First time in Saratoga! After nearly five dozen Grand Ol’ Opry appearances and 5 months at #1 on the bluegrass gospel charts, Brooke & Darin Aldridge bring their stirring harmonies and sizzling picking to our stage on Thursday. Click photo for sample. Direct Link to Tickets
Greetings – The only concern I have about this week’s line-up is that you’re going to get spoiled. (Okay, that’s a not-so-humble brag.) We can’t always have GRAMMY finalists and International Bluegrass Music Association record-breakers, as we do this week. Well, actually, we could. But then we wouldn’t be doing our job. We love being the place you first hear your next favorite. The moments that made this venue become part of American music history are when the booker said “This artist needs to be heard, and we’ll just have to trust folks to be smart enough to show up.” And you did. Bob Dylan, obviously. Nanci Griffith. Ani DiFranco. Billy Strings. Amythyst Kiah and Allison Russell. None of them had much of anything by way of credentials when we gave them a chance. But they were playing at Caffe Lena, so they had to be good, right? Right. 🙂
Brooke Aldridge may very well be the top female vocalist in bluegrass. She and her husband have played The Opry nearly 60 times. This is their first time in Saratoga and I’d really love to see a full house so we can show them that we know from bluegrass here in New York. Join us?
Sample Song | In-Person Tickets | Watch on Caffe Lena TVClay Jenkins, the popular trumpeter and big-band leader, brings calm, creative leadership to the stage. It’s a mastery honed over several decades, beginning with his early years with the Stan Kenton Orchestra and later with the big bands of Buddy Rich and Count Basie Orchestra. He spent years in the LA jazz scene, becoming an in-demand session player and band member before moving to Rochester, NY and joining the faculty at Eastman.
Series curator and musical anchor Chuck Lamb, a member of the Brubeck Brothers Quartet since 2002, is a dynamic and emotive pianist, as well as a prolific composer of jazz, fusion, classical, and world music. His latest CD, North By Northeast, features his original acoustic fusion music and has received airplay on major jazz stations, garnering rave reviews and new fans worldwide. JAZZ at Caffe Lena is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
They’ve graced the Grand Ole Opry stage more than 55 times, and Brooke is IBMA’s reigning Female Vocalist of the Year. Known for ethereal harmonies and a positive, uplifting vibe, their new release, “He’s Getting Me Ready,” a gospel rouser featuring The Oak Ridge Boys, has spent a record-setting 5 months atop the Bluegrass/Gospel Chart.
Beautifully arranged harmony singing over lush acoustic accompaniment highlighted by intricate, fingerpicked guitar work. Maswick & Brown’s expressive lead and solo vocals serve as perfect vehicles for their hook-laden, modern folk/pop and contemporary acoustic original songs.
Higher energy than a folk act, but not as loud as a rock band. Known for their ’60s vibe and fun, spirit-raising original songs, the foundation of Pete & Maura Kennedy’s art is compassion. Blessed with a flair for entertainment, they’re reminiscent of Buddy Holly, the Everly Brothers or the Beatles.
Absolute masters of the songwriting craft. Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and author Gauthier reflects on beauty in sorrow, and confessions of a troubled life. Her songs have been covered by countless artists, but never land like when Mary sings them in her husky, keening voice. Robbie Fulks’ new Upland Stories earned year’s-best recognition from NPR and Rolling Stone, as well as two Grammy nominations. He reflects on love, the slings of time, and the troubles of common people.
