A Preview, and Some History
Deep tradition and high hopes meet onstage when the Van Dyck Music Club reopens October 5 in its “Jazz is Back” celebration starring many top area performers. Onstage its Michael Benedict (drums, vibes), Cliff Brucker (drums, piano, vibes), Kaitlyn Fay (vocals, baritone saxophone), David Gleason (keyboards), Mike Lawrence (bass), Chad McLaughlin (guitar), Chris Pasin (trumpet), Keith Pray (saxophones, organ), Awan Rashad and Lee Russo (saxophones).
For generations, “Van Dyck” has meant jazz; plus other musical styles, but mainly jazz.
Stella Pasta Bar & Bistro, 237 Union St., Schenectady, reopens the Van Dyck Music Club on its second floor with “Jazz is Back” on Saturday, Oct. 5. Times Union photo
“This is our first big music show upstairs here,” said owner Chris Sule. “The Van Dyck is ready to welcome live music back upstairs with open arms.”
When Sule’s Stella Pasta Bar bought the 237 Union Street building in 2022 from the McDonald family as Covid shuttered many eateries and clubs (including both Stella and the Van Dyck), Sule intended to resume live jazz events in the venerable landmark. Small jazz groups have played in the downstairs Stella Pasta Bar since it reopened. The larger upstairs music room remained dark and quiet – apart from a newly launched comedy series – after hosting both large regional bands and national acts drawing large audiences. It presented monthly shows by Keith Pray’s Big Soul Ensemble, for example.
Keith Pray’s Big Soul Ensemble – Pray, with arm raised here, led his big band in monthly shows at the Van Dyck. Rudy Lu photo
“With his extensive history here, I’m so happy Keith is on the bill for ‘Jazz is Back,’” said Sule, noting Pray returns for the first time since the Big Soul Ensemble last played the room.
“After over a year of Saturday night jazz downstairs at Stella (dining room), this show is the kickoff for what feels like the natural next step for our music programming,” Sule added. He said, “We’re looking to launch our ‘Thursday Night Jazz’ program upstairs…later this fall,” plus holiday events and possibly karaoke.
Looking ahead, Sule said, “We’ve got an amazing show on November 2nd: The Brighton Beat,” thrilled to present the Afro-beat ensemble he saw at Troy’s No Fun. “I was absolutely blown away; one of the most high energy, wildly fun sets I’ve ever seen.” He noted, “Literally during the show, they mentioned how they wanted to play more here in the Capital Region, and I took that as a sign.”
“The October 5th show feels like it’s happening at the perfect time for where we are now.”
Sule is open to artist residencies and alliances with such supportive organizations as A Place for Jazz and said the once-dormant facility is ready. The first floor Stella Pasta Bar kitchen and Seven Points Brewery behind the main building will offer food and beverage service. On show nights the menu will likely be limited to appetizers and signature desserts, special cocktails and craft beer offerings.
The upstairs sound system has been cleaned and tuned while the malfunctioning lighting system was replaced and the new rig has worked well in early events. Nathan Schied who has operated sound systems at WAMC’s The Linda, Jazz on Jay and other venues will engineer the sound, following Ace Pankhurst and Pat Tessitore from the Olsen and McDonald eras. “We’re thrilled to have him here for our first big night at the Van Dyck Music Club,” said Sule.
“The October 5th show feels like it’s happening at the perfect time for where we are now.”
Show time for “Jazz is Back” is 7:30 p.m. at the Van Dyck (237 Union St., Schenectady’s Stockade Historic District). Doors at 6:30 p.m. $15 advance, $20 door. Reservations recommended.
Keith Pray stands to blast an alto sax solo. Rudy Lu photo
A PLAYER’S NOTES – Keith Pray on the Van Dyck. Pray’s Big Soul Ensemble recently released “Wolf Song,” a powerful virtuoso album featuring many songs that became fan favorites in the band’s monthly Van Dyck shows.
Asked how it feels to be going back to the Van Dyck stage, the saxophonist, organist, composer, bandleader and teacher had this to say.
“The Van Dyck is such an important part of the history of jazz in the capital region. So many greats have played there throughout its long history. When I first moved to the area in the early 90’s, I started going there to hear music downstairs and began sitting in, getting my feet wet. Eventually, while living in NYC in the early 2000’s, I was asked to bring my own group which was a great feeling. Then of course my big band began playing there regularly for over 10 years. The upstairs venue is one of the last real listening spaces in the Capital Region, as far as clubs go; so it feels good to know it’s back in action and I am glad I can help it get started again.”
Of his colleagues onstage on Oct. 5, Pray was full of praise.
“I have always been aware of the strong local jazz scene and am honored to know so many great players in this area. What’s great is everyone has something different to offer, no one sounds alike. That was such an important aspect of jazz throughout its history. In todays jazz many players sound similar, but in the Capital Region we are lucky to have (so many) individual voices for such a small area.”
He explained how the Oct. 5 show will organize a stage-full of bandleaders and composers, as well as ace performers.
“For the show, the front line musicians (horns and vocals) picked a tune to be featured on and there will be at least a couple tunes that everyone plays on.”
For more on the Van Dyck’s storied musical history, see my 2022 Nippertown story.
MORE JAZZ, AND SOON!
The all-star all woman band Artemis plays Friday at A Place for Jazz, the night before the Van Dyck’s reopening. Artemis is founder-pianist Renee Rosnes, trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, saxophonist Nicole Glover, bassist Noriko Ueda and drummer Allison Miller; several also lead their own groups.
Since organizing in 2017, Artemis won Jazz Group of the Year in the 88th Downbeat magazine Reader’s Poll and released several successful albums. Show time is 7:30 p.m. in the Carl B. Taylor Auditorium of the SUNY Schenectady Community College Music department. $25, students $10. www.aplaceforjazz.org
A MODEST VAN DYCK PHOTO GALLERY
TEN BY TWO – NRBQ pianist Terry Adams, left, with Sun Ra Solar Arkestra saxophonist Marshall Allen, bassist Pete Toigo and NRBQ drummer Tom Ardolino (RIP) played the Van Dyck in 2004. Several of my photos from that show appear in the CD booklet for the original version of the Adams & Allen album “Ten By Two.” NRBQ also played the Van Dyck.
DAVID LINDLEY (RIP)– The longtime sideman with Jackson Browne and others – also leader of the vivid rock band El Rayo-X – Lindley played the Van Dyck in 2014. His stage full of of stringed things included this eight-stringed cittern.
BOBBY PREVITE – The drummer, center in this photo, played the Van Dyck with area stars, from left, Rob Lindquist, piano; Bobby Kendall, bass; Alex Slomka, trombone; and Keith Pray, alto saxophone.
Hoke's Jukebox 