Tag: Caffe Lena

  • Rees Shad and the Convo Combo Return To Caffe Lena this January

    Rees Shad and the Convo Combo and are returning to Caffe Lena on January 8th, 2021. Shad is no stranger to the Saratoga Springs club, in 1984 he did open mic nights there. The founder and namesake of Caffe Lena, Lena Spencer, is credited by Shad himself as being the foundation to the start of his career.

    rees shad convo combo

    Manhattan native Rees Shad has a discography of over 30 albums. He worked for many years as a sideman and studio musician before releasing things of his own. His newest record One Glass at a Time will be performed at the show.

    The Convo Combo features drummer Bobby Kay and bassist Jeff Link, who both come together to aid Shad to create a performance akin to that of live jazz, with their twist, providing classy ambiance to any nightclub.

    rees shad convo combo

    Speaking of the new album, Shad is incredibly proud of the jazz-influenced record.

    Taken incrementally, the stories from One Glass at a Time are crafted to resonate and intensify as the lyrics and melodies sink in. This might or might not be an overarching story…the listener might suspect it. The process should be interactive. I’m hoping to help lay the crumbs that they will want to follow…striving to light up listeners’ imaginations.

    Rees Shad

    Many critics have praised Shad and his music, the Boston Herald saying, “As loamy as 10 yards of Midwestern topsoil and his complex is a nest of small-town relationships … Unexpectedly literate & moving.” The Dallas Observer also had quite a bit to tell, “Unfair to describe this work in terms of another – it’s that personal, that complete, and that well done.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fkr34GEuWZM
    Rees Shad and the Convo Combo play a song.

    Tickets to see Rees Shad and his Convo Combo live at Caffe Lena can be found here, with proof of vaccination required.

  • Caffe Lena Announces December 2021 Events

    Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs has announced their December 2021 lineup of shows. The venue will close out the year in style with tons of performances throughout the month starting on December 2, 2021. 

    Caffe Lena December 2021
    caffe_lena_explore_saratoga_

    Caffe Lena was opened in 1960 and became a staple of Saratoga Springs launching many of America’s best loved and well known songwriters, ranging from big names like Bob Dylan in 1961 to Sawyer Fredericks in 2014. After the passing of its founder Lena Nargi Spencer in 1989, Caffè Lena was converted to a non-profit institution supported by concert revenue, private and corporate donors, grants and bequests, and an ever-evolving team of volunteers. The venue recently went through renovations in 2016. It began a $2 million renovation of their 19th century building in Saratoga’s historic downtown. It wrapped up in 2017, guarantees a home for Lena’s celebrated programming for decades to come, creates 100% handicap-accessibility to our second floor performance space, and brings the listener and artist experience in line with the club’s international reputation.

    The schedule will start with Scott Sharrard on Thursday, December 2nd at 7pm and Friday, December 3rd at 8pm. He is a lead guitarist and music director of the Gregg Allman Band from 2008 to 2017 and Guitarist/ Vocalist for Little Feat since 2019. 

    Caffe Lena December 2021
    Scott Sharrard photo provided by Caffe Lena.

    Planet Light will take place on Saturday, December 4th at  8pm featuring Jonathan Greene (woodwinds), Bobby Kendall (bass), Brian Melick (drums), Zorkie Nelson (drums), Mitsuko Suzuki (violin), Elizabeth Woodbury Kasius (piano), Garland Nelson (vocals) and Kelly Bird (vocals) for an evening of seasonal arrangements and original material. 

    Dirty Grass Players with Kendall Street Company will take place on  Friday, December 10th at 8pm. These two bands redefine what it means to play bluegrass as they combine elements of psycadelic jam music with jazz, rock and more. 

    Street Corner Symphony on Saturday, December 11th at 8pm. Runners up in NBC’s all-vocal competition, The Sing-Off, this contemporary acapella group can bounce between all genres of music.

    Caffe Lena December 2021
    Street Corner Symphony photo provided by Caffe Lena.

    Kimberly Hawkey’s: A New Noel will take place on Sunday, December 12th at 7pm.This concert will be a celebration of Hawkey’s newest record, A New Noel, an original holiday album that was created in collaboration with songwriters Justin K. Rivers and Lecco Morris. 

