About this event

When Black Friday Comes - it will be - The Steely Project - at Samuels Grand Manor

“The Steely Project" is more than a simple Steely Dan tribute band; they're a musical force, uniting top-tier jazz talent from across the United States. The creation of vocalist Joseph Mahfoud and tenor sax player Andy Weinzler, this 11 piece collaborative, more than a mere note for note emulation, harnesses the refined caliber of studio jazz musicians as the keystone to bring a uniquely exciting experience to every concert.  

Mahfoud began his professional music career running successful club bands in Buffalo, NY until he was called to work for the renowned Gap Mangione.  It is here where he crossed paths with tenor saxman Andy Weinzler, leading to a fruitful collaboration of many performances across varied genres.  When Weinzler decided it was time to do some Steely Dan they set out to assemble the most capable line up possible.  It was important that these players be active jazz musicians with formal training and capable of fluid improvisation.  Starting with a powerful horn section including the youthful alto/baritone sax player - John Aaron Troy, seasoned trumpeter from Oregon - Tim Clarke, and trombonist - Dan Reitz; they then set out to fill the rhythm section with LA Musicians Institute of Technology guitarist - Dave Hill, Buffalo great jazz pianist - Pat Georger, bassist - Tim Mroz, and the widely traveled drummer Ryan Cavan - who perfected his feel working the NYC jazz scene.  Soprano and alto vocalists Stephanie Bax and April Mazzone round out the 11 piece powerhouse capable of touching the entire Steely Dan catalogue.

The collective wealth of experience, performances, and training by The Steely Project members creates a resume that displays their lifelong dedication to their musical journey.  Some of the names include: The Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, North American Native Music Awards, Chicago Blues Fest, Natalie Cole, Johnny Mathis, Alan Parsons, John Patitucci, Ronnie Laws, Regina Carter, Dave Valentin, Alex Acuna, Kenwood Dennard, Humberto Ramirez, William Cepeda, Roy Hargrove, Sherman Robertson, Clay Aiken, Robben Ford, Danny Gatton, Gregg Karukas, Chuck Negron, Max Bennett, Englebert Humperdinck, Lance Diamond, John Stevens, Maynard Ferguson, Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, John LaBarbera, Lionel Hampton, Tony Levin, Pat LaBarbera, Bill Easley, Gerry Niewood, Dizzy Gillespie, Doc Severinsen, Tony Bennett, Frankie Scinta, 10,000 Maniacs, Maureen McGovern, Rita Moreno, Frankie Valli, Temptations, The Spinners, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, West Side Story, Chorus Line, 42nd Street, Evita, Ted Reinhardt, The Baked Potato, Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards, World Indigenous People’s Awards, University of Oregon School of Music, University at Buffalo, Eastman School of Music, Purchase Conservatory, Syracuse University, CyberChase For Real, Adam Sandler, Gap Mangione, Steve Gadd, and Aretha Franklin … to name just some of the list.