Five Firsts: Al Haugen

NAME: Al Haugen
BAND AFFILIATION: Al Haugen and Friends
INSTRUMENT: Accordion (jazz and continental)

1. THE FIRST ALBUM I EVER BOUGHT WAS … “The Art of Van Damme”

2. THE FIRST CONCERT THAT I EVER SAW WAS … Hudson Valley Philharmonic

3. THE FIRST MUSICAL INSTRUMENT I EVER OWNED OR PLAYED WAS … Accordion

4. THE FIRST SONG THAT I EVER PERFORMED IN PUBLIC WAS … Too long ago to remember

5. THE FIRST BAND I WAS EVER IN WAS … The Dutchess Ramblers (country and pop) at age 14

At 7pm on Friday, accordionist Al Haugen teams up with pianist Don Egry at the Van Dyck in Schenectady to pay tribute to two jazz greats who passed away this year. For the “Tribute to Art Van Damme and Oscar Peterson,” Haugen and Egry will also be joined by bassist Lou Pappas and drummer Bobby Halek. Tickets are $5 in advance; $7 at the door.