Press

ALBANY, NY – In celebration of Jazz Appreciation Month, the New York State Museum will host a series of free programs during April break week to include performances by accomplished jazz musicians and a presentation on the history of jazz, featuring video from one of the world’s largest jazz video collections in the world.

The jazz events are part of a week-long program of special events planned during school break week April 17th through 20th. All events are free.

Music historian and jazz drummer Hal Miller of Albany will speak Tuesday, April 18 at 2 p.m. about the history of jazz in a presentation liberally illustrated with footage from his own collection of more than 9000 items, which include jazz concert and program videos. Miller has provided video for numerous television programs including Ken Burns’ PBS series on Jazz. He has written liner notes for recordings by Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Carlos Santana. As a jazz drummer and Latin percussionist he also performed with Santana, James Spaulding and others.

Jazz pianist Natt Phipps of Schenectady, who has played with such jazz celebrities as George Benson, Booker Irving and Rahsann Roland Kirk, will perform with his jazz quartet Wednesday, April 19 at 2 p.m. Phipps spent most of his professional years playing in New York City and New Jersey leading several jazz groups that included Wayne Shorter, Chris White, Grashon Moncur III, Woody Shaw and Tom Macintosh. Joining Phipps will be drummer Joe Sorrentino, Peter Toigo on bass and Paul Couch on flute, clarinet and saxophone.

The performance on Thursday, April 20 at 2 p.m. will feature the Peg Delaney Trio, whose sophisticated stylings draw from American, Latin and Brazilian idioms. The trio will include Bill Delaney on upright bass and vocalist and drummer Earl Davis. Delaney of Troy is a two-time recipient of the New York State Council for the Arts: Meet the Composer grant and was a semi-finalist in Musician Magazine’s Best Unsigned Band Competition. Her work has been

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recognized by the Saxophone Journal, New York State Music Teachers Association and national jazz educators.

An Earth Day celebration is also planned during break week. On Friday, April 21st from 1 to 4 p.m. scientists, nature lovers, conservationists and Smoky the Bear will lead visitors in hands-on activities.

Star Lab Planetarium shows will be held at 1, 2 and 3:30 on Monday, April 17th and Thursday, April 20th for children ages seven and older. Each show is limited to 30 people and tickets must be picked up at the Museum’s main lobby desk.

During “Artful OpArt” on Monday, April 17 from 1 to 3:30 p.m., visitors will be invited to stroll through the newly opened Bank of America Great Art Series exhibition – Op Art Revisited: Selections from the Albright-Knox Art Gallery -- and then express themselves using colorful art materials while learning about Optical Art.

A felt flower pin arts and crafts activity will be taught on Tuesday, April 18 from 1:30 to 3:30 and on Thursday, April 20 from 2 to 4 p.m. children will learn techniques for drawing birds and other animals. “Trash To Treasure” will be featured on Wednesday, April 19 from 1 to 3:30 p.m.

Further information about Museum programs and events can be obtained by calling (518) 474-5877. The New York State Museum, established in 1836, is a program of the New York State Department of Education. Located at the Empire State Plaza on Madison Avenue in Albany, the Museum is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. except on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New

Year's Day. Admission is free and the Museum is fully accessible. Additional information on the Museum is available on the museum website at www.nysm.nysed.gov.

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