Hay!
It’s March, and this is like a newsletter. Thanks for being here, specifically, and for all the support in general amidst these increasingly crazy times we live in.
This month I’m experimenting with something new — adding a brief video check in that will highlight a few items I’d like to give extra attention to. Let me know if you think that’s something worth keeping!
As always, upcoming performances are at the top, and you can scroll on for other announcements and what-not!
A brief note for first-time readers:
Unfortunately the algorithms that run mainstream social media have made it increasingly difficult to reach people through the noise of sponsored content, ads, and suggested posts (e.g., Taylor Swift sightings, abandoned house tours, etc). Substack offers a convenient way to give fans, friends, and family a monthly report of what I’m up to, straight to your inbox — no ads or doomscrolling required! All of my “content” is free, and you do not need to make/pay for an account to receive these posts. However, paid options are available for those who would like to further support my work.
If you don’t want to receive these updates, I won’t be offended — feel free to trash or unsubscribe at any time.
Where am I playing next? Good question!
Here are some public performances you can check out this month. Keep in my that my schedule is subject to change as other performances come up. The best way to stay fully up to date is check the calendar at wyattambrosemusic.com/calendar and follow me on instagram and facebook.
You can also ask for more details on any performance by contacting me at wyattambrosemusic@gmail.com.
Sunday 3/9, 1-3pm — Yolanda Bush Trio, The Gatehouse, Morris NY. Featuring Yolanda, Me, and Evan Jagels. Free admission, tip the band/buy food or drink!
Tuesday 3/11, 7-9pm — Dylan Perrillo Quintet at Lark St. Tavern, Albany NY. Featuring Adam Siegel (alto sax), Nick Anderson (drums), Tyler Giroux (piano). No Cover — Tips for band required!
Friday 3/14, 7-10pm — Solo Guitar at Green Wolf Brewing Co, Middleburgh NY. No cover, drinks/tip for the band required!
Saturday 3/15, 8-11pm — Organ Party (the return) at The B-Side, Oneonta NY. Funky/jazzy/jammy organ grinding from Conor Murphy, Evan Jagels, and Sebastian Green. $10 cover charge, 1 drink minimum.
Friday 3/21, 6-8pm — Ambrose-Green Gtr/drum duo at The Tasting Lab, Greenville NY. no cover, buy foods/drinks!
Monday 3/24, 6:30-7:30pm - Tribute to Joni Mitchell, Rotterdam Senior Center, Rotterdam NY. Presented by The Schenectady-Amsterdam Musicians Union/MPTF. Featuring Jeanine Ouderkirk, Evan Jagels, and Bob Halek. Free and open to the public of all ages!
Friday 3/28, 7:30-9pm — Solo guitar at Hartwick College Faculty Showcase, Oneonta NY. Featuring an array of Hartwick Music faculty performing works from/inspired by opera. Wyatt will perform a medley of pieces by Ornette Coleman Free admission.
Looking ahead:
Friday 4/4, 8-10pm — Sara Caswell with Killdeer Trio, The Van Dyck Music Club, Schenectady NY. Tix: $20 Adv / $25 at door. Ticket link here. More info below…
Saturday 4/5, 1-8pm - Hartwick Jazz Day with Sara Caswell, Hartwick College Anderson Theater, Oneonta NY. Performance of Sara Caswell and Killdeer Trio at 6pm. All events are free and open to the public!
What’s going on?
As usual, the coldest months of the year tend to be the slowest. However, despite the snow and cold I’ve been able to stay busy with a small handful of gigs, and projects. This month I’m looking forward to things picking back up as the spring weather slowly approaches. Lot’s of fun things coming up in, so listen/read on for more details!
Video Check In:
First paid subscriber!
Big shoutout to my very first paid subscriber — Mr. John Kincheloe!
When I started this newsletter, my only goal was to experiment with new ways of connecting with my audience (fans, friends, family all included) in a more direct way. However, one of the major features of Substack is to donate to artists and creators by becoming a paid subscriber. So, with a little nudge from my friend Kinch, I’ll be letting all my followers know that if you want to support my work as an independent musician/composer/educator, you can become a paid subscriber at any point!
Also — there are benefits to becoming a paid subscriber!
If you become an annual paid subscriber I will…
Send you physical copies of all CD’s that are in print, or download codes for any digital releases
Send a merch item of your choice (once merch is produced later this year)
Provide 1 free concert ticket to a show of your choice, or a free drink at a free show if you so choose.
Monthly paid subscribers (paying one month at a time) will receive each of these benefits on a 3 month basis — meaning, if you continue to be a paid subscriber each month, you’ll slowly rack up these benefits.
Don’t have a CD player? Don’t like merch? Don’t live near any of my performances? Well — let’s talk about a benefit that you might enjoy! Other items could be a free guitar or music lesson, personalized performance video, etc.
Up There Release - Thanks so much!
I want to extend my deep appreciation for everyone who has listened to, shared, bought, and/or attended the release shows for the new album Up There.
Whenever you spend a bunch of time working on and talking about a project ahead of it’s release, it sort of doesn’t feel real once it’s out there. With that said, I really felt the love this past month with lots of folks from various circles of my life engaging with the music. Everyone has a different favorite song, or aspect of the concept that they resonate with. Connecting with people is a big part of why I love doing this work, so I’m glad to know that in this capacity I’ve succeeded to some degree.
