October 2024
a shorter one because I'm eating donuts
Hey, hi, hello!
Welcome, all, to the October installment of this newsletter thing I’ve got goin’ here.
I know that you can only eat that apple cider donut so slow, so I’ll get right to business. All public performances are listed at the top, then you can read on for news/announcements/other stuff.
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.
Wednesday 10/9, 7-10pm — Wyatt Ambrose Trio (WAT), 518 Craft Weekly Jam Session, Troy NY. Trio set featuring Matt Niedbalski and Jason Emmond. Jam session to follow! Free admission, drinks/tips for band required.
Saturday 10/12, 6-9pm — Solo Guitar at the Otesaga Hotel, Hawkeye Bar & Grill, Cooperstown NY. Solo guitar music to dine and drink by. Free admission, food/drink required.
Sunday 10/13, 11am-2pm — Duo w/ Evan Jagels at Origins Cafe, Cooperstown NY. Last brunch of the season! Free Admission, food or drinks required.
Tuesday 10/15, 7pm — Eliyakim at Jive Hive Live, Albany NY. Free admission, also livestreamed at Jive Hive Live’s YouTube. Message me or Jive Hive for in person address.
Saturday 10/19, 7:30-9pm — Duo w/ Evan Jagels Hartwick College Faculty Showcase, Oneonta NY. Featuring an array of Hartwick Music faculty performing works from/inspired by opera. Wyatt and Evan will perform a medley of pieces from Porgy and Bess. Free admission.
Sunday 10/20, 1-4pm — Jam Session at Sal’s Pizzeria, featuring owner Bobby Angilletta and Evan Jagels, Oneonta NY. Free admission, food/drinks required.
BONUS EVENTS TO WATCH OUT FOR
Friday 11/8, 7pm — “Soloists in the Round” with Blake Fleming, Evan Jagels, and Wyatt at CANO, Oneonta NY. This event will be a concert/masterclass hybrid, featuring three accomplished solo instrumentalists performing original works for their instruments and discussing process and inspiration. The evening will conclude with a collectively improvised piece by the three soloists.
Saturday 11/23 — Yolanda Bush and the Cool Water Collective at B-Side Oneonta NY. Lots of new material!
Saturday 12/14 — Killdeer Trio w/vsg saxophonist Laura Leguía, and opener TBD at MOJO’s, Troy NY. Special birthday show for Evan!
What’s going on…
September Highlights
September can be a grueling month as I readjust the scales to balance my teaching obligations. However, things have been relatively smooth this year, and despite being a little tired I’m feeling positive. Here are a few photographic/videographic highlights…
Hartwick College Faculty Showcase
A particularly fun Hartwick College Faculty Showcase! I performed a solo guitar set and a few standards with vocalist Steven Nanni, Evan Jagels, Brian Reynolds (not pictured), and Fideliz Sta. Brigida. Come check out the next one on 10/19 at 7:30pm!
Killdeer Trio in Utica
We ended our Summer/Fall “tour” on a high note at The Other Side in Utica NY. When I have time, I’ll be uploading some videos from several shows this summer. For now it’s exclusive content for my Substack subscribers!
Slowing down, looking ahead
In typical Upstate NY fashion, things are quieting down along with the gradual change of the leaves and the (eventual) arrival of cold weather. I like to use this period to recharge and recenter so I can approach the slower months with intention and perseverance. Time, after all, is a necessary part of producing or refining any form of art.
Although my calendar may be a bit lighter this October, I’ll be taking this time to prepare for the completion of a project that I’ve been looking forward to for a while now. You’ll have to wait a little longer for the big reveal, but I am too excited not to share a few snippets of progress!
Hittin’ the Studio
In last month’s newsletter, I mentioned a new project of original music. The project is a musical reflection on my experiences growing up and building a career in rural Upstate NY.
Out of the 14-15 compositional “seeds” I wrote between May and September 2024, I have finally settled on 9 complete pieces to take to the studio next month. I am thrilled to be joined by some of my favorite artists from the NY Capital Region — Keith Pray on alto sax, Jason Emmond on bass, and Matt Niedbalski on drums. Each of these guys have worked hard to develop an individual sound, and also to uplift the musical community in Upstate NY. It’s an honor to have them all in the same room!
We’ll be working with Scott Petito of NRS Recording studios, which is a bit of a dream come true for me. Scott has worked with several of my musical heroes, as well as engineered, mixed, and mastered one of my favorite albums — Hudson by Hudson (Scofield, Jack DeJohnette, Larry Grenadier, and John Medeski). Super excited about that.
A few extra photos…
Solo guitar at The Gatehouse in Morris:
Editing music while waiting in the car:
The Hartwick Rock Ensemble’s first performance of the semester:
On vacation with my brother in the Adirondacks:
