Selina Albright and Jackiem Joyner
One of our correspondents, LEM J, captured this photo during Saturday’s Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival (Delaware). The festival also included some of the artists who made sweet music in Syracuse this summer, such as Nick Colionne and Gerald Veasley.
We look forward to experiencing the musical synergy of Joyner and Albright at the CNY Jazz Black History Month Cabaret.
Special thanks to Denny Santangini.
Veasley, Loeb & Beasley sounds like the name of a law firm or investment bank, but true fans of the jazz genre recognize that when on stage these names signal a crisply proficient combo. We’ve never been on a smooth jazz cruise before, but the event in Syracuse a few nights ago was just a little bit of water (or a Brian Culbertson sighting) away from the real thing.
Special shout out to Reggie Seigler for producing a great concert for the FunkFest 2k16 (New York State Fair). During the show J.A.M.S., along with Pastor Daren Jaime and People’s A.M.E. Zion, raised over $1100 for victims of a local tragedy.
Pastor Jaime
Gerald Veasley (left) and Walter Beasley jammed at the New York State Fair on Saturday night.
This was a week of returns here in Syracuse: The return of Nuf Said (Jazz in the City); the return football season; the return of Dr. Marc Lamont Hill to speak at SU, but maybe our favorite was the return of bassist Gerald Veasley. Veasley came to throw down for the FunkFest 2k16 (New York State Fair) with a band of musical titans, including Chuck Loeb and Walter Beasley.
Beasley came down from Boston, while Loeb made his way to Syracuse from Spain.
Veasley was last in town for the Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival in Clinton Square in 2013.
Beasley will play the Howard Theater in DC next month, and Loeb played the Low Country Jazz Festival in SC today.
Michael Wolff, former music director for the Arsenio Hall show, was part of an All-Star Jam Session to close out the Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival on Saturday night.
The Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival ended with die-hard fans dancing beneath their umbrellas Saturday night.
Despite the steady shower, the fans that remained were treated to superb musicianship of and All-Star Super Jam band that included Gerald Veasley, Michael Wolff, Gil Parris, Dave Hanlon, Mark Nanni and more.
The session was recorded by Syracuse-native Tom Emmi, producer of Studio Jams.
Soggy, Stage Left
Bassist Gerald Veasley made his second straight visit to Syracuse for the Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival. He applauded the Syracuse audience for not being detered by the weather.
Dave Hanlon added some local flavor to the All-Star Jam Session.
Blame it on the Rain: A die-hard fan dances to a rendition of “Mr. Magic” by the All-Star Jam Session Band.
Wall Street meets the Trib: Eddie Brown of the Blacklites catches up with Duane Tribune before the Urban Coalition set on Saturday afternoon.
Bass on Bass: Phresh Makhene meets with Gerald Veasley backstage
Temporary Garment District: The Frankie & Faye booth closes up for the day on Montgomery Street for the Arts & Craft Festival.
Behind the scenes: Joanne Shenandoah and singers on stage in Hanover Square.
Pop star Jana Mashonee signs autographs and meets fans after her concert in Hanover Square.
Gerald Veasley at the NE Jazz & Wine Festival in Syracuse
Bass Boot Camp founder and Philly-native Gerald Veasley spent the evening before his birthday playing some of his hits in Syracuse Friday.
He made sure to include on the playlist a smooth ode to his wife called Forever.
To the delight of the audience in Clinton Square for the first night of the Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival Veasley and his band mates also did a medley of samples that included songs by The Sugar Hill Gang, mind Ohio Players and Stevie Wonder and Grover Washington, Jr.
Andrew Neu was a guest with the GV band and played a mean Grover Washington, Jr.