Museum

The Jazz Loft. Photo by Heidi Sutton

The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Ave., Stony Brook has announced its concert schedule for the month of April:

Wednesday, April 5 at 1 p.m.          

Young at Heart: The Latin Side of Jazz at the Jazz Loft

The Jazz Loft Trio will present Latin Jazz music from Cuba and the Spanish Caribbean. Young at Heart is a monthly themed afternoon jazz concert series to help seniors with memory loss regain memory through familiar tunes.

Tickets: $10

 

Wednesday, April 5 at 7 p.m.

Jam Session at the Jazz Loft

The Jazz Loft Trio led by Keenan Zach will be performing at the Jazz Loft. Jazz musicians of all ages are invited to play on stage along with fellow Jazz enthusiasts.

Tickets: $10, $5 after 8 p.m.

 

Thursday, April 6, Friday, April 7, & Saturday, April 8 at 7 p.m.

The Jazz Loft Big Band Presents Stan Kenton’s Cuban Fire Suite at the Jazz Loft

26-piece Jazz Orchestra directed by Jazz Loft Director, Tom Manuel, trumpet

Tickets: Adults $40, Seniors $35, Students $30; Children $25

 

Wednesday, April 12 at 7 p.m.

Jam Session at the Jazz Loft

The Jazz Loft Trio led by Keenan Zach will be performing at the Jazz Loft. Jazz musicians of all ages are invited to play on stage along with fellow Jazz enthusiasts

Tickets: $10, $5 after 8 p.m.

 

Thursday, April 13 at 7 p.m.

The Madiran Wine Bar 209 NY-25A, Setauket – East Setauket NY 11733

Tom Manuel hosts vintage craft cocktails and a listening session in the Coal Bin at the Jazz Loft spinning rare unreleased master acetates from the 1930s-60s.

Tickets: $100 (21+)

 

Wednesday, April 19 at 7 p.m.

Jam Session at the Jazz Loft

The Jazz Loft Trio led by Keenan Zach will be performing at the Jazz Loft. Jazz musicians of all ages are invited to play on stage along with fellow Jazz enthusiasts.

Tickets: $10, $5 after 8 p.m.

 

Thursday, April 20 at 7 p.m.

The Bad Little Big Band at the Jazz Loft

12-piece big band featuring vocalist Madeline Kole, directed by composer, arranger, pianist Rich Iacona

Tickets: Adults $30; Seniors $25; Students $20; Children $15

 

Friday, April 21, at 7 p.m.

Harry Allen Quartet at the Jazz Loft

Harry Allen, tenor saxophone, Steve Ash, piano, Mike Karn, bass, Bryan Carter, drums

Tickets: Adults $30; Seniors $25; Students $20; Children $15

 

Saturday, April 22 at 7 p.m.

Elsa Nilsson Band of Pulses at the Jazz Loft

Flutist Elsa Nilsson, Pianist Santiago Leibson, Bassist Marty Kenney and drummer Rodrigo Recabarren

Tickets: Adults $30; Seniors $25; Students $20; Children $15

 

Wednesday, April 19 at 7 p.m.

Jam Session at the Jazz Loft

The Jazz Loft Trio led by Keenan Zach will be performing at the Jazz Loft. Jazz musicians of all ages are invited to play on stage along with fellow Jazz enthusiasts.

Tickets: $10, $5 after 8 p.m.

 

Thursday, April 27, 7 p.m.

Interplay Jazz Orchestra at the Jazz Loft

17-piece orchestra by Joe Devassy, trombone; Gary Henderson, trumpet

Tickets: Adults $30; Seniors $25; Students $20; Children $15

 

Friday, April 28, 7 p.m.

The Institute For New Music Launch Event at the Jazz Loft

Ray Anderson Ensemble

Tickets: Adults $30; Seniors $25; Students $20; Children $15

 

Saturday, April 29, 2 p.m.

The Institute For New Music Launch Event at the Jazz Loft

Stephen Nachmanovitch Improvisation Workshop

Tickets: Adults $30; Seniors $25; Students $20; Children $15

 

For more information, call 631-751-1895 or visit www.thejazzloft.org.

Warren Vaché

The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Avenue in Stony Brook welcomes back Jazz trumpet player Warren Vaché and his Quartet on Thursday, March 9 at 7 p.m. Joining Vaché will be Dean Johnson (bass), Dan Pugach (drums), and Wayne Sabella (piano).

