Jazz piano trio with New York City’s Glenn Zaleski, a semi-finalist in the 2011 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition and a finalist for the 2011 APA Cole Porter Fellowship in Jazz.
Glenn Zaleski, piano; Rick Rosato, bass; Daniel Dor, drums
“Glenn Zaleski has quickly become one of the most important pianists of his generation and it’s easy to see why.” – All About Jazz
“An excellent young pianist notable for both his harmonic insight and his rhythmic composure…” – The New York Times
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZS-p7raYtQ
Glenn Zaleski is one of the most in-demand pianists on the New York City jazz scene. Originally from Boylston, Massachusetts, Glenn has made a name for himself playing with the likes of Ravi Coltrane, Lage Lund, and Ari Hoenig. His most recent album, “Solo Vol. 1“, was released in early 2018 – his first solo piano album, as well as the first release from his own label Stark Terrace Music. In 2017 he released his second album for Sunnyside Records, “Fellowship“, prompting All About Jazz to note, “Glenn Zaleski has quickly become one of the most important pianists of his generation and it’s easy to see why.” His debut album, “My Ideal,” was released in March of 2015, also on Sunnyside, and received critical acclaim: Downbeat Magazine named it “sublime,” Jazz Times called it, “an engaging set by a talent worth watching,” and the New York Times named the record a “strong statement,” praising its “fluent but unhurried sense of phrase.”
Glenn has also released two popular albums with the collective Stranahan/Zaleski/Rosato: “Limitless” (Capri, 2013), and “Anticipation” (Capri, 2011), as well as a duo record with his brother, saxophonist Mark Zaleski. (“Duet Suite,” 2010)
“Jazz without borders” with the abundantly gifted violinist and mandolin player Jason Anick and his Rhythm Future Quartet from the Berklee College of Music in Boston. With Olli Soikkeli, guitar; Max O’Rourke, guitar; and Greg Loughman, bass.
The Caroga Arts Collective is proud to promote the return of Sherman’s Amusement Park to its former glory as a lakeside summer destination for fun, frolic, and events. Join us at Sherman’s this summer for seven special events!
The acoustic jazz ensemble Rhythm Future Quartet has a straightforward agenda: to keep the spirit of gypsy jazz alive and expanding in today’s musical universe. The virtuosic foursome, named for a Django Reinhardt tune, offers up a newly minted sound, influenced by the classic Hot Club of France, yet wholly contemporary. Led by violinist Jason Anick and guitarist Olli Soikkeli, the quartet performs dynamic and lyrical arrangements of both gypsy jazz standards and original compositions that draw upon diverse international rhythms and musical idioms. With Max O’Rourke on second guitar and Greg Loughman on bass, Rhythm Future is dedicated to expanding the boundaries of a vital musical genre.
Where the band’s self-titled debut album re-visited classic jazz and gypsy jazz favorites, Travels, the quartet’s current release, concentrates on group originals that make captivating use of musical sources from outside the conventional gypsy jazz terrain. Travels reflects both the accumulated knowledge garnered from the groups’ worldwide touring as well as the international influences that inspired new rhythmic and harmonic possibilities within their compositions and arrangements. Travels was picked as one of the best jazz albums of 2016 by All About Jazz and the Huffington Post.
Jeremy Kittel is an American fiddler, violinist, and composer. Fluent in multiple musical genres, his original music draws from traditional roots, jazz, Celtic, Classical, electronic, and more.
Previously of the Grammy-winning Turtle Island Quartet, Jeremy Kittel has been a composer-arranger-collaborator for such diverse artists as My Morning Jacket, Yo-Yo Ma & the Silk Road Ensemble, and Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn. He blazes through a Bach violin partita as easily as a Scottish reel, bringing the same intense focus and precision to both. For the last few years the Michigan native, now based in Brooklyn, has been diligently building his own repertoire of music for a wholly original new group.
Jeremy Kittel, violin Josh Pinkham, mandolin Quinn Bachand, guitar
CLMF’s Kittel and Co. show will feature mandolinist Josh Pinkham (named “the future of the mandolin” by Mandolin Magazine) and guitarist Quinn Bachand. Bachand has toured with fiddling icons Ashley MacIsaac and Natalie MacMaster.
