Gabe Condon
GABE CONDON
SolidarityBand
Bio:
Gabe Condon, a thee-time Downbeat Magazine Award winner and 2015 Graduate of the Eastman School of Music, has assembled a band of world-class musicians from New York City. Combining both his rock and jazz sensitivities, Gabe has composed new, energetic music that both gets people on their feet, and satisfies the intellect of trained musicians. In addition to his own compositions and compositions of band-members, his arrangements offer a unique, jazz-infused twist to modern pop songs including Justin Timberlake's Can't Stop the Feelin'. Their name, the SolidaryBand is a reference to their mission to bring people together through music, and inspire positive change and hope in the world. They have recorded an EP, and have performed at notable music clubs in New York City including the Bitter End. The band members are Reuben Allen on keyboards and composition, Ethan Helm on saxophones, Jeff Krol on drums, and Karl Kohut on bass.
Gabe has performed nationally as a solo artist to high critical acclaim. Some highlights include:
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2017 Accompanist for Presidential Scholars Performance, Kennedy Center, Washington DC
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2017 Masterclasses for FeduJazz, Cabarete, Dominican Republic
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2016 Guest Artist for Owego Jazz Nights, Owego, NY
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2016 Performance with Jazz For All at St. Peter’s Church, New York, NY
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2015 Performance with Rochester Philharmonic Pops and guest, Megan Hilty
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2015 Winner of Downbeat Magazine Student Music Awards Best Large Ensemble Arrangement
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2015 CD (I Didn’t Know About You) release at the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival, Gibbs Street Stage
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2015 CD Review: I Didn’t Know About You in Rochester City Magazine
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2015 Performance with Dante Winslow Dynasty at Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival
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2014 Winner of the Wilson Center Guitar Competition, Jazz Category
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2014 Performance at the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival, Library Stage
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2013 Performance at the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival, Gibbs Street Stage
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2010 Winner of Downbeat Magazine Student Music Awards Outstanding Soloist
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2010 Silver Award Winner, Young Arts, performances in Miami and New York City
Currently, Gabe is a Lecturer of Jazz at Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York. He also directs music at All Saints Parish in Corning New York, and teaches and at Opus Ithaca and as a Broome-Tioga BOCES Artist Educator. He performs regularly with Ithaca College faculty including Mike Titlebaum, Nicholas Walker, and Greg Evans. He is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music with a BM in Jazz and Contemporary Media, Performance (’13) and a MM in Jazz and Contemporary Media, Writing (’15).
What You Do to Me (Gabe Condon)
Sweet Little Angel (B.B. King)
Hi-Res Photos:
Press:
Gabe Condon Article – Democrat and Chronicle by Sean Dobbin
“'He's a very soulful player,’ says Jeff Tyzik, Principal Pops Conductor for the RPO. ‘I could tell he was very serious about his music and he was a very seasoned player for such a young guy.’”
“‘Everyone was just blown away,’ says Joe Pizzo, owner of Smokin' Joe's. "All the people in the bar — and we've got some, you know, real bikers in here — they stop what they're doing and go 'Man, where'd you get this kid?'"
“His tremendous talent and humble attitude has helped [his band] Mint Jam establish some key contacts in the Rochester music scene.”
ALBUM REVIEW: "I Didn't Know About You" – Rochester City Magazine
"I Didn't Know About You” by Frank DeBlase
“Rochester jazz guitarist and phenomenational-supercala-wondercat (yes I made that up, but not until the record compelled me) Gabe Condon wastes no time with the fleet-fingered flurry and scat on the opening cut on his new CD, "I Didn't Know About You." Condon's tone is clean as he dominates a cast of heavy hitters assembled for this endeavor. And just as his six-string pimp hand is strong, his voice takes on a casual elegance and secondary gentleness akin to Chet Baker or Todd Londagin. There's a hint of romance throughout, I can't recommend enough for woo-pitching, and sealing the deal.”
Disc-overies: New Releases – Messenger Post Newspapers by L. David Wheeler
“And they play a powerful, guitar-driven, blues-tinged classic-rock sound — the 10 songs on their debut CD, “What You Need,” could easily fit between, say, Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin on the air. It’s a sound reminiscent of rock royalty but without reminding the listener (at least this one) of a specific band — which means, like most good songwriters, they’re building on their influences to create something uniquely theirs.”