Music on the Mountain - September

Natalie Merchant has toured extensively and collaborated with a diverse array of artists on stage and in the studio including Billy Bragg, Philip Glass, David Byrne, The Chieftains, Tracy Chapman, Mavis Staples, and Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Throughout her entire career Merchant has been dedicated to supporting a variety of non-profit organizations by lending both financial support and raising public awareness. Scenic Hudson, Riverkeeper, Association to Benefit Children, The Fresh Air Fund, The Center for Constitutional Rights, Doctors Without Borders, Tibet House, Greenpeace, and Planned Parenthood are among the social justice groups to which she has been devoted. In 2007, Merchant served a five-year term on New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA). In 2013, she spearheaded an effort to stop the advance of hydraulic fracturing in New York State with a concert-protest film, Dear Governor Cuomo. Merchant used the same format to address the domestic violence crisis in the Hudson Valley with Shelter (2014). She is currently artist-in-residence with Head Start, developing a music and movement curriculum for preschool-aged children in The Hudson Valley.

Scott Chasolen, is an acclaimed New York City musician, renowned for his dynamic blend of raucous, retro-minded keyboard pop. As Keyboard Magazine praises, “Raucous, retro-minded keyboard pop… Chasolen melds classic keyboards such as the Minimoog, Clavinet, and Rhodes with hooky choruses and deft band interplay.” With a career spanning 25 years, Chasolen has solidified his reputation as a pianist/keyboardist, composer, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and music producer, captivating audiences with his innovative approach to music. Alongside his solo pursuits, he is an integral member of touring bands such as ulu, The Machine, Beginnings, and AM Gold, infusing each performance with his unparalleled talent. Grounded in a deep understanding of jazz theory and performance, Scott earned a BFA degree from New School University, further enhancing his musical foundation and ensuring his continued impact on the contemporary music landscape.

Frank Viele, a beacon of New England blues-rock, captivates audiences with his genre-defying melodies that tug at the heartstrings and defy expectations. Over the past seven years, his musical prowess has garnered him a plethora of accolades, including multiple New England Music Awards for Album of the Year, Male Performer of the Year, and Songwriter of the Year. Amidst the pandemic’s upheaval in 2020, Viele found solace in collaboration, embarking on a transformative journey with renowned musicians in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, resulting in his acclaimed 2021 EP, “Time Is A Thief,” which earned him his second Songwriter of The Year award. With the release of his 2023 album, Viele’s storytelling prowess and signature vocal delivery continue to captivate audiences and critics alike, earning him praise as a consummate wordsmith and master storyteller. Drawing inspiration from a childhood steeped in music and honing his craft through relentless touring, Viele forges a deeper connection with his audience, blending elements of folk, blues, and rock into a timeless yet contemporary sound.

Scott Robinson, one of today’s most wide-ranging instrumentalists, has been heard on tenor sax with Buck Clayton’s band, on trumpet with Lionel Hampton’s quintet, on alto clarinet with Paquito D’Rivera’s clarinet quartet, and on bass sax with the New York City Opera. On these and other instruments, he has been heard with a cross-section of jazz greats representing nearly every imaginable style of the music, from Braff to Braxton. His discography now includes more than 190 recordings. Scott has performed in some 30 nations, in such diverse venues as Carnegie Hall, the Village Vanguard, the Library of Congress, and the Vienna Opera House. Scott’s group was selected to be the closing act at the Knitting Factory’s Sun Ra Festival in New York City. Scott has also written magazine articles and liner notes, and was an invited speaker at the Congressional Black Caucus Jazz Forum in Washington, D.C.

Pete Malinverni has a career with many facets: he’s led sixteen well-received recordings, including in solo, violin/piano duo, trio, quartet, quintet, choir and big band formats. For eighteen years he served as Minister of Music at the predominantly African-American Devoe Street Baptist Church in Brooklyn, NY and currently serves in that capacity at the Pound Ridge, NY Community Church and as Pianist/Conductor at the Westchester Reform Temple in Scarsdale, NY. He enjoys teaching, too, and served previously as the Chair of Jazz Studies at Purchase College (SUNY). Pete’s newest recording, “On the Town – Pete Malinverni Plays Leonard Bernstein”, featuring Ugonna Okegwo and Jeff Hamilton, was in the Top Ten for several weeks for Jazz radio airplay, reaching #2 for two weeks. Copies will be available at the shows.

