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swing music
Jonathan Greene and The Grand Boubousse
caffe lena 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, NY, United StatesLet The Grand Boubousse transport you to the era of speakeasies and swing dance halls! The Grand Boubousse, French for "Big Blowout," is an electrifying early jazz collective showcasing top Capital Region talent, including clarinet virtuoso Jonathan Greene, anchor of the popular gypsy jazz group Hot Club of Saratoga.
Born at the start of the last century, early jazz blends Black American musical traditions with European influences, creating the infectious rhythms and melodies that defined the Jazz Age.
Local swing clarinetist Jonathan Greene has spent the better part of the past three years living and performing in NYC, New Orleans, Paris, Berlin and the UK. Greene will present a night of 1930s' swing music featuring some of the most in-demand Northeast-based musicians. The band features swing pianist Mark Shane (who played with Benny Goodman), Brad Brose on guitar, Sean Cronin on bass, and Kevin Dorn on drums.
The ensemble revives classics from Louis Armstrong to Django Reinhardt, lighting up the room with high spirits and warm nostalgia. Whether you're a longtime jazz aficionado or new to the genre, Jonathan Greene and The Grand Boubousse promise an evening of irresistible rhythms and soulful solos that take you back to the golden age of jazz. And for fans of Greene’s work with Hot Club of Saratoga, this is a night not to be missed!
Rees Shad & The Conversations
caffe lena 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, NY, United StatesRees Shad made a name for himself as a wordsmith troubadour traveling the world sharing his particular blend of Americana storytelling. Several of his albums were warmly received by Americana radio and music critics around the world in the 90’s. He withdrew from touring in 2001, choosing instead to focus more on wider ranging compositions as he recorded music for theater and film. Over the years, Rees has recorded over 16 solo albums with compositions often influenced by classic American songbook writers such as Carmichael, Dixon, the Gershwins, and Porter, and in 2019 Rees returned to performance with a band he dubbed The Conversations. Phil Henry called them a “horde of stone-cold killers.” Together with drummer, Bobby Kay, bassist Jeff Link, and saxophonist Marcus Benoit, Rees seeks to make the audience smile, tap their feet, and enjoy the many stories he loves to share and sing. Nothing short of joyful and swinging, their music “cruises like a convertible” (Americana Highway).
Shad's story-filled compositions have their roots in blues, folk, country, and jazz. American Songwriter described his story-filled songs as resonating "with emphatic emotions convincingly conveyed in every verse and chorus." The band leans into the swing of things and so the music has often been described as swinging americana.