SUNY Plattsburgh Music Department to Present a Winter Jazz Concert

The concert will feature a program of American Roots music, which will include selections by Duke Ellington, T-Bone Walker, James Cotton and Johnny Copeland. Special guest Jeff Rendinaro will perform on vocals, guitar and blues harmonica with the SUNY Plattsburgh Mambo Combo and the Jazz Ensemble – both directed by Dr. Rick Davies.

Rendinaro’s repertoire spans almost every style of American Roots music, including blues,bluegrass, country, swing, jazz and rock.

Originally from Staten Island, N.Y., Rendinaro attended SUNY Plattsburgh in the 1970s, where he played with the “Screamin’ Border Boys,” a bluegrass band that toured the northeastern United States and Canada.  After college, he returned to New York, where he performed in bands all over the city.

“I pretty much learned everything I know from my parents’ record collection: Benny Goodman, Al Hirt, Frank Sinatra, Eddy Arnold, Wes Montgomery, Dave Brubeck, Hank Williams, Trini Lopez, Jimmy Smith. Wow!  Then I discovered the Rolling Stones, and life was never the same,” said Rendinaro.

In addition to playing guitar, Rendinaro is most known on the regional music scene for his melodic harmonica style and expressive vocals.  He has led “Zip City,” a “jump” band based out of Plattsburgh, since his family relocated here in the early ’90s.  He’s also worked on various studio projects.

The concert is free and open to the public.