    Kohler and Kelly will take place on Thursday, December 16th at 7pm.Fiddler Gretchen Koehler and jazz pianist Daniel Kelly blend traditional dance fiddling with jazz. 

    Sirsy will take place on Friday, December 17th at 8pm. They are an indie pop-rock duo bring a special stripped-down acoustic storyteller set to the Lena stage.

    Caffe Lena’s Annual Holiday Folk Show will take place on Saturday, December 18th at 4pm & 8pm. The show will feature Trish Miller, John Kirk, Sara Milonovich, David Kiputh and Addie and Olin return to the stage for two shows to celebrate the holiday season.

    The Fretless will take place on Sunday, December 19th at 7pm. A Juno Award winning Canadian quartet that transforms fiddle tunes and folk melodies into intricate, high-energy arrangements.

    A Very Leonard Christmas with Let’s Be Leonard will take place on Thursday, December 23rd at 7pm featuring a jazzy five-piece rock and roll jam band presenting their annual holiday show.

    Let’s Be Leonard photo provided by Caffe Lena.

    Amy Helm will take place on Wednesday, December 29th and Thursday, December 30th at 7pm.Amy Helm is the daughter of Levon Helm and former member of Olabelle, Amy Helm is blessed with a powerful voice and an uncanny songwriting skill rooted in American tradition

    Both In-Person and Live Stream tickets will be available. To purchase tickets and collect more information visit Caffe Lena’s website.

  • Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band Returns to Caffe Lena

    Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band played two shows for the Caffe Lena crowd in Saratoga Springs on Thursday, November 19, 2021.

    Playing in support of their April release, Dance Songs for Hard Times, the show, and album, conveyed the hopes and fears of pandemic living, including the bleak financial challenges detailed on the songs “Ways and Means” and “Dirty Hustlin’.” Payton pines for in-person reunions with loved ones on “No Tellin’ When,” and he pleads for celestial relief on the album-closing “Come Down Angels.”

    Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band

    Far from a depressing listen, Dance Songs lives up to its name by delivering action-packed riffs and rhythms across 11 songs. The country blues trio that won over crowds on more than one Warped Tour knows how to make an audience move.

    Reverend Payton found itself sidelined from a relentless touring schedule because of the coronavirus pandemic. Peyton says he was surprised when his mind and soul unleashed a batch of new songs in March and April of 2020. This also allowed Big Damn Band supporters around the world check in monthly for pay-what-you-can livestream performances that originate at the Peytons’ log cabin.

    Back on tour and playing to an always supportive audience at Caffe Lena, Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band put aside the hardships of this moment in history, to focus on music created so that it may help people through it, as it seems to help Peyton through it as well.

    Setlist: You Can’t Steal My Shine, Ways and Means, Give me Back My Wig, Plainfield Blues, Poor Until Payday, Dirty Hustlin’, No Telling When, Nell, My Old Man Boogie, Too Cool to Dance, Train Song

  • Kendall Street Company and The Dirty Grass Players December Tour Features shows at Caffe Lena and Cafe Wha?

    Virginia’s jam and alt-rock outfit Kendall Street Company have teamed up with toe-tappin’ bluegrass quartet The Dirty Grass Players to announce a slew of co-headlining winter tour dates this December. The two bands will each perform a set of original songs before collaborating under the name “The Dirty Street Grass Company” for a super jam at the end of each show.

    Kendall Street Company

    The run of shows will kick off on December 4th in The Dirty Grass Players’ hometown of Baltimore, MD and weave through the Northeastern states of New York, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Connecticut. The collaboration series will also be available to fans worldwide via the live-streamed performance on Friday, December 10th.

    Our relationship with the Dirty Grass Players goes back to the ancient days of 2016. We were introduced to them by a talent buyer who described DGP as ‘the real deal bluegrass outfit’ and said they’d be a good pairing with our eclectic brand of jam rock. Fast forward to now, we have performed with them many times and consider them close musical companions. It’s about time we did a full-on tour together. To get hype for this collaboration, we [Kendall Street Company] have even been working on some bluegrass-y arrangements of our own tunes to mix into our set.

     Ben Laderberg of Kendall Street Company.

