Jeffrey Gaines (w/ Cait Devin & Keith Pray Quartet)

The incredible, ever-amazing singer songwriter Jeffrey Gaines performs live in Saratoga Springs on New Year’s Eve at Universal Preservation Hall.

Jeffrey Gaines has been heralded for his soul-searching lyrics and his powerful live performances. With only his voice and a guitar for accompaniment, Gaines has earned a reputation as a captivating performer, entertaining his audiences worldwide.

Throughout his three-decade recording career, Gaines has maintained an impressive standard for soul-searching, introspective lyrics and catchy, uplifting melodies. Since bursting on the scene with his self-titled 1992 debut album, the charismatic singer-songwriter-guitarist has built a beloved body of recordings that’s won him a large and deeply devoted international fan base. He has sold out theaters and clubs throughout North America and Europe, and has earned high respect from his peers, Gaines was featured as Special Guest on tours with Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Tracy Chapman, Stevie Nicks and Sheryl Crow, among many others.

Gaines has been pursuing musical transcendence for much of his life. Raised in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, by soul-music-loving parents, he began his musical life playing guitar in local cover combos, before his songwriting muse became too insistent to ignore. He soon landed his first record deal shortly after graduating from high school, and in 1992 released his widely acclaimed debut album Jeffrey Gaines. The eponymous disc won massive amounts of critical and audience acclaim, spawning the hit “Hero in Me.” Somewhat Slightly Dazed (1994) and Galore (1998) further expanded his audience. Interview magazine described Gaines’ work as “soul-searching” and “refreshingly free of jargon, sentiment or cliché.”

In 2001, Gaines’ release Always Be yielded a surprise hit in his deeply felt interpretation of Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes”; 2003’s Toward the Sun attracted even more critical accolades, with Mojo praising the “soul-folkie’s sexy growl” and The Boston Globe declaring that “Gaines’ soulful, wounded vocals make a case for his being one of pop’s finest singers.” Toward the Sun was followed by a pair of live albums, the 2004 CD/DV Jeffrey Gaines Live and 2012’s Live in Europe, which reflected the deep and abiding rapport that Gaines has with his fans. In 2018, Gaines released his eighth studio album, Alright. The album was recorded in Los Angeles with Chris Price, Val McCallum and Elvis Costello’s Imposters, Pete Thomas and Davey Faragher.

“The biggest pleasure I derive from this is playing live,” Gaines notes. “There’s nothing more satisfying for me than a good live gig. I’m in control, but the audience can take it to a place that’s higher than I can imagine. When I show up for a live gig, I don”t need much, there’s no rider. It’s just, turn it on, let the audience in, and we’ll do the rest. It’s the best job anyone could ever have.”

With more than a quarter-century of recording and performing under his belt, Jeffrey Gaines is enjoying life and music more than ever. “Nowadays, I know what the job is about so there’s nothing to stress about, he says. “I know that there’s people out there who want it, so I have the opportunity to extend their experience. I guess I could lay my albums all out and see that they tell a story, but personally I prefer to keep looking forward.”

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CAIT DEVIN
UTICA, NY
ALT-POP + GUITAR SHREDS

Singer songwriter, musician, model, interviewer for Guitar World and host of IG Live CommuniCait.

Though primarily alt pop, her roots are in contemporary, rock, and more, exposing her to a wide range of audiences & listeners. At the age of 16 Cait began booking in NYC and Nashville without management, and has gained exposure on KISS FM, iHeart Radio, Wish USA, News Channel 12, 95X Radio, and many more.

Due to suffering from a rare nerve condition, Cait’s story was shared nationally on media outlets. This lead to the start of her Youtube series “Shredding for Hope” with Bradley Hall Guitar to benefit There with Care. In total, the series has racked up almost one million views.

Some players Cait recruited include Jinxx of Black Veil Brides, Jen Majura of Evanescence, Joel Hoekstra of White Snake, and almost 100 high profile guitarists. Guitar.com featured Cait as “the guitar community’s most charitable new player.”

One of her most recent endeavors is selling out the Viper Room in Hollywood CA – her first west coast show.This will be her first appearance in Saratoga, timed as a launch of wider 2023 touring plans.

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KEITH PRAY QUARTET
Keith Pray is a versatile saxophonist and organist, who explores the boundaries of mainstream jazz, the blues, avant-garde and gritty funk as a performer, bandleader, composer and educator.

Keith has traveled from the west coast to Europe making music of many styles with hundreds of gifted musicians including some of the giants of the business. For eight years he resided in New York City performing with artists from multiple disciplines including, jazz, R&B, blues, Latin and big band. He has released six albums under his name, most recently Universal Blues on his label PrayNation Records .

Over his career Keith has taught saxophone at SUNY Oneonta, jazz history and arranging at Schenectady County Community College and currently directs the high school bands in the Schenectady City School District and the SUNY Albany Jazz Ensemble. Keith is an in demand jazz educator, having conducted many all-counties, masterclasses, clinics, directing the Proctors Summer Jazz Institute for 9 seasons and most recently co-founding All Ears Jazz, which develops jazz education workshops. Besides his own recordings, Keith has recorded for dozens of artists

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“Make no mistake about it Keith Pray is a voice with which to be reckoned with. He has it all and leaves it all here, a brilliant convergence of chops, insight, honesty of sound and superb writing skills. This confluence packs a solid, creative punch. A knock out.” (Jazz Times)

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Show Schedule:

Keith Pray – 7 pm
Cait Devin – 8:15 pm
Jeffrey Gaines – 9:15 pm