2025 Perfomer Bios

As a sideman, he has worked with such notables as Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, the Jon Faddis Jazz Orchestra, Keith Pray’s Big Soul Ensemble, Bobby Previte’s Upstate Composers Orchestra, the Empire Jazz Orchestra, and many others. His 2020 album “Going Places” has received widespread acclaim and radio play.

As an educator, Canterbury is on the faculty of the SUNY Schenectady School of Music, where he directs the jazz ensemble and teaches jazz trumpet, jazz improvisation, and jazz history. He was also formerly on faculty at the College of St. Rose, where he taught jazz improvisation and jazz arranging. He maintains a steady schedule of private students, and has worked as a clinician and guest conductor with high school groups throughout the Capital District and Hudson Valley.

Canterbury also works as an editor and transcriber for Jazz Lines Publications, a nonprofit that focuses on the preservation of historic jazz literature for groups ranging in size from combos to studio orchestras. He has over 50 published original compositions and transcriptions to his credit.

Joining him will be Wyatt Ambrose on guitar, Tyler Giroux playing piano; Dave Shoudy  on bass; and Matt Niedbalski playing drums.

Todd has recorded or performed with Terry Adams (NRBQ), Gary Burke (Bob Dylan, Joe Jackson), Aimee Mann, Ed Mann (Frank Zappa), Lonesome Val, Rumdummies, songwriters Jules Shear and Pal Shazar, the Wheelers and Dealers and others. He is a founding member of Fear of Strangers (aka the Units), a band that was an integral part of the Punk/New Wave scene in the Capital District of New York in the 1980s, releasing an album on Miles Copeland’s Faulty Products label. The band shared stages with the Police, Squeeze, the B-52s, XTC, REM and others. Todd is currently performing music from his latest release, jazzamericana.

He’s played countless jazz gigs with area musicians including saxophonist High Brodie and pianists Peg Delaney, John Esposito, Larry Ham and Peter Tomlinson, on whose CD of original music Steve is included. 

Steve is also a proud member of the local Gypsy Jazz community which celebrates the music of Django Reinhardt.  He performs in the bands Gadjo and Helderberg Hot Club and subs on occasion with the Hot Club of Saratoga.

A member of the Sir Roland Hanna Trio from 1994-’99, Siegel’s diverse career has also led him to perform and/or record with legends such as Ron Carter, Kenny Burrell, Jack DeJohnette, Benny Golson, Sheila Jordan, Helen Merrill, Mose Allison, John Medeski, Arthur Rhames, Dave Douglas, Stefon Harris, Pat Metheny, John Abercrombie, Kurt Elling, Ravi Coltrane, Ryan Kisor, Lee Shaw, The Levin Brothers, Hal Galper, John Medeski, Dena DeRose, and many others. He has worked in the avant garde world as well with Wadada Leo Smith, Baikida Carroll. He’s performed over 30 European tours including four as leader of the Jeff “Siege” Siegel Quartet and several others as co-leader. The Jeff “Siege” Siegel Sextet performed a 3 week tour of Africa in the summer of 2019 including clinics for the US State Department and a featured appearance at the Standard Bank Jazz Festival in Makhanda, South Africa. Other recent tours include The Levin Brothers in Japan, Mexico, Canada and the US west coast and Midwest as well as South & Central America. His 2017 CD release “King of Xhosa” features South African trumpeter Feya Faku and is on the ARC label. His most recent release with his quartet is the 2018 release on ARC entitled “London Live” and “When You Were There” (2019) with Hetko, Syracuse & Siegel.

Siegel teaches Jazz drumming and jazz ensembles at, SUNY at New Paltz, Western Connecticut State University and Vassar College and The New School.. He’s performed clinics throughout Europe, United States, China, South America and South Africa. He holds a Masters Degree in Jazz from Queens College where he studied Composition with Jimmy Heath. He has been the recipient of several grants from Meet the Composer as well as United States Artists International (USAI). He is endorsed by Canopus Drums, Beato Bags and Vic Firth Drum Sticks.