Sherman’s on the Lake: what a beautiful, dreamy place to hear live music! Melodies floating through the air as you sip your glass of wine, friends and family at your side, knowing that every single note helps to restore a special piece of Caroga history, and moves toward a new vision of the future.
Summer 2017: Live music on Caroga Lake at Sherman’s Amusement Park
With all that in mind, we’re happy to announce that Sherman’s is already reserved for six concert dates.
Young Jazz Keyboard Sensation Coming to Caroga!
Matthew Whitaker
On Friday, August 3 and Saturday, August 4, New York City teen piano/Hammond organ powerhouse Matthew Whitaker will bring his unique gift to the stages of Nick Stoner Inn and Sherman’s Amusement Park.
“If you thought God was good to grant us one Stevie Wonder, what would you say to two? Hackensack’s Matthew Whitaker happens to be blind – that’s the least of the resemblance – but he’s also a 15-year-old piano powerhouse who has rocked Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center and festivals in France, Italy, Morocco and Japan.” – 17 People to Watch in 2017, North Jersey News, December 29, 2016.
Born prematurely at 23 weeks, Matthew survived and was given a small keyboard at age three. He taught himself to play piano, then the Hammond organ. Now 17, Matthew studies classical piano and drums at The Filomen M. D’Agostino Greenberg Music School of the Lighthouse Guild in New York City. It is the only community music school for the blind and visually impaired in the US. He also attends the Manhattan School of Music’s Pre-college Jazz Program.
Matthew has received the “Outstanding Soloist Award” from Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Charles Mingus High School Competition & Festival and the Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival. Read his full biography.
At Caroga Lake Music Festival, the Matthew Whitaker Trio will perform selections from his first album, “Outta the Box,” and other electrifying jazz charts, in addition to performing with the CLMF Orchestra.
Encore! Jazz Sessions: Friday, August 3 at 10pm at Nick Stoner Inn with the Matthew Whitaker Trio
Sherman’s Revival Series: Saturday, August 4 at 7pm with the Matthew Whitaker Trio and the CLMF Orchestra
Matthew’s father, interviewed on the Today Show, had this to say about this son: ” Matthew just assumes that everyone he meets, they’re smiling at him. And that is the reason why he’s so full of love.”
Stay tuned for more updates on our upcoming 7th season of Caroga Lake Music Festival, July 16 to Aug 19, 2018. Full season announcement: April 15!
Welcoming Two New Board Members
Mary Peck, a resident of Caroga (Green Lake), has attended performances of the Caroga Lake Music Festival since its inaugural year in 2012. Mary has graciously volunteered to donate housing and meals for the past four years and helped to coordinate housing for the past two years. As a previous member of the Advisory Council, Mary acted as the Advisory Council Co-Liaison to the board. We are thrilled to welcome Mary as a new board member.
Nancy Purcell, a resident of Caroga (East Caroga Lake), is the lead vocalist and acoustic guitarist for the well-known Durey Creek Bluegrass Band. Nancy has attended Caroga Lake Music Festival concerts for the past four seasons and has been active as a volunteer for the organization, providing housing and meals to our musicians. We welcome Nancy Purcell to our board and look forward to gaining her insight on multiple facets of our arts organization through her experiences as a performer and community member.
On that note…
Stephen Smith, CEO of L.L. Bean and Caroga Arts’ founding Board member, will deliver Dickinson College’s Commencement address on Sunday, May 20. He also will receive a Doctor of Business Management honorary degree. Congratulations, Steve! Read more here.
Our Condolences to the Abdella Family
We were very saddened to hear about the passing of a friend and supporter of our organization, Ruth Abdella, just over two weeks ago. Ruth was a teacher, educator and lover of music. She attended Caroga Lake Music Festival concerts including the Sherman’s Revival Series last season with her husband, George. We will miss her and extend our condolences to the Abdella family. In lieu of flowers, George and Ruth have decided to invite those to commemorate Ruth by donation to the Caroga Arts Collective, for which we are extremely humbled and grateful for. Please see her obituary here at this link.
An Inside Look at Caroga Lake Music Festival
In the summer of 2016, videographer Evan Daniels documented the story of Caroga Lake Music Festival. We’re extremely thankful for his hard work and excited to introduce to you our first short documentary.
