The Park Theater Foundation will present a wide variety of shows this May as part of their 2022-23 season. Among the scheduled acts and events include JeremyGarrett ft. ShadowGrass, the Matt Niedbalski Trio featuring pianist, Ian MacDonald, Corner House, ‘Live & Local: Songwriters’ Showcase’, ‘Comedy After Dark’, and Rochmon Record Club. The series will begin on May 11 and continue until the end of the month on May 31.
Jeremy Garret will perform with ShadowGrass on May 11. Credit: Park Theater Foundation.
Innovative fiddle player, expressive singer, and songwriter in the Grammy award-winning band, The Infamous Stringdusters, Jeremy Garrett, will perform at the theater on May 11 at 7 p.m. with the opening bluegrass band, ShadowGrass. Garrett is known for his dynamic stage presence and his performance is sure to be one you won’t want to miss.
The Matt Niedbalski Trio featuring pianist Ian MacDonald will perform on May 18. Credit: Park Theater Foundation.
On May 18 at 7:30 p.m., the third Thursday of the month, the theater presents ‘Third Thursday Jazz’ with The Matt Niedbalski Trio featuring pianist, Ian MacDonald, delighting audiences with some of the best jazz music in the Capital Region.
The members of Corner House, from left to right: Cellist Casey Murray, guitarist Ethan Hawkins, bluegrass mandolinist Ethan Setiawan, and Scottish fiddle player Louise Bichan. Corner House will perform live on May 19. Credit: Park Theater Foundation.
Portland, Maine-based Corner House, with roots in Boston, is made up of cellist Casey Murray, guitarist Ethan Hawkins, bluegrass mandolinist Ethan Setiawan, and Scottish fiddle player Louise Bichan and will perform live at the Park Theatre on May 19 at 7 p.m. Corner House has created a singular sound that incorporates old-time, Scottish, progressive bluegrass and folk. Rooted in a close interpersonal bond, Corner House has garnered attention for its energetic and intricate compositions.
‘Live & Local: Songwriters’ Showcase’ is scheduled for May 25. Credit: Park Theater Foundation.
Performer, producer, and engineer Josh Morris hosts ‘Live & Local: Songwriters’ Showcase’ – an intimate evening featuring some of the Capital Region’s favorite songwriters on May 25 at 7 p.m. The showcase features Josh Morris, Kyla Silk, Sydney Worthley, and more.
New York City-based comedian Jim Tews will perform on May 26. Credit: Park Theater Foundation.
On May 26 at 8 p.m., New York City-based comedian Jim Tews will perform at the Park Theater for ‘Comedy After Dark.’ Tews has performed at notable comedy festivals including San Francisco Sketchfest and Just For Laughs Montreal and has appeared on television, including NBC, FX, and more.
Chuck Vosganian will host the Rochmon Record Club on May 31. Credit: Park Theater Foundation.
Rounding this series of six events is Rochmon Record Club, hosted by Chuck Vosganian on May 31 at 7 p.m. This event will focus on The Jimi Hendrix Experience – Greatest Hits Collection “Smash Hits” (1968.)
I’ve been hearing about Matt Niedbalski for nearly 30 years. From the day he was born, it seems that he was destined to become a great drummer. I’ve been fortunate to hear all about his accomplishments and achievements, including his earliest lessons, gigs, even equipment from his uncle.
You see, Matt is no ordinary drummer. His musical tutelage began with his uncle; The Drummer of Love, Mr. Gene Sennes. Gene and I have been friends, bandmates and fellow percussionists for years, and one of his favorite topics of conversation is his nephew, Matt Niedbalski.
photo by Derek Java
My first real conversation with Matt took place at Parkway Music, where I was scheduled to interview another drummer, who couldn’t make it. Fortunately, I spent a couple of hours talking drums, jazz, and life with Matt. I found Matt to be a very engaging, knowledgeable, humble individual, with a very “old soul” vibe. I was impressed with his humility, and lack of ego. He is very complimentary of other local players and quick to give credit to his colleagues, teachers and friends.
Matt’s playing is both relaxed and restrained; with an easy going, smooth use of polyrhythms, and exceptional dynamics. He’s a phenomenal player, and a terrific human being. Gene Sennes told me, “He’s my favorite drummer. He is technically sound, plays with great feel, has great time and an excellent sense of dynamics and color. The kid is world class, man!” So please welcome, Matt Niedbalski!
RRX: How old were you when you started playing drums? How did you get started?