Sivan Arbel is a critically acclaimed Israeli vocalist, composer, arranger, and a worldwide performer, and an effervescent talent on the international jazz scene. Some of her recent performances have taken place at the Minsk Jazz Festival, Bratislava Jazz Days Festival, Lincoln Center in NYC, Boston Jazz Festival, 4020 Festival in Austria, to name a few. Since moving to NYC in 2014, Sivan has put out two albums: “Broken Lines” (2016) and “Change of Light” (2019), which was selected by Jazz2K as Best Vocal Disc of 2019. Sivan has collaborated with a wide array of musicians such as Japanese band Ichimujin, Pandero player Tuliio Araujo, Groove it Forward Project pianist Guy Mintus, as well as several dance projects. Sivan holds a B.A. with high honors in Jazz Performance from the Newpark Music Centre (Dublin, Ireland) and is a graduate of the Jazz Performance program at the acclaimed Rimon School of Music (Israel).

Based in Nashville, TN since 2021, originally hails from New York City, where her musical journey began. Influenced by a diverse range of artists from Billie Holiday to Patsy Cline, she emerged as a songwriter in the vibrant East Village scene, inspired by the folk songwriters of Greenwich Village. While training as a raft guide in North Carolina, she discovered her affinity for Southern music, particularly bluegrass and country, igniting a passion she would later explore. Her musical exploration led her to Paris to study jazz, where she honed her craft and began performing with local musicians. Returning to New York City, she immersed herself in the early jazz community, blending the improvisational excitement of jazz with the storytelling of blues and country music. As the frontwoman of Sweet Megg & the Wayfarers, she gained popularity and embarked on tours that reignited her curiosity about country music. With her releases “Under the Moonlight” and “I’m in Love Again,” Sweet Megg showcased her classic jazz roots. Upon relocating to Nashville, she merged the sounds of New York and Nashville in her album “My Window Faces South,” collaborating with local musicians to create her signature blend of Real Hillbilly Jazz.

Marka Young captivates audiences with her dynamic performances, characterized by a warm, rich tone and evocative lyrical lines. Praised by the New York Concert Review for her broad, majestic interpretation and full-bodied sound, Ms. Young is renowned for her versatility, showcasing her mastery across modern, classical, and baroque violin repertoire. As the Assistant Concertmaster of the Hudson Valley Philharmonic and a member of the Hudson Valley String Quartet, she brings her exceptional talent to prestigious stages nationwide. Ms. Young’s soloist credits include performances at illustrious venues such as Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall, the Bach Aria Festival, and Banff, alongside collaborations with esteemed orchestras and festivals. A dedicated student of violin, she has honed her craft under the guidance of renowned mentors including Dorothy Delay, Camilla Wicks, and Enrico Gatti, mastering a diverse range of violin disciplines. Additionally, Ms. Young shares her expertise as a violin instructor at Vassar College and through her studio in the Mid-Hudson Valley, inspiring the next generation of violinists with her passion and dedication to the art form.

Lauren Fox is a multi-talented individual known for her prowess as an actress, singer, writer, breathwork facilitator, and restaurateur. Her tribute shows on the music of icons like Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, and the rock and roll groupies of the 60s and 70s have garnered critical acclaim across clubs, performing arts centers, and even in London. With accolades including MAC, Bistro, and Nightlife awards, Lauren’s versatility shines through her work on stage, screen, and in print, including the world premiere of Norris Church Mailer’s play, “Go-See,” in London’s King’s Head Theater. Not only a creative force in entertainment, Lauren’s screenplay, “Atlas of the Soul,” is in development at a major studio, showcasing her storytelling prowess. Alongside her sister Haley, Lauren co-owns Alice’s Tea Cup, a beloved teahouse with multiple locations in New York City, while also co-founding Alchemy of the Elements, bringing healing breathwork, shamanic meditation, and ritual practice to a global audience.

