Bring on the funk at Bedford Music Festival

The Motet. COURTESY THE MOTET

By JEFF MORRIS 

The Bedford Music Festival will return to Caramoor with a lineup heavy on funk and soul.

The event brings a full day of live music and local energy to the Caramoor grounds on Sunday, Sept. 6. Attendees can grab food and drinks from local vendors while kids stay busy with activities designed for them. It’s a Sunday to pack your lawn chairs, gather with your neighbors, settle in, soak up the atmosphere, and experience a very special day of music, right in Bedford’s backyard.

Top talent

Headlining at 7 p.m. is The Motet, a large funk ensemble known for their energetic performances and immaculate arrangements. Incorporating elements of jazz, rock, soul, and Afrobeat into their mix, the Colorado-based group built a loyal following through heavy touring and an appealingly cross-pollinated sound. Founded in 1998 by drummer and bandleader Dave Watts, The Motet is Watts, guitarist Ryan Jalbert, bassist Garrett Sayers, keyboardist Joey Porter, saxophonist Drew Sayers and powerhouse singer Sarah Clarke. 

Their upbeat live performances create a welcoming, danceable party feel that visitors of all ages can enjoy together. The Motet have sold out shows across the nation, performed seven headlining slots at Red Rocks and sets at festivals such as Bonnaroo, Bottlerock, Electric Forest, Bumbershoot, Summer Camp, and High Sierra. 

At 5:15 p.m., the Jamie McLean Band will present a rich musical gumbo that incorporates New Orleans soul, middle Americana roots, Delta blues and New York City swagger. Fronted by former Dirty Dozen Brass Band guitarist Jamie McLean, the group pairs honest songwriting with catchy, sing-along choruses, providing a warm, family-friendly backdrop for a relaxed Sunday outdoors.

The Jamie McLean Band is described as triple threat, with McLean’s fiery guitar, blue-eyed southern soul vocals and top line songwriting. Their live show is where the band excels. They have shared stages with Gregg Allman, Aaron Neville, Dr. John, Taj Mahal, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Blues Traveler, and many more.Summer Fling, taking the stage at 4 p.m., is a seven-piece band based in New York City, blending funk, soul, pop, and jazz into a groove-driven sound and exhilarating live show.

Founded by vocalist Eddie Kam and saxophonist Grant Tucker, the band creates high-energy, communal performances powered by a three-piece horn section and a foundation in jazz and musical theater. Their shows are tight, dynamic, and built to keep audiences engaged from start to finish.

Kicking off the festival at 2:45 p.m. is Rock and Roll Playhouse Plays the Music of Taylor Swift. Founded in 2014 by independent concert promoter Peter Shapiro and educator Amy Striem, The Rock and Roll Playhouse is the largest national kid-friendly live concert series, having performed to hundreds of thousands of kids and their families. It has hosted over 1,000 shows in more than 35 leading live music venues across the U.S. Performing songs created by the most iconic musicians in rock history, The Rock and Roll Playhouse band offers its core audience of families with children ages 1-7, games, movement, stories, and most importantly, an opportunity to rock out. It allows parents to enjoy the music they love while little fans are encouraged to explore their creativity and have fun.

Spend the day

In addition to the great music, attendees will get to enjoy exploring Caramoor’s grounds and its collection of sound art, Sonic Innovations. 

The weekend closes out the summer-long Focus Tour of “Inside Lucie’s Wardrobe” in the Rosen House. Attendees can get a final peek at some of the pieces in the free Open House of the Music Room, or book a tour to see the full collection. Kids and families can discover Caramoor’s treasures together with the help of scavenger hunts of the grounds and I Spy clues in the House as well as create musical crafts, play lawn games, and more. 

Other Festival activities include an instrument petting zoo, lawn games, cookie decorating, tie-dye making, bouncy castles, and face painting. There’s also a zen zone and wellness room.

An on-site marketplace of local shops and businesses will include Second Mouse Cheese Shop, It Must Have Been the Bake, Taiguey Company, Widow’s Peak Kitchen, and many more yet to be announced.

The Bedford Music Festival will take place at Caramoor’s Friends Field. General admission tickets are $64 in advance and $70 day of show; those 12 and under are admitted free. VIP tickets are $155 and include concert tickets, access to an exclusive VIP Tent & Artist Lounge featuring food, drinks, and the opportunity to mix and mingle with artists, plus guaranteed seating for each performance in the event of rain. (The festival will take place rain or shine; in the event of severe weather, the performances will take place under the tent in the Venetian Theater.)

Caramoor is located at 154 Girdle Ridge Road, Katonah. Visit caramoor.org for tickets and more information.