Saxophonist Awan Rashad plays Jazz on Jay Thursday, July 25 – a week after his longtime teacher, Brian Patneaude.
Patneaude’s show was his only performance this summer as a leader, and Rashad’s concert Thursday is just as unique.
Awan Rashad. Photo provided
“This will be the first time all four of us have played together,” Rashad says. His quartet is Ian MacDonald, piano: Tarik Shah, double bass; Matt Niedbalski, drums and cymbals; Rashad plays tenor. He played Jazz on Jay in September 2021, and Shah played the free series in July 2023.
Rashad’s grandfather played bluegrass guitar, “but that had nothing to do with my musical path,” Rashad says. “I always say the sax was forced into my hands in third or fourth grade.”
“The first person to actually mean something to me musically was Cannonball Adderley,” says Rashad who studied with Dwayne Bass at New Covenant Charter School, then with Patneaude from age 12 to 20.
Rashad won the Jazz High School Competition at the 36th Annual New England Saxophone Festival and Competition, earning the opening spot on a Yosvany Terry show. He was also selected to the All-State Instrumental Jazz Ensemble and the Symphonic Band of the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA).
After graduating from Christian Brothers Academy, Rashad attended SUNY Schenectady County Community College then completed his bachelor’s degree at SUNY Purchase. “My college teachers were Ralph Lalama and Gary Smulyan,” says Rashad, who now combines teaching with performing.
At Jazz on Jay, his quartet will play bebop and hard bop tunes. “Mostly standards, maybe one or two originals,” Rashad says, listing composers Freddie Redd, Victor Feldman and Sonny Rollins.
“I just play the tune; I don’t think too hard about it,” he explains, adding the band enjoys “a LOT of room” to improvise.
Awan Rashad. Photo provided
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.
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