Tiempo Libre, a six-time GRAMMY-nominated Afro-Caribbean music group remains one of the hottest Latin bands today. The Miami-based group is celebrated for its sophisticated performances of timba music, an irresistible, dance-inducing mix of Latin jazz and Cuban son. Tiempo Libre has introduced Cuban music to new audiences through appearances on shows such as the Tonight Show, Live from Lincoln Center and Dancing With the Stars and concerts worldwide including performances at Tanglewood, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, The Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Hong Kong’s Kwai Tsing Theatre and Tuscan Sun Festival in Cortona, Italy. Tiempo Libre collaborated on “Para Ti” with violinist Joshua Bell for his At Home with Friends album and frequently plays with leading orchestras, including concerts this season with the Cleveland Orchestra and the San Francisco and Houston Symphonies. Every Tiempo Libre concert is a party, a celebration, and – regardless of whether “guests” choose to enjoy their sophisticated sound from their seats or on the dance floor – all engage all in exhilarating shared experience of community.

Vinnie Martucci has toured extensively on the international jazz festival circuit as co-leader of the Jazz Fusion Quartet “The Dolphins” with Dan Brubeck and Mike DeMicco. As an arranger, accompanist he’s performed with Laurel Masse (Manhattan Transfer), Eileen Fulton (Award winning star of As the World Turns), Blues artist Rory Block and many others. As a composer, Vinnie co-wrote the music for the off-Broadway play “Clue, The Musical” with Galen Blum. Vinnie has composed and produced numerous cable network TV themes for Lifetime, the Travel Channel, CNN, as well as daytime TV dramas “As the World Turns” and “Guiding Light”. As a producer, engineer, and studio musician, he worked with composer Baikida Carroll on numerous productions such as WGBH and the Tony award winning play “Having Our Say”. Vinnie is an educator, teacher, and clinician, giving master classes across the US, Europe, South America, and China. During his time as Professor of Jazz Studies and chair of the Music Department at SUNY New Paltz, Vinnie developed a broad range of courses and programs in Jazz, improvisation, recording technology, and music industry studies. Vinnie also teaches at summer festivals and camps, especially at the Ashokan Center, where he has taught swing piano every summer for over 20 years.

Jeff “Siege” Siegel is a veteran of the New York Jazz scene and has worked with a virtual “who’s who” of artists. 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 and many others. 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. 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 The New School for Jazz & Contemporary Music, SUNY at New Paltz as well as at Western Connecticut State University.  He has performed clinics throughout Europe, United States, China, South America and South Africa. He holds a Master’s 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. Legendary saxophonist Jimmy Heath noted:  “Jeff’s musicality is incredible. He is as tasty as a percussionist and he has become a fine composer/arranger with a good melodic concept and harmonic depth.”

Rich Syracuse 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. 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, Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Connecticut, and SUNY at New Paltz. Rich is a member of the International Association of Schools of Jazz. He has toured throughout Europe, South America and Southern Africa. Richsyracusebass.us.

Sage Myers, a 24-year-old vocalist and solo artist, draws her inspiration from a musical family, church choir, and a childhood filled with musical theatre. A graduate of SUNY Purchase’s jazz vocal program, she thrives using her experience to create genre-blending collaborations. Sage’s versatile voice defies convention, creating a unique sound that transcends boundaries. With her music, she aspires to pave the way for other unorthodox women of color like herself, breaking new ground in the industry.

John Newhall, a 22-year-old singer-songwriter from Newburgh, NY, has always had music in his blood. From early memories of his mom playing Billy Joel’s Greatest Hits on car rides to humming songs and writing them down as a child, music has been a constant companion. Although he briefly attended The College of Saint Rose in Albany for music, he realized it wasn’t the right path for him and left to pursue music independently while teaching music at various private schools. Despite facing challenges with self-promotion and confidence, Newhall’s dedication paid off, with thousands of followers and monthly listeners between Instagram, TikTok, and Spotify. His unique blend of folk-inspired singer-songwriter music, coupled with his engaging social media presence, is setting the stage for a promising future in the industry.