Capital District Jazz, Ltd. (“CDJ”) was formed by musicians and fans who love jazz music, are inspired by its rich history, impressed and motivated by its technical complexity, and moved by its emotional depth.  Although uniquely American in origin, jazz reaches, and draws from, millions of performers and listeners around the globe.  The members of CDJ care deeply about this art form and want to share their excitement with current and potential performers and enthusiasts throughout the “Capital District” of New York State  and beyond.  CDJ’s mission is:

• to build and serve a wider audience for jazz through education
• to create performance opportunities for jazz musicians in the region
• to develop venues for these pursuits

Past and Present Activities. CDJ is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, formed in January 2008. Since that time the organization has pursued several educational ventures including "The Brass Band Mentorship Program", All Ears Jazz Workshops, various performances and concert series throughout the region and is currently planning to launch an annual local all day jazz festival.

Future Activities.   To accomplish its mission, CDJ plans to promote performances by both nationally renowned and local jazz musicians, to expand the audience for jazz and to sponsor and participate in events coordinated with, and partly to benefit, other not-for-profit organizations.  CDJ seeks to be an integral participant and sponsor of the arts in all areas of the Capital District, especially those areas that are traditionally under-served. CDJ, whose members include many jazz educators, also intends to conduct educational workshops for aspiring jazz musicians of all ages, at various locations throughout the Capital District.  CDJ also hopes to develop one or more venues to serve as places where students and professionals can perform, educate and appreciate jazz.


 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 

Dr. Arthur Falbush (Vice President) is currently a lecturer at the State University of New York, Oneonta where he leads the school's jazz ensemble, is founder and director of the Oneonta Jazz Festival and teaches music theory and piano. He is the Co- Director of the Proctor's Summer Jazz Institute, one of New York State's largest summer jazz programs and has presented master classes in the U.S., Canada, Taiwan, Italy and New Zealand. Previous teaching positions include Ferris State University and Christchurch Polytechnic (New Zealand). He has been a freelance trumpet player in New York City for many years and has performed with Tom Harrell, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Mercer Ellington and Billy Taylor. 

Trumpeter Steve Lambert has performed with Empire Jazz Orchestra, the Big Soul Ensemble, the Tim Olsen Band and City Rhythm as well leading small group jazz projects under his own name. He has performed on stage with Curtis Fuller, Claudio Roditi, Ray Vega, Fathead Newman, Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Johnny Mathis, Franki Valli, Kristen Chenoweth as well as the Temptations and Four Tops. He holds a BSME from Columbia University.

Brian Patneaude is a professional musician and educator living in New York's Capital District. In addition to leading his own quartet (with five critically acclaimed releases to their credit) the saxophonist maintains an active performance schedule with a number of area ensembles including Keith Pray's Big Soul Ensemble, Michael Benedict & Bopitude and the Silver Arrow Band. He is an adjunct saxophone instructor at SUNY Schenectady County Community College where he also directs college's jazz combos. 

Keith Pray (Founder, President, Treasurer) is a professional composer, performer, arranger and teacher who has performed throughout the United States and in Europe with world-renowned performers including Paul Anka, Benny Golson, The Temptations, Ray Vega, Mark Vinci and Jerry Weldon. He currently leads several ensembles and teaches at, among other places, the Schenectady City School District.


Bill Schilling is a retiree from a career as a reference librarian that included long stints at both Albany Public Library and the New York State Library.  Before that he worked in the retail and wholesale record business.  A lifelong jazz fan, he was active in the 1970’s promoting concerts, running a not-for-profit record store and publishing a monthly newsletter for the now defunct Capital District Jazz Society.

Aaron Zhang (secretary), a native of Schenectady, is a teacher and musician throughout the Capital District. They are primarily a saxophonist and can be seen performing with the Capital District Wind Ensemble as well as other local groups. Aaron has years of experience teaching with All Ears Jazz, is currently teaching in the Schenectady City School District, and is an assistant conductor of the Memorial Concert Band off Colonie. 


Former Board Members: 
Erika Aberg, Scott Bassinson, Mark Chaires, Tom Jung, Mark Kleinhut, Mike Latagano, Matt Maguire, Don Nania, Bob Rosenblum

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It is with heavy hearts that we note the death of our friend and colleague, Scott Bassinson. Scott was one of the founders of Capital District Jazz. He was a skilled attorney who volunteered many hours of his time to help develop CDJ from an idea to a functioning non-profit organization. He filed our Articles of Incorporation, was instrumental in writing our by-laws and in obtaining our 501(c)(3) status, and served for many years as an officer on our board of directors, before retiring from the board in 2016. But Scott also loved music and he was an extremely talented musician. Scott played the piano with impeccable taste and his listening skills were equal to his impressive chops. He had the rare ability of placing just the right chord or melodic fill to suit each moment on the bandstand. Those of us that had the opportunity to hear him perform at Jazz at the Spring (January, 2019) could see and hear what a gifted and giving musician he was. We are all deeply saddened to see a bright light in our jazz community extinguished too soon. We at CDJ extend our heartfelt condolences to Scott’s family, and we are honored that he was an integral part of our organization and our lives.

Please listen to Little Feet, a composition Scott wrote for his son Max.