Free Show in Schenectady, Thursday, June 27; Fourth of 11-show Series

Stecks (nom de jazz of saxophonist/composer Matt Steckler) names this band of regional stars for their shared area code: Wayne Hawkins, keyboards; Rich Syracuse, bass; and Bob Halek, drums. 

Matty Stecks (aka Matt Steckler) Photo provided

Inspired by Chuck Fisher and Charles Stancampiano, Stecks graduated from Schenectady’s Linton HS, then studied music at Wesleyan University, NYU and the New England Conservatory; teachers included Emil Kalled, Conrad Kuchay, Nick Brignola, Marilyn Taggart, Diane Warner, Thomas Chapin, Jerry Bergonzi and Danilo Perez.

Stecks then taught in Boston, New Jersey, at NYU and RPI, in Bennington, at Brandon University in Manitoba; and now at Lenox Memorial Middle and High School. He built bands everywhere, forming Dead Cat Bounce in Boston and Persiflage in New York. Other bands followed – Musical Tramps, SWIPE (Sound Writers in Performative Emergence), Pretzel Stex, Janus Quartet and a trio with Lonnie Plaxico and Yayoi Ikawa.

“I’m in Planet Kniffen with Wayne (Hawkins), I just played a swing dance with Bob (Halek) at WAMC; and Rich (Syracuse) played at my Dad’s retirement party,” said Stecks, son of longtime Union College professor Charles Steckler.

He also curated and played in the Party Horns NYC big-band series at Proctors GE Theatre.

Stecks’s area all-star band the 518 has played in various combinations for five or six years including at Jazz on Jay and for Jazz Appreciation Month at Proctors Robb Alley.

“We’ll play mostly originals, some Wayne Shorter,” says Stecks, longtime fan of the jazz sax giant. They approach playing standards “by trying not to think of the big shoes we have to fill!” And 85 percent of that they play is improvised.

Later in the summer, Stecks leads several bands in area shows. “My biggest will be a fundraiser Sept 21 in Bennington with several bands I’m in… for my 50th birthday.”

Jazz on Jay free concerts are noon to 1:30 p.m. at Jay Square, the new park space opposite Schenectady City Hall. The rain site is Robb Alley at Proctors, 432 State St., Schenectady. Seating is provided indoors at Robb Alley, but patrons are invited to bring their own seating and refreshments to Jay Square.

Jazz on Jay is presented by the ElectriCity Arts and Entertainment District and sponsored by the New York State Council on the Arts, a Schenectady County Legislature Arts & Culture Grant, Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation, The Schenectady Foundation, Price Chopper/Market 32, MVP Health Care, Schenectady County, Schenectady City Hall, and Proctors Collaborative.