Preview: Jazz on Jay Features Heard on Thursday
Thursday, Heard combines sounds, styles and ideas from Africa with jazz elements in a lively rhythmic stew. Three of six members hail from the local scene, three others from far away geographically – meeting in a sort of United Nations of sound.
Keyboardist-founder Elizabeth Woodbury Kasius, bassist Bobby Kendall and drummer Brian Melick are busy locals. Woodwinds player Laura Andrea Leguia played for 20 years with the Gabriel Alégria Afro Peruvian Sextet, drummer Zorkie Nelson played with Ghana’s Pan African Orchestra and now leads the area’s West African dance and percussion ensemble Gballoi; his daughter, dancer Augustina Nelson, is a member.
Heard – This photo shows, from left: bassist Bobby Kendall, keyboardist Elizabeth Woodbury Kasius, dancer/percussionist/singer Fosino Nelson, percussionist Brian Melick, drummer Zorkie Nelson and woodwinds player Laura Andrea Leguia. As noted below, Heard features occasional guest musicians. Photo supplied
Kasius’s globe-spinning musical journey began at 16 when a Lake George summer job paid for a new stereo system and the Weather Report CD “Sportin’ Life.” She says, “I wore that CD out and was blown away by the inventiveness of the compositions, improvising, players, band chemistry and grooves.”
After playing rock covers in a high school band, she studied with Brazilian pianist Jovino Santos Neto, trombonist Julian Priester and trumpet player Jim Knapp – at the University of Washington and Cornish College of the Arts, both in Seattle. “More recently, I learned so much from my close friend, baritone saxophone player Claire Daly,” says Kasius. “Very sadly, Claire recently passed. The Jazz on Jay audience may remember her show a few years back, with Michael Benedict and others.”
Returning here from the West Coast, Kasius founded the chamber jazz band Jupiter Circle; now, in addition to Heard, she also plays with another, Red Canna, plus Troy Samba.
Kendall plays with brother Mike Kendall in The Philosophy of Music, an innovative duo, while also collaborating in numerous jazz bands.
Melick may be best known for his work with the McKrells Irish folk-rock ensemble and Maria Zemantauski’s flamenco-jazz band, but also collaborates in all directions.
“Most of the members of this lineup have been together for 15-plus years – Bobby, Brian, Zorkie and I,” says Kasius. “Laura has been playing with us for coming up on three years, and Augustina has been dancing with us for 10 years.”
Heard has released two albums – Karibu (2010) and Flyway (2018) – and played in Ghana last year.
“We will be playing about 75-percent originals at our show,” says Kasius. They’ll also play traditional Ghanaian pieces led by Zorkie Nelson, a Fela Kuti song, and selections by Jovino Santos Neto.
Kasius says, “In addition to soloing, this band loves to vamp! We love intros and outros, too. Lots of improv happening here.”
The Heard lineup features occasional guest players including saxophonists Matt Steckler and Nate Giroux, guitarist George Muscatello and bassists Lou Smaldone and Rich Syracuse.
One of our busiest area bands, Heard lists future shows at http://www.heardmusic.com.
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. 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. This blog is a series media sponsor.
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