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live music in Saratoga
JAZZ at Caffe Lena with the Chuck Lamb Trio and Special Guest Jimmy Greene
caffe lena 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, NY, United StatesThe JAZZ at Caffe Lena series is hosted by resident composer, pianist, and jazz master Chuck Lamb, with support from music producer Joel Moss. Each month, Lamb invites a top-flight jazz artist to join his trio on stage. Lamb, a member of the Brubeck Brothers Quartet since 2002, is not only an exciting and emotive pianist but also a prolific composer of jazz, fusion, classical, and world music. Through these collaborations, the artists stretch their creative boundaries, exploring new musical landscapes and creating spontaneous, exhilarating performances.
This month's special guest is the GRAMMY®-nominated saxophonist, Jimmy Greene. Greene’s soulful sound and inspiring music has earned praise from publications like Jazzwise Magazine, which describes him as “one of the most striking young tenors of recent years.”
Greene is currently an Associate Professor of Music and Co-Coordinator of Jazz Studies at Western Connecticut State University and has performed and recorded with a wide array of iconic artists, including Horace Silver, Harry Connick Jr., and Ron Carter.
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.
The Millstone Rounders
caffe lena 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, NY, United StatesThis brand new band of seasoned players is getting a nice little buzz going in the Capital Region! Caffe stalwarts Oona Grady, James Gascoyne and Matt Griffin are joined by upstate banjo picker Benny Bleu and one more special guest TBA. Expect old-time, bluegrass, blues and country tunes on fiddle, banjo, guitar and string bass.
The Singing Anchors Reunion Holiday Show featuring Jerry Gretzinger, Jessica Layton & Benita Zahn
caffe lena 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, NY, United StatesThe Capital Region's own Singing Anchors are back with a program of seasonal songs that's perfect for a night of holiday cheer with your friends and family. Since 2009, Jerry Gretzinger, Benita Zahn, and Jessica Layton have charmed audiences across the Capital Region by stepping off the TV news set and onto the stage. These celebrated news anchors turned performers have built a lasting connection with fans.
In 2015, Jessica moved to the New York City market, where she now anchors for MSNBC and occasionally on NBC's Early Today Show. Jerry and Benita continued as co-anchors at WNYT, touring with their show, Side By Side, for two years. Benita stepped away from WNYT in 2021 after more than 30 years on Albany’s airwaves, and in 2022, Jerry left his anchor role to join the NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) as Associate Commissioner for Internal & External Affairs.
Don’t miss this rare chance to experience The Singing Anchors live again! It’s an evening made for reminiscing and celebrating the season with warmth and song.
Nefesh Mountain: The Love & Light Tour
caffe lena 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, NY, United StatesA New York-based progressive bluegrass band has found the shared heritage of Jewish spirituality and American folk and Appalachian bluegrass musical traditions.
Racquette River Rounders Annual Boxing Day Reunion Show
caffe lena 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, NY, United StatesGuitarist Danny Gotham and singer-songwriter John Kribs formed the Rounders in 1978 along with the late bassist Michael Hadfield. They play everything from traditional reels and jigs to Fats Waller, Elvis Presley and their own originals. They officially disbanded in 1982, but their annual Boxing Day Reunion Show at Lena's has become a cherished annual event for die-hard fans and newcomers, alike.
New American Cuisine
caffe lena 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, NY, United StatesBen Crandall (guitar/vocals), Bryce North (guitar/vocals), Jordon Gyarmathy (bass) and Henry McCabe (drums) were high school classmates right here in Saratoga Springs not so long ago. A high school pep rally gave them their first taste of performing as New American Cuisine, and the positive response made them decide to get serious about the band. Inspired by The Beatles and John Mayer to Dispatch and the Lumineers, they established a lush, indie pop sound. Filled with hooks and driven by melody, they spice up their songs with catchy vocal harmonies and decisive percussion and bass. NAC’s first single, “Lily of the Aztecs,” and 2022’s “Talking” got traction after spins on EQXposure. The band has continued to work hard, get incredibly good, and put out really strong new songs. Their tickets sell fast, so don't delay!
Lost Leaders
caffe lena 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, NY, United StatesThis duo is a major find. NYC singer and irresistible personality Peter Cole, along with two-time GRAMMY-winner Byron Isaacs (current member of The Lumineers), have done weird tours and triumphant tours, placed lots of songs in film and TV, and maintained a sense of humor and artistic authenticity throughout. They've branched out from their early commitment to Americana and entered a retro pop/rock universe. Their anthemic songs push the national zeitgeist through vintage synthesizers, guitar pedals and tea-soaked vocal cords to create songs that are triumphant, unguarded and singable.
