News
August 10, 2017A Place for Jazz Announces Its 2017 Fall Concert Series
A Place for Jazz announces its Fall Concert Series, featuring five evenings of world-class jazz in the Capital District. The series begins on September 8, 2017 and continues every other Friday through November 3, 2017. All concerts begin at 7:30 PM at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Schenectady, 1221 Wendell Avenue, Schenectady, NY. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for students, and children under 12 are free if they’re with an adult. To order tickets, call 518-393-4011, email Tim Coakley at coakjazz@aol.com, or use the ticket order form on our website, www.aplaceforjazz.org.
September 8: The Larry Willis Trio
Pianist Larry Willis was born in New York City. After his first year at the Manhattan School of Music he began performing regularly with Jackie McLean. He has performed with a wide range of musicians, including seven years as keyboardist for Blood, Sweat & Tears. He spent several years as pianist for Nat Adderley, as well as Roy Hargrove. He received the Benny Golson Jazz Master Award at Howard University in 2012.
October 6: The Chembo Corniel Quintet
Percussionist Wilson Chembo Corniel is making a return visit to APFJ, this time as leader of his own group. He teaches percussion at SUNY Purchase. He is currently leading his own Latin Jazz quintet. He earned a Grammy nomination in 2009 for “Best Latin Jazz Album.”
October 6: The Jackie Ryan-Shelly Berg Duo
Vocalist Jackie Ryan grew up listening to a unique blend of voices. Her father was of Irish descent and sang classical pieces around the house in his trained baritone. Her mother was Mexican and crooned Spanish folk songs to her as a child. Pianist Shelly Berg has recorded several albums with his trio. In 2007, he was named dean and professor of Music at the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami. Berg was nominated for a 2015 Grammy Award in the Best Arrangement Instrumental and Vocals category. He is the music director of The Jazz Cruise.
October 20: The Jeff Siegel Sextet
Jeff Siegel was the longtime drummer with pianist Lee Shaw, along with bassist Rich Syracuse. Siegel’s latest CD is “King of Xhosa,” with Syracuse, bass; Erica Lindsay, sax; Francesca Tanksley, piano; African trumpeter Feya Faku and percussionist Fred Berryhill. This is the group that will play for us.
November 3: The Don Byron Quartet
Don Byron is a gifted performer on clarinet, bass clarinet and saxophone. He has been nominated for a Grammy Award for his bass clarinet solo on “I Want to Be Happy” from the album “Ivey-Divey.” He has worked as a professor at The University at Albany, teaching composition, improvisation, music history, clarinet, and saxophone.
