The Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival was created in 2008 by adding a new dimension to the successful Jazz in the Square international jazz festival.

It provides the Central New York region a popular summer tourism hub for the Finger Lakes, Thousand Islands, and Adirondack regions—with a signature summer cultural tourism event, as well as an anchor for "Syracuse Artsweek," a festival of festivals that also features the Syracuse Arts & Crafts Festival and the Blue Rain ECOfest.

In 2002, Jazz in the Square was created in response to overwhelming public opinion indicating that the City of Syracuse, NY needed a downtown jazz festival designed to support the city's culture and economy.

That festival uniquely was created and produced by a not-for-profit regional performing arts organization, the Central New York Jazz Arts Foundation, the region's primary year-round producer of jazz events in concert, cabaret, scholastic, and festival settings.

The Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival presents jazz in all its forms, providing enjoyable and meaningful exposure to America's art form to experienced and new listeners of all ages. The music will always be fun for all, and it will always be free!