The official release show at Hartwick College was a great success with an attentive audience of over 70 people. The Park Theater concert in Glens Falls was also fantastic — Thanks Matt Niedbalski for hosting us as part of the Third Thursday Jazz Series.
Here’s a couple of short clips from the Hartwick set — Thanks Sam Huntington!
I often have a hard time finding the right way to say “thank you,” as it feels that words always fall short. Luckily, I wrote a song that says what I need for me… Enjoy one of my favorite tracks off the record — Gratitude…
Sara Caswell with Killdeer Trio + 2nd Hartwick Jazz Day
Here’s one that I’ve been itching to share more about for months now…
The first weekend of April, Killdeer Trio will be performing with Sara Caswell — first, in concert at The Van Dyck Music Club in Schenectady, and then at the 2nd annual Hartwick Jazz Day in Oneonta.
Both concerts will feature a mix of Killdeer Trio originals and tunes from Caswell’s book — definitely a one-time opportunity!
Sara Caswell is an exceptional violinist, improviser, and an important voice in the world of contemporary jazz and improvised music. On top of releasing her own grammy-nominated albums, she has also worked with some of the most influential musicians alive including Brad Mehldau, Esperanza Spalding, Brian Blade, and even Bruce Springsteen (yes, for real).
I first heard Sara in a concert at Origins Cafe where she performed as a guest collaborator alongside trumpeter Nadje Noordhuis with Jesse Lewis and Ike Sturm’s duo project Endless Field. I was first grabbed by the shear intensity with which she delivered powerful melodies over the sonic landscape provided by Sturm, Lewis, and Noordhuis. After checking out more of her recorded music, I continue to be blown away by her effortless musicality. The feeling and delivery of the music always comes first — something you don’t always hear from an instrument designed for speed.
The violin has a long lineage, yet Caswell has certainly found a unique approach. But don’t take my word for it — come check out the show at the Van Dyck or Hartwick, and for sure check out her latest album The Way to You (‘23).
More on the Hartwick Jazz Day…
Last year I had the honor of organizing and presenting the first Hartwick College Jazz Day with my colleagues Evan Jagels and Gregg Norris. This all day festival featured a number of workshops, student performances, and a featured concert with our guest artist Ray Vega. This event was so much fun and a huge success, so we figured we should do it again!
We’ll be following the same format as last year — workshops between 1-5pm, and a featured concert at 6pm. All events are free and open to the public at Anderson Theater.
There are still slots available during the clinic portion of the event! Please feel free to email if you want details on how to sign up.
Full events schedule is as follows….
1pm Masterclass - Sara Caswell’s perspective on all things music
2pm Clinic — Individual student soloists perform, recieving feedback from Sara and faculty.
3:45pm Hartwick Ensembles - Performances from the Jazz Combo and Big Band
Dinner Break 5-6pm
6pm featured Concert with Sara Caswell and Killdeer Trio.
Ticket’s for the Van Dyck concert are on sale now via this link - $20 advanced / $25 day of.
In the Queue This Month
I have a few one-night performances coming up in March that I’m really excited about. Check it…
The Dylan Perrillo Quintet at Lark Street Tavern.
First up — I’ll be performing with Albany based composer-bassist Dylan Perrillo at the Lark Street Tavern in Albany. Dylan is busy as both as a sideman, collaborator and band leader of several large and small ensembles. He’s one of those unique individuals who seems to be not only interested in, but able to convincingly express himself within a variety of “vintage” and contemporary music styles. Such styles include Gypsy Jazz with The Hot Club of Saratoga, Early Jazz with both the Dylan Perrillo Orchestra and combos, as well as his quintet which features all original compositions of a more contemporary slant.
I’ll be performing with the quintet, for what I understand to be their first public appearance. The band lineup is Tyler Giroux (piano), Dylan (bass), Nick Anderson (drums), Adam Seigel (alto sax), and me (acoustic & electric guitar).
Check out the album “Quintet” here.
Joni Mitchell Tribute - Women’s History Month AFM 85-133
For years now, Joni Mitchell has been a big inspiration to me as both a human being and composer. Despite that, for one reason or another I’ve only performed a small handful of her music — until now!
Although the federal government and major corporations are abandoning DEI initiatives that celebrate Black History Month and Women’s History, the Musicians Union (AFM) Local of Amsterdam-Schenectady is funding a women’s history series at The Rotterdam Senior Center in Schenectady. We will be presenting a concert of Joni Mitchell’s music arranged for quartet as the final concert of that series. The band will feature vocalist Jeanine Ouderkirk (voice and Joni lover), Evan Jagels (bass), and Bob Halek (drums).
In the back of my mind I’ve kept this idea of curating an actual band/project dedicated to performing the music of Joni Mitchell. Since we really don’t need to isolate our celebration of non-white-cis-gender-male-musicians to the confines of two months of the year, I’m using this opportunity to get the ball rolling on this project, and hopefully others. In fact… there is another tribute brewing that is set to hit this April — stay tuned!
Staying positive, and being there for each other
As I mentioned in my video, I greatly appreciate the continued support throughout these difficult times. Although there are a lot of literal things I can’t change through music and art, I strongly believe that by providing entertainment for people, we can provide strength to continue facing the harsh realities that we are living through.
Thanks so much for supporting me, and each other. We’ll get through this all together by continuing to try and outweigh the bad of the world with the good.
The End!
That’s it for this month! If you enjoyed this newsletter and aren’t subscribed, feel free to subscribe with button below or by contacting me at wyattambrosemusic@gmail.com.
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