MN: I got my first kit when I was two years old. I saw my uncle Gene playing drums as a toddler (either with the Royals, or Rabb for context. I know you remember!) and thought it was the coolest thing I’d ever seen and wanted to do that. It started with beating up on random objects around my grandmother’s house with a pair of sticks he gave me and after I started putting dents in the end table my uncle and grandmother realized I had the bug and got me a junior CB drum-kit which I believe the family still possesses to this day. I know they say you don’t start forming memories until later than two but I still see them pulling the sheet off the kit. I started taking formal lessons at age eight with Ted Mackenzie.
RRX: Who were some of your influences early on?
MN: My grandmother had a cassette of the compilation “Past Masters Vol 2” by the Beatles and the first track on that is “Day Tripper”. Ringo was definitely my first drumming influence, followed by Joey Kramer in Aerosmith and then John Bonham. After getting involved in drum lessons and being introduced to jazz Elvin Jones made me start to focus on what I actually wanted out of the drums.
RRX: What are some of your earliest gigging experiences?
MN: I got involved in this small jazz group of older students when I was around 13 and we had a coffee shop gig every Sunday at this spot called Virgil’s Coffee House in Saratoga, which is now the hardest place to get a beer in town, Henry Street Taproom. Around the same time or slightly after I started sitting in with guitarist Tony Jenkins who was based around the Glens Falls area and had a Friday night gig at Wallabee’s Jazz Bar which is now the Bourbon Room. He’d have me sit in with the band and my parents would have to sit at the bar to make sure I didn’t drink or smoke and eventually I got the gig with him.
RRX: Who are some of your influences now?
MN: I still listen to my earlier influences and drummers I started checking out in college so from a jazz perspective it’s the ones everyone always lists in an interview situation to make sure they’re viewed as a credible jazz drummer…so Elvin, Philly Joe Jones, Papa Jo Jones, Billy Higgins, Art Blakey, Max Roach etc. But I really gravitated towards two drummers specifically during my time at college. I went to school at William Paterson University which has a great jazz program and is located about 40 minutes outside of NYC. I would go to the city and check out drummers, but my two favorites were Eric McPherson and Nasheet Waits. Oddly enough they were best friends growing up in Greenwich Village and Nasheet’s dad is the legendary jazz drummer Freddie Waits. I saw them and quite literally went, “Oh shit!”! I ended up hanging out with them after gigs, pestering them with questions and took a lesson with Nasheet. I still keep in touch with him. They are both super gracious and all about music. I’m known as a jazz drummer by most people, but my first love is rock and I fucking LOVE Soundgarden and Matt Cameron is a huge idol of mine. And he has a great first name. Finally, Bill Goodwin was a professor of mine at WPU, and happens to be a legend in his own right but also is like an uncle to me. One of the coolest people ever, a great record producer and all around amazing human being.
Photo by Derek Java
RRX: Tell me about your first kit.
MN: After the CB kit I mentioned, my first full size kit was a Pacifi c 5pc. Kit, the cheaper DW because Uncle Gene is a DW guy. He snuck into my parents’ basement on my 8th birthday and set it up, complete with your classic Sabian B8’s.
RRX: How about your current set-up?
MN: I feel like there are two kinds of drummers, and I further confirmed this working at Parkway. There’s the drummers that have 18 kits and a few cymbals or the drummer that has one or two kits and a million cymbals. I’m the latter. I switch between a Yamaha Maple Custom absolute kit in bop sizes that my parents got me as a graduation present and a 1967 Rogers Holiday kit in black onyx. That one is 12 14 20 so I can either tune that kick up higher and wide open for a more “jazz” sound or throw a super kick II or some muffl ing in it to get a more punchy rock sound. Some bigger drums are in my future… My go to snare as of late is a Pearl Masterworks Mahogany drum which is 6.5×14. Very warm and has a lot of depth but can bark if you need it to. When I used a metal snare it’s a 1960s Ludwig Supraphonic
Ted Mackenzie gave me which he took all the chrome off of because it was flaking off and cutting his hands. My setup for cymbals is changing at the moment. I was playing a 1960s 20” Zildjian A with 3 rivets given to me by Bill Goodwin and a 15” 60s A Crash that once belonged to Sarge Blotto. It had a bunch of cracks in it that I drilled holes in so they didn’t get worse. That cymbal has a lot of vibe. As for hats 1960s pre serial Paiste 602s. I recently just signed an endorsement deal with Bosphorus after playing a few models of cymbals recently. I really dug them.. I liked them since they are still handmade. Some of the modern cymbals I’ve played in recent years felt very stiff to me which is why I always would go back to my vintage Zildjians. The Bosphorus stuff plays pretty soft and you can really dig into them. I have a fear of those cymbals cracking, and the guys at Bosphorus did an incredible job capturing the vibe of my old cymbals and modernizing them. I currently play s 20” Bosphorus 20th Anniversary ride with 2 rivets, 18” Bosphorus 1600 crash and 14” Master Series Hi Hats. I currently endorse Vater drumsticks.
