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Biography

It all started in 2006 when Keith Pray decided to move his family out of NYC and back to the Albany, NY area. The idea was to start a rehearsal band rehearsing once in a while in a club so that he could work on his writing and arranging skills. At least that was the idea. Immediately upon his arrival in Albany, Keith put out phone calls to area musicians to see if anyone would be interested. Not only were they interested, but Tess the owner of the Lark Tavern in Albany was excited about the band performing once a month at her establishment. Within a month the band was put together, the monthly performances set up and the music began churning out.

Fast forward to the end of 2009 and the ensemble has been performing to a packed house almost every first Tuesday of the month since it’s inception in October 2006.

In the spirit of the Thad Jones Orchestra (now the Village Vanguard Orchestra) and the Mingus Big Band, the Big Soul Ensemble’s residence at the Lark Tavern has created it’s own “scene” every first Tuesday as it performs mostly original material by Pray and other local composers.

Now with the release of “Live at the Lark Tavern”, it is proof positive that the band fills a niche that has been missing from the Albany music scene for quite some time. The recording was funded by many of the bands regular listeners as part of a grass roots effort to help the band release a recording.

The BSE has also been fortunate to perform at the Albany Riverfront Jazz Festival, A Place for Jazz, the Hudson 400 Celebration and has done dances and concerts both public and private and continues to be available for bookings for any occasion.