Vaché is known to span across multiple styles of Jazz and has played in polka bands, Dixieland bands, big dance bands, Broadway pit bands, small Jazz groups and more. He studied with trumpeter Pee Wee Erwin and has a degree in music education from Montclair State College. Absorbing all types of music, Vaché’s inspirations and heroes include Louis Armstrong, Roy Eldridge, Bobby Hackett, Fats Navarro, Tom Harrell, and others.

Vaché commonly dueted with saxophonist Houston Person, who has been a frequent performer at the Jazz Loft. His career has been filled with countless performances such as with Benny Goodman’s band, making film appearances, composing soundtracks, and presently has a busy schedule of recording, worldwide festival appearances, club dates, Broadway shows, and is a dedicated educator and author. In his 40-year career, he has released over 35 albums as a band leader and appeared in many other musician’s recordings as a sideman.

“We are thrilled to have Warren Vaché once again perform again at the Jazz Loft,” says President and Founder Tom Manuel. “It’s a unique opportunity for Jazz Loft fans to hear a true legend.”

Displayed in the museum is a Warren Vaché exhibit that guests can view.

Tickets are available for purchase ($15, $20, $25, $30) at www.thejazzloft.org

A letter to Jack Teagarden from Louis Armstrong is just one of the pieces in the collection recently acquired by the Jazz Loft. Photo from The Jazz Loft

No distance is too far for Jazz Loft Founder and President Tom Manuel to travel to acquire new Jazz archival collections and memorabilia for the Jazz Loft’s museum. The latest acquisition for the Loft comes from Phoenix, Arizona, where Manuel recently returned with a complete collection from the famed trombonist and singer Jack Teagarden. Teagarden pioneered early Jazz along with the likes of Louis Armstrong, Coleman Hawkins and Earl “Fatha” Hines.

Jack Teagarden’s trombone is just one of the pieces in the collection recently acquired by the Jazz Loft. Photo from The Jazz Loft

For more than 35 years the archives had been in the possession of Jimmy Nicholas, who was entrusted with the collection by Teagarden’s widow Addie Teagarden. The collection includes manuscripts, music from Teagarden’s big band of the 1940’s and small groups with Armstrong from the 1950’s, photos, contracts, personal letters from important figures in the entertainment world, such as Paul Whitman, Bunk Johnson, W.C. Handy, Johnny Mercer, Hugh Hefner, Joe Glasser and countless others.

Some highlights of the collection include Teagarden’s 1940’s Buescher trombone which he received from Jerry Colonna and a very personal letter from Louis Armstrong.

“Due to their close friendship and collaboration over many years, the amount of Armstrong memorabilia is really impressive,” said Manuel. “I am in awe and amazed that the Jazz Loft can present these historic memorabilia. It really is the pinnacle and dream of any museum archive and an absolute honor to be guardians of such an important collection. I am so appreciative to Jimmy Nicholas and his wife Debbie for entrusting us with this incredibly important piece of Jazz history. There are four people who truly were at the birth of it all and paved the way for what is considered Jazz: Louis Armstrong on trumpet, Coleman Hawkins on tenor saxophone, Earl Hines on piano and Jack Teagarden on trombone.”  

Teagarden frequented the Jazz scene in New York extensively over the years both performing in the clubs on and around 52nd Street, as well as the major recording and television studios and theaters.

“It’s nice to have Jack back in New York after all these years,” said Manuel.

The archives have been boxed and interns from Stony Brook University will start digitalizing the items to make them available to the public within the next few months.

Manuel is hopeful that the remaining items that are in the collection and still held by Mr. Nicholas, will find their way to the Jazz Loft within the next few years, including master acetates of Teagarden recordings, some of which many historians believe are the earliest photos of Teagarden, as well as a very important piece of art which was given to the Teagarden family by the King and Queen of Thailand.

 The Jazz Loft is located at 275 Christian Avenue in Stony Brook. The museum is open Thursdays through Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. and is FREE. For more information, call 631-751-1895 or visit www.thejazzloft.org.

Peter Fedoryk conducts a tour of “Looking for Lange Exhibition” at Preservation Long Island’s Exhibition Gallery. (Courtesy of Preservation Long Island)

This award celebrates museum professionals with five years or less experience who think creatively, inspire change, spark innovation, and exemplify leadership.