RRX: Do you play any other instruments?
MN: I do, my father plays guitar and I wanted to learn when I saw him playing with his buddies on the weekend so he gave me a book of chords around age 12. Around 14 I bought a bass and in college I had to take piano lessons as part of the general curriculum. When I’m not practicing drums or working on a mix (I also do some recording engineering) I’m usually making demos for fun in my home studio to shed recording and or just playing the guitar. I use the piano as a compositional tool for some of the jazz projects I’m involved in.
RRX: Tell me about your current projects.
MN: I currently play with Charles Cornell. I’ve been playing trio with him and Steven Kirsty since we were in high school, and I love them like brothers. Charles has been developing a successful YouTube page in the last few years and lives in Colorado. Steve and I jump on a plane and fl y out that way to record and film for his channel so that will be a big focus of 2023. I co-lead a trio with Tyler Giroux and Dylan Perrillo called GNP, a rather clever acronym, yes? We released an album called “Codes” on a small label called Ears & Eyes and are currently working on a follow up album. I’ve been playing with my friend Rob Fleming for his project Rhoseway, which features his great original music. Other than that, freelancing with various musicians usually playing jazz.
RRX: Now for some fun; tell us about your dream kit, dream gig, and who is in your dream band?
MN: Either Elvin Jones’s 70s Yellow Stop Sign Gretsch kit or the Bonham Green Sparkle Ludwigs. Dream gig is being in the touring band for Chris Cornell’s Euphoria Morning tour. That first solo album is pure gold. Dream band for rock, definitely Chris Cornell on vocals/guitar, Ken Andrews on guitar and John Paul Jones.
RRX: Any drumming horror stories or good drummer jokes?
MN: Oh, plenty of horror stories. It all started with me playing the finger cymbal part in concert band 4th grade and the rope broke and rolled under the clarinet section. I was mortified. Then there was the time I played two crash cymbals and ride without wingnuts on the stands during this concert up at the Strand Theater. We hit an intense section and I play with my eyes closed otherwise I get distracted. I went to hit the crash and “missed” and thought hmm that’s strange, so I tried again and hit the stand, opened my eyes and realized I sent two cymbals flying and all I had left was the ride. Finally, I was playing at this biker bar, the Great Notch Inn in North Jersey for my buddy Vin’s CD release party. Everyone was hammered and wouldn’t you know it was the only time I ever brought my own drums. The owner was a drummer and had an old set of Ludwigs as a house kit but on a CD release party, a special occasion, I brought my Rogers. Second to last song there’s a couple doing the do se do and the bar is kinda tight and another patron connects with the couple and flies through my drums sending the rack tom flying and knocking the ride over. Luckily, my pal Steve Kirsty was playing bass and managed to catch the ride with his knee and told me he couldn’t feel his leg from knee down but was pretty proud of saving the cymbal. As for drummer jokes, I don’t think mine are appropriate for an interview…
RRX: Fair enough! OK: Tommy Lee, or Travis Barker?
MN: This is a tough question. I would say Travis Barker. I’m not really a fan of either Motley Crue or Blink however I can tell Travis truly loves the drums and always has a practice pad with him. We all know what Tommy Lee loves.
RRX: Wrong! The answer is Buddy Rich. Do you know Buddy Rich’s real name? No cheating!!!
MN: Ted would be really disappointed in me, but I blanked. So, no. But I had to look it up otherwise I wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight. Bernard… take away my music degree.
RRX: Your secret is safe with me. Finally, how has your drumming changed over the years?
MN: This is a great question. I would answer by saying I am now at a point where I try to balance technical ability and musicality, and that balance was WAY off in my early 20s. I would see some of my heroes play some pretty impressive shit and then get up on the bandstand and try to insert that into the music where it wasn’t appropriate. I try to be more patient and listen to what the other people are playing more now and wait for space in the music to make a statement. Yes, there are times when I want to push someone and make the earth under them move a little bit, but I try to be tasteful. I heard a saying once, “the drummer is the mother of the band” It’s kind of our job to make everyone sound as good as they can while also bringing some energy and excitement to the situation so I try to keep that in mind when I play. I could go further into some philosophies but I already feel myself becoming long winded so I will leave it there.
