TOWN OF MANLIUS – David Kaspar II knows how to improvise. In fact, his whole life is an improvisation.
The longtime Camillus resident juggles three part-time jobs and he earns a little extra pocket change by booking jazz bands on both sides of the city.
Kaspar considers himself the only independent jazz promoter in Central NY. Other active jazz promoters – such as Larry Luttinger at CNY Jazz Central and Frank Malfitano, founder of the Syracuse International Jazz Festival – have boards of directors, generous sponsors and access to both local and national talent.
But Kaspar is a one-man show. He recalls how he started out booking music for Manlius.
First he started a four-week series at the Green Gate Inn, in his hometown of Camillus.
Thursday nights at the Green Gate quickly blossomed into a real happening, both musically and socially. Kaspar named it “Jazz in The ‘Burbs.”
Before long, the four-week series was expanded to six weeks then 10. Now Jazz in The ‘Burbs stages 30-plus shows a year. Kaspar’s been at it for seven years.
The Green Gate performances are scheduled from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Admission is free, but there’s a $15 food/drink minimum; 315-320-4376; facebook.com/Green-Gate-Inn-203026396461823/
Jazz in Manlius
Jazz in The ‘Burbs is staged west of Syracuse, while two other Kaspar series – Jazz Al Fresco and Brew Pub Jazz – take place in Manlius, east of the city.
That one began when Heidi Menikheim of Seneca Street Brew Pub there called him two years ago.
“She asked if I’d be interested in starting a jazz series on their patio,” he remembered. “The program went well, we extended the outdoor series and were able to take it inside and start Brew Pub Jazz, now in our second season.”
Brew Pub Jazz runs on Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. at 315 E. Seneca St., in Manlius; 315-941-0457. Admission is free; senecastreetbrewpub.com/.
This year’s performers include the Carl Okada Trio on Oct. 20, the Latin Groove Connection Oct. 27, the Jill Minyé Quartet Nov. 3, the Mike Passarelli Jr. Quartet Nov. 10, the Count Blastula Trio Nov. 17, and the Dave Hanlon Trio Nov. 24.
Kaspar works a few days a week at Pepper Palace, a hot-sauce shop located at Destiny USA, he also functions as a doorman at Trexx nightclub downtown and as a bartender at the Empower Amphitheater.
He earns just a small percentage from each jazz booking, with 90 percent of the money going to the musicians.
“I don’t do it to make money,” Kaspar said. “That’s why I have so many day jobs, even though some of them are at night.”
Although he played some trombone when he was a kid, Dave never pursued performing. But he appreciates live music of all types, especially jazz.
“I love jazz because of the improvisation in live performances,” he said. “A guy blows a beautiful solo, thinks he’s done, and a band member gives him the head bob meaning, ‘keep it going.’ Or guys who rarely play together, but can find a cohesive groove, that’s why I love jazz and am proud to promote the Great American Artform.”
