Empire State Jazz Orchestra reunites for a charity performance at SUNY Schenectady on 3.26.26

March 29, 2026

2–3 minutes

By: Rudy Lu

Other Jazz concerts have brought us to 52nd street and the golden era of bebop and post bop in NYC. Big bands dominated the ballrooms and concert halls and barnstormed the country in buses.This was dance music, it was omnipresent spread by that new fangled invention known as the radio as well as in person. They later evolved to play the multiple styles that the music evolved to.

The Empire State Jazz Orchestra was a contemporary version of these big bands, Founded by Bill Meckley in early 1983, it was a 20 member big band of highest quality. During its tenure, the band hosted many of the greats such as Benny Golson, Jimmy Heath, Slide Hampton, Curtis Fuller. It also performed original commisioned works. The band is composed of many of the area’s seasoned and trained musicians. Many whom have studied with Bill or SUNY Schenectady as part of their resume.

Bandleader Bill Meckley led the 19 member band in their farewell performance in the summer of 2018 at Schenectady’s Music Haven.

He returned from retirement in Kentucky to lead the band in this reunion performance. Music from the swing era dominated the performance.

There was no warmup, the band swung (pun intended) into action with “Max”, drummer Jeff Hamilton’s tribute to the great drummer featuring a Kevin Barcomb solo on tenor and a break by drummer Bob Halek.

Olver Nelson’s gospel/blues tinged “Emancipation Blues ” followed with dueling saxes and brass capped off by Dylan Canterbury’s trumpet. That mystery tinged “Night In Tunisia” drove the band to eleven with Otto Gardner’s bass pounding that mysterious beat, Brian Patneaude on Tenor and Ken Olsen on trombone stretching and swinging like Arabic robes in the wind.

Coleen Pratt stepped in to sing vocals. The music and arrangements were accentuated by the power of a 13 member horn section. On a “Wonderful Day like Today”, “Making Whoopee”, “Minnie the Moocher”, “Get Happy” and “Keep the Sunny Side Up” had that extra kick with Coleen belting out the vocals with gusto.

As would be expected Ellington music a good representation for the performance, Vito Speranza delivered a spectacular trumpet solo.

Dylan Canterbury sparkled on a concerto based on “Don’t You Hear From Me”.

Some more contemporary compositions were represented by Mingus’ “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat” and “Nostalgia in Time Square”.

The grand finale was Coleen Pratt returning with the “Come Rain, Come Shine”.

The Orchestra’srhythm section with Coleen Pratt

The complex arrangements were engaging both the mind and the body for both the audience and the musicians. They showcased the talent that the 518 has in jazz musicians.