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Michael-Louis Smith Lou Smaldone, Adam Siegel, Chris Pasin Lee Shaw, John Medeski		6 . 1 8 . 1 3 - Check out albanyjazz.com on Facebook! NEW ARTICLES/REVIEWS/PHOTOS POSTED: Michael-Louis Smith CD Release @ The Linda - photos by Rudy Lu Michael-Louis Smith CD Release @ The Linda - photos by Albert Brooks Jam Session w/Joe Barna Quartet @ 9 Maple Ave - photos by Rudy Lu Lee Shaw's Surprise Birthday Party @ 74 State - photos by Rudy Lu Colleen Pratt & Friends @ Jazz On Jay - photos by Richard Johnson Keith Pray's Big Soul Ensemble feat. Alan Ferber @ The Van Dyck - photos by Albert Brooks Joe Barna Quartet @ The Confectionery Wine Bar - photos by Rudy Lu Chembo Corniel's Afro Blue Monk @ Union College - photos by Rudy Lu Arthur Brooks Quartet @ Upstate Artists Guild - photos by Andrzej Pilarczyk Lionel Loueke Trio & Williams College Jazz Band @ Williams College - photos by Andrzej Pilarczyk Michael-Louis Smith First Black Nation - CD review by Albert Brooks

Ray Anderson		PROCTORS SUMMER JAZZ INSTITUTE w/RAY ANDERSON Registration is under way for Proctors' Summer Jazz Institute with special guest Ray Anderson. The institute will run for two weeks during the month of August culminating in a performance on August 16th at 7:30pm in the GE Theatre. The institute is open to musicians of all ages, experience levels and instruments. Participants will be immersed in an atmosphere of improvisation and performance the way jazz itself was born -- from heart first, then ear, and finally through horn, key, drum or string! No sheet music. No scales, or learning by rote. Keith Pray, nationally renowned saxophonist and instructor, and Arthur Falbush, professor at SUNY Oneonta,will lead a group of instructors covering every instrument class. Participants will receive one-on-one attention and improvisation exercises within groups, culminating in a performance of the entire Jazz Institute that gives each and every musician the confidence and the tools to groove, solo and play out! Click here for more information.

		TERI ROIGER CD RELEASE @ THE FALCON - WEDNESDAY 6/19 Teri Roiger will celebrate the release of her new CD Dear Abbey: The Music of Abbey Lincoln by singing the music of Abbey Lincoln on June 19 at the Falcon Arts Center (1348 9W, Marlboro, NY). June 19 is known as Juneteenth, the annual holiday celebrating the announcement of the abolition of slavery in the U.S. Ms. Lincoln was a legendary singer, poet, songwriter, actress, and civil rights activist. Roiger will be joined by James Weidman (piano), John Menegon (bass), Steve Williams (drums) plus special guests Greg Osby (alto sax) and Mark Dziuba (guitar). Click here for more information.

Bruce Barth & Steve Nelson		BRUCE BARTH/STEVE NELSON QUARTET @ VAN DYCK - FRI 6/21 The Van Dyck will present the Bruce Barth/Steve Nelson Quartet on Friday, June 21 at 7:30pm. Rounding out the group will be bassist Mike Lawrence and drummer Michael Benedict. Jazz pianist and composer Bruce Barth has been sharing his music with listeners the world over for more than two decades. Deeply rooted in the jazz tradition, his music reflects both the depth and breadth of his life and musical experiences. In addition to traveling widely performing his own music, he has also performed with revered jazz masters, as well as collaborated with leading musicians of his own generation. Vibraphonist Steve Nelson began his career during the seventies, in his hometown of Pittsburgh, following the straight ahead path blazed by his first major influence, Milt Jackson. After a year with guitarist Grant Green he was playing and recording with his Rutgers professors James Spaulding and Kenny Barron, before landing a spot in David "Fathead Newman's quintet. Throughout the eighties Nelson was the vibists of choice among some of his generation's most talented up-and-comers, including Bobby Watson, Curtis Lundy, James Williams, Mulgrew Miller, Donald Brown, Geoffrey Keezer and Lewis Nash, developing a harmonically open sound, influenced by the innovations of Bobby Hutcherson, that led him to a spot in Dave Holland's award winning band. Click here for more information.

Ravi Coltrane		SKIDMORE SUMMER JAZZ INSTITUTE - SUN 6/23 - SAT 7/6 The Skidmore College Summer Jazz Institute marks its 26th year this summer with a program that focuses on instruction and performance. Scheduled June 23 to July 6 and directed by Todd Coolman, the program provides a new generation of musicians with the opportunity to mingle with and learn from gifted educators and world-class performers in an intimate, supportive environment. A highlight each summer is the series of special concerts featuring guest artists and Jazz Institute student and faculty performers. All concerts will take place in the Arthur Zankel Music Center, Ladd Concert Hall. The schedule includes the following: Tuesday 6/25 – Ravi Coltrane Quartet (8:00pm) Thursday 6/27 – Skidmore Faculty Sextet (8:00pm) Friday 6/28 - Skidmore Summer Jazz Institute Student Concert (1:00pm) Tuesday 7/2 – Vincent Gardner Quintet (8:00pm) Thursday 7/4 – Skidmore Faculty Sextet (8:00pm) Friday 7/5 - Skidmore Summer Jazz Institute Student Concert (1:00pm) Click here for more information.

