Harbor Jam returns this weekend with live music paying homage to Chicago and Billy Joel.
On Friday, the focus is on the former, with headliners Brass Transit. The tribute band was formed in 2008 and has frequently toured North America since then, performing hits like “Saturday In The Park,” “If You Leave Me Now” and “Feelin’ Stronger Every Day.”
DJ Ketchup is set to open the show at 5 p.m. Ten Most Wanted, a local party band that plays everything from classic R&B to funk and rock favorites, will follow at 6 p.m. Brass Transit goes on at 7:30 and is set to play until 9 p.m.
On Saturday, the Lords of 52nd Street – Legends Of Billy Joel Band returns to the series. The band has appeared on the Mohawk Harbor Amphitheater stage twice before and tends to draw a crowd.
Made up of Richie Cannata (saxophone), Liberty DeVitto (drums) and Russell Javors (rhythm guitar), the band played with Joel on the album “Turnstiles,” which was released in 1976.
The album was a success and the band (which then also included the late Doug Stegmeyer) went from playing colleges and universities across the nation to performing at venues such as Madison Square Garden.
Producer Phil Ramone and Joel coined DeVitto, Cannata, Javors and Stegmeyer as The Lords of 52nd Street, and went on to record, “The Stranger.”
The album was a commercial success; it holds an RIAA diamond certification, and several hit singles including, “Only The Good Die Young.” The Lords of 52nd Street, alongside the Piano Man, led an international tour and performed at famous arenas as well as on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live.”
Since then, the band returned to the studio with Joel to record several other albums. The Lords of 52nd Street toured with Joel for over a decade before separating for 30 years. The Lords came back together and started performing regularly again in 2016.
On Saturday, DJ Kevin Richards will open the show at 5 p.m., followed by David J, a country singer/songwriter and Rotterdam native, will follow at 6 p.m. The Lords of 52nd Street is set to go on at 7:30 p.m.
Categories: Entertainment, Life and Arts, Schenectady