Cold Spring Harbor: Preservation Long Island Curatorial Fellow, Peter Fedoryk, is a recipient of the 2023 Rising Star Award, one of the fourteen awards made by the Museum Association of New York (MANY) that celebrate unique leadership, dedicated community service, transformational visitor experiences, community engagement, and innovative programs that use collections to tell stories of everyone who calls New York home.

 

Peter Fedoryk with Preservation Long Island collections. Fedoryk was named a recipient of the 2023 Rising Star Award, presented by the Museum Association of New York. (Courtesy of Preservation Long Island)

Peter Fedoryk will be honored at the Museum Association of New York 2023 annual conference “Finding Center: Access, Inclusion, Participation, and Engagement” in Syracuse, New York on Monday, April 17 from 12:30 p.m. at the Syracuse Marriott Downtown.

“New York’s museums and museum professionals are reimagining and reinventing their roles within their communities, how they interpret their stories and collections, and the visitor experience,” said Natalie Stetson, Executive Director of the Erie Canal Museum and MANY Program Committee Co-Chair. “This year’s award winners are outstanding examples for the museum field.”

“We were incredibly impressed with the quality and quantity of award nominations this year, which made the review process highly competitive,” said Clifford Laube, Public Programs Specialist at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum and MANY Program Committee Co-Chair. “Museums and museum staff across the state are demonstrating creative thinking and are inspiring institutional change.”

“During the time Peter has been with Preservation Long Island, he has positively impacted the organization in many ways, contributing his diligence and thoughtful creativity to everything from collections management to grant writing and community engagement,” said Alexandra Wolfe, Preservation Long Island Executive Director. “We are delighted that Peter is among our New York State museum colleagues being recognized as an outstanding example to the museum field.”

Since July of 2021, Peter has led Preservation Long Island’s Art of Edward Lange Project, a collaborative effort to reexamine the life and Long Island landscapes of the late 19th-century German immigrant artist. In his role, Peter launched an interactive website featuring nearly 150 artworks accompanied by in-depth catalogue information and interpretive content, curated an in-focus gallery exhibition, published and presented on new scholarship, and spearheaded numerous public programs. He is currently co-authoring and co-editing a new publication on Edward Lange that is slated to be published next year.

Lauren Brincat, Preservation Long Island Curator added, “I am continually impressed by Peter’s initiative, creativity, and leadership. As Curatorial Fellow, he has pushed us in exciting directions and exceeded all expectations. Peter’s future in the field is bright, and it’s been a real pleasure watching him grow as a museum professional.”

 

METRO photo

To mark Black History Month, the Jazz Loft in Stony Brook Village will be highlighting wines specifically from Black winemakers and winery owners, for its Acoustic in the Main Room series. The series showcases small duos/trios in the Loft’s main performance room which will be set up to resemble an intimate living room, with spaced out seating. The concerts are conversational, engaging and intimate and a very special window into the heart and mind of the artists and each concert is paired with a special wine to celebrate Black History Month.

“This theme was chosen in an effort to elevate awareness and support the growth of African Americans in the wine industry,” said Director of Education Laura Landor, who selected the wine pairings. “Of the more than 11,000 wineries in the United States, less than 1 percent of them are Black owned or have a Black winemaker. We are excited to introduce these wines to our Jazz Loft patrons during Black History Month and hope to add a selection of them to our regular list of wines that are available by the glass or bottle.”

The Jazz Loft will offer tastings of a red and white selection during each performance with full glasses available for purchase.

“Our Acoustic in the Main Room series is a unique opportunity to hear some of the most talented singers and musicians that perform regularly at the Loft in a relaxed setting, reminiscent of the New York City Loft scene of the 1950’s which inspired the Jazz Loft’s name,” said Jazz Loft founder Tom Manuel. “If you don’t know any Jazz performers personally to invite into your own living room, then this is the next best thing.”

The Acoustic in the Main Room series calendar:

February 9-Featuring Mala Waldron on piano and vocals; with Mike Hall on bass; and Tom Manuel on cornet.

McBride Sisters Sparkling Brut Rose, Hawk’s Bay NZ

McBride Sisters 2020 Chardonnay Central Coast, CA

McBride Sisters 2019 Red Blend Central Coast, CA

 February 10-Houston Person on tenor saxophone; Steve Salerno on guitar and Tom Manuel on cornet.

