2018’s Jazz at the Spring concert series starts with a bang on Thursday, January 25! World renowned saxophonist JOEL FRAHM, named a “rising star” by Downbeat magazine, will be the special guest of vocalist extraordinaire TERI ROIGER & the incomparable bassist JOHN MENEGON for an exciting evening of music drawn from the deep tradition of the Harlem Renaissance to present day with works by Ellington, Strayhorn, Billie Holiday, Abbey Lincoln, Monk, Mingus & more! This unique trio of voice-sax-bass provides space and openness for these artists to freely explore, and we expect the jazz conversations by these three masters to surely take the "American Songbook" to new heights (and depths).

Joel Frahm who The New York Times calls, “…a post-bop tenor saxophonist with a deft and assertive command,” is an inventive and adventurous horn player, who while embracing the jazz tradition is always striving to create something fresh and new. On the bandstand he readily shares his verve and enthusiasm for music with fellow musicians and audiences alike. Discussing Frahm’s playing renowned pianist Brad Mehldau noted, “A beautiful sound on the instrument is something he (Frahm) obviously values….one thing I always hear in Joel’s playing is an unapologetic emotional outpouring.” Frahm is a regular on the New York City club circuit and has appeared alongside a vast array of jazz legends and musical peers including Maynard Ferguson, Kenny Barron, Betty Carter, Brad Mehldau, Matt Wilson, Dewey Redman, Lee Konitz, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Pat Martino, The Village Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, and many others. In an interview with saxshed.com Frahm shared his playing philosophy, “...let the roots of the music, blues and swing, nourish what you do. Why not embrace the elements that make jazz fun and special in the first place?”

Teri Roiger is an American jazz musician, vocalist, pianist, songwriter, educator, and producer, who has been described as singing at the intersection of Abbey Lincoln, Billie Holiday, and Anita O’Day, which underscores her own breathtaking and unique talents as a vocalist and performer. The depth of her experiences and love of jazz is apparent in her live performances, the recording studio, and through her moving lyrics and compositions. Teri discovered jazz in her early 20s – and soon after made her first demo with the legendary stride pianist Butch Thompson. She has since performed throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Europe, and has been a featured artist at the San Miguel Jazz Festival, Panama Jazz Festival, and Bolzano Jazz Festival. Her performance and recording credits include Kenny Burrell, Jack DeJohnette, Sheila Jordan, Frank Kimbrough, Kirk Lightsey, David “Fathead” Newman, Roswell Rudd, Steve Williams, Matt Wilson and many others. Roiger has shared her knowledge and inspiration with her students in the SUNY New Paltz Jazz Program (New Paltz, NY), where she teaches Jazz Voice, History of Jazz, and Vocal Jazz Ensembles. In 2016 noted jazz critic Stanley Crouch said, “To hear Teri Roiger is to experience that peculiarly beautiful combination of improvisation, tone, feeling, and phrasing that are distinct elements of jazz freedom. She is made for those who still understand the meaning of the term ‘the real thing.’” Teri's new recording is a heartfelt dedication to Billie Holiday, on this multi-dimensional project Ms. Roiger shines a new light on the many facets of Billie, her rebellious spirit, her rich sensuality, and the depth of her blues.

John Menegon is a formidable bassist, composer, educator and painter who has shared the stage with some of the greats of modern jazz. He was an integral member of the Dewey Redman Quartet, as well as the David "Fathead" Newman Quintet, spending over a decade performing, touring, and recording with each of them. Additionally, John has played with many jazz luminaries including Joe Lovano, Pat Metheny, Jack DeJohnette, Kenny Barron, Slide Hampton, Sheila Jordan, and Matt Wilson to name but a few. Musicians who have performed with John feel that he makes everyone on the bandstand sound better by anticipating and intuiting where the music wants to go. Menegon’s playing is not only recognized by his peers, but by critics as well, Kirk Silsbee writes in his Downbeat magazine review of John’s cd, (I Remember You), “Canadian-bred John Menegon is in the line of George Mraz and Michael Moore; a harmonically sophisticated bassist with technical facility who swings hard when it’s called for.” Noted critic John Kelman (All About Jazz New York), says of John’s performance at the Montreal Jazz Festival with Pat Metheny & Dewey Redman, “…His solos were the perfect confluence of rhythmic invention and melodic conception.” Until 2017 Menegon was on the faculty of the SUNY New Paltz Jazz Program (New Paltz, NY) where he taught for 20 years. An accomplished painter, Menegon’s work can be seen at the Westbeth Gallery in New York City.

Jazz at the Spring is held the last Thursday of each month at the Spring Street Gallery, Saratoga Springs, and is sponsored by Capital District Jazz, Ltd. (CDJ) a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization formed by practitioners and fans who love jazz music. American in origin, jazz reaches and draws from millions of performers and listeners around the globe who are inspired by its rich history, excited by its technical complexity, and moved by its emotional depth. The members of CDJ want to share their love of jazz with current and potential performers and enthusiasts throughout the "Capital District". CDJ's mission is to build and serve a wider audience for jazz through education; to create performance opportunities for jazz musicians; and to develop venues for these pursuits. CDJ supports All Ears: Jazz and Improvised Music Workshop, which is a fun hands-on way for students of all ages to learn about jazz.

CDJ is offering a number of free tickets for youth age 17 and under. If you are interested in obtaining a free ticket please inquire via email info@cdjazz.org. Tickets are available in advance at: brown paper tickets: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3101263