Music is a key ingredient at Capital Region colleges — not just as a part of campus social life, but as an educational component, as well. There's the electronic music and arts program at RPI, the studio recording program at Saint Rose and the radio station at Siena, just to mention a few.
This weekend, Union College in Schenectady does its part by hosting “Jazz@Union,'' a three-day festival of live jazz music in concert throughout the campus.
Sponsored by the school's Department of Performing Arts, the festival kicks into high gear with a free happy-hour performance by the Capital Region's own Lee Shaw Trio beginning at 5:30 p.m. Friday. Shaw, on piano, will be joined by bassist Rich Syracuse and drummer Jeff Siegel.
The Boston-based Dead Cat Bounce blows into the Nott Memorial for a horn-fueled concert at 8 p.m. Friday. Featuring a wild, four-piece sax section led by Matt Steckler, the funky Dead Cat Bounce has been compared to everyone from Charles Mingus to the World Saxophone Quartet. The sextet has released two critically acclaimed albums to date, “Lucky by Association” and “Legends of the Nar.”
Friday night's festivities conclude with a free post-concert jam session featuring the Union College Jazz Ensemble, slated to begin about 10 p.m. at Chet's in the Reamer Campus Center.
In Room 215 of the Arts Building, saxman Steckler conducts a free, 90-minute workshop at 11 a.m. Saturday, covering such topics as composition and improvisation as well as studio recording techniques and music promotion, which should be of interest to all musicians, not just jazz players.
The Old Chapel is the site of a sizzling Latin Dance Party at 8 p.m. Saturday, featuring the New York City-based Sonido Isleno. The sextet has a pair of albums to its credit — “Quien Tiene Ritmo?” and “El Asunto” — and the band members' resumes include stints with such legends as Tito Puente, Machito, Willie Colon, Eddie Palmieri and Celia Cruz.
And the fest concludes at 7 p.m. Sunday with the double bill of the Tim Olsen Band and the James Chirillo Quartet at the Yulman Theater. Union professor Olsen will showcase his original compositions and arrangements as he leads a Capital Region all-star ensemble that includes saxmen Jim DeForge, Paul Couch and Gary Livingston; trumpeters Jack McGirr and Bob Powers; trombonists Chris Barron and Karl Braun; as well as guitarist Bernie Mulleda, bassist Pete Toigo and drummer Pete Sweeney. Guitarist Chirillo has worked with a jazz who's-who that ranges from Benny Goodman to Benny Carter. His quartet at Union will feature pianist Alan Simon, bassist Murray Wall and drummer Tom Melito.
Of the fest's six performances, three are free, while admission to the other three is just $5 per show. So you can enjoy the entire three-day festival for a mere $15. What a great opportunity to soak up a wide range of music without breaking the bank — even if you don't know the difference between bebop, ballads or the blues.
Jazz@Union: The Union College Jazz Festival featuring Dead Cat Bounce, the Lee Shaw Trio, the Tim Olsen Band, Sonido Isleno, the James Chirillo Quartet and the Union College Jazz Ensemble. Friday-Sunday. At various locations throughout the Union College campus in Schenectady. All shows are free or $5. 388-6201.