    Kendall Street Company (KSC) has created a unique musical identity that is quickly separating them from the pack. Featuring Louis Smith (acoustic guitar, vox), Brian Roy (bass), Ryan Wood (drums), Ben Laderberg (electric guitar), and Jake Vanaman (saxophones, keys), the band seamlessly brings together a mélange of genres as diverse as jam-rock,indie, folk, americana, psychedelia, jazz, and even bluegrass.

    Composed of Connor Murray on bass, Alex Berman on vocals & banjo, Ben Kolakowski with the guitar & vocals, and Ryan Rogers on mandolin, they have been bringing their growing fanbase a down and dirty performance for over five years. Their ability to seamlessly transition from down-home bluegrass to spirited improvisation makes each performance unique. Mix in some Allman Brothers, Pink Floyd, or a dash of southern rock and you’ll quickly understand what they mean by “Dirty Grass”. 

    Entering into their sixth year together, The Dirty Grass Players just released their 2nd studio album, “Beneath the Woodpile”. Put together with alluring harmonies, lyrics, and melodies, the band presents a sound precisely at the crossroads of traditional and progressive bluegrass. This isn’t just another run-of-the-mill bluegrass album or band; it’s cathartic and dirty grass.

    The Dirty Street Grass Company Tour Dates
    12/4 – Baltimore, MD – The 8×10
    12/5 – Manhattan, NY – Cafe Wha?
    12/8 – Newmarket, NH – The Stone Church Music Club
    12/9 – Cambridge, MA – Sonia Middle East Restaurant and  Nightclub
    12/10 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Caffe Lena
    12/11 – Burlington, VT – Nectar’s
    12/12 – New Haven, CT at Stella Blues LLC

    Tickets for all Dirty Street Grass Company tour dates are on sale now, and can be purchased here

    Access to the livestream can be purchased for $5 at https://caffelena.tv/categories/live-streams. For more information, please visit www.kendallstreetcompany.com or www.dirtygrassplayers.com.

  • Cassandra Kubinski Announces Show at Caffe Lena in Celebration of #1MillionHearts EP

    Cassandra Kubinski announced show at Caffe Lena in celebration of her recently dropped #1MillionHearts EP. The celebration will take place on October 31, 2021 at 7PM at Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs. 

    Cassandra Kubinski is an up and coming singer/songwriter who has hit the billboards multiple times. She has had music on TV, from Lifetime to ESPN to ABC and  has collaborated with big names like the Goo Goo Dolls (including their collaborative release of her Autism anthem Not So Different), Chris Botti, 10,000 Maniacs, DJ Taz Rashid, and even her personal music hero, Billy Joel. You may have heard her songs that have supported  important causes, such as “Not So Different” for Autism and “You Get Me” for pet rescue. She was also  the composer and bandleader of Emmy-winning new media TV Show “The Never Settle Show” hosted by Mario Armstrong, and she serves as the Global Co-Chair of Membership for international non-profit Women in Music.

    Her #1MillionHearts EP was officially  released to all digital platforms on October 1, 2021. The Caffe Lena show follows up Kubinski’s NYC Release Show at The Cutting Room which took place on October 3, 2021 and the global virtual launch concert featuring multi platinum artists Ryan Cabrera, Jeff Timmons (98 Degrees), and Brad Fischetti (LFO) which took place on October 1, 2021. 

    Saratoga Springs holds a special place in Kubinski’s heart though which is why she’s going back there for a show at Caffe Lena. Kubinski’s previous Capital Region appearances includes multiple shows at Caffe Lena before she  became a full time Saratoga Springs resident in 2020, the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation Virtual Holiday Homes Tour, airplay on WEXT and WEQS, and both artist workshops and performances at Wildwood School in Schenectady.

    “I’m excited to bring my band back to Saratoga. #1MillionHearts is all about connection, community, and finding freedom after a time of darkness or constriction,” Said Kubinski. “I think many of us can relate to that in society and in ourselves at this time. We’re excited to give the audience an incredible, elevating show, and to support arts education and the upstate community as well.”

    Tickets for both in-person seats and online viewing options are available here.

    For more information on Cassandra Kubinski and her upcoming shows visit her website.