David Sanborn		FREIHOFER’S SARATOGA JAZZ FESTIVAL - JUNE 29 & 30 The Saratoga Performing Arts Center has announced the line up for this year's Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival which will take place on Saturday, June 29 and Sunday, June 30. Artists scheduled to appear include David Sanborn & Bob James, McCoy Tyner & John Scofield, Gary Smulyan, Tony Bennett, Kevin Eubanks and many more. Click here for more information.

		TROY'S PROSPECT PARK JAZZ CONCERT SERIES STARTS FRI 7/19 The city of Troy will present the Prospect Park Jazz Series on Fridays during the months of July and August. All shows run 6:30-8:30pm. Friday 7/19 -- Groove Nouveau Friday 7/26 -- Tommy Verrigni Trio Friday 8/02 -- Standard Clams Friday 8/09 -- Keith Pray Quartet

Luciana Souza		CARAMOOR JAZZ FESTIVAL CELEBRATES 20 YEARS THIS JULY Since 1993 the Caramoor Jazz Festival has presented hundreds of the finest jazz musicians from superstars to emerging artists, from big bands to solo pianists, in an eclectic mix featuring unique combinations of artists in true Festival style. This year's festival runs July 26-28 and features a multitude of jazz artists including The Mingus Big Band, Delfeayo Marsalis, Luciana Souza and many more. Click here for more information.

Dave Brubeck Eldar		DAVE BRUBECK MEMORIAL TRIBUTE @ SPA LITTLE THEATER 7/28 The thirteenth annual Saratoga Choral Festival will take place this July. Singers will meet for rehearsals over a three-week period in Saratoga Springs beginning Tuesday, July 9, and will perform in a concert open to the public at the Spa Little Theater on Sunday, July 28 at 3:00om. This summer's concert will feature the choral music of Dave Brubeck, including the popular "Pange Lingua Variations", and the unpublished "Canticles of Mary" as well as a performance by jazz pianist and Brubeck protegee Eldar Djangirov and his jazz trio. The Saratoga Choral Festival is currently looking for singers, all parts, to join the group this summer. For more information contact agoodman@saratogachoralfest.org or (518) 791-0185.

Armen Donelian & Marc Mommaas		7th ANNUAL HUDSON JAZZ WORKSHOP - AUGUST 8-11 Hudson Jazzworks, Inc. presents the 7th Annual Hudson Jazz Workshop from Thursday, August 8 through Sunday, August 11 in Hudson, NY as well as the "Meet the Artists" Symposium and Concert on Sunday, August 11 at the Hudson Opera House. Founded in 2007 by co-directors pianist Armen Donelian and saxophonist Marc Mommaas, the Hudson Jazz Workshop offers ten participants a weekend of immersion in jazz performance, improvisation and composition in a focused atmosphere conducive to intensive study and nurturing support. This summer the workshop will feature renowned vocalist and NEA Jazz Master, Sheila Jordan as a special guest artist/clinician. Click here for more information.

Fred Randall		HELP FUND "KEEPING TIME" BY FRED RANDALL 97-year old drummer Fred Randall has launched a crowdfunding campaign to help publish his autobiography. "Keeping Time" chronicles the Schenectady, NY native's love affair with percussion, starting as a Depression-era kid who worked odd jobs and played gigs to put food on his family's table. Later, he performed in Army club bands, effectively numbing the horrors of his World War II service. Music remained a source of income, pride and joy as Randall played for money and for free with big bands, concert orchestras, marching bands and more—and he can still be seen performing today. The book also explores the ups and downs of being a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather—and the pain of surviving his wife, children, high school classmates and band mates. “Keeping Time” is a treasure for Schenectady and Capital Region history aficionados, fans of swing music and photography, World War II buffs, and anyone interested in the tenacity of the human spirit. Click here for more information.

MUSICAL TOOLS FOR SCHENECTADY SCHOOLS		SCHENECTADY GROUP SEEKS INSTRUMENTS FOR STUDENTS A new group, Musical Tools for the Schenectady Schools, is seeking unused band and orchestra instruments to put to use in the Schenectady Schools Music program. “We hear that many people have instruments around the house that are no longer being used. Dusting them off and putting them in the hands of a young student would be an inspiring gift to the community and to a future musician,” said Mark Anthony, Musical Union 85-133 President, an organizer of the drive. The instruments will go to Schenectady Friends of Music, who have had the traditional role of supporting the music programs in Schenectady. Tax-deductible receipts are available. “We have heard from teachers that the music program is growing by leaps and bounds, which has put pressure on the supply of instruments. It would be great if each student had an instrument to play and take home to practice,” said Steve Weisse, President of Schenectady Friends of Music. If you are interested in donating, Friends of Music will arrange for a pickup by calling Steve Weisse at (518) 346-4266.

		JAZZ RADIO IN THE CAPITAL DISTRICT On nearly every day of the week a radio station in the Capital District features jazz music in its programing. For a full listing of programs featuring jazz music visit: www.albanyjazz.com/radio.html

		WHAT ARE YOUR "TOP FIVE"? Local musicians and fans sound off on their favorite jazz recordings. Click here to participate.

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