PREVIEW: The Capital Region Vocal Jazz Vanguard
03/08 @ The Van Dyck Music Club, Schenectady
“Together, we have a beautiful ability to collaborate, and a shared joy in our music-making.”
Eight to ten years ago, it felt like jazz was having a big moment, with Academy award winning films Whiplash and La La Land being top of mind (and rightfully so). Not that the genre has ever gone away, mind you – it’s just that mainstream culture was paying more attention again.
Don’t worry; this is not going to be an article taking you through the history of jazz. While I’m a fan, I’m certainly not the guy to be providing such a history lesson. But what I can tell you is that The Van Dyck Music Club, located in Schenectady’s Stockade District, has a jazz-soaked history of its own that’s absolutely worth mentioning.
“It was a jazz national hotspot in the ‘40s, ‘50s and ‘60s,” owner Chris Sule told me when we first spoke back in October. “Between the history of some of the players that have been there previously, and the feel of the room, it's just a very comfortable, inviting space with such a big reputation here in Schenectady and beyond.”
Sule took it over in 2022 with the intent to revitalize jazz programming in the area, and has been jumping in with both feet ever since. Their latest show is happening this Saturday, when The Van Dyck presents The Capital Region Vocal Jazz Vanguard, a group featuring local jazz vocalists Kaitlyn Fay, Jeanine Ouderkirk, and Tyler Thomas. Fay was kind enough to give me some background into the show’s inception.
“The idea for this show started in the fall of 2024,” she tells me. “I asked [Chris] if he would be interested in a show that celebrates some of the phenomenal vocal jazz talent in the NY Capital Region scene. With Chris on board, I approached Jeanine and Tyler and we have been crafting the show over the last couple of months. It is going to be such a fun and unique event, because it is rare for a jazz performance to feature more than one vocalist, let alone three!”
Fay and Thomas have known each other for almost 20 years, meeting as members of the NYSSMA All-State Vocal Jazz Ensemble back in 2006. After deciding to start a jazz vocal group together, the internet — which can, in fact, be helpful sometimes — led them to Ouderkirk and the three began clicking right away.
“We performed a few times in 2016, but needed to put the group on hold as other pursuits took priority for a few years,” Fay says. “Most notably, Tyler moved to Texas to complete a graduate degree. We all stayed in touch over the last several years and continued our individual projects, but when Tyler moved back to this area in 2024, we decided to get the group back together.”
The show on Saturday will have a unique format, highlighting the vocalists’ talents both individually and in an ensemble fashion. Throughout the two planned sets of jazz standards and contemporary pieces, the rhythm section featuring Dave Gleason (keyboard), Dave Shoudy (bass), and Bob Halek (drums) will remain consistent.
“Separately, we all have a very distinct sound and repertoire,” Fay tells me. “Together, we have a beautiful ability to collaborate, and a shared joy in our music-making.”
As if the evening couldn’t get any more special, the entire performance will kick off with a 30-minute set from a group of student musicians from Schenectady County Community College. It’s a testament to the genre that it continues to transcend generations, and Fay is quick to note how proud she is of the local jazz scene.
“The NY Capital Region jazz scene is vibrant and full of an incredible range of world-class musicians. On most nights of the week you can find jazz musicians performing around the Capital Region -- including original music, jazz standards, Bossa nova, funk, and more. This region also boasts (at least) two professional Big Bands! Bill McCann hosts a wonderful jazz radio show on Saturday mornings, on 90.9 WCDB, and he always reports on upcoming jazz performances from all around the area.”
The Capital Region Vocal Jazz Vanguard is this Saturday, March 8th at 6:30 PM. Tickets are available in advance via Eventbrite for $15, or at the door for $20.