  • Live Music Society Announces Third Round of Grants for Small Venues Nationwide

    Live Music Society, a nonprofit philanthropic organization has announced a third round of grants to be awarded this fall to live music venues across the United States. These grants benefit small venues with a maximum sellable capacity of 300, and has supported venues including Bowery Electric, Caffe Lena and Levon Helm’s Barn, among others.

    live music society

    Founded in 2020, Live Music Society is committed to awarding $1,000,000 dollars per year in grants to venues that promote and preserve the live music experience in intimate settings. These small venues allow artists of all levels and all genres to get their start, connect with their audiences and maintain their careers as performers. Individual grants range from $10,000-$50,000, and over the two initial rounds of grants, Live Music Society has awarded thirty-six venues in twenty-nine cities grants totaling over $1.2 million.

    Small, live music venues throughout the U.S. are owned and operated by music-lovers who are tirelessly devoted to their community, their staff, and their artists. Without small music clubs, so many of our most promising artists wouldn’t have a place to share their work, hone their craft, and build their audiences. Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, many of these clubs have been fighting to keep their doors open. Live Music Society is focused on making sure these wonderful spaces stay solvent and independent. It is time to acknowledge and support the great efforts that these venues have made to keep our communities connected and vibrant through the gift of live music.

    Live Music Society founder Pete Muller

    Live Music Society encourages small venues with 50-300 sellable seats prior to COVID-19, established on or prior to July 1, 2017, to apply. Venues must be committed to live music as their primary activity to be eligible. Grant applications will be accepted from September 28 – October 20, 2021 via the organization’s website.

    Prior grantees include:

    Ivy Room (Albany, CA)

    Ashkenaz Music & Dance Community Center (Berkeley, CA)

    The Hotel Cafe (Los Angeles, CA)

    The Mint (Los Angeles, CA)

    The Casbah (San Diego, CA)

    Kuumbwa Jazz (Santa Cruz, CA)

    Dazzle (Denver, CO)

    Hi-Dive (Denver, CO)

    Cafe Nine (New Haven, CT)

    The Hideout (Chicago, IL)

    Subterranean (Chicago, IL)

    The Jazz Showcase (Chicago, IL)

    SPACE (Evanston, IL)

    Maple Leaf Bar (New Orleans, LA)

    Club Passim (Cambridge, MA)

    The Parlor Room (Northampton, MA)

    Jonathan’s Ogunquit (Ogunquit, ME)

    Seven Steps Up (Spring Lake, MI)

    Jazz St. Louis (St. Louis, MO)

    The Word Barn (Exeter, NH)

    The Bowery Electric (New York, NY)

    Caffé Lena (Saratoga Springs, NY)

    Levon Helm Studios (Woodstock, NY)

    BOP STOP @ The Music Settlement (Cleveland, OH)

    Mercury Lounge (Tulsa, OK)

    The Kennett Flash (Kennett Square, PA)

    Club Café (Pittsburgh, PA)

    McGonigel’s Mucky Duck (Houston, TX)

    Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe (Galveston, TX)

    Jammin’ Java (Vienna, VA)

    Zenbarn (Waterbury Center, VT)

    Barboza (Seattle, WA)

    Fremont Abbey Arts Center (Seattle, WA)

    The Royal Room (Seattle, WA)

    The Sunset Tavern (Seattle, WA)

    Cactus Club (Milwaukee, WI)

  • Caffè Lena Hosting USA Shows for Quebec Jazz Festival

    With live music returning to Capital Region venues, Saratoga’s historic Caffe Lena is in a position to assist a popular jazz festival in a part of the world that is still restricted by COVID-19. With American musicians unable to cross the border for their gigs at Quebec Jazz In June, Caffè Lena will instead be producing the shows at its location in Saratoga and making it available to the Quebec Audience via livestream.

    Quebec Jazz in June, a ten day festival that ushers jazz music to the streets of Quebec City has pivoted to a hybrid online, and in-person model as Canada keeps its southern border closed.

    “This legendary venue has stepped up to ensure that world class American musicians will once again be a part of our annual festivities – this time through the magic of live streaming.” Says Simon Couillard, the Festival’s General Manager.

