New York Times jazz critic Nate Chinen recently spent an evening at the Falcon, an Ulster County venue he describes as an "unlikely jazz haven."
I began hearing about the Falcon four or five years ago, from musicians who had played there. It sounded like a model of small but sturdy local activity, in a community far (but not too far) from the feverish metabolism of the city. Yet Mr. Falco’s operation isn’t on the radar of the average New York jazz fan; why would it be, with so many options closer to home?
It may have been a bit off his beaten track, but Chinen had a great night at the Falcon, recently relocated to the site of a former button factory on Route 9W. Along the way, he made a few pit stops at other local attractions: chainsaw carver Bruce Bayard's workshop, Benmarl Winery, the Raccoon Saloon, Stoutridge Vineyard, Buttermilk Falls Inn and Hidden Cellar.
Here's a clip of the Falcon in action: John Riley, Rich Perry, Kevin Hays, and Doug Weiss performing at the venue last summer.