This twosome was born out of Levon Helm’s legendary Midnight Ramble and quickly earned attention in the pages of RELIX, No Depression and The Huffington Post. Their eponymously titled first album yielded the successful radio track “I’m Gonna Win” and started their journey through years of weirdness and magic which continues in their newest collection, Hungry Ghosts, an exploration of desire and acceptance.
Los Sugar Kings : Free with Saratoga New Year Badge : Hot Sounds of the Caribbean
caffe lena 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, NY, United StatesWith a unique roots-rock-reggae repertoire, Los Sugar Kings draw from Afro-Cuban styles, Salsa, and Rumba-Flamenca music. Their dynamic live shows pull the audience in close, with both sides entering a space that's passionate, thoughtful, and joyful.
Frontman Patino Vazquez (vocals, guitar, tres), is a charismatic showman who is at once approachable and mesmerizing. Add in the African-influenced undulations of Mikael Mersha (vocals, bass/contrabass), the soaring, take-you-for-a-ride solos and harmonic accompaniment by Daniel Abreu (saxophone, piano, vocals), and the soulful voice and talents of Tony Curtis Hall (drums, percussion, vocals) and you've got a party breaking out wherever Los Sugar Kings perform. What a great way to heat up your New Year's Eve!
Los Sugar Kings : Free with Saratoga New Year Badge : Hot Sounds of the Caribbean
caffe lena 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, NY, United StatesWith a unique roots-rock-reggae repertoire, Los Sugar Kings draw from Afro-Cuban styles, Salsa, and Rumba-Flamenca music. Their dynamic live shows pull the audience in close, with both sides entering a space that's passionate, thoughtful, and joyful.
Frontman Patino Vazquez (vocals, guitar, tres), is a charismatic showman who is at once approachable and mesmerizing. Add in the African-influenced undulations of Mikael Mersha (vocals, bass/contrabass), the soaring, take-you-for-a-ride solos and harmonic accompaniment by Daniel Abreu (saxophone, piano, vocals), and the soulful voice and talents of Tony Curtis Hall (drums, percussion, vocals) and you've got a party breaking out wherever Los Sugar Kings perform. What a great way to heat up your New Year's Eve!
Little Folks: The Nields
caffe lena 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, NY, United StatesFor more than 30 years, Nerissa & Katryna Nields have charmed audiences with their generation-bridging music. Breaking out in the ‘90s as an alt-rock band, they became that rare band that teens and parents could agree on. Once they became parents themselves, they began sprinkling shows for little ones into their tours, playing sets of family-friendly originals with folk classics, creating an engaging, all-ages experience.
The sisters evoke the spirit of Pete Seeger with audience sing-alongs. Expect your kids to shout out answers to their questions, and participate in raucous clap-alongs to new classics like "Molly the Donkey." The atmosphere is a joyful, participatory experience where children and adults alike join in song and laughter.
Raised in a musical family, the Nields sisters learned harmony around the kitchen table. Their deep connection to folk music, passed down from their parents, informs every performance. As Nerissa says, "Singing together is heaven on earth." Their vibrant shows reflect that belief, celebrating the power of music to bring people together.
Made possible by the generous support of Kevin & Claudia Bright.
Super 400
caffe lena 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, NY, United StatesWe're not going to pretend that this original power trio counts as folk music, but we are thrilled to bring them to the Caffe Lena stage because their deep-hearted songs are fabulous, they love the room, and wow do they know how to connect with an audience!
Joe Daley (drums) and Kenny Hohman (guitar) have been playing together since middle school. Lori Friday (bass) joined them in 2002 to form Super 400, a band that has now been honored by their hometown of Troy with a "Super 400 Day," and induction into the Capital Region Eddies Hall of Fame.
Musically, they’re exploring new dynamics of light, shade and nuance these days. The shuffling, slinky fan favorite “Honey and Coffee” might be the most infectious and soulful number in their repertoire, while the atmospheric stomper “Thank the Moonlight,” with Lori on lead vocals, proves they’ve still got fresh, thumping grooves. Life changes have also shaped the direction of the trio’s songwriting: two of their more recent tunes, the buoyant and melodic rockers “Dream of You” and “Only Child,” are intensely personal.
Gareth Pearson
caffe lena 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, NY, United States"Fast becoming one of the world's most renowned instrumental guitarists" (BBC Radio Wales), Welsh guitar virtuoso Gareth Pearson is a scion in the musical family tree that includes Tommy Emmanuel, Stefan Grossman, Chet Atkins and Merle Travis, as well as newcomers Christie Lenée and Daniel Champagne.