Francesca Tanksley (piano/composer/arranger) has been the long-term pianist with w/ Billy Harper Qt since the 1980s. Beside her tour with Billy, she has worked & toured with Erica Lindsay Qt., Jeff Siegel Qt. in Europe and Africa, Asia, Scandinavia and So. America & U.S. She leads her own trio & has worked w/David Newman, Reggie Workman, Howard Johnson, Cecil Payne, Clifford Jordan, Slide Hampton and several others. She is Associate Professor at Berklee College of Music, Boston Visiting Artist at Bard College. www.dreamcallerproductions.com

Chris Pasin (trumpet) is a graduate of the New England Conservatory, spent two years playing with the Buddy Rich band in the early 80’s, touring with Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Mel Torme, Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald, Nancy Wilson, and many others. Then he relocated to New York City. Much of the next decade was spent playing jazz with various groups, including the Toshiko Akiyoshi/Lew Tabackin big band. There was also work with Jack McDuff, many Salsa bands like Johnny Rodriguez and Brazilian bands like Amazon, and various other jazz ensembles, including the Lee Shaw quintet in recent years.

Recently, he released the CDs “Detour Ahead,” and “Random Acts of Kindness,” comprised largely of his own diverse compositions, and has a release, “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” of reimagined holiday music, to critical acclaim, and his recent album “Ornettiquette,” playing the music of and inspired by Ornette Coleman, Albert Ayler, and Don Cherry.

Chris is now playing jazz frequently with various musicians in and around the New York area, writing music to record for several current projects. And Chris has recorded with the likes of Gunther Schuller, George Russell, and Toshiko Akiyoshi. His flugelhorn on the soundtrack has been called the best thing about the movie, “Ishtar,” and he appears as a sideman on numerous jazz albums.

He has recorded on dozens of albums for a myriad of artists, often with The North Country Horns co-led by saxophonist/arranger Jay Collins. #NorthCountryHorns

He’s performed at Carnegie Hall, the Apollo Theater, the Royal Albert Hall, the Village Vanguard, Ronnie Scott’s, and the Blue Note, among others, and toured Europe and Asia many time

Rich Syracuse (bass/composer) has been a mainstay on the New York area scene for more than four decades. He began his performing career at an early age in New York City and then went on to become the winner of the prestigious Congress of Strings Award. Not long after he received a Bachelor of Music degree from Manhattan School of Music in New York City. Rich performed with The Group for Contemporary Music under the Conductors Charles Wournin and Harvey Solberger, The Hartford Ballet and the New Jersey Lyric Opera Company. Early jazz groups included work with John Mehegan, Joey Calderazzo, Ted Rosenthal and Bruce Barth. After moving to the Hudson Valley of New York in the in the mid 1980’s, he began a long position as bassist in the Nick Brignola Quartet while playing clubs, festivals and recording sessions. In addition he has performed with an array of artists including Mose Allison, Kurt Elling, Brubeck Brothers, Michael and Randy Brecker, Warren Bernhardt, Vinnie Martucci, Sumi Tonooka, David Torn, Mike DeMicco, Mark Dziuba, Pete Levin, Sam Morrison, Jimmy Cobb, Bernard Purdy, Adam Nussbaum, Jeff “Siege” Siegel, Eddie Henderson, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Dena DeRose, John Medeski, Michael Musillami and Ale DeMogli.

For over 22 years, Rich was bassist for legendary pianist Lee Shaw. He is the Professor for String and Electric Bass Studies at Skidmore College in Saratoga, New York, Bard College, SUNY at New Paltz and the Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Connecticut.

Rich is a member of the International Association of Schools of Jazz. He has toured throughout Europe, South America and Southern Africa. In addition to touring, Rich is an in demand bassist throughout the northeast region of the USA. Richsyracusebass.u

The album, releasing on June 18th, is a collaboration with NYC Pianist and Arranger, Tedd Firth.  Ouderkirk is a music teacher at Saint Gregory’s School in Albany, NY where she is inspired by the sharing of her craft: the endless play of music.  jeaninemariemusic.com

Jeanine will be sharing the Jay St. limelight with an incredible rhythm section made up of Wyatt Ambrose on the Guitar, Evan Jagels on the Bass, and Matt Niedbalski on the drums. All of the performers are more than musicians – they delve into the creative, improvisational, compositional, educational, and recording elements of music. For this performance a special set dedicated to the music of Joni Mitchell will complement a set of jazz standards for which Ouderkirk is best known. Jeanine is grateful to bring this group to Schenectady, NY on Thursday July 12th as she always appreciates the jazz-loving nature of this city!

The trio also comprises the core of “It’s a Jazzy Christmas!” production annually each December at Proctors and UPH.

Peg Delaney, pianist, educator, arranger and composer, who has been a part of the Capital District music scene since the early ‘70s; Peg leads a small jazz ensemble as well as a 19-pc big band.

Linda, in addition to being the bassist-bandleader, has freelanced extensively on double bass and electric bass with numerous artists and is an arts director advocating for jazz and live music in the Capital Region and the Hudson Valley. 