Brown Estate “Chaos Theory” 2021 Proprietary Red Wine (California)

Brown Estate House of Brown 2021 Chardonnay (California)

February 24- Buddy Merriam on mandolin; Steve Salerno on guitar and Tom Manuel on cornet

Longevity 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon (California)

Longevity 2019 Chardonnay (California)

 February 25- Grammy-nominated singer Nicole Zuraitis, with Steve Salerno on guitar and Tom Manuel on cornet

LVE Signature Series 2021 Chardonnay (North Coast, California)

LVE 2019 Cabernet (North Coast, California)

All performances are hosted by Tom Manuel and Laura Landor.

Tickets will be limited to just 85 people and start at 7 p.m., and feature two sets with a brief intermission.

Tickets for all performances are $40 and start at 7 p.m. and can be purchased at https://www.thejazzloft.org.

The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Avenue in Stony Brook, is located just 90 minutes from New York City and is the only music venue on Long Island that features exclusively jazz music. For more information, call 631-751-1895.

Joe Jencks

The Long Island Museum, 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook welcomes the return of the WUSB Sunday Street Series in the Gillespie Room of the Carriage Museum on Feb. 19 at 3 p.m. with a concert by  Joe Jencks and Rod MacDonald.

Joe Jencks

Joe Jencks is a 22-year veteran of the international Folk circuit, an award-winning songwriter and a celebrated vocalist based in the Chicago area. He is known for his performances of musical beauty, social consciousness and spiritual exploration. Joe delivers engaged musical narratives filled with heart, soul, groove, and grit. Co-founder of the harmony trio Brother Sun, Jencks has penned several #1 Folksongs including the ever-relevant Lady of The Harbor. His 2022 release, ’ The Coming of the Years’ has become a favorite of critics. www.joejencks.com

Rod MacDonald

Rod MacDonald began singing professionally in New York City, where he became a headliner in Greenwich Village clubs in the 1980s and recorded 21 songs now in the Smithsonian Folkways collection. He has 13 solo CDs, with 2014’s “Later That Night” making the top ten on national independent music charts, and three CDs with Big Brass Bed, which New Times named “Best Folk Band” in 2016. He is also Music Americana instructor with Osher Lifelong Learning at Florida Atlantic University, and was named Distinguished Faculty Member in 2012. Rod has been a regular in our annual Bob Dylan birthday celebrations.www.rodmacdonald.net

Tickets are $ 25.00 advance sale until February 17th at www.sundaystreet.org. Tickets at the door (cash only) are $30.

These concerts are a collaboration of WUSB’s Sunday Street Series, The Long Island Museum, and The Greater Port Jefferson Art’s Council.

The recently opened Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF) in Stony Brook hosted the Smithtown High School East Chamber Choir which performed festive holiday music on Sunday, Dec. 11 . The choir is audition-based and consists of students who have a passion for performing vocal music. The choir is led by music teacher, Mark Hegreness.

Since opening on November 25 of this year, LIMEHOF has hosted a variety of LIVE performances from local bands including Quarter Horse, Jack’s Waterfall American Roots, Richie Cannata and Mark Newman and Kerry Kearney. It also hosted a Conversation and Book signing event by Liberty Devitto and Joe Rock.

The first exhibit features replicas of clubs, with videos of artists performing, ads, posters, instruments, and an exact replica of a typical 1960’s stage, with vintage equipment and sound system. There is also a permanent “Hall of Fame” with plaques and exhibits recognizing over 120 inductees, as well as areas for a library, classrooms for educational programs and master classes, a surround -sound theater and a gift shop with music and entertainment themed memorabilia.

There are a wide range of compelling visual elements and rare artifacts on display throughout the building. Inducted artists who have donated their memorabilia include Billy Joel, Joan Jett, Debbie Gibson, Blue Öyster Cult, Twisted Sister, and families and estates of Harry Chapin, Guy Lombardo, John Coltrane, and so many more. Donations include various musical instruments, performance outfits, vintage automobiles and motorcycles, rare posters and photos, handwritten lyrics, and much more.

Located at 97 Main Street in Stony Brook Village, the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame is open Wednesdays-Sundays from 12 noon through 5pm. Admission prices are: Adult $19.50, Seniors (65+) and Veterans $17.00, Students (w/ID) $15.00. Children under 12 are free. Tickets can be purchased online at the LIMEHOF.org website and at the door.

 

Renee Fondacaro of Old Field Apothecary and Tom Manuel, founder of the Jazz Loft in Stony Brook, showcase the new jazz-inspired candles. Photo from the Jazz Loft

The Jazz Loft in Stony Brook recently  partnered with local small business owner of Old Field Apothecary, Renee Fondacaro, to release three original jazz-inspired scented candles.

