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ENNY SAVE P R EAGLE NEWS
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MAY 24, 2017
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A great day for
Photos by John Herr
jazz Sundays swing at Funk N’ Waffles’ weekly jazz and gospel jam By Russ Tarby
Y
ou can kick out the jams every Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m. at Funk ‘N Waffles, in downtown Syracuse, at 313 S. Clinton St., on the outskirts of Armory Square. Every Sunday – including this Sunday, May 28 – trombonist Melissa Gardiner leads the house band at a weekly jazz and gospel jam session there. It’s open to all musicians and students, and growing audiences have been enjoying the swingin’ Sunday sounds. The house rhythm section var-
ies but has often included Will Gorman or Dan Pugh on keys, Sean Peters or Matt Vacanti on bass, Jeff Martin on guitar and Josh Dekaney or Keenan LeBlanc on drums. At the initial session last year, Jason Gardiner played a blues on valve trombone, backed by the
house ban before Shakera Kyle rose from the audience to sing “Just the Two of Us,” with flutist Lana Stafford adding fills. Then the band swung into “On Green Dolphin Street.” At a recent session, the musicians opened with an appropriate theme song, Duke Ellington’s “Come Sunday,” with Gardiner
Pictured clockwise from above are singer Shakera Kyle, trombonist/leader Melissa Gardiner, bassist Matt Vacanti, keyboardist Will Gorman, drummer Josh Dekaney, valve trombonist Jason Gardiner, flutist Lana Stafford and guitarist Jeff Martin.
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in Central New York. She teaches at Syracuse and Cornell universities and leads several jazz combos including Second Line Syracuse, an eight-piece brass band which won the 2017 Syracuse Area Music Award for Best Jazz Recording for its self-titled CD. Melissa’s community commitment knows no bounds. In February, she debuted the new Unity Street Band – an open, multi-level community band that plays for good causes. She works tirelessly to reconnect jazz music to the community and create an environment of mentorship in which students and professionals can make music together. And, of course, she hosts the weekly youth-oriented jam session every Sunday afternoon at Funk ‘N Waffles. Admission is free; 474-1060; melissamaymusic.com.
vocalizing the lyric. The quartet followed with Herbie Hancock’s “Butterfly,” and guitarist Jeff Martin took over, picking out a boppish “Cherokee.” Over the past few years Melissa Gardiner – a University of Michigan and Juilliard School alumna who has studied with trombonists Steve Turre and Wycliffe Gordon – has emerged as one of the busiest musicians
14th Annual Shearing Festival .BZ UI UI t ". UP 1. 3BJO PS 4IJOF
Eric’s Honey, Spinners, Crafters, Artisans, Fleece and Yarns, & Chainsaw Carver! Live Music! Sat. “Slippery Rock” Sun. “Pigeon Post String Band”
Enjoy! Our Own Lamb Spiedies,Hamburgs, Alpaca Chili, Apple Fritters, Homemade Fresh Fudge, plus the usual fare! Admission: 1FS "EVMU t 1FS $IJME $20 Family Maximum Handicap & Stroller Accessible
1940 Jerome Road Fabius, ny Just 12 miles South of Syracuse From Route 20, Take Route 91 South 2 miles to Jerome Road
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