September 2024
As summer into autumn slips...
Oh, Hey! Didn’t see you there…
Greetings readers new, old, and those unsure about how they feel about being referred to as a “reader” — Welcome to my September 2024 newsletter!
I know you’ve got a lot of stuff to do today, so if you just want to see when the next show is all dates are listed at the top. However if your curiosity is running wild wondering what it is that I’m doing with my month, then read on!
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 mind that my schedule is subject to change as other performances come up. As always, information regarding these dates are available at wyattambrosemusic.com.
You can also direct any questions via email to wyattambrosemusic@gmail.com!
Saturday 9/7, 7-9pm — Yolanda Bush & the Cool Water Collective at the Pine Hill Community Center, Pine Hill, NY
Friday 9/13, 6-8pm — Killdeer Trio improvised acoustic set at Origins Cafe in Cooperstown, NY. Dinner and/or drinks required for entry, music is free!
Saturday 9/14, 6-8pm — Kaitlyn Fay at the Mill Pond Inn, Jefferson, NY Dinner music from Kaitlyn’s book at the Mill Pond Inn
Sunday 9/15, 7pm — Killdeer Trio at Mojo’s Cafe in Troy, NY Admission $10 at the door
Friday 9/27, 7:30pm — Solo Guitar at Hartwick College Faculty Showcase, Anderson Theater, Oneonta, NY. Free Admission, includes performances by other Hartwick music faculty.
Saturday 9/28, 7-9pm — Killdeer Trio at The Other Side, Utica, NY. Doors at 7, music 7:30-9pm. Admission $15, Advanced tickets available here.
Sunday 9/29, 1-3pm — Solo Guitar at The Gatehouse in Morris, NY. Free admission, donations encouraged, food or drinks from cafe required.
What’s going on…
Summer Highlights (so far, since summer isn’t technically over yet)
Although this has been one of my busiest summers I can remember, it’s also been one of the most fun in recent memory. Historically my summers have been filled with wedding gigs, outdoor parties, and long drives. Although I enjoy that too, this year I’ve been fortunate to spent more time playing concerts both large and small with a variety of collaborators and conjuring up some new compositions.
Some specific highlights include…
Three sold out shows in a row with Yolanda Bush at the Franklin Stage Co, and an outdoor concert in Liverpool NY to a 200+ audience!
Killdeer Trio performances in several new-to-us cities, and sharing the music with a bunch of new fans.
Writing and performing a bunch of brand new original music (more on that below) with my Trio and Quartet!
A fun, successful, and inspiring second year of my Improvisation Workshop!
Reconnecting with one of my favorite people and old professors, Mr. Doug Munro (pictured below), at a Killdeer Trio gig in Mt. Kisco
More adventures with Killdeer Trio around Upstate NY
As I mentioned above, my band Killdeer Trio has been venturing further afield from our H.Q. in Otsego County to bring the music to new audiences. This month we’ll be returning to a few of our favorite venues with some new material, and presenting a fully improvised acoustic set in the unique and inspiring Origins Cafe. Check out our full September schedule in this gnarly graphic below…
I’ve also been slowing getting my canva graphic design chops together on some posters for upcoming shows — check it out!
My 8th Semester at Hartwick College …!?
Although I can hardly believe it, I am in fact beginning my 8th semester teaching in the Music Department at Hartwick College… In Feb 2020 literally weeks before the pandemic, I began teaching private lessons to music majors and liberal arts students at Hartwick College in Oneonta NY. A year later I finally began teaching in-person, and I have since taught courses in Aural Theory, Jazz History, Rock/Pop Music History, as well as directed the Rock Ensemble. Now this fall, I will be taking on the exciting challenge of directing the college’s Jazz Big Band. Being an adjunct certainly has its disadvantages, but I love my colleagues, and I feel blessed to be a part of this community of students, educators, and artists.
Last spring I helped organize the college’s first ever Hartwick Jazz Day along with my colleagues Evan Jagels and Gregg Norris. The all day event consisted of workshops, student performances (both Hartwick students and community members), and a concert with the featured guest artist — award-winning trumpeter Ray Vega. The festival was a definite high-point of my time at Hartwick so far, and we are very excited to confirm that we will be doing it again next year (April 5th, 2025 to be exact.)
The guest artist has been confirmed but will be announced at a later date — keep checkin’ these newsletters to find out!
New Music, New Project
Over the past few months I’ve been working on a batch of new music which will soon be culminating in a new recording/album/CD/whatever. Although I’m not yet ready to share all the details about this project, the music has been making its way into the greater public so I thought I’d give you the broad strokes.
This past March I was applying for a grant to fund a potential concert series in Oneonta. Unfortunately due to unforeseen circumstances near the application deadline, I was unable to submit my proposal. However, within the process I was made aware of an artist commission through the same organization. Luckily I had just enough time to pull together an application for a project which I’ve had in the reserves for quite some time…
The project is to write and record an album of original music as a way of both reflecting upon and sharing my experience as an artist in Upstate NY. All of the music has been inspired by specific places, people, memories, and feelings associated with the greater Oneonta area. This has been a very cathartic and rewarding experience, and I can’t wait to see how it concludes!
Again, be sure to keep up with these newsletters to hear more about it.
The End!
That’s it for this month folks! If you enjoyed this newsletter and aren’t subscribe, feel free to subscribe with the button below or by contacting me at wyattambrosemusic@gmail.com.
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Thanks for supporting me, and for supporting the arts! — Wyatt