LIVE: The Clash of the Titans @ Flights of Fantasy, 1/12/14

Story and photographs by Rudy Lu

Flights of Fantasy Books & Games store in Colonie – Nippertown’s most unlikely and unusual jazz venue – played host to the “Clash of the Titans” concert last weekend. The A-list tenor saxophone tandem of Ralph Lalama and Jerry Weldon led a trumpet-less front end backed by a stellar Local 518 trio featuring Joe Barna on drums, Otto Gardner on bass and Dave Solazzo on keyboards.

The special performance was in honor of Mark Anthony, the retiring president of the Schenectady Chapter of the Anerican Federation of Musicians Local 17, whose efforts during the last six years have greatly contributed to the current health of the local jazz scene.

As a parting gift, Anthony was presented with portraits drawn by well-known local artist Tony Avocato.