Moving on Up
Jazz on Jay has, in recent years, grown to be a Schenectady summer institution, drawing crowds downtown for free weekly jazz performances. Starting on Monday, the town will add a second series, built at a slightly higher vantage.
The Look Up! series takes its name from the fact that performers will be set up on the balcony of Johnny’s (433 State St., Schenectady), overlooking pedestrian traffic. From 5:30 to 7:30, jazz and rock groups will perform for free, and audiences are encouraged to hang out down below. Things get started with the Brian Patneaude Quartet (Aug. 4) and proceed with No Hands (Aug. 11), the Dylan Perrillo Orchestra (Aug. 18) and the Chronicles (Aug. 25). Schenectady County Community College has contributed $500 to initiate the series, which is being organized by SCCC alums Lecco Morris and Jeff Nania.
Taina Asili
Hopeful Harvest
Puerto Rican vocalist Taína Asili and her band La Banda Rebelde will celebrate the release of their sophomore album Fruit of Hope tomorrow (Friday, Aug. 1) at the Linda (339 Central, Albany). Following 2010’s War Cry, la Banda have expanded the reach of their world-music palette, adding the Indian tablas of Devesh Chandra, Portugese vocals from Brazilian Eliane Pinheiro and the poetry of Naima Penniman and Michael Reyes to their mix of reggae, hip-hop and Afro-Latin styles. Additionally, the band have gained new full-time members in vocalist Tonya Abernathy, bassist Gabby Canzieri and percussionist Dylan Blanchard. The record release party as well promises the addition of a horn section, guest dancers and performers. Committed, as always to themes of social justice and strength of spirit, the show is gearing up to help the audience “dance to the movement of rebellion.” The show starts at 9 PM and tickets are $10. Call 465-5233 for more info.
Valley Jazz
“Connecting different generations of jazz musicians in an interactive environment has always been essential to the development of jazz music,” says pianist Marcus Roberts, and he’ll be doing just that next during the Joy of Jazz Week with the Catskill Jazz Factory. The artist in residence will be leading a series of performances, lectures and workshops from Wednesday (Aug. 5) through Aug. 9.
The Harlem on the Hudson Experience will kick things off on Wednesday, followed by a Ragtime to Swing Masterclass on Thursday, Jazz to the Joy of Three on Friday, culminating with the Spirit of Louis Concert on Saturday, in celebration of Louis Armstrong. Most events take place on Catskill Mountain Foundation’s Orpheum Film and Performing Arts Center in Tannersville, while late-night performances will take place at the Last Chance Tavern (6009 Main St., Tannersville).
The Catskill Jazz Factory is a program started by the 23Arts Initiative, an arts nonprofit committed to bringing national and international acts to the Hudson Valley. This is the third summer the group have thrown the event. For more information on the group and the Joy of Jazz Week, visit catskilljazzfactory.org.
