Swinging with the Adirondack Saxes in Keene Valley

In big cities, churches are often venues for some incredible musical performances. In the Adirondacks, this is also the case, especially at the Keene Valley Congregational Church.

This Sunday morning, I walk in to the sounds of the Adirondack Saxes. The quartet is made up of Jim Honeycutt and Zack Jakob on alto sax, Sue Grimm Hanley on tenor sax, and Dean Dietrich on baritone sax.

Rev. Milton Dudley announces that this is the second installment in the jazz portion of the summer music fest that the church is hosting. And the service is certainly swinging this morning.

The quartet opens with the “Childrens’Prayer from Hansel and Gretl” which sets an upbeat mood right off.  Other selections they share are “Go Down Moses, “ “Swing Low,” and they  finish big with their all-sax rendition of “Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho” that has the whole congregation clapping. During the course of the service, Sue Grimm Hanley occasionally switches from her tenor sax to flute which adds a lovely sweet tone to the quartet.

The music is superb and fits the setting beautifully. The performers in this quartet can be seen in many venues throughout the North Country in other fine ensembles and jazz bands. Their next gig as the Adirondack Saxes takes them to Lake Placid for the Strawberry Festival sponsored by St. Eustace Church.

The Keene Valley Congregational Church promises to be brimming with music this summer. Other special guest artists on Sunday mornings range from the strings of Meadowmount  based in Lewis to the Seagle Music Colony performers based in Schroon Lake and Keene’s own Adirondack Harper, Martha Gallagher.

The cultural organization, East Branch Friends of the Arts will also be hosting music in the church this summer.  Pianist/singer/lecturer Fred Miller will be performing on Sat., July 12. Mr. Miller has been involved in grand opera, musical comedy, classical piano and chamber music . His current focus is on American Popular Song.

Summers in the Adirondacks are packed with theatre, music, and art openings. To learn more about what is happening in the Lake Placid region this summer, click through to the web site.

Kathleen Recchia has been Kathleen Recchia has been enjoying the arts in the Adirondacks for about 20 years—both as observer and participant (acting, directing, and producing). She also enjoys cross-country skiing, swimming, juggling, and hosting visitors to the area at her bed & breakfast in Jay.