Traditional jazz charms easily with its happy upbeat energy. But playing this antique style takes dedication and skill. 

The Ragtime Windjammers bring plenty of both: Dave Lambert, clarinet; Woody Strobeck, trombone; Steve Lambert, trumpet; Mike Lawrence, bass; and Ron Bill, banjo and guitar. 

Dave Lambert started playing clarinet in fifth grade, learning from Mel Schiff, who also taught him saxophone in high school. Lambert returned to the clarinet when he fell in love with New Orleans traditional jazz. 

Woody Strobeck studied music at Syracuse University and SUNY Fredonia, then taught music in Cambridge schools. Strobeck played with Skip Parsons’ Riverboat Jazz Band, also the Storyville Stompers, the Steel Pier Jazz Band and others.

Before moving to New York City in 1999, Steve Lambert played with and learned from top area players including Nick Brignola, Mike Canonico and Brian Patneaude. In New York, he earned a BA in mechanical engineering at Columbia University, then worked at Second Floor Music, publisher of books on music including Charli Persip’s “How Not to Play Drums.” Since returning to Schenectady, he plays in Keith Pray’s Big Soul Ensemble, the Silver Arrow Band, the George Muscatello Quartet and the Dave Fisk/Jon Leroy Quartet; and supports such touring stars as Aretha Franklin, the Temptations and the Four Tops. 

Mike Lawrence started playing upright bass at 10 and electric bass somewhat later. After summer workshops at the Berklee College of Music, he earned a bachelor’s in music education from the College of St. Rose and a master’s in music education from Boston University. He has taught music in area schools while also playing with Sensemaya, the Yuko Kishimoto Trio, Mike Benedict’s Jazz Vibes, bluesmen Charlie Smith and Tas Cru, and others.

Ron Bill has also played for years with area stalwarts, mostly in the traditional jazz style, including Skip Parsons’ Riverboat Jazz Band and Reggie’s Red Hot Feetwarmers. He has also played with national stars including Vince Giordano’s Nighthawks, Pee Wee Irwin, Dave McKenna, Bobby Hackett and Vic Dickinson.

Thursday’s concert marks a return to Jazz on Jay by the Ragtime Windjammers who played the series in 2021. Fans wore masks against COVID and had a fine time.

Jazz on Jay is presented by the ElectriCity Arts and Entertainment District. 

Sponsors are the New York State Council on the Arts, a Schenectady County Legislature Arts & Culture Grant, Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation and The Schenectady Foundation. We also receive support from Schenectady City Hall and Hoke’s Juke Box. 

Jazz on Jay continues next Thursday, July 23, with singer Nancy Donnelly and her trio.

FYI, Traditional jazz is often called Dixieland; just not in New Orleans whose early 20th Century musicians invented it.