wizard BIGYUKI, known for collabs with A Tribe Called Quest and Kamasi Washington, unleashes a sonic storm of jazz, soul, electronica, and hip hop. His immersive, high-octane set is the definition of after-hours magic.
Saturday October 4
7 PM – Caity Gyorgy Quartet at Hudson Hall
Two-time JUNO Award winner Caity Gyorgy (say it “George”) brings a retro cool twist to jazz vocals, pairing golden era charm with contemporary flair. Her playful scatting and sparkling originals are a love letter to the Great American Songbook.
9 PM – Tristen Jarvis: Deep Tones for Peace at Park Theater
Bassists take center stage in this rich homage to jazz giants from Mingus and Pastorius to Thundercat. Led by Tristen Jarvis, this intimate late night set turns the bassline into the soul of the sound.
Sunday October 5
2 PM – Alphonso Horne & The Gotham Kings at The Caboose
New Orleans comes to the Hudson Valley as two-time GRAMMY nominee Alphonso Horne leads a brass-fueled jazz party. Expect rags, stomps, funk, and second line vibes as The Gotham Kings channel the joyful chaos of a Big Easy street parade.
5 PM – Joel Ross’s Good Vibes at Hudson Hall
Blue Note vibraphonist Joel Ross closes the weekend with a set that’s as bluesy as it is brilliant. Lauded for his vibrant compositions and jaw-dropping improvisation, Ross brings the future of jazz into sharp, shimmering focus.
Plus: Sounds Around Town
The music doesn’t stop at Hudson Hall. The festival spills out into the streets with Sounds Around Town, a series of free pop-up shows featuring Bard College jazz faculty and students. Full lineup TBA.
Tickets & Passes
Festival Passes start at $89 (save 15%) and include three mainstage concerts plus the Friday night dance party.
Single tickets start at $20, with discounts available for students, veterans, and under 25s.
More info at hudsonhall.org
Fall colors. Rising stars. Small town magic. This is jazz in the Hudson Valley, louder, freer, and funkier than ever.