Nicknamed "The Welsh Tornado" for his fretboard pyrotechnics, his original pieces draw from a rich palette of folk, classical, funk, pop and jazz. His fast-growing international reputation is built on phenomenal musicianship and charming, humorous stagecraft.
Old Friends Beckoned/New Sounds Reckoned
caffe lena 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, NY, United StatesSteckler / Ikawa / Plaxico / Lewis brings together four mighty jazz musicians with rich, intersecting histories. Their project, Old Friends Beckoned / New Sounds Reckoned (Skydeck), blends their considerable individual artistry into a collective voice through original compositions where personal prowess is set aside in favor of deeper collaboration. The result is a seamless, emotive sound that resonates with listeners.
Capital Region native Matt Steckler (Matty Stecks), described as “delightfully eclectic” by Downbeat and “inspired by greater artistic depth” by Jazz Times, is a versatile performer and composer. Primarily a saxophonist and woodwind specialist, he also incorporates vocals, keyboards, percussion, and electronic media into his performances. Recognized for his work with groups like Dead Cat Bounce and Persiflage, Steckler has performed at major festivals in North America and Europe, always bringing a dynamic, holistic approach to the stage.
Pianist/composer Yayoi Ikawa, born in Tokyo and raised musically in New York, embodies creativity and empathy in her playing. Her 2004 release Angel Eyes showcased her talent in a straight-ahead jazz piano trio, while her self-produced Color of Dreams highlighted her original compositions. Ikawa, who has performed at festivals across the U.S., Japan, Italy, and more, believes jazz is a social art form and strives to pass it on to future generations.
Bassist Lonnie Plaxico integrates the rigorous technique of classical, the improvisation of jazz, and the rawness of funk. His career has seen collaborations with the likes of Sonny Sitt, Alice Coltrane, Stanley Turrentine, Joe Sample, Abbey Lincoln, and Dizzy Gillespie. Plaxico has also released five albums as a leader, each met with critical acclaim.
Drummer Tony Lewis, a South Bronx native, has played with Little Richard, Sting, B.B. King, Dizzy Gillespie, Cyndi Lauper, Michael Hill’s Blues Mob, and several others. A graduate of NYC's famous LaGuardia High School of the Arts, his wide-ranging career spans jazz, blues, and funk, with music rooted in his deep connection to family and tradition.
Ellis Paul
caffe lena 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, NY, United StatesHe doesn’t just write songs; he’s a guitar-carrying reporter who covers the human condition and details the hopes, loves, and losses of those he observes, turning their stories into luminous folk-pop music that will keep playing in your head long after the show ends. Much like the artists who influenced him--everyone from Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan and Paul Simon to The Beatles--Paul weaves deeply personal experiences with social issues and turns them into provocative songs that are as timely as they are timeless.
His latest album, 55, is reflective, adult, and joyous. Written and produced during the pandemic shutdown, it addresses themes of romantic love, dreams of favorite faraway places, friendship, art, and bittersweet nostalgia.
His songs have appeared in several blockbuster films (Me, Myself, and Irene; Shallow Hal, Hall Pass) and have been covered by award winning country artists (Sugarland, Kristian Bush, Jack Ingram). He's the winner of the prestigious Kerrville New Folk Award, 15 Boston Music Awards, An Honorary Doctorate from the University of Maine, and the 2019 International Acoustic Music Awards Artist of the Year.
Blake Christiana
caffe lena 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, NY, United States"We tell stories, live and in the studio, truth and fiction,” says singer-songwriter Blake Christiana, founder and lead songwriter for this 4x Grammy balloted roots rock band. Originally from Schenectady, Blake has been bringing his songs to the Caffe Lena stage for two decades, first with Blake & The Family Dog, and then with Brooklyn-based Yarn. Now making his home in Raleigh, NC, the last couple years have seen him out playing solo when not on the road with Yarn. "You can hear him struggling with his feelings, whether it’s on a skittering country shuffle or on a mid-tempo folk ballad or a straight-ahead rocker. His . . . outstanding roots band has shared stages with Dwight Yoakam, Marty Stuart, Alison Krauss, and Leftover Salmon, among many others." Passionate, authentic and famously great at connecting with the people in the seats, Christiana's solo gigs are getting high marks from fans up and down the east coast.
