The APFJ Concert Series

Since 1987, A Place for Jazz has been hosting a fall concert series at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Schenectady. There were no concerts in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, we moved to the Carl B. Taylor Auditorium at SUNY Schenectady Community College. To give you a flavor of the caliber of the artists we’ve brought in, here’s a list of them all. Unfortunately, there are a few gaps in the very early years (1987, 1988, 1991 and 1996). If any of you have old programs or posters, or a very good memory, we’d be thrilled if you can fill in any blanks. Please click here to send me whatever info you have.

2022: Ann Hampton Callaway (special spring concert); Steve Davis Sextet; Geoffrey Keezer Trio w/Gillian Margot; Joel Ross Quintet; Bobby Watson Quartet; Peg Delaney Big Band

2019: Nick Hetko, Rich Syracuse, Jeff Siegel (special spring concert); Steve Turre; Melissa Aldana; Benny Green; Veronica Swift; Phil Allen’s Concert Jazz Band

2018: Sharel Cassity Quintet; Warren Wolf Quartet; Cliff Brucker and Full Circle; Jazzmeia Horn; Anat Cohen Quartet

2017: Larry Willis Trio; Chembo Corniel Quintet; Jackie Ryan & Shelly Berg; Jeff Siegel Sextet; Don Byron Quartet

2016: Scott Hamilton Quartet; Steven Kroon Latin Jazz Sextet; Denise Donatelli; Joe Barna & Sketches of Influence; Christian Jacob Trio

2015: René Marie; Theo Hill Quartet; Manuel Valera and New Cuban Express; John Nazarenko Trio; Chris Potter Quartet

2014: Lou Donaldson; Clifton Anderson Quintet; George Garzone Quartet; Alexis Cole Quintet; John Menegon Quartet; Bria Skonberg Quintet

2013: Joe Magnarelli/Jerry Weldon; Jeff Hamilton Trio; Conrad Herwig; Catherine Russell; Michael-Louis Smith Quintet.

2012: Luca Ciarla Quartet (special spring concert); Tom Harrell; Mary Stallings; Dick Hyman; Michael Benedict’s Bopitude; Pedrito Martinez.

2011: Houston Person (special spring concert); Terell Stafford Quintet with Dick Oatts; Tia Fuller Quartet; Kenny Barron Trio; Sensemaya; Freddy Cole Quartet

2010: Lee Konitz Quartet; Mike Moreno Quintet; Jeanne O’Connor & Nat Phipps; Bruce Barth Trio; J.D Allen Trio; Hot Club of Detroit

2009: Eric Alexander Quintet featuring Steve Davis; Otmaro Ruiz Quartet; Tierney Sutton; Gene Ludwig; Steve Lambert Sextet

2008: Bill Charlap Trio; Lee Russo Quartet; Ben Allison; Joe Locke; Karrin Allyson

2007: Mark Murphy; Jeb Patton; Gary Smulyan; Wycliffe Gordon; Keith Pray‘s Big Soul Ensemble

2006: Winard Harper; Giacomo Gates; Chris Flory–John Bunch Quartet; David “Fathead” Newman Quartet; Lee Shaw Trio + Jack Fragomeni.

2005: Gregg August Sextet; Dan Levinson and His Summa Cum Laude Orchestra; Hilton Ruiz Quintet; Roseanna Vitro; Steve Kuhn Trio.

2004: Phillip Manuel & Paul Bollenback; Ray Vega‘s Latin Quintet; New Jazz Composers Octet; Randy Sandke/Harry Allen Quintet; Tim Collins Quartet

2003: Jeremy Pelt Sextet; Patti Wicks Trio; Brian Patneaude Quartet; Joan Stiles Quintet; Barbone Street Jazz Band

2002: Frank Vignola & Joe Ascione (The Frank & Joe Show); René Marie; Steve Wilson; Luis Perdomo; Keith Pray Quintet

2001: Rebecca Parris; Jane Bunnett and the Spirits of Havana; Darryl Hall Quartet; Ed Polcer and the Magic of Swing Street; Lee Shaw Trio

2000: Sumi Tonooka; Orrin Evans Trio; Warren Vaché Quartet; One for All;  Alex Torres & Los Reyes Latinos

1999: Art Baron and the Duke’s Men; Stanley Cowell Trio; Dena DeRose Trio; Quartet Indigo; Virginia Mayhew

1998: Kenny Davern Quartet with Bucky Pizzarelli; Sumi Tonooka; Jimmy Heath Quintet; Barry Harris; Brian Lynch with David Kikoski, Tony Reedus and Essiet Okon Essiest

1997: Nick Brignola; Jane Bunnett and the Spirits of Havana; Ken Peplowski; Frank Morgan Quartet; Bill Mays

1996: Peter Leitch/John Hicks; Terell Stafford; Stefon Harris; we’re missing two

1995: Joe Lovano; Bobby Sanabria; Madeline Eastman; BluesWing; Antonio Hart

1994: Jazz Voices; Gary Bartz Quartet; Dave McKenna/Dick Johnson; Houston Person/Etta Jones; Kenny Barron Trio; Orphan Newsboys

1993: James Williams/Billy Pierce; Paradise City Jazz Band; Tana/Reid; Papo Vasquez; Empire Jazz Orchestra

1992: Ronnie Wells; Claudio Roditi; Either Orchestra; Empire Jazz Orchestra Octet; Renee Rosnes Quartet

1991: Kenia (vocals) with Jay Anderson; Jimmy Owens; Tana/Reid; Peter Leitch Quartet; we’re missing one

1990: Gene Bertoncini, Harvie Swartz, Sheila Jordan; Ray Meriweather; Jeri Brown with Fred Hersch; Nick Brignola; Claudio Roditi with Jay Asby

1989: Jackie Cain & Roy Krall; Cecilia Smith Quartet; Orlando Marin Sextet; Dave Calarco Quintet

1988: we’re missing all five

1987: Lee Shaw Trio; Cecilia Smith (vibes); we’re missing three

The best of jazz in a space with great acoustics, no smoke, no clattering of glasses …
just great music in a place meant for listening.