For guitarist Joe Finn, music has always been a family affair. His father, brother and son are all musicians.

He plays Jazz on Jay with Jon LeRoy, organ; and Pete Sweeney, drums – his trio of ten years.

Finn and Sweeney played Jazz on Jay Aug. 1 as members of Terry Gordon’s Quintet at the series rain site, Proctors Robb Alley.

Looking back, Finn says, “My earliest inspiration was my father who played the piano and gave me lessons as a young child.” His father Leo and brother John play piano; his son Tom plays alto sax. “My big inspirations as a guitarist are Wes Montgomery, Joe Pass, Pat Martino and George Benson,” says Finn. He graduated from Chatham High School where he played in the jazz band, then earned a BA in music from Plattsburgh State University. “As a jazz player, I am fundamentally self-taught,” says Finn, who later studied with Pat Martino and Gene Bertoncini.

They’ll play jazz standards and blues at Jazz on Jay including “Think of One,” “Jingles,” “The Visit,” and “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy” – but no originals. “The trio is improvising almost all the time,” says Finn, explaining they emphasize interpretation, expression, artistry and innovation. Their “Generational Dynamics” album (2019; Tom Finn played as a guest) earned extensive national airplay. 

These days, the trio plays regularly at 9 Maple Avenue in Saratoga Springs and Finn plays with LeRoy often at Scotia’s Turf Tavern. He also free-lances with Gordon, Sweeney, Michael Benedict, Kaitlyn Fay, Pete Toigo, Wayne Hawkins and others.

“I have been leading bands since the 1980s and have released seven albums as a band leader,” says Finn.

“I continue to draw inspiration from my fellow musicians,” Finn says. “Almost everything I hear is an inspiration on some level.”

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.