Stage Music Big Band at KAC Feb. 6

CLINTON — A newly-formed Stage Music Big Band performs in one of its first public appearances at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6 at the Kirkland Art Center, 91/2 East Park Row.

General admission is $10, or $8 for KAC members at the door or by calling the KAC at 853-8871.

Joe Karwacki, owner of Stage Music Piano Company and principal bassist for the Utica Symphony Orchestra presents the 17 member Stage Music Big Band. Karwacki has also played with the Syracuse, Catskill, Schenectady and Binghamton Symphony Orchestras.

Karwacki traces the idea for his new band to his former association with the now defunct Utica College Big Band. He was excited by the big band sound and the enthusiasm of all the players. When the college group disbanded he realized that "if I was going to have another big band to play in, I was probably going to have to get the ball rolling myself."

Listening to the advice of his son, also a player in the group, he decided to have the new band explore more variety than just the standard available jazz charts. With this in mind, he started selecting from many arrangements that also explored funk, rock, swing, Latin, ballad and R&B. The next step was to start networking with area musicians who were both interested in this format and musically capable of playing some very challenging charts. Within a few months and a few public rehearsals the SMBB is premiering a full evening of its music at the Kirkland Art Center.

Karwacki is a 1978 graduate of the Ithaca College School of Music where he was a member of the Ithaca College Double Bass Quartet for four years and finalist in the 1977 Concerto Competitions. He has had performances of his original compositions by members of the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra and at the 1978 National Association For Music Education national convention in Chicago.

He has collaborated with or worked for such notable artists as Mstislav Rostropovich, Emanuel Ax, Gunther Schuller, Werner Klemperer, Midori, Trey Anastasio, Harry Connick Jr., Tony Bennett, Al Martino and Barry Manilow, among others. Since 1995 he has taught music in the Utica City School District and in 2005 created the Donovan Jazz/Rock String Ensemble.

The members of the band sections are: Reeds: "DK" (Dan) Jones, Bob Peters, Joe Zarr, Mike Bergamo, Carol Dumka, Josh Kaye; Trumpets: Mike Axel, Mike Fenton, Jr., Greg Jerome, Rick Compton; Trombones: Jim Camardello, Marty Hollister (filling in for John Capecelatro on sick leave), Greg Brockway; Keys: Patricia Madonia; Guitar: Curtis Karwacki; Bass: Joe Karwacki; Drums: Scott Madonia.

From the Rome Sentinel: http://romesentinel.com/news?newsid=20090129-141235

Films, sounds fill Uptown Getdown
EMERSON CLARRIDGE
Observer-Dispatch Independent film fan Denise VanGerner came to the New Uptown Theatre Saturday hoping to mingle with amateur filmmakers who spend their free moments making low-budget flicks.

She was pleased with the quality of what she found at the Uptown Getdown, a day-long event that featured music, films and artwork at the Genesee Street site. "We live in South Utica, and we really like to support our community," VanGerner said. "I think it's absolutely wonderful for this part of the city." VanGerner spent the early afternoon watching four short films and listening to music from Stage Music Big Band. "I came into this with no expectations," she said. The event offered an alternative to outdoor activity on a day when temperatures soared to near 90 degrees. "I would rather be inside," VanGerner said. Lisa Urich, 39, of Herkimer, said she was impressed by the Impressionist paintings on display. "The artwork looked nice," she said. "It was really good." The event, which featured six musical acts and several local artists, was organized by local musician Mike Galime to showcase the developing Uptown District. Musician Gary Balch, 19, of Holland Patent, said his group, Stage Music Big Band, formed this year. "It's more or less about the music than the money at this point," he said. And though it only was a thin crowd that gathered to hear his band, Balch said they seemed to like the group's sound. "They were enthusiastic," he said.

From the Utica Observer-Dispatch, August 2009