    Three nights of the festivals headline artists will be live streamed from Caffe Lena to the Festival’s social media platforms. Capital Region audiences can also attend the concerts in-person, in the intimate listening room located in downtown Saratoga Springs.

    quebec jazz

    “Standing in as Quebec’s USA Stage is a win-win-win. The artists get to play for the festival’s audience; Quebec Jazz can hang onto their American line-up; and Saratoga gets to experience the festival’s mainstage musicians in person,” says Caffe Lena’s Executive Director Sarah Craig.

    The collaboration between Caffe Lena and Quebec Jazz in June is one to look forward to, and is a positive thing as a result of the pandemic. The historic venue has been regularly sharing their stage and live stream capabilities with a number of venues and organizations from around the region, including 2020’s Freihoffer’s Jazz Festival.

    Producing more than 200 shows during 2020, the venue’s audience has expanded far beyond its 110-seat listening room, while providing more than $100,000 in income to musicians who were not able to play live shows in over a year.

    “This event is a perfect example of the growth of the independent music world that happened over the past year. There was pain while it was happening, but the end result–greater access for all–is exciting for artists and audiences. This international collaboration with Quebec Jazz In June is truly exhilarating,” says Craig.

    The American artists performing at Caffe Lena for this series will include Manuel Valera New Cuban Express on Thursday, June 17th, Sheila Jordan on Friday, June 18th, and the Chuck Lamb Trio featuring Chuck Lamb, Jay Anderson and Harvey Sorgen on Sunday, June 20th.

    Grammy-nominated pianist and composer Valera, who has played with Paquito D’Rivera and Arturo Sandoval, begins a three-night run with a scaled-down version of his New Cuban Express Big Band. Inspired by famed Cuban writer and independence hero José Martí, Valera has created a song cycle using traditional Cuban styles merged with contemporary Latin jazz.
    Valera, who lost his wife in 2020, repurposed Martí’s powerful poems as a personal cry for freedom, justice and passion for life. Valera will be joined by Felipe Lamoglia on saxophone, Ricky Rodriquez on bass and Jimmy McBride on drums.

    National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master Sheila Jordan follows the next night. Widely regarded as one of the great jazz vocalists, she remains innovative and passionate, at the youthful of 92. Always eager to forge new connections, Jordan will be accompanied by Capital Region jazz artists Dylan Perrillo on bass, Nick Anderson on drums, and Tyler Giroux on piano.

    Saratoga’s own Chuck Lamb closes out the festivities on Sunday with a trio featuring Harvey Sorgen on drums and Jay Anderson on bass. Lamb, best known as the pianist for the Brubeck Brothers Quartet, is the artist-in-residence for the acclaimed monthly “Jazz at Caffe Lena” music series. Each musician brings a wealth of talent and experience to the stage ranging from all corners of jazz music.

    Caffe Lena offers a state of the art live stream experience with professional sound engineering and a multi-camera broadcasting system. Throughout the COVID-19 shutdown, the Caffe’s live stream capabilities became a lifeline for the organization as they shifted their programming to an entirely virtual experience. Now they are open for limited capacity live audiences, while also continuing to stream its nightly performances as a way to stay connected with music lovers far and wide.

    Founded in 1960, Caffè Lena is a premiere concert venue located in Saratoga Springs, NY. Known around the world for fostering the preservation and growth of independent music rooted in tradition, Caffè Lena is the oldest continually running coffee house in the United States.

    In person or virtually, Caffe Lena provides an unparalleled listening experience for renowned artists and breakout bands nearly every night of the week. The Caffe offers homemade desserts, locally sourced light fare, coffee, wine and beer to enjoy during the show.
    To buy tickets, live stream a concert and view our schedule please visit www.caffelena.org

    Summary of Events
    Thursday, June 17, 7 PM – Manuel Valera New Cuban Express
    Friday, June 18, 8 PM – Sheila Jordan Trio
    Sunday, June 20, 7 PM – Lamb-Sorgen-Anderson

  • Grammy Winner Stephane Wrembel to perform at Caffè Lena on June 12th

    Stephane Wrembel is a composer, teacher, and one of the preeminent guitarists specializing in the Django Reinhardt style of guitar. Wrembel will perform at Caffè Lena on Saturday, June 12 at 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

    Wrembel is most known for his Grammy award-winning composition “Bistro Fada” from the academy award-winning Woody Allen movie Midnight In Paris.  Since 2001, Wrembelhas released over a dozen critically acclaimed albums including a series of recordings in tribute to Django Reinhardt under the nom de plume, The Django Experiment.