RRX: You were great! Thank you for your time. Matt Niedbalski is a name you won’t forget; just go see him play and you’ll see what I mean.
This article was originally publisher by RadioRadioX
Glens Falls’ The Park Theater Foundation has announced the launch of their first education initiative, Music & Technology Program, through regional high schools this year, beginning with Glens Falls City School District, part of Music In Our Schools Month. (March 2023).
The program will offer middle and high school students of Glens Falls City School District and Lake George Central School District who are enrolled in general music, band or orchestra classes, to work alongside artists and audio-visual engineers.
Rob Lindquist (piano), Steven Kirsty (bass), Matt Niedbalski (drums) – Erin Reid Coker (Gallery Nine North)
Included in the program are performances, workshops and collaboration with various jazz artists that are regularly featured in the Foundation’s ‘Third Thursday Jazz’ series. The Park Theater Foundation’s Executive Director, Chris Ristau, shared his thoughts on the Music and Technology Program:
The Music & Technology Program is the latest foray for the Foundation, and one that is near and dear to my heart. In an effort to support arts education in our community, this program is only the beginning of what we hope will become a much more regular, robust offering that expands to various local school districts. I would have never found myself in the position I am today if not for the opportunities I had throughout my educational career. I hope this program, and future outreach initiatives, inspire more students to get involved in the arts in our community, and to develop their skills and self-confidence.
Chris Ristau, The Park Theater Foundation’s Executive Director
Students taking part will engage in workshops that focus on music appreciation and cultural education, in addition to audio and visual technology comprehension. Guest artists will explain the history of their genre, as well as provide a demonstration of their instrument(s) to further showcase their musical style. Guest audio-visual engineers will demonstrate various audio and lighting effects, and how they influence and affect both the artists and show experiences.
Through this program, we want to introduce students to a genre of music they might not have otherwise been exposed to, and hopefully spark further interest in those who are familiar with it or who already perform. There isn’t much opportunity available for students to learn general knowledge and gain hands-on experience about how a show comes together. We want them to experience running a venue behind the scenes – from the audio-visual component to booking the artists. There’s so much that happens off the stage before the performer takes the stage!
Chris Ristau, The Park Theater Foundation’s Executive Director
A Lake George High School graduate himself (2004), Ristau saw the potential to introduce gear that was professional so that anyone looking to go down that career path was using the best tools of the trade possible.
Ristau had previously worked at the Glens Falls Music Academy (GFMA) for five years, before heading to the nonprofit world, and finally The Park Theater. Getting to know music teachers from Bolton, North Creek and other regional schools, Ristau saw GFMA as a perfect spot for him to land out of college, where he could work within a recording studio as a studio manager, befriending teachers in the process. Ristau’s experience in working with schools and supplying music programs with items via the storefront aspect of GFMA made it possible for him to identify needs throughout the region.
Thus, when Ristau came to work for The Park Theater, he looked to develop educational programming, in addition to the jazz series each Thursday.
Part of the mission of the Foundation is to bring performing arts opportunities to the community. The Foundation itself runs primarily out of The Park Theater building, a state-of-the-art entertainment facility, which has become part of its identity. When it came time to develop the program, we wanted to find a way for students to experience the space – an operating venue with a full stage and high end sound production equipment.
Chris Ristau, The Park Theater Foundation’s Executive Director
Utilizing The Park Theater venue space allows the Foundation to connect the performance and technical side of things. Ristau notes “The Music and Technology Program was developed considering what we do here and how that, presented to the student body, will be useful to them.” This program will showcase the venue to the students and introduce them to some of the ‘Third Thursday Jazz’ series musicians – many who are educators themselves. The goal is to have the musicians on the stage, performing and talking about how they got into playing music.
Funding was made possible to get a pilot program off the ground and develop it with other schools in the area, to determine the size and scope of the program. A grant from the Glens Falls Foundation was received for Glens Falls High School programming taking place this March. In Fall 2022, they received additional funding for the Lake George High School programming taking place later this year.
Working with Krislynn Dengler, superintendent at Glens Falls City School District, and John Luthringer, superintendent at Lake George, who both started their respective positions in July 2022, led to Ristau’s initial outreach. Said Ristau, “From there we sat down with teachers in the music program who helped shape the program into something that will complement the music and general curriculum already in place.”
Jazz music history will also be learned throughout the program. We will give insight on how to book a show, the technical aspects behind the scenes, how to run sound and lights well to complement what is on the stage, and demonstrate the effects on the board, highlighting the capabilities that lead to a good night of tech, as opposed to a bad one.
