November 2024
Non-electoral election day newsletter: Soloists in The Round, a recording session, and more!
Gracious Greetings!
Welcome to my poorly timed election-day November newsletter. This one isn’t electoral in nature, but it will certainly work as a brief distraction if you need one.
As always, upcoming performances are at the top, and you can scroll on for other announcements and what-not!
A brief note for new-comers:
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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.
Friday 11/9, 7:30-9pm — Soloists in the Round featuring Blake Fleming, Evan Jagels, and Wyatt. CANO (The Wilber Mansion), Oneonta NY. $15 suggested donation, pre sale tickets available at this link! Read on for more details!
Saturday 11/10, 7-9pm — Joel Harrison book tour for “Pity The Genius”, Paper Moon Books, Troy NY. I’m playing a few tunes as a duo with Joel Harrison in support of his new book. NO COVER! Read on for more details on this as well!
Saturday 11/16, 6-9pm — Tarik Shah Trio, Stella’s Pasta Bar, Schenectady NY. The Trio features myself, Jimmy Madyson on Drums, and Tarik on bass. Free Admission, food/drink required. Free Admission, drinks/food required.
Friday 11/22, 7-9pm — Killdeer Trio at The Tasting Lab, Greenville NY. Music to eat burgers and drink to. Free Admission, Food/drinks required.
Wednesday 11/27, 6-8pm — Wyatt Ambrose Trio at Muddy River Brewery, Oneonta NY. Thanksgiving Eve party! Fun party jazz with Lou Smaldone on bass and Sebastian Green on drums. Free Admission, drinks/food required.
Saturday 11/30, 7:30-? (exact time TBD) — “Post Turkey Organ Party” at The B-Side Ballroom, Oneonta NY. Funky/jazzy/rocking organ music to work over the tryptophan hangover feat: Conor Murphy, Evan Jagels, Sebastian Green, and Wyatt. Free Admission, food/drink required.
BONUS EVENTS TO WATCH OUT FOR IN EARLY DECEMBER:
Friday 12/6, 7pm — Yolanda Bush and the CWC at The B-Side, Oneonta NY. Rescheduled from previous November date!
Friday 12/13, 7-8:30pm — Killdeer Trio at Roots, Oneonta NY!
What’s Going On…
It’s funny how whenever I say I’m not going to be busy is always the time I end up the busiest… Although I didn’t have quite as many gigs this month I’ve been occupying my month with bookings, preparation, and believe it or not — practicing my instrument! I’ve got a lot to let you know about next month and in early 2025, but for now here are a few events happening this week that I’d like to bring your attention to:
Soloists in the Round — this Friday 11/8!
This special concert/masterclass hybrid is something that I’ve been looking forward to for quite a while now.
Early this year my friend/colleague/collaborator Evan Jagels approached me with the idea of having an instrumental version of a “Songwriters in the Round” event, where instead of singer-songwriters sharing songs we would perform solo pieces with other soloists/improvisers. After some months of waiting for schedules to align, we are very pleased to present such an event with the fantastic drummer Blake Fleming.
Each of us will perform solo for both the audience and each other, sharing some reflections on and insights about our approach to performing alone. The concert will conclude with an improvised piece by all three musicians — something we have not done before!
Both Evan and Blake have performed extensively as soloists on their instruments, finding pathways for expression on instruments not typically associated with solo performance. You can check out Evan’s portfolio here, and listen to Blake’s newest solo drum album “The Beat Fantastic” here.
The concert will take place at CANO’s Wilber Mansion (11 Ford Ave, Oneonta NY), this Friday November 8th, at 7:30-9pm. It’s pay what you can, with several options to pay — 1.) $15 pre-show reservation through CANO, 2.) $30 pre-show reservation and donation to CANO’s new crowd-sourced grant program, 3.) paypal whatever amount you want, or 4.) pay what you want with venmo or cash on the day of.
Tickets can be purchased at this link, or you can donate in person on Friday with cash or venmo! Wine/beer available through CANO day of.
Joel Harrison Book Event for “Pity the Genius” in Troy NY
This is a special one for me…
Joel Harrison is a guitarist, composer, lyricist, vocalist, educator, producer, and author with a wide-reaching vision and penchant for breaking down cultural barriers through work that builds community in sometimes unlikely places. Joel has written music for all kinds of ensembles, recorded and performed with some of the greatest musicians of our time, and has published (now) two books on guitarists and creative guitar music.
I first met Joel when I took a private guitar/composition lesson with him in January 2023. He then invited me to attend his camp The Alternative Guitar Summit — an annual event at the Full Moon Resort in Big Indian NY, where some of the most inspiring guitarists in the world give masterclasses and perform for a small number of students for a week. It’s not an exaggeration to say that attending this camp literally changed my life, so I owe a big debt of gratitude to Joel for encouraging me to attend.
The event this weekend is in support of his newest book “Pity the Genius,” which features 33 essays discussing visionary guitarists and their music.
The event is on Saturday, November 9th, 7-9pm at Paper Moon Books (42 4th St, Troy, NY 12180). Joel’s going to talk a bit about the new book, and we’ll play some tunes as a duo. It’s free, so come check it out if you’re around!
The new album has been recorded ….
It’s true… this past Sunday I finished recording my next album under my own name, which is also my debut as a bandleader.
If you’re a regular reader of this newsletter you may be sick of hearing this, but… more specific details will be coming very soon!
For now, I’d like to send a huge thanks out to Scott Petito and Beth Chapin Reineke at NRS Recording Studio for producing the session, as well as my band — Keith Pray, Matt Niedbalski, and Jason Emmond for playing beautifully.
Also, a big thanks to the Earlville Opera House for funding this project through the 2024 Artist Commission NYSCA grant!
L to R: Keith Pray, Jason Emmond, Matt Niedbalski, me.
I didn’t use that Collings over there, but it sure is pretty…
The studio dog already has a favorite guitarist — no pressure!
If you lock your knees you might pass out (so said my high school marching band teacher).
The End!
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