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A Place for Jazz isn't really a place; it's an organization whose programs include a fall concert series, public workshops, school-based clinics, and general support of jazz and its musicians. Since 1987, A Place for Jazz has been hosting a fall concert series at the Whisperdome, a beautiful listening-space in the First Unitarian Society at 1221 Wendell Ave. in Schenectady. A Place for Jazz builds on the legacy of Butch Conn, who founded the organization in 1987 to bring world-class jazz artists to the area for the concert series. A Place for Jazz is affiliated with the International Association of Jazz, with grants from Schenectady County Improvement Program, Schenectady Foundation, and membership contributions. For more information, contact Tim Coakley at 518-393-4011, coakjazz@aol.com, visit www.aplaceforjazz.org, or write to PO Box 1059, Schenectady 12301. 2009 Concert Series: Friday 9/11 - Eric Alexander Quintet (8pm) Dynamic tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander will be joined by trombonist Steve Davis to round out a quintet, which is sure to deliver an evening of straight-ahead, yet adventurous music. Influenced by Monk, Dizzy, Sonny Stitt, Clifford Brown, Sonny Rollins, Jackie McLean, and Joe Henderson, Alexander has garnered critical acclaim from every side of the jazz community. Friday 9/25 - Otmaro Ruiz Quartet (8pm) Latin-jazz pianist Otmaro Ruiz will front a quartet that features versatility. Ruiz has a wide-ranging style, which includes classical and Latin influences, with solos that run the gamut, from Monk and Peterson to Chopin and Piazzolla, syncopated with South American rhythms. Friday 10/9 - Tierney Sutton (8pm) Tierney Sutton possesses one of the loveliest, most supple voices in jazz and her trio specializes in collaborating on refreshing new arrangements of songs from the jazz canon. In 2005 Sutton was nominated for a Grammy Award in the category of Best Jazz Vocal Album and won JazzWeek’s Vocalist of the Year Award. Friday 10/23 - Gene Ludwig Trio (8pm) As Downbeat Magazine says, “Gene Ludwig is one of jazz's premier Hammond B-3 organists. His music comes clean and straight, mad with swing and pure logic.” Ludwig will appear with guitarist Dave Stryker, who played so well with Karrin Allyson last fall at A Place for Jazz. Friday 11/6 - Steve Lambert Sextet (8pm) Steve Lambert, born and raised in Schenectady, has been playing trumpet professionally in the capital region for over 10 years. His sextet features some of the top jazz players in the Capital District and their sets always create musical excitement, from bebop to the beyond. |
