PREVIEW: Zan Strumfeld Presents: A Night of Simon & Garfunkel

previewlive music

Mar 14

03/22 @ Cohoes Music Hall

“So many of their songs have hit core memories in my life, whether it was through a person or through an event or through a place.”

“And in the naked light I saw / Ten thousand people, maybe more / People talking without speaking / People hearing without listening / People writing songs that voices never share / No one dared disturb the sound of silence…”

It’s a song that, presumably, anyone reading this should be familiar with. Not only has it stood the test of time, but 60 years later, its words are just as relevant as they were back then. It remains, without a doubt, one of the greatest songs ever written.

Of course, “The Sound of Silence” is just one of many hits penned by Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, Simon & Garfunkel. There’s no need to list the rest, or even run through a list of their many accolades – anyone curious can simply consult the duo’s lengthy Wikipedia page. What matters is that they are an integral part of American folk history, and local songwriter Zan Strumfeld is preparing to honor their legacy with a tribute show at Cohoes Music Hall on March 22nd.

“Simon & Garfunkel have weaved through my life since I was like 10 or 12,” she recalls. “My parents took me to see them and I remember being blown away. So many of their songs have hit core memories in my life, whether it was through a person or through an event or through a place. And I think a lot of people feel that way about their music; it feels so timeless.”

In addition to Zan herself, A Night of Simon & Garfunkel features Capital Region artists Caity Gallagher, Chris Carey, Drank the Gold, Michael Gregg, Mike O'Donnell, Raya Malcolm and Dave Strumfeld all performing songs from across Simon & Garfunkel’s catalog. In true tribute fashion, this includes not just the hits, but the deep cuts as well.

“It helps when a band has so many hits [to draw from],” Zan says. “Most of the songs that will be played are hits, but some are not. And I love when the musicians choose a mix of songs you're gonna know and then songs you're gonna hear for the first time.”

As a testament to her prowess, this will be Zan’s third tribute show at CMH, with prior shows honoring Joni Mitchell and Carole King selling out the theatre in March of 2023 and March of 2024, respectively. It’s become a rather unplanned, annual tradition.

“After that second one, I kind of was like, ‘I don't think I'll ever do this again.’ And then here we are having this conversation!”

*2024’s Carole King Show, photographed by Elissa Ebersold*

Zan is quick to share that these events would not be possible without the unwavering support of a venue like Cohoes Music Hall, who have been overwhelmingly generous with their acoustically rich space that has been a local entertainment staple for 150 years. Allowing our incredible pool of local talent a wider audience, and a chance to perform in bigger, historical spaces like CMH is one of Zan’s goals with these shows. She hopes that it will open up broader opportunities for each artist’s original performances as well.

“We have such amazing talent here, and it’s so diverse in so many ways. This is my teeny, tiny contribution and attempt to make a little change. And I think so many other people should be walking into this world too—showing how amazing this local talent is.

“My hope is that the audience is walking away and thinking, ‘Wow, it was so beautiful to hear that rendition of Simon & Garfunkel’s song, but that person has an amazing voice. What does their original music sound like?’ And everybody on the stage has original music.”

Fans of local music and the iconic duo of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel will have a lot to immerse themselves in on March 22nd. It’ll be a chance to sing along to your favorites, and maybe reacquaint yourself with some forgotten songs from decades past. And most importantly, it’s a chance to sit back and feel the feelings only music can provide.

“I have had so much joy listening to them, and I have cried so much listening to them,” Zan says of Simon & Garfunkel. “That is kind of what I look for in most of the music I listen to: happiness and tears.”

Consider that your formal invitation to come shed some happy tears with Zan, and the star-studded array of local talent she’s assembled to honor Simon & Garfunkel.

For tickets to A Night of Simon & Garfunkel, visit: https://www.thecohoesmusichall.org/events/2025/a-night-of-simon-and-garfunkel