Call-out response reveals depth of area music talent
It was two months ago that I asked local musicians to send me their tunes. In two columns, we’ve covered a veritable plethora of local artists and releases. But that wasn’t everyone who reached out with their music and their stories. Not even close.
I’ve dubbed this installment The People in Your Neighborhood, and not just because I watch an abundance of children’s programming. A lot are folks who aren’t looking to send albums and singles across the 518; they’re just doing it to do it and don’t even post their work online. Others are looking to gain traction and were encouraged to reach out by local TU readers. So, here goes.
Jason Greco: Jason’s day
■ job is as chief technology officer for a regional credit union. The worlds of finance and technology aren’t his first loves, however. He majored in music industry at SUNY Oneonta and got back into recording relatively recently. Laying down tracks and posting them on his Soundcloud account or riffing on ideas and putting the videos up on his Instagram are his primary methods of creating and releasing tunes. The latter has proved useful, as Greco has several thousand followers and his videos have garnered tens of thousands of views. If you watch his content, you’ll see that Greco has a pleasant voice, is a likable personality and knows his way around a tune. You can find that out for yourself by heading to his Instagram at https://www. instagram.com/mjasongreco/
charles naylor: Charles ■
Naylor’s story isn’t just about Charles. It’s about Charles, one of his best friends and their socially distant creative connection. Naylor and Michael Dolan were best friends during their elementary school years growing up in Washington, D.C. Then the two fell out of touch and reconnected as adults. Dolan still lives in D.C., while Naylor has lived in Albany for the past few decades. Despite the distance, the pair’s bond is strong and they collaborate regularly on tunes. Dolan handles the lyrics, Naylor writes the music and performs the songs. They concoct wry, timely songs like “Corona Cut” and “I’m With Fauci,” as well as somber folk-country fare like “A Stronger Hand than Mine.” Naylor and Dolan share these tunes with friends, and most recently with this intrepid reporter. They’re not online, but I bet if you know Mr. Naylor, he’d gladly send you a song.
Mike Wagner: To be
■ perfectly honest, I don’t know a whole heck of a lot about Mike Wagner. Here’s what I do know: he lives in the East Chatham area and the dude loves to drum. Wagner can be found on Youtube by the name “Lochnessdrummer Mike Wagner.” Under this moniker, he posts full-length videos of himself performing drum covers to different songs. The list of tunes he tackles is impressive. Wagner performs the drum parts to tracks by metal bands like Judas Priest and ‘90s/2000s alt-rock acts Foo Fighters, Sum 41, Alice in Chains and Green Day. He throws some classic rock tracks in there, as well as a couple of curveballs with tracks by Pink and Amy Winehouse. The variation in genre and willingness
to tackle different styles makes Wagner’s devotion to drumming laudable.
Judd staley: Since the
■ first day of quarantine and regionwide stay-at-home orders, Niskayuna resident Judd Staley has done something special. Every day he goes into the same room in his house and films himself playing a song on his acoustic and singing that he then emails out to about 70 friends and family members. If it’s a cover, he prefaces the performance with its originator. If it’s one of his own compositions, well, he notes that too. In a brief e-mail back-and-forth, Staley told me his “motivation is to provide a small diversion for folks, which as a result provides a nice diversion for me, from these difficult times” and it’s had the added benefit of hearing “from folks in my contact list with whom I’ve been out of touch for too long.” I’ve been on Staley’s list since March 17 and seeing his videos pop up in my inbox consistently brings a smile to my face.
Mike lawrence:
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Schenectady resident Mike Lawrence is a bassist who plays regularly across the Capital Region. Lawrence’s pic was in the Times Union a couple weeks ago, as he performs as part of the Mother Goose Jazz Band. Additionally, he’s a member of the group Jazz Vespers. Every Sunday, from 5 p.m. until 6 the group performs at the First Reformed Church of Schenectady. Those performances can be seen in person, normally, and are available to watch online at the church’s website. He’s also in jazz outfit Art D’echo Trio, which you’ll hopefully be able to see again when shows are allowed to happen again.
Grey heron: Saratoga
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High grad Hunter Johns formed Grey Heron about two years ago with his friends at Hampshire College in Amherst, Mass. The group has hit the ground running since then, playing gigs in Brooklyn and San Francisco and even a three-performance stint in Havana, Cuba, as part of the three-day Jazz Plaza Festival. Grey Heron’s music is a blend of neo-soul, jazz and introspective indie singer-songwriter. On May 10, the band released an EP entitled “Something Love,” which contains four originals and a cover of Frank Ocean’s “Good Guy.” Lead singer Haley Grey possesses an enchanting voice and the five-piece band provides subtle, nuanced textures for her to croon over. The EP makes for great evening listening. Learn more about Grey Heron on Facebook at www.facebook. com/greyheronmusic/ or stream “Something Love” at www.greyheronmusic.bandcamp.com/
Z-JAZ: Karl Miller grew up
■ in Rutland, Vt., and now lives in Graniteville, Vt. Despite living over 150 miles from the Capital Region, he still has family in the area and subscribes to the Times Union and reached out to me with his story. The 61-year-old drums for a jazz act in Graniteville called Z-jaz. It’s led by a cornet player named Larry Damon. Now here’s where it gets interesting. Damon is 87 years old and a four-time U.S. Olympic cross-country skier who was in four Winter Olympics from 1956 to 1968. Z-jaz plays standards and gigs regularly. The quartet has a recording that will be released at some point in the near future.
Bonsai: Simone Stevens
■ lives in Brooklyn, but her parents have lived in Hudson for the past five years. Her mom is a visual artist who runs a senior center in Hudson, and sent Simone my contact information a few months back. Stevens is a singer-songwriter, who leads the group Bonsai. The band’s music is a mix of acoustic folk and dreamy pop. Bonsai’s first EP in 2014 gained some buzz, receiving press from SPIN, Paste and other national media outlets. The band is currently sitting on a complete EP entitled “Steal You.” Hopefully it comes out soon, as it’s fantastic. If you’re a fan of groups like Of Monsters and Men or Lucius, Bonsai is right up your alley, with its ability to blend lush, poppy hooks with driving indie rock. You can learn more about Bonsai at its website, http:// www.bonsaimusicproject.com/