Capital District Jazz is proud to bring an exciting international personality to July’s Jazz at the Spring concert series: flutist Sarpay Ozcagatay (pronounced Ohs-Cha-Tie). This acoustic performance is tailor made for the intimate stage at Saratoga’s Spring Street Gallery. Ozcagatay believes the flute is as much a lead instrument in jazz as the saxophone or trumpet, and with his gorgeous tone, stunning virtuosity and impressive improvisational skills we believe it too. Sarpay uses the universal language of jazz, a style of music, which from its start has crossed cultural and geographic borders resonating with millions of people worldwide to share his personal journey. Supporting this cultural exchange are veteran performers John Mengon (bass) and Mark Kleinhaut (guitar).

Sarpay “SharpEye” Ozcagatay grew up in Ankara, Turkey listening to blues, jazz and rock thanks to the eclectic musical tastes of his dad (a dentist) and his family’s passion for music of all styles. As a small child, Sarpay played the recorder in elementary school, but as his classmates grew bored with their recorders, he grew ever more fascinated by its sweet sound, and started instinctively improvising endless permutations of melody. Recognizing his innate abilities, Sarpay’s parents enrolled him in classical music studies at the state conservatory for middle and high school, graduating with his BA. After graduating Hacettepe University State Conservatory, he received a scholarship to Berklee School of Music in Boston to deepen his education in jazz and, where, he would ultimately return to join their faculty.

After Berklee, Ozcagatay moved to New York City where found success leading his own band “The Sharp Eye Project,” and performing at various clubs such as the Iridium, Blue Note, Zinc, Fat Cat, and Smoke. As the jazz world discovered his prodigious talents, he has had the opportunity to play with many jazz luminaries such as Ron Carter, Kevin Eubanks, Terri Lyne Carrington, Greg Osby and Steve Turre. In 2013 his debut album of original compositions "Unexpectable", was released to critical acclaim among leading jazz critics and broadcasters in blogs, jazz radio, newspapers and flute magazines. Ozcagatay recently published a series of flute method books for jazz and classical players titled UNLOCK (Vol.I, II & III), additionally, he serves as jazz chair of the National Flute Association, is a judge at their competitions, and is followed online by flute students and professional musicians from around the world. In short, Sarpay Ozcagatay, with his technical prowess and improvisational creativity, is a 21-century artist poised to take jazz flute to new levels of musical and technical achievement.

Jazz guitarist Mark Kleinhaut who currently resides in Saratoga Springs, has been performing, composing and recording for decades. In 2013, Kleinhaut was included in Scott Yanow's book, The Great Jazz Guitarists, The Ultimate Guide published by Backbeat Books. During Kleinhaut's thirty-year career, he has recorded over 60 compositions, released seven albums including a Jazzweek Top 20 disc with saxophonist Bobby Watson, and an album with trumpeter Tiger Okoshi. JazzTimes writer and author Bill Milkowski calls Kleinhaut, “one of the truly brilliant guitarists on the jazz scene today.”

Rounding out the trio is John Menegon 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. Until 2017 Menegon was on the faculty of the SUNY New Paltz Jazz Program 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/3353829