September 22, 2024 – Hoke's Jukebox

In a sunsplashed mobile, multi-venue version of the jazz-club feel that warmed A Place for Jazz Friday, Porchfest 2 on Saturday couldn’t have been more pleasant – and not just because the weather sparkled (unlike last year) and I could report it all on foot.

Kevin Carey Group at 1226 Wendell Ave.: Bob Halek, drums; Dave Shoudy, bass; Kevin Carey, drums; Phil Pandori, trombone; Eric Walentowicz, tenor saxophone; Keith Pray, alto saxophone; Jon Bronk, trumpet

The eight (of 14) acts I caught on five (of six) porches Saturday included mainly jazz bands, but also brass ensembles and a troubadour singing solo with a ukulele.

Porchfest artists rewarded the tough choices any multi-stage event requires, whether fans chose known artists, expecting to enjoy the familiar; or gambled on unfamiliar performers hoping for surprises.

Dadtet: Brian Patneaude’s tenor saxophone; Ben O’Shea, trombone; Dave Fisk, tenor saxophone; drummer Andy Hearn’s face and eyeglasses; Mike Lawrence, bass; and David Gleason

Walking to 1204 Rugby Rd., I first enjoyed one of several jazz crews that could have played under the “Usual Suspects” moniker, starting at noon. WAMC jazz DJ Tim Coakley introduced the Dadtet – all fathers, most teachers: David Gleason, piano; Brian Patneaude and Dave Fisk, saxophones; Andy Hearn, drums; Mike Lawrence, bass (one of his three gigs Saturday); and Ben O’Shea, trombone. They swung easy, guided perhaps by the title of their first tune, “Step Lightly,” in the confident way these veteran players always do, in whatever configuration they combine forces.

Dadtet: Andy Hearn, drums; Mike Lawrence, bass (obscured by pillar), saxophonists Dave Fisk and Brian Patneaude; keyboardist David Gleason (obscured behind Patneaude) and trombonist Ben O’Shea

Walking east on Rugby to the corner with Ardsley, I found the Dominant 5 Brass Quintet enjoying their way through the Beatles’ “When I’m 64,” then a medley of NPR themes and jingles – like a classical recital with conservatory chops and a sense of humor.

Dominant 5 Brass Quintet at Ardsley and Rugby Rds.

Furthest geographically from Rugby/Ardsley, at 7 Douglas Rd., the almost identically configured Brass Abbey applied a similar attack to TV themes before Duke Ellington’s “Caravan.” This was the opposite of de-construction: they CON-structed often unexpected flourishes and fine-tuned improvisations onto familiar fare. A tuba part, for example, arguably improved “The Addams Family” theme, and “Caravan” seldom gets busier than these cats honked it.

Brass Abbey at 7 Douglas Rd.

Between those two brass bands at opposite ends of Porchfest, time-wise as well as geographically, Kaitlyn Fay sang with her Quartet at 1183 Stratford Rd. The first of drummer Cliff Brucker’s gigs, with bassist Dave Shoudy and pianist Wayne Hawkins, this found Fay in an exploratory mood unlike artists who relied on favorites. Between the swing classic “Day By Day” and a bouncy “Señor Blues,” she introduced her own lyrics to Milt Jackson’s “3000 Miles.” After “Blues,” she uncorked “The Love In Your Eyes,” a collaboration with keyboardist David Gleason to whom she supplied words and assigned “Make it music.” He did: it’s a winner.

Kaitlyn Fay sings at 1183 Stratford Rd.

Kaitlyn Fay Quartet, from left: Wayne Hawkins, piano; Dave Shoudy, bass; Cliff Brucker, drums; and Kaitlyn Fay, vocals

7 Douglas Rd.

Seeking shade, fans set up their lawn chairs across Stratford and, like last year, made nice in all directions, introducing their children to neighbors’ offspring; also their dogs. Porch hosts set out chairs, even sun umbrellas, for guests. Enterprising neighbors not hosting music got into the welcoming spirit with lawn sales or donations signed FREE STUFF, while a church on Rugby offered free lemonade, coffee, restroom access and scripture.

1226 Wendell Ave.

From Fay’s quartet gig on Stratford, the Kevin Carey Group played around the corner at 1226 Wendell, a new venue this year. I missed the Epilogue chamber-jazz trio there Saturday, although I’d enjoyed them last year. Wendell was the biggest lawn and Carey’s was the biggest band: two saxophones, trumpet, trombone, piano (Carey), bass (Shoudy, in his second of three shows) and drums. Fans flowed in from other porches, seeking shade under both tall trees and a blue pop-up tent. The all-star septet exploded with Monk’s “I Mean You,” then shifted into Carey originals “Easy and Blue” (well-named) and others. Each showcased strong section playing and aggressive soloing, especially by Keith Pray, alto; Eric Walentowicz, tenor; drummer Bob Halek and Carey himself.

