For nearly 30 years, Jazz on Jay, presented by MVP Health Care, has offered a wide spectrum of the music genre, for free to the public, outdoors on its namesake arcade in downtown Schenectady.
It has supported working artists and educators while providing complimentary lunchtime spiritual sustenance to open air audiences for 90 minutes every summer Thursday.
“Jazz on Jay is a great way for families to get outside and enjoy this unique music series all summer long,” said Ellen Sax, MVP Health Care’s vice president of community engagement, noting MVP Health Care is proud to support this longstanding tradition in Schenectady.
This year, Jazz on Jay — supported by the New York State Council on the Arts, the Schenectady County Legislature and the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corp — is back with a full slate of some of the region’s best small combos led by voice, guitar, organ, piano, saxophone and more, representing tastes of classic jazz, post-bop, soul and avant-garde, to name but a few of the styles embraced by the historic series, which is curated annually by a select committee of musicians, writers and knowledgeable fans.
With additional support from Proctors Collaborative, Jazz on Jay is produced by the City of Schenectady’s Heritage Area and the ElectriCity Arts District. staged weekly at noon Thursdays, from June 9 through Sept. 1 on Schenectady’s Jay Street Arcade. Patrons are encouraged to bring their own seating and to respect neighboring attendees wishes as to social distancing and masking.
Rain location is inside Proctors Robb Alley (conveniently located across from the main site at 432 State St.).
Many Jay Street businesses will be open for indoor and outdoor dining, carry-out and shopping.
Jazz on Jay Committee chair is Betsy Sandberg.
Jazz on Jay 2022
Thursdays noon to 1:30 p.m., Jay Street Arcade, Schenectady, free admission
June 9 — Colleen Pratt & Friends
June 16 — Arch Stanton Quartet
June 23 — Wize Guyz
June 30 — Music by McIntosh
July 7 — Keith Pray’s Ortet
July 14 — Kevin Carey Group
July 21 — The Dylan Canterbury Quintet
July 28 — Kaitlyn Fay Quartet
Aug. 4 — Art D’echo Trio featuring Joshua Nelson
Aug. 11 — Chris Pasin’s Ornettiquette
Aug. 18 — GNP
Aug. 25 — Curley Lamb Nu-Soul-Jaz Quartet—featuring Ria Curley and Chuck Lamb
Sept. 1 — Pete Bellino Trio
Categories: Entertainment, Life and Arts, Schenectady
