June 10 - 16 - Caffe Lena

With her powerful new album LEGACY and an opener for Jason Isbell, Nashville singer-songwriter KYSHONA has been putting her amazing artistry in front of tens of thousands of new fans. Catch her in the intimate setting of Caffe Lena this Thursday! Click photo for sample.

Greetings – Happy Pride Month to all of you celebrating for yourself, a family member, a friend, or for a world that has gotten much more comfortable with the idea that people are going to love the one they love. We’re hosting Saratoga’s annual Pride Open Mic on Wednesday, which always raises spirits sky high with original songs, poems and drag performances. At the end of the month, on Tuesday, June 25, we’re presenting Flamy Grant and Taylor Abrahamse on their “Last Week of Pride Month” tour. These joyful, warm, talented singer-songwriters were a discovery for us at the Folk Alliance International conference last winter, where they melted hearts–young, old, gay and straight.

What a powerful line-up we have this week! If you’re looking forward to Freihofer’s Jazz Fest at SPAC at the end of this month, you can get your brain ready by coming to see Chuck and Diego on Tuesday, and on Sunday the incredible, GRAMMY-winning jazz pianist Rachel Z (Wayne Shorter, Peter Gabriel) with Omar Hakim on drums (Michael Jackson, Chaka Khan, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock) and Jonathan Toscano on bass. Now, THAT would make a great Father’s Day present!

See you at the show,
Sarah

– WEEK AT A GLANCE –

Monday
7 PM Open Mic Night
Tuesday
7 PM Jazz at Caffe Lena with the Chuck Lamb Trio featuring Diego Figueiredo
8 PM “Live From Caffe Lena” on WEXT 97.7 or 106.1 FM
Wednesday
10 AM Folk Club Kids! Free Preschool Music Program
7 PM S aratoga Pride Open Mic
7 PM & 12 AM “Live From Caffè Lena” on Folk Music Notebook
Thursday
1-3 PM Weekly Slow Jam: Folk, Bluegrass and More! – OFF SITE FOR SUMMER
7 PM KYSHONA
Friday
8 PM An Evening with Kate Taylor
Saturday
8 PM Annie & The Hedonists
Sunday
9 AM Dharma Meditation with Pierre Zimmerman
7 PM The Rachel Z Trio w. Omar Hakim & Jonathan Toscano

– HIGHLIGHTS –

Sample Song | In-Person Tickets | Watch on Caffe Lena TVOur resident jazz master, Chuck Lamb (Brubeck Brothers Quartet), brings back Grammy-nominated Brazilian guitar sensation Diego Figueiredo for an intimate evening of piano-guitar jazz. Figueiredo is a virtuoso with an infectious, joyful approach that will leave you amazed and happy. His superb technique, timing and imagination have made him one of the hottest international names right now.

Sample Song | In-Person Tickets | Watch on Caffe Lena TV

“One of the most compassionate and uplifting young voices
in Nashville today.” – NPR

Kyshona began her career as a music therapist, writing her first songs with students and inmates under her care. Her original roots, rock, R&B, and folk has drawn praise from Rolling Stone, NPR, Billboard and CMT. Her new project, LEGACY, is more than a collection of compelling songs. It’s an effort to connect fans with resources that help Black Americans trace their ancestry and collect their stories. Wherever she plants her feet, she does so with righteous conviction and a strong sense of her own voice.

Sample Song | In-Person Tickets | Watch on Caffe Lena TV

Her seasoned, lived-in, bluesy voice and golden heart come together in new originals and charming covers. She’s the sole sister in the renowned clan that includes James, Livingston, Alex and Hugh. Fan favorites include her rendition of brother James’ “I Will Follow,” The Beatles’ “Good Day Sunshine” and Taj Mahal’s “He Caught the Katy.”

Sample Song | In-Person Tickets | Watch on Caffe Lena TV

The Capital Region loves this ensemble’s eclectic mix of acoustic blues, vintage jazz, swing and American roots music. From the gospel-rock of Sister Rosetta Tharpe to the high-lonesome bluegrass of Claire Lynch and the irresistible swing of Fats Waller, the torchy, honey voice of Annie Rosen takes center stage, with super-tight, expert backing provided by husband Jonny Rosen on guitar, Peter Davis on clarinet, tenor guitar, piano, and vocals, Don Young on bass and vocals and Jerry Marotta on percussion/drums.

Sample Song | In-Person Tickets | Watch on Caffe Lena TV

“One of the top female performers in contemporary mainstream jazz.”
-AllMusic

Rachel’s jazz and rock originals have brought her a Grammy Award, and opportunites to play with OZmosys, Wayne Shorter (on the Grammy-winning album High Life), Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, Terri Lyne Carrington, Al Di Meola, and Regina Carter. Drummer Omar Hakim is a major talent who has recorded and performed with Madonna, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey & Jewel. Jonathan Toscano is a fast-rising young bassist who has become an indispensible part of the trio’s sound.

YOUTH CLASSES | ADULT CLASSES & ACTIVITIES

MEMBERS’ CORNER

The final tally is in for this year’s Membership Drive. You outdid yourselves! With a goal of 64, a total of 100 people signed up. That makes 2024 . . . the record-breaker!! More members means More Music and More Service to the community, and less loneliness and boredom. Thanks for believing in the value of this work.

Caffe Lena has more than 1,000 active members. These folks are planting songs and growing community with their annual donations. They also get the best seats in the house, early access to special shows and some neat swag.

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