Concert Review: Antonio Hart w/Keith Pray Quartet @ Schenectady High School 12/21/23

The setting of the performance was a light purplish blue transitioning to a reddish background
to the rear of a performance space located in Schenectady High School. The live acoustics
meant to accommodate dramas served well the sound of the band. There was no need for
amplification to balance the sound. If it weren’t for the lack of footlights, spotlights, the burning of
candles on small closely spaced tables, and an elegantly dressed audience being entertained
by a night on the town; One would think that they were in a 52nd street nightclub of the late 50s-
early 60s listening to the sounds of the hard bop that dominated the scene during that period.

A quartet led by local jazz great Keith Pray with special guest Antonio Hart blazed through a set
of originals and covers that delighted the audience.

Opening with Keith Pray’s recently released “Autumn Serenade” (Pray Nation) was a little out of
step with the season as Keith admitted. The twin altos of Keith Pray and Antonio Hart carried
the sound with Keith taking the first solo and Antonio taking the next, then playing in unison with
the rest of the band swinging. He more than made up for that with the next original “Juniper
Tree,” a swinging description of the evergreen tree starting with Dave Gleason’s fluid piano with
Keith going first on alto, Antonio next with Jason Emmond having his say on the bass.

An Antonio Hart composition “Down then Up”(JLP) followed. A swinging ballad that preceded a
reading of the standard “I’ve Been in Love” before.

Keith was taught and mentored by Antonio, their playing clearly shows it. There were several
times through the concert one would start a phrase that the other would continue and pass it
on like telepathy.

The space was brought back to the 21st century with Keith Pray’s “The Calling” (ARC) from his
“Confluence” album, a release with a more contemporary sound. The entire band had a chance
to stretch out and show their stuff. They sure have a lot of stuff.

The concert was opened by a trio of 3 Keith Pray’s high school students. These were
participants in a 2 day workshop held by Antonio Hart. Their final song was Mongo Santamaria’s
“Afro Blue” which they played with accompaniment by Jason Emmond, Dave Gleason and
Antonio Hart.

Thanks to the support of Arts and Enrichment Funding along with Capital District Jazz Ltd. for
making this performance possible.

Band
Antonio Hart -Alto saxophone
Keith Pray-Alto saxophone
Dave Gleason-piano
Jason Emmond-bass
Joe Barna- drums