Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs has announced four-piece jazz project, “Old Friends Beckoned, New Sounds Reckoned,” slated to hit the stage on January 11, 2025.
Matt Steckler, Yayoi Ikawa, Lonnie Plaxico & Tony Lewis present an evening of original jazz that draws upon collective inspiration, touching the heart with one cohesive brushstroke. The names Steckler, Ikawa, Plaxico and Lewis suggest four musicians who have intersected at different points on a jazz timeline. With the project Old Friends Beckoned, New Sounds Reckoned, their shared histories converge as singular new ideas emerge. Using original scores as a canvas, the quartet strives for a deeper vibe rooted in shared sacrifice.
Matthew Steckler, aka Matty Stecks, performs and composes in several musical settings internationally. Primarily as a saxophonist, he brings a dynamic, holistic approach to the live musical experience. As a composer and bandleader, Matthew has been recognized for his seminal work with the projects Pretzil Stex, Dead Cat Bounce, Persiflage & Musical Tramps, and been featured at festivals and major concert series in North America and Europe.
Born in Tokyo, Japan, but raised musically in New York, pianist/composer Yayoi Ikawa is an experience of ingenuity and compassion. After recording a straight-ahead jazz piano trio on Nippon Crown release “Angel Eyes” in 2004, she self-produced “Color of Dreams” displaying her original compositions. Since then, her group has featured in various music festivals and concerts in the U.S., Italy, Japan, Costa Rica, Guadeloupe and Martinique. Yayoi believes that Jazz is a social activity, and strives to learn from elders, collaborate with peers and pass it on to future generations.
Bassist Lonnie Plaxico’s musicianship is probably best expressed in his masterful integration of different forms combining the rigorous technique of classical, the improvisation of jazz, and the rawness of funk into one exhilarating musical experience. Plaxico’s recording and performance catalog is equally impressive for its caliber, depth and diversity. He has appeared with such luminaries as Sonny Sitt, Junior Cook, David Murray, Alice Coltrane, Stanley Turrentine, Joe Sample, Abbey Lincoln, and Dizzy Gillespie. He has also recorded five critically acclaimed albums as leader.
Tony Lewis is a drummer/songwriter from the South Bronx, New York who has worked with a variety of stellar artists including Little Richard, Sting, B.B. King, Dizzy Gillespie, Vernon Reid, Cyndi Lauper, Me’Shell N’degeocello, Rakim, Sam Moore (Sam & Dave), Michael Hill’s Blues Mob, and Craig Harris. As a child growing up in the Bronx, Tony’s early influences being around family and friends would prove to be a launching pad that led him to attend New York’s prestigious LaGuardia High School of the Arts.
Together, this 4-piece union of ultra-talented jazz musicians are sure to light up Caffe Lena with an amazing display of their capabilities. Tickets are available online and are currently at $30.37. The exciting new show takes place on January 11 from 8:00-9:00PM. Caffe Lena is located at 47 Phila Street in Saratoga Springs.
For more information on “Old Friends Beckoned, New Sounds Reckoned” and to purchase tickets, click here.
