{"id":351,"date":"2025-05-05T17:20:22","date_gmt":"2025-05-05T17:20:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jazzonjay.org\/?page_id=351"},"modified":"2026-06-01T17:00:07","modified_gmt":"2026-06-01T17:00:07","slug":"2025-perfomer-bios","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/jazzonjay.org\/?page_id=351","title":{"rendered":"2026 Perfomer Bios"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Union College Jazz Ensemble and the Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Union College Jazz Ensemble is made up of Union College students as well as members of the Capital District music community. The Jazz Ensemble’s repertoire is drawn from the entire literature of jazz \u2013 from ragtime and early New Orleans style to big band swing, bebop, Lastin jazz, and fusion \u2014 and often features original compositions and arrangements. Composer, pianist, and trumpeter Tim Olsen joined the Union faculty in 1994 and is currently Professor of Music.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company (ESDC) performance is in conjunction with the dance company\u2019s 35th anniversary<\/em> \u2014 visiting 35 sites around the Capital Region.<\/em>
This is one of the last installments in the \u201cPutting Out the Welcome Mat\u201d series the dance company began Sept. 2025. <\/em>
“Putting Out the Welcome Mat” comes from the piece of equipment that allows these performances to happen in non-traditional locations. ESDC uses interlocking foam mat squares to easily create a danceable surface in each location. The mat flooring not only protects the dancers\u2019 bodies but create a central focal point for audience members to gather around and view the action. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the company has been committed to developing new audiences for dance and for being an artistic resource for the entire region. “Putting out the Welcome Mat” serves to increase dance activity throughout the Capital Region, expose dance to a widespread population, develop new audiences for dance, and ensure that dance is not an underrepresented art form in the region. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bohdan Kinal Quartet<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bohdan Kinal is an award-winning saxophonist, composer, and educator from Albany, NY. Drawing from a wide range of influences from Western classical music to folk music, Kinal\u2019s music expands on his education in the jazz tradition.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kinal has performed in various settings involving a number of notable musicians, including Philip Dizack, Zach Brock, Alan Ferber, and Victor Provost, among others, and has studied with groundbreaking artists such as Gary Bartz, Remy Le Boeuf, Mike Holober, and Jay Ashby. He has written music for a range of different ensembles, from solo music to jazz orchestra, and has performed across the country at venues such as Dazzle Denver, The Newman Center for the Performing Arts, The Theater at Innovation Square, and the Van Dyck Music Club.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2023, Kinal was selected to play lead alto saxophone in the NAfME All-Eastern Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Bob Stewart. He has also performed in the 2022 and 2023 New York All-State Jazz Orchestras, in which he was a featured soloist, and the Manhattan School of Music Pre-College Big Band. He has been the recipient of a number of awards for his musical endeavors, including an award for best student jazz composition by the University of Denver, a Flint Initiative Grant, and the Lee Shaw Memorial Scholarship.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marcus Benoit<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Marcus started playing saxophone professionally in Munich Germany as a US Army dependent while his father was stationed
there. His early jazz gigs were with pianist Ken Rhodes in Munich, Heidelberg, Manheim, Vienna, and Augsburg.
Upon returning to the US, he enlisted in the USAF as a Bandsman and did his duty at Mc Guire AFB performing from Washington DC, throughout the northeast and in Portugal in support of USAF recruiting and PR.
After his time in the service he returned to Upstate New York and played in many different bands that covered pop music to blues to jazz and R&B.
In 1993 he played at the SPAC Jazz Festival with Cole Broderick, who he also wrote music for recorded with on Cole\u2019s Seasons of Saratoga CDs.
Marcus recently won the Favorite Jazz Artist from RadioX 2026 Listen Up Awards and does a weekly Monday podcast of music he has or is currently composing on his podcast Empire Radio Sounds<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ambrose, Hearn & Shoudy Trio with special guest Matt Steckler<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bringing together four of the Capital Region’s strong musical voices, this collaborative jazz quartet delivers a captivating blend of tradition, innovation, and spontaneous chemistry. The group features inventive guitarist\/composer Wyatt Ambrose, fluid multi-genre drummer Andrew Hearn, grounding bassist Dave Shoudy, and acclaimed saxophonist\/composer Matt Steckler. Together, they explore a rich collection of standards and contemporary jazz repertoire, highlighted by a selection of original compositions written by some of the group’s members. Expect a performance filled with creative improvisations, soulful grooves, and a dynamic musical dialogue that will keep the audience engaged.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shiri Zorn Band<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Shiri Zorn is an innovative jazz vocalist whose fresh and intercultural sound reinvents standard jazz repertoire as we know it. She layers American Songbook tunes with Middle Eastern influences and unexpected time signatures, and reharmonizes Latin and Samba classics to evoke feelings of transcendence, temporarily rendering the listener lost to time and space.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cZorn\u2019s voice is cool, calm and cerebral, her tone pure. She articulates lyrics with perfect diction and scalpel-like precision.\u201d \u2028\u2014 Allen Morrison, DownBeat Magazine<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vocalist Shiri Zorn\u2019s pure tone and insightful phrasing was nurtured at Israel\u2019s leading school for the arts, Thelma Yelin, where she was first drawn to the music of Gershwin, Cleo Laine, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, and Carmen Mc Rae and subsequently at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, England, where she studied voice and piano.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From 2007\u20132011, Zorn lived and performed in Seattle, Washington, sharing the stage with some of the nation\u2019s most renowned musicians, including Greta Matassa, Darin Clendenin, Chris Symer, and Beth Winter. Upon relocating to Upstate New York, Zorn sang and recorded with the influential musicians such as Peter O\u2019Brien (drummer) and Ira Coleman (bassist), and began her decade-long collaboration with the ingenious guitarist and composer George Muscatello.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This partnership culminated in a 2022 lockdown album, “Into Another Land,” a debut that was vocally produced by Grammy nominated jazz vocalist Tierney Sutton, informed by the spontaneity of past Saratoga Springs performances with Muscatello, and underpinned by Brazilian percussionist Mauricio Zottarelli\u2019s artistry. Steven Miller, from “Sound In Review,” describes the album this way: \u201cInto Another Land offers a depth of listening. The unexpected is to be expected, and the profound is to be embraced. Each musician elaborates with precision and acumen, illuminating their given instrument to the fullest potent potential for a lasting impression.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now performing extensively across the Northeast, Zorn continues to push creative boundaries with her latest album, “Looking for the Light.” Released in May 2025, the record serves as a luminous sequel to her debut, further establishing her as a unique and vital voice in the modern jazz landscape. Most recently, her impactful presence in the region\u2019s music scene earned her a nomination for a Thomas Edison \u201cEddies\u201d Award as the Capital Region\u2019s Best Jazz Artist of the Year.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Keith Pray Ortet<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Keith Pray is a versatile saxophonist and organist, who explores the boundaries of mainstream jazz, the blues, avant-garde, and gritty funk as a performer, bandleader, composer, and educator.
Keith has traveled from the west coast to Europe making music of many styles with countless gifted musicians<\/em> and has released 12 albums under his name, most recently “Unseen Sight” on his label PrayNation Records.
Keith is an in demand jazz educator, having conducted many all-counties, masterclasses, clinics, and co-founding All Ears Jazz, which develops jazz education workshops.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ragtime Windjammers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Ragtime Wind Jammers is a local jazz group featuring instruments like banjo, trumpet, guitar, clarinet, trombone, bass, and drums, creating an exciting soundscape for audiences of all ages.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Nancy Donnelly Quartet<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