The group was formed when Matt Turk and C Lanzbom joined forces a little over six years ago. Bassist Dave Richards, banjo player Boo Reiners and fiddler Kensuke Shoji complete this fine group of seasoned pros exploring the life works of Jerry Garcia on the instruments that first inspired him. NYS Music describes the band as “improv-laden … phenomenal chops … capturing the vocal harmonies and intonations led by Garcia … refreshing and fun,” and Cindy O. Herman of the Daily Item says, “Anyone who loves The Dead and appreciates a well detailed, thoughtful and respectful group of superb musicians artistically intercepting the music will have a spectacular night.” So grab your dancing shoes, embrace the tie-dye spirit, and join Deadgrass on a wild ride through a musical landscape where bluegrass meets psychedelic jamming, creating an unforgettable experience that will have you craving more long after the last note fades away.
Nate Sabat & Rakish
caffe lena 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, NY, United StatesNate Sabat: Nate Sabat is well known to Caffe Lena audiences as the bassist for house favorite Mile Twelve. With upright bass as his sole instrument, Nate crafts wildly intricate arrangements. With original songs rooted in American folk music, he takes full advantage of the never-ending variety of sounds and textures the bass has to offer. GRAMMY-winning cellist Eugene Friesen says, “Nate has so much going for him: The ability to propel any groove with chops and subtlety, a sweet bow sound that can vocalize any melody, fiercely great intonation, and, most importantly, a musical intelligence and intuition that operates with a constant smile.”
Rakish: Violinist Maura Shawn Scanlin and guitarist Conor Hearn share a background in traditional Irish and Scottish music, which is why they named themselves after the Irish tune Rakish Paddy. “Rakish” also describes their jaunty approach to old traditional tunes and chamber music. Maura Shawn, a two-time U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion and a winner of the Glenfiddich Fiddle Competition, wields the technical skill of a classical violinist and the soul of a folk musician. Guitarist Conor was raised in the Irish music communities of Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, MD. As a duo they have performed at venues and festivals across North America, and can be found teaching at fiddle camps across the country.
Soggy Po’ Boys
caffe lena 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, NY, United StatesThis New England band was an audience favorite at "Caffe Lena @ SPAC 2023" and we've been eager to bring them back to Saratoga ever since. With guitar, reeds, brass and drums, the Po' Boys get the walls shakin'! Their line-up of seven A-list players is spreading the good news of New Orleans music across the northeast and beyond, playing at concert halls, street corners, festivals and libraries alike. They go beyond NOLA jazz to include the myriad traditions that flow through that city, from traditional Caribbean tunes, to Meters funk, soul, and brass band / street beat music. Hard to imagine a more joyful way to spend a cold February night than with the Po' Boys at Lena's!
Yasmin Williams
caffe lena 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, NY, United States“When Yasmin Williams plays guitar, she conjures new possibilities and stories from the instrument.” – Rolling Stone
Acoustic fingerstyle guitarist Yasmin Williams has an unorthodox, modern style of guitar playing, using various techniques including alternate tunings, percussive hits, and lap tapping in her music to great effect. Williams’ “radiant sound and adventitious origins have made her a key figure in a diverse dawn for the solo guitar” (The New York Times). Her music has been described as rich, harmonious, and “in a lot of ways, the joy and possibility she brings to the guitar reminds me more of Eddie Van Halen than any of the other fingerstyle guitarists to whom she’s compared” (NPR Music).
Henhouse Prowlers
caffe lena 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, NY, United StatesFounded two decades ago with the simple desire to play original and powerful bluegrass, this Chicago-bred quartet now finds themselves at the intersection of performance, diplomacy, and education.
Onstage, the group's enthralling performances give audiences a sense of how much they love what they do. On record, including their latest offering, 2023’s Lead and Iron, released via Dark Shadow Recording – the band explores their collective life experiences through songwriting and intricate instrumentation. While bluegrass is the undeniable foundation of the Prowlers’ music, the band bends and squeezes the traditional form into a keenly developed sound all their own.
Working with the U.S. State Department and under their own nonprofit, Bluegrass Ambassadors, the Prowlers have toured over 25 countries across the globe. The group's experiences with people and musicians across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East have shaped the band’s worldview and broadened the group’s direction towards bridging cultural gaps with music, educational programs, and workshops. Using traditional American music as a foundation, connecting folk music, customs, and history the world over, the Prowlers incorporate international elements into their already robust repertoire of unique traditional American music.
Whether playing live or presenting seminars, wherever they are, the Henhouse Prowlers find and spread the commonality we share as human beings through the universal language of music.
