15th season of UpBeat on the Roof to start
Skidmore kicks off the 15th season of UpBeat on the Roof, its free summer concert series, at 7 p.m. Friday, July 3. The series will continue through Friday, Aug. 28, with free concerts starting at 7 p.m. Fridays on the roof of Skidmore’s Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery. The concerts will take place rain or shine—if the weather is inclement, the music moves to the inside of the museum.
The UpBeat on the Roof series features a crowd-pleasing eclectic mix of regional musicians. Concerts often attract large audiences, so visitors are advised to arrive early for the best seats. Early arrivals are welcome to explore the exhibitions in the museum's galleries while waiting for the music to start. This summer’s performance schedule is as follows:
July 3--Skidmore Jazz Institute
Participants in Skidmore’s Jazz Institute will present the first concert of the summer. The institute, active since 1987, has become one of the premiere summer programs for intermediate and advanced young musicians to learn, rehearse, and perform with world-class jazz musicians. Also scheduled July 3: an “Inside-Out Tour of the Tang” with Michael Janairo, assistant director of engagement, at 5:30 pm.
July 10--Bryan Thomas
Albany-based soul rock singer-songwriter Bryan Thomas “writes smart, and he writes from the heart, balancing intellect, passion and politics." Active in the region's music scene since the 1990s, Thomas has a new project, Basement Live, a series of music videos recorded live in his home studio with a band that includes multiple versions of himself.
July 17--Decoda: Skidmore Chamber Music Institute
Participants in Skidmore's Chamber Music Institute perform with artists from Decoda, a New York City-based chamber ensemble that includes virtuoso musicians, entrepreneurs, and passionate advocates of the arts. The group’s summer intensive at Skidmore, now in its second year, offers young musicians multiple performance opportunities and occasions for meaningful community engagement. Also scheduled July 17: an “Inside-Out Tour of the Tang” with Michael Janairo, assistant director of engagement, at 5:30 pm.
July 24--Rosary Beard
Duo Hunter Sagehorn and Matthew Loiacono create intricately intertwined music on acoustic guitar. Each known in the Northeast for distinct musical styles—Sagehorn’s angular, rhythmically cryptic guitar work in rock band Alta Mira and Loiacono’s solo experimental mandolin and voice music as Matthew Carefully—they found new synergy in composing quiet, thoughtful music together.
July 31--Alex Torres and his Latin orchestra
Formed in 1980 in Amsterdam, N.Y., this 12-piece orchestra led by Bronx-born bassist Torres performs an original blend of Afro-Caribbean rhythms such as salsa, merengue, cha-cha, bomba, plena, and Latin jazz. Also on July 31, Curator's Tour with Sarah Miller, Tang curatorial assistant, at 5:30 p.m.
Aug. 7--Holly and Evan Band
Amsterdam-based blues musicians Holly Taormina and Evan Conway have joined together with drummer Bob Morris and saxophonist Josh Greenberg to explore the traditions of the barrelhouse with their own unique and electric style. In their four years together, Holly and Evan have actively pushed the boundaries of traditional blues music, mixing in a touch of jazz and soul.
Aug. 14--Jocamo
Founded in 1993, Jocamo is a group of veteran musicians who create their own old school brew of funk, R&B, soul, and rock. Inspired by the music of the Meters, Neville Brothers, Parlaiment/Funkadelic, James Brown and Marvin Gaye, Jocamo provides heavy groove with covers and original music. Also on Aug. 14, Curator's Tour with Rachel Seligman, Tang assistant director of curatorial affairs.
Aug. 21--Bear Grass
Troy-based Bear Grass attracts listeners with the quirky songs of Katie Hammon. Featuring Hammon with Ian White, August Sagehorn, and Tommy Krebs, Bear Grass draws on influences like Laura Veirs and Wye Oak, creating melodic, captivating, and, at times, subtly dark music. Also: Curator's Tour with Imaan Riaz '15, 2014-15 Eleanor Linder Winter '43 Intern.
Aug. 28--Annie and the Hedonists
Annie and the Hedonists interprets the songs of the great female blues artists of the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s, such as Bessie Smith, Memphis Minnie, and Billie Holiday, among many others. Featuring musicians Annie Rosen, Jonny Rosen, Peter Davis, and Don Young, their styles include western swing, bluesy country, and roots Americana.