Brown has assembled a jazz quartet of phenomenal local talent for Jazz on Jay: each and every musician is not only a veteran in jazz performance but also a bandleader with service in roles of educator, arranger, composer, jazz ambassador, chairperson, board member or officer of jazz and arts organizations and the Musicians’ Union.

Andrew Hearn 
Drummer/Percussionist

 Andrew grew up playing in bands with friends around central New York.  He began playing out professionally while in college at the Crane School of Music.  After graduating, he played shows for Music Theater North (summer stock theater in Potsdam) which led to two 3 month tours of Europe.  After returning home, Andrew started his teaching career at South Colonie Central Schools where he teaches band at Lisha Kill Middle School.  His students have performed well at regional and statewide music festivals.
 
Andrew has been an active member of the capital region music scene performing and/or recording with various rock, pop, jazz, theater and blues groups.  He has played local concerts such as Albany’s Alive at Five, Concerts at the Plaza Series, Jazz on Jay St, LarkFest, Captain JP Blues Cruises, Jazz Vespers and more.  His experience includes opening for national touring acts King’s X, NRBQ, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, Duke Robbillard, Heather Nova and members of the Beach Boys as well as recording an album alongside Bruce Katz (Allman Brother, Delbert McClinton).  He is frequently hired to perform because of his solid groove, ability to learn quickly and provide appropriate musical drumming in a variety of styles.

His drumming has been aired on local radio stations: 102.7 WEQX, 103.9, 106.5 WPYX, as well as XM Sirius Satellite Radio and local TV (Time Warner’s The Sounding Board).  Recording credits include the Joe Finn Trio Plus One “Generational Dynamics” and Tas Cru’s  “Memphis Song”,  “Drive On” and “Riffin’ the Blue”.   

Mr. Hearn has an enthusiasm for the evolution of drum-set playing in all styles of music.

Jody Shayne
Vocalist

Jody Shayne grew up in Schenectady, NY, attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, and later moved to NYC.  While there, she sang on Archie Shepp’s album, Things Have Got To Change, and worked with jazz greats including Sheila Jordan, Beaver Harris, Roswell Rudd, and Jimmy Garrison.

 After several years in NY, she returned upstate to work with prominent local players including Nick Brignola, Gap Mangione, Chuck Loeb, Hal Miller; Peg Delaney; and John Esposito. She also sang with the vocalese and harmony group, Jazz Voices.

 Shayne has two CD’s out under her own name, Love Is A Garden, with Paul Mastriani and Firefly Rides, which features David Caldwell-Mason; Alberto Pibiri; Russ Brooks; Dave Calarco and Hal Miller. Both albums feature her own lyrics.

Steve Horowitz
Tpt/ Flugelhorn 

Trumpeter and Flugelhornist Steve Horowitz has performed all styles of music throughout the tri-state area for over 40 years. A Software Engineer by day, his extensive experience as a freelancer has included numerous church services, and many wedding and party gigs with organizations including Steven Scott Orchestras and Avenue K,  and local work with Doc Scanlon and New York Players. He’s played countless jazz gigs with area musicians including saxophonist High Brodie and pianists Peg Delaney, John Esposito, Larry Ham and Peter Tomlinson, on whose CD of original music Steve is included. 

Steve is also a proud member of the local Gypsy Jazz community which celebrates the music of Django Reinhardt.  He performs in the bands Gadjo and Helderberg Hot Club and subs on occasion with the Hot Club of Saratoga.

Peg Delaney
Pianist, Composer, Arranger

Delaney plays sophisticated piano jazz, drawing from American, Latin and Brazilian idioms. The trio adds Bill Delaney on upright bass and features fine, poignant vocals by drummer Earl Davis. Peg also plays in solo and duo contexts, with larger combos, multiple singers, various horns and guitar. The fine arrangements by Peg create a rich piano and bass texture to cushion the vocals and delight listeners.

Peg has been a two-time recipient of the New York State Council for The Arts: Meet the Composer Grant and was semifinalist in the Musician Magazine Best Unsigned Band Competition and taught music at Saratoga Spring’s Skidmore College for a semester.

Her transcription book of Nick Brignola Solos is sold internationally by Jamey Aebersold and has appeared in the Saxophone Journal. It is on the New York State Music Teachers Association adjudication list, and is recognized by the National Jazz Educators Association. Peg was awarded the Swingtime Lifetime Achievement Award as pianist and educator. 