Carolyn Shapiro & Band
caffe lena 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, NY, United StatesCarolyn Shapiro is an Eddie Award-winning (Capital Region Folk Artist of the Year, 2022) old-time banjo player and songwriter from Glens Falls. Her sound is rooted in the old songs of Appalachia. Trained in the clawhammer style of banjo by Trish Miller and John Kirk, Carolyn blends tradition with her own unique, sultry flavor to create honest music that feeds the soul like a good home-cooked meal.
Her most recent album, Take It Easy (2024), is a 6-song EP is about learning to take care of yourself and finding joy in a difficult world. Produced in collaboration with Jim Mastrianni, the album was recorded live with Connor Armbruster on fiddle, Oona Grady on bass, and James Gascoyne on guitar, who will be joining her for tonight's concert.
May Erlewine
caffe lena 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, NY, United StatesWith substantive songs and a charismatic stage presence, Michigan's May Erlewine has earned a dedicated following in the indie folk world. Her lyrics are drawn from real life experiences, creating songs that embrace the struggles, joys, and complexities of everyday people. She delivers her music with a warmth that fills the room and surrounds the audience.
Erlewine’s values always follow her on stage, where she urges the importance of environmental advocacy, social justice, creative empowerment and community building as necessary work for all of us. Her words bring solace to weary hearts, offer a light in the darkness, and hold space for the pain and joy of being alive in these times.
Chris Smither
caffe lena 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, NY, United StatesThis stark, elemental sage always has a twinkle in his eye, a light touch at your elbow as he guides you along. Accompanying himself with masterful finger-picking and amplified foot percussion, his extraordinary lyrics are packed with well-developed story lines and little punches that land on your heart.
After six decades of sharpening his knife as a songwriter, Smither can at this point open damn near anything with a flick of his wrist. Politics, consciousness, renewal, family, vulnerability, surrender . . . Smither has sat with these topics like so many Zen koans for so long that every line is a pearl. His style is utterly confident and unafraid, filled with humility, humor, a knowledge of what inevitably lies ahead, yet refusing to succumb to darkness.
The Chatham Rabbits
caffe lena 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, NY, United StatesFrom North Carolina comes one of the state’s most beloved musical outfits, Chatham Rabbits
When you see North Carolina folk duo Chatham Rabbits on stage, you’re getting the real deal: heartfelt lyrics over guitar and banjo, an instant connection with audiences, and banter that can only come from a married duo that spends way too much time together but still manages to be in love.
Austin and Sarah McCombie quit their day jobs in 2018 — he was a financial adviser and she was a teacher — to devote their full focus to music. Amid a busy touring schedule, the two find energy to run their farm in central North Carolina’s Chatham County, a work ethic and connection with the earth that comes through in their songs.
Over the years and with the help of their unabashedly loyal fanbase, their story caught the attention of PBS NC, which is currently airing a series titled On the Road that follows the couple as they nurture their farm, their music, and their relationship. The television series was nationally syndicated in 2023.
Chatham Rabbits has received high praise from Garden & Gun Magazine, American Songwriter Magazine, Paste Magazine, No Depression, and their 2022 album If You See Me Riding By was produced by Saman Khoujinian (Dead Tongues, Watchhouse), and a new album is slated for early 2025.
Reverie Road
caffe lena 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, NY, United StatesPrepare for an extraordinary night of vibrant, genre-defying Celtic music with Reverie Road. This powerhouse ensemble unites founding Solas members Winifred Horan (fiddle) and John Williams (accordion) with former Gaelic Storm fiddler Katie Grennan and Steinway Artist Jazz and Raga pianist Utsav Lal. Together, these four exceptional musicians are celebrated as some of today’s most accomplished traditional and virtuosic folk artists, captivating audiences worldwide from stages to studios for over three decades.
Reverie Road takes the rich tapestry of Irish music and weaves it into a cinematic experience, full of expressivity and sophistication. Their performances push the boundaries of tradition, offering stunningly innovative interpretations that retain the heart of the genre while embracing a modern twist.
With a sound that masterfully blends Irish roots with fresh departures, their repertoire includes distilled airs, continental waltzes, and high-energy reels and jigs. Whether you're a lover of traditional music or curious about its modern evolution, Reverie Road delivers an exhilarating, boundary-pushing performance that will leave your heart soaring and your toes tapping. Don’t miss this unforgettable evening!
Sawyer Fredricks
caffe lena 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, NY, United States“Like alchemy, Fredericks fuses elements from blues, roots rock, jazz, and folk to form his own distinct sound. Give a quick listen to this gentleman, and let Fredericks’ sand-textured vocals and honest lyrics whisk you away to the illusion of a simpler time.” - Elissa Ebersold, Nippertown