The festival is headlined by the Nicole Zuraitis Quartet at 7 p.m. Saturday.

The 1891 Fredonia Opera House Performing Arts Center this year is a participating venue in the annual Fredonia Jazz Festival, which is produced by the Fredonia Jazz Society and which runs Thursday to Saturday.

The Opera House serves as the venue for six of the Festival’s eight performance events, starting with the Afternoon Showcase on Saturday. Beginning at noon, the Showcase runs until 5 p.m. and features performances by four bands. Seating is general admission and the $15 ticket covers all four band performances. Scheduled to perform are:

¯ Morgan Street Stompers at noon, traditional Dixieland Jazz music.

¯ Deanna Witkowski at 1:15 p.m., pianist/singer presents A Tribute to Mary Lou Williams

¯ Dave Golando and Sax Time at 2:30 p.m., inspired by the legendary Supersax

¯ David Jonathan and Inner City Bedlam at 4 p.m., jazz infused with gospel and soul

The Festival is headlined by the Nicole Zuraitis Quartet at 7 p.m. Zuraitis is not your average jazz singer. “A heart full of soul, and voice full of sunshine,” writes All About Jazz. Jane Monheit calls her “one of my favorite vocalists. She has a gorgeous and capable instrument that can be conversational one moment and then soar to the heavens the next. This is a rare and beautiful thing.”

A Grammy-nominated jazz singer-songwriter, pianist and arranger, New York-based bandleader and winner of the prestigious 2021 American Traditions Vocal Competition Gold Medal, Zuraitis has positioned herself as one of the top artists and “prolific songwriters” (Broadway World) to watch in jazz and beyond.

In addition to leading her quartet, Zuraitis is the premier vocalist for the Birdland Big Band and frequently headlines iconic NYC jazz clubs like Dizzy’s Club at Lincoln Center, the Blue Note, the Carlyle, 54 Below and the late, great 55 Bar. She has appeared as a featured soloist with the Savannah Philharmonic, Asheville Symphony and Macon Pops and has supported iconic singers like Melanie, Morgan James, Darren Criss and Livingston Taylor on piano and vocals.

As a recording artist, she has released six albums. Her latest album, How Love Begins, co-produced with eight-time Grammy-winner Christian McBride, was released in July and features all original music. Zuraitis will be joined on stage by Idan Morim on guitar, Sam Weber on bass, and Dan Pugach drums.

The Nick Weiser Sextet will open for Zuraitis. The group includes musicians Kieran Hanlon, John Bacon, Elliot Scozzaro, Mark Filsinger, and Brendan Lanighan. Tickets are reserved seating and are priced $20 to $45.

Performances at other venues that are part of the Festival include the Nick Finzer Quartet on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. and again at 8 p.m. at Domus Fare restaurant. Tickets are $50. On Friday, the SUNY Fredonia Alumni Jazz Band & The Fredonia Jazz Orchestra perform at Rosch Recital Hall at 8 p.m. Admission is free.

Tickets for all Jazz Festival events are available at www.FredoniaJazzsociety.com/tickets

The Fredonia Jazz Society supports and hosts live performance and related activities throughout western New York for the benefit of music lovers of all ages and backgrounds. With an emphasis on high standards and on local and guest artists, the aim is to enhance the quality of life through music and the arts.

The 1891 Fredonia Opera House Performing Arts Center is a member-supported not-for-profit performing arts center with a mission to “present the performing arts for the benefit of our community and region … providing access to artistic diversity … and high quality programming at an affordable price.” It is located in Village Hall in downtown Fredonia. For a complete schedule of events, visit www.fredopera.org.