Linda E. Brown
Bassist/ Leader

Linda Ellen Brown (bassist – bandleader – composer) has performed in jazz chamber ensembles for 4+ decades; concerts and festivals include “Jazz on Jay”, Schenectady, “Women Play Jazz”, Rensselaerville Institute 1989, Daughters of Music: An Acoustic Journey; WAMC 90.3 FM 1994, “Cabaret Central” with Laura Roth; WAMC 90.3 FM, “Live at The Linda Norris Auditorium” with Mike Benedict Jazz Vibes”, Rensselaerville, NY, Falcon Ridge Folk Fest, Hillsdale NY, Dance Flurry Saratoga NY, Northampton MusicFest MA and Rhythmfest, Asheville NC. Linda was a member of the “Airwaves” jazz quintet, and a mainstay at 9 Maple Ave, Saratoga for two decades; leader of the “Linda Brown Jazz Project”; founding member of “Gals Who Play Jazz” and she can be heard on Michael Benedict’s CD, “The New Beat “ (2006). Notable appearances with J.R. Monterose, Erica Lindsay, Francesca Tanksley, Lea DeLaria. Linda was inspired by jazz guitar studies with Jack Fragomeni; improvisation with Nick Brignola, Leo Russo; electric bass with JB Dyas; double bass with Mike Wicks, Steve LaSpina and Rich Syracuse. Linda earned a B.S. in Arts Management from Russell Sage College and a Master’s in Public Administration from UAlbany. She continues to freelance, serves on the board for A Place for Jazz and is a tireless ambassador for jazz.

All are current students or recent alumni from colleges such as The Crane School of Music, Oberlin Conservatory, and the Hartt School of Music. Based in the Capital Region, they have performed together at many venues including Jazz on Jay 2021, The Van Dyck, and Jazz Vespers. The Nicholas Dwarika Quartet performs a wide range of jazz styles with a focus on contemporary music.

Together for 16 years, their vibrant sound incorporates influences from West Africa, Brazil, the Caribbean and beyond. Their debut CD Karibu reached #15 on the WorldJazz charts and 2018’s daring Flyway garnered similar critical acclaim.  

Heard is a 5-time Eddies Music Award nominee in the World Music category. 

Jazz on Jay’s line-up includes: 
Bobby Kendall-bass
Laura Andrea Léguia–woodwinds

Brian Melick-drums
Augustina Nelson-dancer

Zorkie Nelson-drums
Elizabeth Woodbury Kasius-keyboards

Robert Aronstein
Robert Aronstein has been performing in the New York State Capital District for the past 44
years. Rob has been the resident piano/vocal entertainer at The Wishing Well Restaurant
for the past 15 years. He is also regularly performs with guitarist Mike Derrico as The
Evidence, and freelances with various other jazz, blues and pop bands featuring many of
the areas finest musicians.

Rob got his start in the Capital Region performing guest sets at the Gemini Jazz Cafe in
1981, through the early 80’s in a 50’s band and solo boogie and ragtime piano at Pauly’s
Hotel in Albany and The Blockhouse Beef And Brew and Van Dyck in Schenectady. In the
1990’s and 2000’s he performed regularly with The Charlie Smith Blues Band, The Big
Block Blues Band, and The Alan Payette Band and the Tommy VerrigninTrio.

Rob also records and produces studio sessions for solo artists and bands, and has recorded
and/or produced CD’s, EP’s, and demo recordings for artists including The Charlie Smith
Blues Band, pianist Dave Gleason and his band Sensemaya, trumpeter Steve Lambert, and
big band leader Keith Pray. Rob is an avid collector of vintage microphones, Hammond
Organs, Rhodes pianos, Wurlitzer pianos, harpsichords, and often uses his restored
Baldwin 9′ concert grand for recording projects.

Rob’s piano playing is heavily influenced by Jerry Lee Lewis, Ray Charles, Ramsey Lewis,
all of the boogie woogie and ragtime greats, and the likes of Brother Jack McDuff and
Booker T. Jones on Hammond organ.

Rob teaches Instrumental Band, Jazz Band, and Guitar at Oneida Middle School in
Schenectady, NY, grades 6 – 8, and was an adjunct at The College of Saint Rose teaching
Music Technology for 12 years. Rob was named the Schenectady City School District
Teacher of the Year 2014.

Mike Derrico
Mike has performed with many of the area’s best bands over the last 48 years including The
Time Machine, Adam, Men Shen, Capri, Moment’s Notice, Contagious, Out Of Control
Rhythm and Blues Band, Good For The Soul, Cole Broderick, The Rees Shad Band, The
Tommy Verrigni Trio, The Tick Brothers, and The Ushers.

