One of the nation’s longest running music festivals has been happening right in Syracuse. It’s still holds that title, even though it took a break for about five years.

One of its founders and a longtime performer says the festival's return this weekend comes at the right time; because the music and the historic event brings everybody together no matter if you are rich or poor, Black or white.

The festival has brought out some of the best in the business, including performers like Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Wynton Marsalis, and BB King before he passed away in 2015.

Miles Davis came to Syracuse back when the festival started in the 1980s. Jazz Fest organizer and founder Frank Malfitano said when Davis landed in Syracuse, the first thing he said to Malfitano was that he needed some “soul food."

Malfitano is the man that makes Syracuse Jazz Fest happen, even today. He, along with his wife Kathy Rowe and his support team, have kept it going for four decades. The support team includes regular jazz performer and local recording artist Ronnie Leigh.

Leigh says the festival brings out so much love and joy and people will come rain or shine.

“We started doing this tune called ‘Bursting with the Dawn.’ I’m singing away and the clouds just blew away and the sun came out and that’s the way the crowd made us feel; everybody was applauding,” recalled Leigh.

Leigh and Malfitano say with all the violence that is happening in the world, if Jazz Fest was happening all the time it would solve a lot of problems.

“Truth be told this has always been about racial unification, this has always been about bringing everyone in the community together to unite. We’ve been through some really divided times the last five years in this nation. To be able to present and preserve American heritage music, and in particular African American heritage music, is a great honor. It’s the greatest gift we’ve ever given to the world! It’s a universal language. It brings people together in harmony and peace,” said Malfitano.

For a list of performers and where to see them play, click here. There are also some traffic alerts to be aware of downtown. For more information on street closures, click here.