Posts Tagged ‘CNYJAF’

Southern Invasion

Sunday, July 15th, 2012
Catherine Gale on stage with the CNY Jazz Orchestra posing for a photo taken by her son

Vocalist Catherine Gale poses for a photo taken by her son at the Candle Light Concert in Armory Square last weekend.

The Central New York Jazz Orchestra played a Candle Light Concert in Armory Square last weekend that featured several artist from the Ithaca area including Catherine Gale,Mike Titlebaum (Ithaca College) and Paul Merrill (Cornell University).
Vocalist Catherine Gale sings with the CNY Jazz Orchestra during the CandleLight Series in Armory Square last weekend.

Catherine Gale performed several original compositions arranged by her husband Mike Titlebaum, who is also a professor at Ithaca College.

Composer, Arranger, Musician Mike Titlebaum was a featured artist during last weekend's concert in Armory Square

Composer, arranger, musician Mike Titlebaum was a featured artist at the Candle Light Concert.

Paul Merill on stage with the CNY Jazz Orchestra

Paul Merrill plays a solo on stage with the CNY Jazz Orchestra.

Perfect Combination

Monday, January 9th, 2012
Perfect Combination: Mike Houston and Anjela Lynn at Sitrus

Perfect Combination: Mike Houston and Anjela Lynn at Sitrus

Syracuse vocal duo Michael (Houston) and Anjela Lynn belted out a litany of soul classic and R&B hits at the Sheraton Hotel’s Sitrus Lounge on Friday.  MichaelAnjelalynn (as they are known) were joined on stage by the Bowen Brothers: Deyquan and John II.

Daquean Bowens on keys

Deyquan Bowens on keys

The quartet wasted no time finding grooves that coaxed the audience onto the dance floor.

Michael Houston mingles on the dance floor

Michael Houston mingles on the dance floor

Talking all that Jazz

Friday, December 9th, 2011
Noah Kellman, musician, blogger, CNY-native (circa 2005)

The Superfriends: Noah Kellman, musician, composer,  blogger, plays on stage with Spencer Murphy and Nick Frenay (circa 2005).

I got a message yesterday that pianist Noah Kellman, a musician and young veteran of the local jazz scene will be writing a blog for the CNY Jazz Arts Foundation.  I first heard him play on one of the scholastic stages for the Jazz in the City (now the Northeast Jazz & Wine) with Nick Frenay and Spencer Murphy.  Since then Kellman, now an award-winning pianist and composer, has shared the stage with Nicholas Payton, Antonio Hart and he’s even played the Grammys.  Talk about a rising star. It will be good to read an insider’s perspective on the local jazz scene from an accomplished home-grown talent.

Sophisticated Lady

Monday, February 14th, 2011
Antoinette Montague, jazz vocalist, at the Sheraton Hotel Ballroom

Antoinette Montague, mind jazz vocalist, at the Sheraton Hotel Ballroom

Singer and Newark (aka Brick City)-native Antoinette Montague returned to Syracuse for this year’s Central New York Jazz Arts Foundation Black History Month Cabaret. Montague’s range includes jazz, blues and gospel. She sang several standards and also interpreted “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” but really moved the crowd with “Miss Celie’s Blues (Sister).” 

The show hit a cresendo when Montague was joined on stage by wealth management professional Vicki Brackens for a duet.  Brackens was this year’s Cabaret sponsor.

Antoinette Montague sings with Vicki Brackens

Antoinette Montague sings with Vicki Brackens (left).

Montague was accompanied by Joe Carello (sax), Rick Montalbano (keys), Larry Luttinger (drums) and Darryl Pugh (bass). She closed the show with “When The Saints Go Marchin In.”

Antoinette Montague

Antoinette Montague