Mike is a master of tone and taste on guitar, easily fitting into diverse styles of jazz, funk,
blues, and rock. Mike also contributes lead and backing vocals to The Evidence and writes
our original material.

Andrew Hearn
Andrew grew up playing in bands with friends around central New York. He began playing
out professionally while in college at the Crane School of Music.After graduating, he played
shows for Music Theater North (summer stock theater in Potsdam) which led to two 3 month
tours of Europe. After returning home, Andrew started his teaching career at South Colonie
Central Schools where he teaches band at Lisha Kill Middle School. His students have
performed well at regional and statewide music festivals.

Andrew has been an active member of the capital region music scene performing and/or
recording with various rock, pop, jazz, theater and blues groups. He has played local
concerts such as Albany’s Alive at Five, Concerts at the Plaza Series, Jazz on Jay St,
LarkFest, Captain JP Blues Cruises, Jazz Vespers and more. His experience includes
opening for national touring acts King’s X, NRBQ, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes,
Duke Robbillard, Heather Nova and members of the Beach Boys as well as recording an
album alongside Bruce Katz (Allman Brother, Delbert McClinton). He is frequently hired to
perform because of his solid groove, ability to learn quickly and provide appropriate musical
drumming in a variety of styles.

Andrew’s dumming has been aired on local radio stations: 102.7 WEQX, 103.9, 106.5
WPYX, as well as XM Sirius Satellite Radio and local TV (Time Warner’s The Sounding
Board). Recent recording credits include the Joe Finn Trio Plus One “Generational
Dynamics” and Tas Cru’s “Memphis Song”, “Drive On” and “Riffin’ the Blue”

Has played at several jazz festivals, including the Albany Jazz Festival, Lake George Jazz Festival and WCDB Jazz Festival, plus a US State Department tour of Egypt in 2013. In addition, the band has performed in many libraries across the region, presenting original compositions inspired by the great American novel,  “Invisible Man,” by Ralph Ellison.

RIA CURLEY is an accomplished singer/songwriter/composer (music and lyrics), known for her
silky voice, groove-oriented R&B originals and “nu-jazz” standards. Ria is honored to have 22 of
her original songs signed to publishing giant, Warner/Chappell Music Int’l.
“Ria’s voice has range, emotion and a sense of drama… if you care about love, you should buy
her music…” -Tom Kuntz, fan & New York Times Editor

CHUCK LAMB has been the pianist for the Brubeck Brothers Quartet for more than two decades
and has composed for and played with the Quartet all over the world, including Lincoln Center; the
Newport, Detroit, Monterrey, Bern and Saratoga Jazz Festivals; the Blue Note in Tokyo;
Tchaikovsky Hall in Moscow; Singapore with the Chinese National Orchestra; and more.

When Chuck is not on tour with the Brubeck Brothers Quartet, he performs regularly with his own
ensembles, including monthly as Jazz Artist-in-Residence for the popular “Jazz at Caffe Lena”
music series, which Chuck co-founded in 2017 with producer extraordinaire, Joel Moss, in Saratoga
Springs, NY.

About Chuck, legendary pianist/composer Dave Brubeck, had to say:
“Chuck is an extremely creative, harmonically interesting, rhythmically exciting pianist and one of the best improvisers I’ve heard in recent times!” – Dave Brubeck about Ria and Chuck, prestigious Downbeat Magazine (July 2018) lauded their “sizzling set” at Caffè Lena in Saratoga Springs.

Ria’s single, “Wanna Be There,” received a nomination for “Record of the Year” at the 2024 Capital
District Eddies Music Awards (“Eddies”). And Chuck took home the 2024 Eddies Music award for
“Jazz Artist of the Year.”

Together, Ria and Chuck recently entered the world of television and film music and obtained a
prime placement for one of their original songs in the opening monologue of the HBO MAX
standup comedy special, “Everything Must Go,” starring Emmy-nominated Hannah Einbinder (of
the Emmy-winning HBO MAX series, “Hacks”). The duo also obtained three original song
placements in the acclaimed documentary film, “Exergue on documenta 14,” which premiered at the
esteemed Berlinale International Film Festival and received enthusiastic reviews.

Ria and Chuck are presently in the recording studio working on their next releases and will have
news about that soon! For more information and updates, please join their email list at
curleylambmusic@gmail.com. Thank you!

Ria: https://linktr.ee/riacurleymusicandart Chuck: https://linktr.ee/chucklambmusic