“Nancy Donnelly is an exciting singer whose voice is nestled nicely somewhere in between jazz and soul \u2014 a rich, warm and powerful sound\u201d Peter Eldridge (New York Voices). 
Nancy\u2019s ability to blend a spectrum of musical styles is attributed to her wide array of musical influences and experiences. Nancy began training as a classical vocalist at a young age. Upon graduating from the \u201cCrane School of Music,\u201d Nancy moved to Boston to further pursue her musical studies. While in Boston, she had the opportunity to work with several blues and R&B groups. Nancy realized her true passion for jazz when she performed with Russian saxophonist Igor Butman. 
Nancy then moved to New York, where she played in many of the cities famous jazz clubs, such as the Blue Note, The Village Gate, Iridium, and Birdland numerous jazz festivals including the Rochester International Jazz Festival and the Wall St. Jazz Festival. Nancy’s critically acclaimed debut CD features Peggy Stern Jay Anderson and Matt Wilson. 
Nancy has two critically acclaimed CD’s available on iTunes and Spotify. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The quartet also features musicians Dan Sales (guitar), Otto Gardner (bass), and Bob Halak (drums).  <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

COOL UNIVERSE<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

COOL UNIVERSE is a union of musicians looking to share the musical treasures given to them with any and all! With diverse musical knowledge, they bring a brand of jazz unique to their potpourri of styles!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Cribtet<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Cribtet is a five-piece band with roots in hard bop jazz, with a focus on original music by members of the group. Formed in 2024, the bandmates started working together when four musicians moved into a house together (better known as \u201cThe Crib\u201d). After getting a couple more musicians involved, the group grew into a sextet. All of the members originally met through studying music together at the Hartt School\u2019s Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz in Hartford, CT, with the members originating from across the country. The musicians of the band are all composers with different writing styles, but are influenced by the music of Jackie McLean, Art Blakey, the Jazz Messengers, and many others.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kaitlyn Fay Quartet<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Kaitlyn Fay is a multi-faceted musician whose vocal repertoire spans the Great American Songbook, jazz standards, and originals. In 2025 she celebrated the release of her second studio album, “Cockeyed Optimist.” At Jazz on Jay Aug. 13, the Kaitlyn Fay Quartet will feature Kaitlyn Fay (vocals), Dave Gleason (keyboard), Dave Shoudy (bass), and Bob Halek (drums). <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alex Slomka and Friends<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hot Club of Saratoga<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hot Club of Saratoga recreates the spirit of 30’s Paris hot swing atmosphere lead by Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli. HCS has been instrumental in building the region’s Gyspy Jazz community since forming in 2013 and produces the Django Birthday Celebration celebrating the third annual event in January 2026 at Schenectady’s famed Van Dyck Music Club.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Union College Jazz Ensemble and the Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company The Union College Jazz Ensemble is made up of Union College students as well as members of the Capital District music community. The Jazz Ensemble’s repertoire is drawn from the entire literature of jazz \u2013 from ragtime and early New Orleans style to big band swing,…<\/span><\/p>\n

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