LIVE: Albany Riverfront Jazz Festival @ Jennings Landing, 9/8/18 (Take Two)

Review and photographs by Rudy Lu

The 2018 edition of the Albany Riverfront Jazz Festival was held on a chilly day this year, but that didn’t put a damper on the fun at Jennings Landing, though.

The festival opened with the delightfully retro Dylan Perrillo Orchestra featuring Nick Manzella on vocals. Among the songs played was “Barnacle Bill the Sailor” from the Popeye cartoon songbook.

The Jeff “Siege” Siegel Sextet was more straight-ahead jazz, playing a mixture of originals and standards.

With their infectious beat, the jam band-influenced Brighton Beat brought much of the audience to its feet and dancing.

Guitarist Mike Stern and his quartet – featuring Dennis Chambers on drums and the equally ferocious Danny Walsh on saxophone and bassist Edmund Gilmore – brought their brand of fusion to the bandstand, including surprise vocals by Stern on a cover of Jimi Hendrix’s “Red House.”

Maurice “Mobetta” Brown closed out the festival bringing his hip-hop influenced sounds to Albany for what I believe was the first time. This particular edition of his band Soul’d U Out featured renowned keyboardist James Francies and Stanley Clarke Band drummer Mike Mitchell as well as saxophonist Chelsea Baratz.

Those who braved the chilly day were certainly treated to a day of hot music.

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LIVE: Albany Riverfront Jazz Festival @ Jennings Landing, 9/8/18