Kevin Carey Group at 1226 Wendell Ave., from left: Carey, Phil Pandori, trombone; Eric Walentowicz, tenor saxophone; Keith Pray, alto saxophone; Jon Bronk, trumpet

Cliff Brucker’s New Circle at 1204 Rugby Rd., from left: Brucker, drums; Rich Mullins, bass; Kevin Barcomb, tenor saxophone; Pete Levin, piano; Chris Pasin, trumpet

Catching Cliff Brucker’s New Circle on Rugby meant leaving Carey’s gig early, a tough push-pull that felt better as their “On Green Dolphin Street” tugged me around the corner. New Circle means players change: Saturday’s crew was Brucker, drums; sometime members Chris Pasin, trumpet; Kevin Barcomb, tenor saxophone; and Pete Levin, keyboards; plus newcomer Rich Mullins, bass. No rough edges marred “On Green Dolphin Street,” however; nor Pasin’s New Orleans-funky tribute to the Meters, “Meter Made.”

Cliff Brucker’s New Circle, from left: Brucker, Mullins, Barcomb; obscured; Pete Levin and Chris Pasin

Chad McLoughlin Trio at 1183 Stratford Rd., from left: Dave Shoudy, bass; McLoughlin, guitar; Cliff Brucker, drums

Afterward, Brucker bundled up his sticks and walked around the corner to Stratford where the kit he’d played with Fay awaited, plus guitarist Chad McLoughlin and bassist Dave Shoudy who’d also played there with Fay, then with Carey on Wendell. They started mellow with McLoughlin’s original shuffle “No One’s Blues,” but lightning guitar runs erupted from its gentle swing. “Stella By Starlight” flew faster than most play it, as did “Sunny” which McLoughlin played in tribute to Pat Martino. Brucker came forward to assure fans the guitarist actually played slowly on occasion. Sure enough, McLoughlin’s mellow “High Bridge Waltz” ambled through a graceful melody before caffeinated explorations bumped the energy.

Angelina Valente at Ardsley Rd., corner with Rugby Rd.

No contrast all day felt so stark as that between McLoughlin’s trio and troubadour Angelina Valente, one of two Porchfest closers. Her solo set on Ardsley was my choice over Mike Benedict’s Jazz Vibes (featuring three-set iron man Mike Lawrence) since I saw Benedict’s band recently, but I hadn’t heard Valente since the Eddies in April when she and I both won.

Her high, expressive voice soared over the loudest traffic noise anywhere at Porchfest. Late in her set, she noted an Amazon delivery van’s back-up-beeps were in the same key as her voice and ukulele. She sang all originals, all candidly personal and all strongly effecting, turning life lessons and challenges into hopeful messages. Crowds had dwindled as Porchfest neared its five p.m. end; and Benedict’s Jazz Vibes three blocks west on Rugby is among the more popular area jazz groups. Nonetheless, Valente enlisted fans in singalongs for “Take Me Back” and “Light,” both uplifting in calmly supportive ways. So was her hopeful closer, “Charting A Course” after the confiding waltz “Protect Your Heart.”

On that same porch, just before Valente, came Porchfest’s most powerfully poignant moment. Nice Hockey bassist Chad Rogers came down with COVID Saturday morning, but I heard later that he managed to play anyway. He set up his bass inside the house with his amp outside where his bandmates played on the porch, his porch. Informal Sunday morning acoustic jams on that same porch during COVID provided the idea for Porchfest, with its wonderfully generous idea of giving away music to anybody who wanted to come hear it.

People drove, bicycled, skate-boarded, pushed strollers and walked from porch-stage to porch-stage – a (many-) block party.

I also missed the Oneida Middle School Guitar Club; fans’ videos showed teens shredding Black Sabbath and Nirvana nice and loud, with their teachers in support. And my only sense of Backyard Brass was spotting its trumpeter and Porchfest organizer Steve Weisse in the band’s trademark lederhosen and Tyrolean hat as he buzzed around paying the musicians with funds he’d secured through grants. Hats off, a squeeze of the sunscreen tube and a toast with a cold one to Weisse, the funders, the porch-hosts and especially the musicians and fans of Porchfest 2.