01/28/2026
Getting this one in just under the wire. We have to wish a happy birthday to our somewhat elusive but INCREDIBLY HARD-WORKING SWISS ARMY KNIFE director of marketing/advertising/program guide layout/reels creator and an incredible HUMAN BEING, Melanie Nañez. Melanie has been with our festival for four years now. But her history working in the jazz business dates to the late 90s when she began working for George Wein at Festival Productions (where she worked in everything from HR to marketing to photography and design). Many know her as FP founder George Wein’s right hand person for the last 20 years of his life. She has since worked on behalf on the Central Park Summerstage, Jazz Journalists Association, Jazz House Kids, WBGO-FM, Montclair Jazz Festival, Endea Owens & The Cookout, Fully Altered Media, as well as her own web and print design business, and man other worthy causes. She is an also a mom to a beautiful 3.5 year old whom we’ve seen grow up in front of our eyes, dog mom and we love her deeply. Please join us in wishing Melanie a Happy Birthday and many more!
