5th Annual Saratoga Blues Celebration
The Saratoga Acoustic Blues Society will be presenting the 5th Annual Saratoga Blues Celebration during Hats Off* weekend, Friday 7/20/2011 & Saturday 7/21/2011.
The Celebration, which will be free to the public, will take place at Stockade Oriental Rug Imports, located at 543 Broadway in The Old Firehouse, Saratoga Springs, NY.
The Saratoga Acoustic Blues Society, aka SABS, was founded in 2…008 by Saratoga Springs Blues aficionados and performers Phil Drum, Ray Giguere and Dave Scheffel. SABS since that time has presented the best of Saratoga blues music in a variety of venues, including Caffe Lena, the Dance Flurry, and the Saratoga ArtsFest. Phil, Ray and Dave have recently been joined in SABS by fellow Blues musician and record producer Sonny Speed, also from Saratoga Springs.
SABS’ signature event is the Saratoga Blues Celebration, one of Saratoga’s most unique annual happenings, and a tribute both to the Blues, and to the region’s Blues players. The Celebration has been held since its inception in 2008 at Stockade Oriental Rug Imports in the Old Firehouse, 543 Broadway in Saratoga Springs, a venue characterized by its singular ambience: a dazzling space decked with the most beautiful Oriental Rugs to be seen in Saratoga, and a warm, laid back atmosphere perfect for playing and listening to the Blues. The participating musicians all agree the Celebration is one of their favorite gigs, a special evening to hang together, compare instruments, and enjoy each other’s music. And what music, and what musicians: some of the best Capital region Blues players participate; many are primarily Blues performers, while others are more eclectic, but with a special affinity for the Blues.
Beginning on Friday, July 20, from 5:30PM to 10:30PM, the 2012 Saratoga Blues Celebration at Stockade Imports will focus on the raison d’être of SABS, and indeed the taproot of most American music: old school Acoustic Blues from the 1920s and 1930s. Performing along with SABS members Phil Drum, Ray Giguere, David Scheffel and Sonny Speed, will be several veterans of past Blues Celebrations, including Rick & Sharon Bolton, Jeff & Becky Walton, Mark Tolstrup, the Tequila Mockingbirds, Michael Eck, Low ’N Lonesome, Ray Pashoukos, Gail Sparlin, and John Sciolino. Blues performers new to the Celebration include Larry Clyman & Tim Wechgelaer, and Joan Crane.
Starting in 2010, the Saratoga Blues Celebration expanded its horizons to include Electric Blues, and this will continue in 2012 with a (Mostly) Electric Blues night occurring on Saturday, July 21, from 5:30-10:30PM. Anchoring the night will be one of Saratoga’s newest, and hottest Blues bands, The Resonators, fresh from headlining the 4th of July festivities in Congress Park. Sitting in with The Resonators and others throughout the night will be Willie Smith, a top-notch Jazz and Blues saxophonist from the Mid-Hudson region, and SABS’ own Dave Scheffel, Saratoga’s resident Blues harp player. Also featured will be Holly & Evan, a great young duo playing Blues-based originals and covers, along with Ubuntu, and Sonny Speed & Juan Becerra.
Come to Stockade Imports 7/20-7/21 to kick off the racing season with a bang and a hearty “Hats Off* To The Blues” at SABS’ 5th Annual Saratoga Blues Celebration.
Phil Drum/SABS
The Celebration, which will be free to the public, will take place at Stockade Oriental Rug Imports, located at 543 Broadway in The Old Firehouse, Saratoga Springs, NY.
The Saratoga Acoustic Blues Society, aka SABS, was founded in 2…008 by Saratoga Springs Blues aficionados and performers Phil Drum, Ray Giguere and Dave Scheffel. SABS since that time has presented the best of Saratoga blues music in a variety of venues, including Caffe Lena, the Dance Flurry, and the Saratoga ArtsFest. Phil, Ray and Dave have recently been joined in SABS by fellow Blues musician and record producer Sonny Speed, also from Saratoga Springs.
SABS’ signature event is the Saratoga Blues Celebration, one of Saratoga’s most unique annual happenings, and a tribute both to the Blues, and to the region’s Blues players. The Celebration has been held since its inception in 2008 at Stockade Oriental Rug Imports in the Old Firehouse, 543 Broadway in Saratoga Springs, a venue characterized by its singular ambience: a dazzling space decked with the most beautiful Oriental Rugs to be seen in Saratoga, and a warm, laid back atmosphere perfect for playing and listening to the Blues. The participating musicians all agree the Celebration is one of their favorite gigs, a special evening to hang together, compare instruments, and enjoy each other’s music. And what music, and what musicians: some of the best Capital region Blues players participate; many are primarily Blues performers, while others are more eclectic, but with a special affinity for the Blues.
Beginning on Friday, July 20, from 5:30PM to 10:30PM, the 2012 Saratoga Blues Celebration at Stockade Imports will focus on the raison d’être of SABS, and indeed the taproot of most American music: old school Acoustic Blues from the 1920s and 1930s. Performing along with SABS members Phil Drum, Ray Giguere, David Scheffel and Sonny Speed, will be several veterans of past Blues Celebrations, including Rick & Sharon Bolton, Jeff & Becky Walton, Mark Tolstrup, the Tequila Mockingbirds, Michael Eck, Low ’N Lonesome, Ray Pashoukos, Gail Sparlin, and John Sciolino. Blues performers new to the Celebration include Larry Clyman & Tim Wechgelaer, and Joan Crane.
Starting in 2010, the Saratoga Blues Celebration expanded its horizons to include Electric Blues, and this will continue in 2012 with a (Mostly) Electric Blues night occurring on Saturday, July 21, from 5:30-10:30PM. Anchoring the night will be one of Saratoga’s newest, and hottest Blues bands, The Resonators, fresh from headlining the 4th of July festivities in Congress Park. Sitting in with The Resonators and others throughout the night will be Willie Smith, a top-notch Jazz and Blues saxophonist from the Mid-Hudson region, and SABS’ own Dave Scheffel, Saratoga’s resident Blues harp player. Also featured will be Holly & Evan, a great young duo playing Blues-based originals and covers, along with Ubuntu, and Sonny Speed & Juan Becerra.
Come to Stockade Imports 7/20-7/21 to kick off the racing season with a bang and a hearty “Hats Off* To The Blues” at SABS’ 5th Annual Saratoga Blues Celebration.
Phil Drum/SABS
