Brian Patneaude

A TREAT FOR EVERYBUM Saratoga Springs’ celebrated coffeehouse Caffe Lena recently held a two-week-long fund-raiser, soliciting the help of its patrons to raise money with which to purchase new comfy chairs in which concertgoers can rest their weary butts. The coffeehouse’s “notoriously uncomfortable” old chairs have been replaced with new, solid-wood ones with fancy, newfangled features like “good back support” and “cushioned seats.” According to press, donors were offered an old chair in exchange for a gift of $85 to underwrite the purchase of a new chair. The coffeehouse raised $8,000 altogether, and the new chairs are already in use, so go give them a try. By the way, the chairs aren’t the only thing that’s new: Check out Caffe Lena’s new Web site at caffelena.org.

WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM HIS FRIENDS Woodstock resident David Malachowski has been an anchor in the local music scene for many years. He’s known for writing music criticism for publications like the Times Union, Chronogram, and, once upon a time, Metroland; producing fellow musicians; touring with national acts like Shania Twain and Garth Hudson; and, of course, being a member of bands Commander Cody and Savoy Brown. But you already know all this. Why is this news, you ask? Well, Malachowski is in need of a little financial help as of late. Like a lot of musicians, Malachowski doesn’t have health insurance, and so when he was diagnosed with aortic endocarditis (a potentially fatal bacterial infection in the heart) in December, medical bills began piling up. He’s getting treatment for his condition, but it’s very costly. Malachowski has participated in many benefits for fellow musicians in similar circumstances, and now he and his family are hoping that his past good deeds are reciprocated. Donations can be sent to the Malachowski Medical Fund, P.O. 286, Cohoes, NY 12407. Checks can be made out to Mary Malachowski.

IN TRIBUTE Tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker passed away last weekend at age 57, leaving a hole in the heart of the jazz community. The winner of 11 Grammys, Brecker was considered to be the most influential tenor player of his generation. The loss hit home for local jazz luminary Brian Patneaude, who, as a freshman in high school, was captivated when his band director played him a recording of Brecker’s. Patneaude says, “As a matter of fact, if it weren’t for Michael Brecker and his music I doubt I’d be doing what I’m doing with my life right now.” On Saturday (Jan. 20), Patneaude will be a featured guest on Saturday Morning Edition of Jazz with DJ Bill McCann on WCDB 90.9 FM to present a four-hour tribute to Michael Brecker program from 8 AM to noon, during which he says he will spin a “chronological retrospective of Brecker’s solo work as well as his work as a sideman with Horace Silver, Hal Galper, Mel Lewis, Chet Baker, Pat Metheny,” and more. The program can also be streamed online at albany.edu/~wcdb.

HE WILL BE MISSED Local musician Paul Cavanaugh passed away on Jan. 15. Cavanaugh was very active both in the music scene and in the social-justice community. A memorial will be held on Saturday (Jan. 20) from 3 PM to 8 PM at Channing Hall (405 Washington Ave.). Organizers have requested that people bring photos or other memorabilia if they have them. Also, there will be a benefit at Tess’ Lark Tavern (453 Madison Ave., Albany) on Sunday (Jan. 21) from 5 to 10 PM featuring MotherJudge, Mitch Elrod, Nicole Peyrafitte, Cathy Winter, Idette, members of the Ramblin’ Jug Stompers, Terry Phelan and more. Admission to the show will be accepted in the form of donations to Cavanaugh’s family. For more information about the benefit, call the Lark at 463-9779 or e-mail MotherJudge at motherjudge@hotmail.com.

—Kathryn Lurie

Got Rough Mix items? Contact Kathryn Lurie at klurie@metroland.net or 463-2500 ext. 143.