    Stephane Wrembel
    STEPHANE WREMBEL

    Founded in 1960, Caffè Lena is a premiere concert venue located in Saratoga Springs, NY known around the world for fostering the preservation and growth of independent music rooted in tradition.

    Since 2003, Wrembel has produced the Django a Gogo Festival, bringing together some of the finest musicians in the world to celebrate the Sinti guitar style to perform in prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and The Town Hall. This year’s Django a Gogo is scheduled for early June.

    The performance at Caffè Lena, 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, are open to patrons of all ages. Seats will be sold in “pods” for 2-4 people.  Tickets are $25 per person plus fees. Tickets for the show can be bought here.

  • Caffe Lena to host America Sings’ “A Tribute to Langston Hughes”

    Opera Saratoga has introduced the fourth installment of their 2021 America Sings digital concert series in Saratoga Springs. On Friday, May 21, the series will return to Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs for “A Tribute to Langston Hughes,” featuring baritone singer Justin Austin and pianist/composer Damien Sneed. Justin and Damien’s all Langston Hughes program will feature songs by Margaret Bonds, Robert Owens, Damien Sneed and Ricky Ian Gordon.

    caffe lena langston hughes
    America Sings Flier photo courtesy of Opera Saratoga website

    America Sings is a concert series that amplifies the voices of BIPOC artists, who have historically been underrepresented on the concert stage. Each event will feature a wide array of classical, jazz and popular music from various performers.

    Langston Hughes was an American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright and columnist from Joplin, Missouri. One of the earliest innovators of jazz poetry, Hughes is best known as a leader of the Harlem Renaissance. In addition to poetry, Hughes wrote plays and short stories, and collaborated with many composers.

    All concerts in Opera Saratoga’s America Sings series are livestreamed to the public for free, but viewers are encouraged to contribute through a virtual tip jar during each event. All “tips” made during each concert will be split equally between Opera Saratoga and the featured artists, providing support to artists who have been financially impacted by the shutdown of live performances across the country.

    The Langston Hughes tribute event will be livestreamed at 7 p.m. on Caffe Lena’s YouTube Channel and the Facebook pages of both Opera Saratoga and Caffè Lena. For livestream access and more information, check out the Opera Saratoga website.

  • Caffe Lena to Celebrate the Life of Matt McCabe

    Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs will celebrate the life of Matt McCabe, owner of Saratoga Guitar and former Commissioner of Finance. The memorial will be livestreamed on Saturday. February 20th at 7pm.

    Caffe Lena Matt McCabe
    Photo from Caffe Lena’s website

    The event will be hosted by McCabe’s friend and fellow musician Rick Bolton. The online tribute will feature stories and musical performances by some of the community members who found McCabe’s shop to be a place of support and inspiration. The performances have been prerecorded and include: Leigh Gibson of the Gibson Brothers, Kate Taylor, Dan Berggren, Mark Tolstrup, Chuck Lamb, John Kribs, Michael Eck, Brian Melick, Ria Curley, Angelina Valente, Pete Pashoukas and many more.

    Matt McCabe was an example of how a small business can have a huge impact. His goal was to raise the quality of life for everyone. That is why we’re celebrating him. He gave away instruments for fundraising raffles, he gave steep discounts to those in need, and he donated performances to make life a little brighter.

     Sarah Craig, Caffe Lena Executive Director

    Caffe Lena is a historic music venue located on downtown Saratoga Springs, opening up back in 1960. The café has seen a number of legendary act take it’s stage, from the likes of Bob Dylan in 1961 to recently Sawyer Fredricks in 2014. The Library of Congress has recognized Caffe Lena as “An American Treasure”; as well as being recognized by The Grammy Foundation for important contributions to the development of American music.

    The Matt McCabe memorial will be streamed for free on all Caffe Lena social media channels. More information can be found at www.caffelena.org