As of last week, I have a performance residency on the UAlbany campus; I’ll be playing every Tuesday night for the rest of this semester, and I expect to resume when school starts back up in January. They’re calling me the “Songwriter-in-Residence”, which I think is cute.

The shows are all free and open to the community. I’ll be paired up with another performer every week; we’ll each do a set. As long as it’s possible, I’m gonna try tailoring my presentation to complement the other artist. If the second act is a band, I’ll do a full-band thing. If not, I’ll do solo piano. Other configurations are possible as well – whatever I can make work.

This whole “Fake Coffeehouse” thing is interesting… in the room that was once the UAlbany Rathskeller (it was McDuff’s when I was a student), a stage was installed during a round of renovations – with lighting and everything. The intention was to make the place a coffeehouse, but somehow it ended up being a Wendy’s instead. Tables and chairs were placed on the stage, and everyone forgot it was a stage. Now University Auxiliary Services has turned it back into a coffeehouse. For one night a week, at least. They’re providing free coffee at every show.

I’ve been given the privilege of curating the Fake Coffeehouse series – it’s up to me to book the other performers. I hope to do three things: bring local artists to campus so students can see how much great music is being made in the Capital District; help student musicians find an audience; and bring national touring acts to play in an intimate setting. I want to help cross-pollinate the school and city music communities… I believe that the students are the key to a thriving Albany music scene. So many of them are passionate about music; it’s just a matter of letting those people know there’s stuff right here in town that is worth their time.

The first Fake Coffeehouse show featured a set by the Ramblin Jug Stompers, an awesome Blotto side project. Could not have been a more fitting way to kick off the series. It was wild fun, and a homecoming of sorts for those guys – not only had they played the room in its earliest incarnation, but they met as students on the UAlbany campus 40 years and one month ago!

This Tuesday night, I’ll be paired up with a singer-guitarist named David Schulman. He’s a UAlbany student who does acoustic originals and some loopy electric stuff. Between now and November 30 (when the series closes for the semester with a performance by Brian Dewan!), we’ll have a ton of surprises and great, great music. And coffee.

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Filed Under: Live, Solo