Adirondack Jazz Ensemble delights hometown audience

by Dan McClelland

Some of the best in jazz performers in Upstate New York were on stage Sunday afternoon to the delight of nearly 80 hometown music lovers.

The Adirondack Jazz Ensemble is something of a rotating ensemble from the 20-member Adirondack Jazz Orchestra, dubbed the “Big Band of the Adirondacks.”

The orchestra plays once a month- on the first Wednesday- at Plattsburgh’s Olive Ridley’s Taphouse and Grill. Out of that skilled performance group comes the ensemble, one of which played here Sunday.

The seven who entertained at the free event in the high school auditorium included Matt Pray of Keeseville, trumpet player and founder of the group, Todd Pray with his big tenor sax, Tupper Lake’s own Wayne Davison on alto and soprano sax, Piano Player Neil Wright of Saranac Lake, Mike Iturrino of Ticonderoga on lead guitar, Eli Moore of Saranac, bass player and Michael Lewandowski of West Chazy on drums.

The concert was made possible by funding from the Tricia Woods Memorial Music Fund and by Stewart’s Shops. Tricia is the late daughter of Bob and Betty Woods of this village, who was a talented professional musician before her premature passing.

Arrangements for the first time event here were made by music teacher and band director, Laura Davison, with help from some of her music students, along with Liz and George Cordes.