Fondacaro worked alongside founder Tom Manuel and the Jazz Loft team to create scents that spark the same excitement as jazz music. 

The “Lady Day” candle has notes of rose, green leaf, powder, musk, and white gardenia inspired by Billie Holiday’s signature flower that she wore in her hair. “Mood Indigo,” inspired by Duke Ellington, has notes of leather, smoke, tobacco, sandalwood, musk, and amber to bring the feeling of an elegant jazz club to your home. The holiday-inspired “Jingle Jazz” candle spikes up the traditional Christmas tree scent with notes of gin, red currant, oak, juniper, and cypress.

Old Field Apothecary candles are both gluten- and paraben-free, and made with clean burning vegan coconut apricot creme wax. Each candle is hand-poured and contains a crackling wooden wick to create a cozy, by-the-fireside experience.

“It’s always wonderful when we can work with local businesses,” says Manuel. “I’m quite excited that we could create these unique signature candles that bring together the atmosphere of the Jazz Loft and a wonderful local business such as Old Field Apothecary. Renee’s creativity in designing the scents is inspirational.”

“I’m so excited to collaborate with the Jazz Loft,” said Fondacaro. “The scents we have created reflect the jazz artists and the beautiful Stony Brook Village community. Old Field Apothecary is proud to be able to offer our natural products that are toxin-free, phthalate-free and made from vegan waxes for this local and special venue. These new scents make great holiday gifts for your favorite music lover.”

Perfect gifts for friends and family this holiday season, these exclusive candles can only be purchased in person at the Jazz Loft for $28 each, two for $50, or all three for $75.

Located at 275 Christian Ave., Stony Brook, the Jazz Loft is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation, education and performance of the American born art form of jazz through the art of collaboration. Visit www.thejazzloft.org.

Photo from Vanderbilt Museum

The Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport presents its third annual holiday event, Bright Lights: Celebrate the Season, Saturdays and Sundays, December 3-18, and on Thursday, December 22.

Thousands of warm-white lights will create holiday magic inside and outside the Mansion and illuminate trees, wreaths, garlands, guest rooms, walkways, and the Vanderbilt Library.

The event will include Candlelight Tours of the decorated Vanderbilt Mansion, visits with Santa and friends in his workshop, a children’s scavenger hunt, and a 15-minute Holiday Laser show in the Reichert Planetarium. In addition, the Stoll Wing and Habitat wild-animal dioramas and the Hall of Fishes marine museum will be open for visitors. Also open: the Vanderbilt Café and Gift Shop, located in the Planetarium lobby.

Elizabeth Wayland-Morgan, Executive Director of the Vanderbilt Museum, said, “We are thrilled to invite everyone to kick off the holiday season and celebrate with us. The decorated and lighted Mansion and Estate become a winter wonderland. Bright Lights offers evenings of family fun for all.”

Tickets are: Adults $25 | Members $20; children 12 and under $15 | Members $10; children 2 and under FREE. To order, visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

Photo from Hallockville Museum Farm

Experience old-fashioned North Fork holiday traditions during the Historic Christmas event at Hallockville Museum Farm, 6038 Sound Ave., Riverhead on Sunday, December 4 from noon to 3:30 p.m. Holiday displays in three historic residences on the 28-acre preserved farm will be staffed by costumed docents welcoming guests and sharing stories of past holiday celebrations. Historic Christmas at Hallockville is free and open to the public as the Museum Farm’s holiday gift to the community.

The Hallock Homestead, a mid-eighteenth-century structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places, will be decorated for a Victorian Christmas. Visitors may tour the residence while enjoying the aromas of holiday treats being baked in an antique wood stove as they learn how Christmas came to the North Fork primarily as a secular celebration.

At the Cichanowicz Farmhouse, guests will enjoy a Christmas Eve celebration as it would have been experienced by Polish immigrants to the North Fork in the 1930s, when the house was built. In Polish culture, Christmas Eve is a major holiday, highlighted by a special dinner, gift-giving and other traditions.

The Hudson-Sydlowski House will feature a display of dollhouses from the museum’s collection decked-out for the holidays. The exhibit will also include a two Victorian dollhouses loaned by Bonnie Zulli as well as a Christmas dollhouse, a miniature farmstand and several room vitrines loaned by Jeff Hallock and Debbie Bowen created by their parents, Norman and Joan Hallock.

For further information, call 631-29805292 or visit www.hallockville.org.