Capital District Jazz is excited to announce the next event in its monthly concert series Jazz at the Spring.  On March 29, tenor saxophonist Joel Frahm makes an eagerly anticipated return to the Spring with Joe Barna’s Sketches of Influence.  Drummer/composer Joe Barna’s great strength is turning the bandstand into a crucible for jazz to boil and brew.  He does this by carefully combining musicians—ingredients to create an intoxicating mix—and his main ingredient for this brew is the incomparable Joel Frahm.  Frahm brings a creativity and musicality to the tenor that regulars to the Spring experienced in January, a heady mix of tone and chops that turned our January thaw into a heat wave.  Joining Frahm and Barna will be two of the Capital Region's dynamic players: Mark Kleinhaut, who JazzTimes writer and author Bill Milkowski calls, “one of the truly brilliant guitarists on the jazz scene today;” and Otto Gardner, whose unique and daring approach has served the bassist well during his performances with many a jazz luminary during his stellar career.  Sketches of Influence will delight with high energy soulful jazz that’s melodic and accessible, adventurous and humorous.   This is an exciting evening of music with four master musicians not to be missed!

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 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-dot-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?”

Joe Barna is a composer and drummer whose music and playing span the entire jazz idiom from swing and bebop, to hard bop, soul jazz, and modern jazz.  Barna has devoted himself to a life of composing and performing. His talents have allowed him to share the stage with many of the world’s top musicians and groups including: The Celtic Tenors (3-time Grammy Award recipients), Gary Smulyan (6-time Grammy Award recipient), world renowned classical violinist Peter Fisher, Ralph Lalama (3-time Grammy Award recipient), and jazz recording artists: Joe Magnarelli, Ray Vega, Grant Stewart, Dick Oatts, Jim Rotondi, Jon Gordon, Jerry Weldon, Josh Evans, & Stacy Dillard.  Barna has traveled the world as an orchestra member for one of the world’s leading cruise lines, is an experienced pit orchestra member, and performed in Dubai UAE as a member of Trio Calvo.  In addition to headlining at a variety of performing arts centers, jazz festivals, and clubs, Barna has recorded on over 10 albums with a variety of band leaders and his own original groups.

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 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.”  Kleinhaut has performed prolifically in the capital region since relocating to the area in 2012.

Bassist Otto Gardner is a stalwart of the jazz scene in upstate NY as well as playing, teaching, and recording throughout the Northeast, California and Canada.  He appeared in NYC on engagements with Franklin Kiermyer’s “Scatter all Atoms”, performing recently at Dizzy’s Cocoa Cola and Smalls. Gardner is a founding member of Schenectady’s Empire Jazz Orchestra, in which he has played for more than 22 years, along with such Jazz Master guests as Jimmy Heath, Lou Soloff, Curtis Fuller, Rufus Reid, and Benny Golson. Additionally, he has played with scores of artists including James Spalding, J. R. Montrose, Arthur Rhames, Buddy Greco, Margaret Whiting, Hal Galper, Nick Brignola, Randy Brecker, Lee Shaw, and Lincoln Mayorga.  Since 2010, Otto has been an adjunct professor in the Jazz Department of Bard College.  With his unique and daring approach, Otto has the uncanny ability to make the music feel deeply rooted and swinging at the same time as very free and open.  His sound is strong, warm and heartfelt.

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 mailto:info@cdjazz.org. Tickets are available in advance at: brown paper tickets: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3101280