By: Rudy Lu

Lee Shaw was a special person as well as a legend. Originally from Oklahoma, this master pianist made the Capital District home for many decades. A student of Oscar Peterson, she made her mark on the local and international jazz scene touring around the world initially with her husband Stan and later with bassist Rich Syracuse and drummer Jeff Siegel. She taught NY based Nick Hetko and jamband/fusion keyboard player John Medeski. Her overflowing love of Joe Barna. She hired Joe for one of his early gigs post college and continued to mentor him. Following her death in 2015, he composed a suite dedicated to her “Suite Lee” that was released as a recording in 2017. Joe was the curator/producer of this celebration, which included the performance of three bands, ranging from a piano trio Dave Solazzo and The Bridge, his own Sketches of Influence in a quintet configuaration and the Studio Blue Octet. Hospitality, food and the space provided by Chris Sule and his team at the Van Dyck. Sound was engineered by John Chiara.

Dave Solazzo hails from the Syracuse area. He has had a long musical association with Barna and this region. The Bridge has been together for over 20 years. The band has toured nationally, in Canada and Italy.

This version of Joe’s project Sketches of Influence is voiced by saxophone, guitar, bass, piano and Joe himself on drums. As always, this band performs music inspired by Joe’s personal experiences.

Jeremy Gold’s saxophone is a well known entity locally, he has had a long association with Joe and has his own Quartet. That quartet will be at the Van Dyck later this year. Luke Franco’s sweet fluid guitar is heard here in upstate NY and New England. Ukranian born brooklyn based Fima Chupahkin is a pianist with both the finesse of classical and jazz training. His rendition of Barna’s “Ivory Romance” squeezed every last ounce of emotion out of this tender ballad. James Robbins is metro NY based and is a high demand player and teacher. Whether it is delicate brushwork or a full tilt bop number, Joe Barna’s drum kit always swings.

The Studio Blue Octet performed music representing the cool Jazz sounds of the West Coast in contrast to the hot Jazz sounds of the East Coast. Most arrangements were charts by Dave Pell, with Peg Delaney arranging the sole Lee Shaw penned piece. Chris Alsdorf (trumpet) and Jay Mosier (trombone) are the co leaders.

The “Iron Woman” of the day was vocalist Jeanine Ouderkirk. She appeared with all 3 bands with her mellifluous vocals. She certainly gained a few fans of those who have never heard her.

The coordination of donations to help make this concert possible was done by Capital Jazz Ltd, (501c3). Additional sponsors included Parkway Music and various individuals/businesses. Desserts and the commemorative cake were baked by Joe’s mother Pam.

If you liked what you heard, the centennial celebration of Lee Shaw will continue on April 19th at 2 PM sponsored by SUNY Schenectady . It will include many of these musicians as well as others in various combinations. Tune into aplaceforjazz.org for details.

Dave Solazzo & Bridge:

Dave Solazzo-piano

Matthew Vicante-bass

Tom Killian-drums

Setlist:

Salina Street
On the Train
Dave’s Waltz
If I Were A Bell
Softly As In A Morning Sunrise (featuring Jenine Ouderkirk on vocals)
Have You Met Miss Jones
Potters of Santa Fe

Joe Barna’s Sketches of Influence:

Joe Barna- drums composer

Jeremy Gold-saxophones

Luke Franco-guitar

Fima Chupatkin- piano

James Robbins-bass

Set list:

• Thelonius Lee
• Quiet Lee
• Three For Lee
• Harmonius Lee
• Ivory Romance
• On The Sunny Side Of The Street

Studio Blue Octet:

Chris Aldorf-trumpet

Jay Mosier-trombone

Jim Corigliano-tenor sax

Dave Fisk- baritone sax

Mike Novakowski- guitar

Peg Delaney- piano

Nick Dwarika-bass

Mike Novakowski-guitar

Gene Garone- drums

Set List:

42nd Street
Java Junction
Cheek to Cheek
Silver’s Serenade
Tishomingo Blues
Imagination (Jenine Ouderkirk – vocals)
Let’s Face the Music
Lulu’s Back in Town
I’ll String Along With You
Walking My Baby (Jenine Ouderkirk – vocals)
Holiday (Lee Shaw composition – Jenine Ouderkirk – vocals)
Dreamsville
There Will Be Some Changes Made
Them There Eyes
Sandy Shoes
Mox Nix