Chris Ristau, The Park Theater Foundation’s Executive Director
Drummer Matt Niedbalski, who met Ristau at Parkway Music in Clifton Park, learned of his vision to bring more jazz to Downtown Glens Falls, and has become a key part of the once-a-month series, Third Thursday Jazz. Getting additional musicians from around the area on board was easy for the jazz drummer, given his proximity to The Park Theater, and his background teaching drumming made for a great role in developing the series and onstage portion of the educational program.
Erin Reid Coker (Gallery Nine North)
Chris Reed Jr, a Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam graduate opened the Glens Falls Music Academy with his wife, Meredith, a teacher at Glens Falls. Reed now handles sound tech at most of the Foundation’s performances, and was previously Chris’ supervisor at GFMA.
Ristau further explained how the educational portion of the Music & Technology Program comes together: “The initial performance will be for the full student body in the arts wing, then they break it down for a more hands on, in depth portion for the older kids who may be looking into this as a career. They then reconstruct things back so they have a full performance with students who are able to play with the gear to experience it first hand.”
For more information on the Park Theater and the Park Theater Foundation, please visit their website.
Upcoming Events in March
March 1: The Park Theater Foundation hosts Rochmon Record Club for a series of listening parties. Hosted by Chuck Vosganian, this listening party will focus on Paul & Linda McCartney’s “Ram” (1971). Tickets: $12.00. Doors: 6:30pm | Showtime: 7:00pm.
March 9: The Park Theater Foundation presents ‘Live & Local’ featuring indie-folk group, Cricket Blue. Dubbed one of the “10 Vermont Bands You Should Listen To Now,” Cricket Blue have taken their music and storytelling to stages and folk festivals across the United States and Canada. Tickets:Early Bird – $15.00 | Day Of Show – $20.00. Doors:6:30pm | Showtime: 7:00pm.
March 16: The Park Theater Foundation presents ‘Third Thursday Jazz’ with The Matt Niedbalski Trio featuring The Dylan Canterbury Quintet. Experience some of the best jazz music in the Capital Region! Tickets: $10.00. Doors:7:00pm | Showtime: 7:30pm.
March 17: ‘The Park Presents:’ St. Patrick’s Day Dinner & Show ft. Cassie & Maggie: In partnership with Park Street Hospitality, The Park Theater Foundation presents St. Patrick’s Day Dinner & Show on March 17th, 2023! This event features a special ‘The Park Presents’ performance by award-winning Celtic duo, Cassie & Maggie, and includes a delicious Irish-inspired 3-course prix fixe menu curated by Park Street Hospitality’s executive chef, Matthew J. Delos. Nova Scotian sisters, Cassie and Maggie, have been lighting up the world with their unique blend of traditional and contemporary Celtic instrumentals and vocals. Appearing on stages across North America, the UK, and Europe the sisters have enchanted audiences far and wide with lively fiddle, piano and guitar arrangements, stunning sibling vocal harmonies in both English and Gaelic, all complemented by their intricate and percussive stepdancing style. View the full menu at parktheatergf.com. Tickets:$65.00 (includes tax and service fee). Doors: 5:30pm | Dinner: 6:00pm | Showtime:7:30pm.
March 23: The Park Theater Foundation presents ‘Live & Local’ featuring world music band, HEARD. Heard is a collective of musicians that bring their skills and passion for world music, jazz and improvising together to create irresistible grooves set in a unique sonic tapestry. Energetic and upbeat, HEARD will open your ears and hearts! Tickets:Early Bird – $15.00 | Day Of Show – $20.00. Doors:7:00pm | Showtime: 7:30pm.
March 29: The Park Theater Foundation hosts Rochmon Record Club for a series of listening parties. Hosted by Chuck Vosganian, this listening party will focus on Rod Stewart’s “Every Picture Tells A Story” (1971). Tickets: $12.00. Doors: 6:30pm | Showtime: 7:00pm.
March 31: The Park Theater Foundation presents ‘Comedy After Dark’ featuring highly-acclaimed New York City stand-up comedian, Adam Mamawala. He has appeared on Comedy Central, MTV, BET, and SiriusXM. Adam has been a freelance contributor to Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update and Someecards and currently co-hosts podcasts Away Games and HORSE, as recently featured in the New York Times. Enjoy an evening of laughter and fun with family and friends! Tickets:Early Bird – $22.00 | Day Of Show – $25.00.Doors: 7:30pm | Showtime:8:00pm.
