On the First Spring Jazz Festival at State University of New York, Albany
by Dan Morgenstern
…Flutist Steig’s Satyrs, a group that blends jazz and rock in an interesting and provocative manner, was beset by electronic troubles and apparent unease in a concert situation.
Nevertheless, they got into a groove on an original, I Love the Lady, by pianist (and electric pianist) Warren Bernhardt and singer-guitarist-harmonica blower Adrian Guillery, and on a couple of tunes by the gifted songwriter Tim Hardin.
Steig got some unique effects from his amplified flute (with optional echo) and is a gifted jazz player. Bernhardt played surprisingly funky, authentic blues piano; Don Payne was steady on his well-modulated amplified bass; and drummer Don McDonald laid down a solid bottom for the group.
Their exploration of the common ground between jazz and rock-blues-folk territory is worthy of encouragement and has great potential, but some editing and tightening is needed at this stage, at least for successful concert presentation.
Attendance at the concerts, competing with other Spring Weekend events, ranged from moderate to near-capacity (700-plus) but was sufficiently encouraging to prompt plans for an annual jazz festival at SUNY.