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5. This night, JD Allen came to play! Didn't take his hat off and never let up, except to play an exquisitely beautiful "Stardust" in the middle of a blistering trio set!

4. What can you say about Jerry Weldon! This man plays some serious tenor

3, The inimitable Mark Turner cooly blowing musical fire! You can tell by Eric Harland's and Matt Penman's intensely supportive reactions.

2. Gary Smulyan in a great trio with Joe Barna and Lou Smaldone in the tiny but intimate confines of Prof. Java's coffeehouse.

1.a. While some may think he has lost a little of his vocal magnificence, there is no questioning the joyful energy Al Jarreau brings to a performance!

1.b. I love this photo of Teri Roiger. To me, it's evocative of her very stylish vocal presence and persona.

Ann Hampton Callaway
Freihofer’s Jazz Festival
Saratoga Springs, NY
June 27, 2010

Omar Hakim
Drummer for Trio of Oz,
Freihofer’s Jazz Festival
Saratoga Springs, NY
June 27, 2010

In 1984 Hakim did most of the drum work on Dire Straights album Brothers in Arms. Hakim first came to major attention as a member of Weather Report and then Sting's Blue Turtle band.

Mr. Ramsey Lewis
Freihofer’s Jazz Festival
Saratoga Springs, NY
June 27, 2010

Joe Finn
In Memory of Sam Farkas and the Jazz Machine
Jazz On Jay
Schenectady, NY
June 24, 2010

Brian Patneaude
Steve Lambert
Freedom Park
Scotia, NY
August 7, 2010

Mario Abney
Freihofer Jazz Festival SPAC 6/26/10

Mario graced both the main stage and the gazebo at the festival. He wowed the audience with his enthusiasm, stage presence and of course his playing. A musician to watch for in the future.

Joe Barna
w/Jerry Weldon Trio
Flights of Fantasy Bookstore
11/6/10

A magic evening in a most unusual setting, a book store. The sound was great, the playing inspired and the audience wanting more. Joe propelled the trio with his powerful drumming.

Cindy Blackman
w/Buster Williams Quartet Lake George Jazz Fest 9/19/10

The calm before the storm. Set against the beautiful backdrop of Lake George and the mountains of VT, Cindy gets ready to deliver the hyperkinetic performance on the drum kit that she is known for in support of a superstar quartet that was led by veteran Buster Williams.

Tony Hall and John Scofield Albany Jazz Fest
9/11/10

John Scofield adding his unique sound to Dumpstafunk in an impromptu jam. The expressions on Tony and John's faces speak for themselves.

Ralph Lalama Trio @ Bread & Jam Cafe

Ralph is no stranger to the Capital District. He has made many appearances in this area and Hudson Valley with Sketches of Influence and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. Here he is in a pianoless trio at the now closed but well remembered Bread and Jam Cafe in Cohoes, NY.

1.  Christian Scott @ Lake George Jazz Weekend, 9/18/10

Intensity, passion and dynamic solos mark the sound of trumpeter Christian Scott and his band.  Young Lions one and all!

2.  Jerry Weldon @ Flights of Fantasy, 11/07/10

Jerry’s always in constant motion swinging his sax high and low or side to side while continually squeezing the very best notes out of his axe.

3.  Tomasz Stanko @ The Freighofer’s Jazz Festival at SPAC, 6/26/10

Stanko’s mood evoking trumpet solos speak volumes through only a few notes.  He’s a legend all over Europe and finally getting to be known here in America.

4.  Gary Smulyan Trio @ Professor Java’s, 09/25/10

The intimacy of the small room- that was packed with an attentive audience- enhanced the listening experience to something just over the rainbow and past the moon magical.

5.  John Ellis & Double Wide @ Red Square, 3/4/10

The only thing missing from that fabulous concert was the audience.  Those that came were treated to a night of masterful musical fireworks and stellar improvisation.