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The Nite Train Band has been entertaining Capital District crowds since its’ inception in March of 2003. The band has come a long way.....
The Nite Train Band has been entertaining Capital District crowds since its’ inception in March of 2003. The band has come a long way since it’s first show, with the most radical upheaval occurring in 2006 when bassist/band-leader Ken Briggs and keyboard/sax-player Marcus Benoit set out about the task of turning the band into a Full-Fledged Horn Band! Promoters, agents, and many fellow musicians scoffed at the idea saying things like: “no one is doing the big horn band thing anymore…especially now!” and the band has been proving those critics wrong ever since! The recent addition of the talented “High Voltage Horns” and the band’s return to Stonewall Studios with this current line-up has truly energized the Nite Train Band into High Gear!!! Now poised to release it’s first all-original Compact Disc, “Best Man”, the Nite Train Band with the High Voltage Horns is setting it’s sights on playing larger venues and, in particular, the Festival Circuit. The band remembers its’ humble beginnings, however, and still keeps the NTB Locomotive “well oiled” by playing the local Capital District watering holes where it has gained its’ credibility and notoriety. Highlight Performances for Nite Train Band: · The Palace Theatre - Albany, NY (“Rock 2 Rebuild” – October 15th, 2005)· Altamont Fair “Headliners” for Fireworks Night! (August 19th, 2007!)· The Empire State Plaza – Main Stage – Albany, NY (“Colossal Contenders / Fleet Blues Fest” - 2002, 2003, 2004!!!)· The Egg, Empire State Plaza - Albany, NY ("TechaPalooza 2003")· The Great Escape (2006 Concert Series) – Lake George, NY· The Legendary “Van Dyck” (Union Street, Stockade district, Schenectady)· The Nevele Grande Hotel – Ellenville, NY (“Blues 2000 and 3” Blues Festival)· Revolution Hall – Troy, NY (Voted 2nd Place in “Colossal Contenders” – Round 1)· Skyline – N. Pearl Street, Albany, NY· The Big House/Skyline - N. Pearl Street, Albany, NY (Regular Rotation)· WRPI 91.5 fm– 2 interviews/Live performances (“Stormy Monday Blues” – Steve Daub)· Savannah’s – 1 South Pearl Street, Albany, NY· Captain JP Cruise Line (Double-Bill With “Commander Cody” – 8/13/2004)· House Band for “Open Mic” Sundays at Purple Cactus Café, Route 9-W, Coxsackie, NY (3/2005)· House Band for “Open Mic” Saturdays at Strike Zone, Main Street, Ravena, NY (3/2005)· The Artisan – Saratoga Springs, NY (8/2005; =Live= on Caroline Street during Racing Season!)· Capital SIP “House Band” 2005 – Washington Park Lake House, Albany, NY (9/2005) =========================== Press ===========================Rock2Rebuild “Quotable” from ZOX (headliners of the R2R event) - “I dug the Nite Train’s sound and smokin’ stage presence—these guys know how to fill a big room with sound and energy.” - Eli Miller, vocals and guitar, ZOX “Nite Train plays the blues with passion and grit, exactly the way the blues should be played. If you like your blues with a bite, then climb aboard the Nite Train. It’s always a wild ride”. - Michael Lisi, music critic, Albany Times Union [April 2006]The following is a review of the Main Stage appearances at Saturday, October 15, 2005 Rock2Rebuild ‘Concert for Katrina Relief’ at the Palace Theater in Albany. Albany --- Saturday’s crowd of approximately 1,000 paying customers for the Rock2Rebuild benefit certainly got their $12 worth, as they witnessed a seven - act potpourri of various musical genres that all had one thing in common --- they were all very, very good. "The show began with an appearance by Nite Train, who earned the warm up slot by having won the “Palace Challenge” --- motivating their fan base to purchase the most ticket sales on their behalf. Offering up a standard guitar / harp / Hammond organ blues fare, the Ken Briggs-led group sandwiched one original song between four covers. Most impressive was the keyboard and saxophone work of Marcus Benoit.” - By Ronni James (aka Madam R.) - Tech Valley Times [October, 2005 issue] Rock2Rebuild – Letter from George Kansas ("Rock2Rebuild" Organizer) -Ken, I had actually thought a lot about the dream you had mentioned …about playing the Palace and I can relate to that very much. You guys earned the spot by winning the challenge and by the feedback I got from audience members, you earned it again on stage! You sounded great! Thanks for putting your heart into it. I'm glad you enjoyed yourselves and I know our audience did too! Take care and I'm sure we'll see you around.- George Kansas, "Rock2Rebuild" , Director of Development, Palace Theatre, Albany NY |
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