Recap: Funk & Jam Night @ Alive at Five, 7/16/2026

Alive at Five Brings New Orleans Funk and Psychedelic Jams to Washington Park

By Charla Earney.

Albany was spoiled last week. Three straight days of perfect summer weather settled over Washington Park, bringing just enough breeze to tame the July heat without stealing the sunshine. The air quality be damned, I was excited to see a full crowd. It was the kind of evening made for an ice-cold beer, lawn chairs, and live music. Alive at Five delivered all three.

Before a single note was played, the event itself reminded me why this concert series has become one of Albany’s summer traditions. Local vendors lined the park with everything from festival food to cold drinks, and every beer sold helped support the community through volunteer organizations. The spirit of giving seemed to echo throughout the evening.

Former mayor Kathy Sheehan stopped by to welcome the crowd, speaking about the importance of music and community. There was nothing ceremonial about her appearance. Wearing a baseball cap and running pants, she looked like someone who simply wanted to spend a Wednesday evening with her city. That authenticity wasn’t lost on me.

The Albany Police Department and Albany County Sheriff’s Office also maintained a visible presence throughout the park. Their DWI awareness booth was busy all evening, but what struck me most wasn’t the display; it was the officers themselves. Everyone I encountered smiled, shook my hand, looked me directly in the eye, and spoke with genuine warmth. As someone attending events alone, their presence made me feel safe while surrounded by thousands of strangers. Music has a way of softening even the busiest professionals. I even caught Officer Teddy, one of Albany’s mounted patrol horses, swaying ever so slightly to the rhythm. With his dark coat, gentle brown eyes, and polished leather tack, he may have been the most handsome attendee of the evening.

Then the music began.

NoLaNauts Bring the Big Easy to Albany

The NoLaNauts walked onstage looking every bit as colorful as they sounded. Even before the first song, their bright clothing hinted that this wasn’t going to be an ordinary set.

Founded by guitarist and vocalist Tom O’Connor, the Albany-based collective has built its reputation by recreating the spirit, not just the sound of New Orleans. If the Capital Region and the Crescent City ever had a musical child, the NoLaNauts would be the firstborn.

Although typically a ten-piece ensemble, the band performed without one of its regular members. The remaining musicians filled every inch of the stage with an infectious blend of New Orleans funk, R&B, soul, and brass-driven grooves.

Sharing frontman duties with O’Connor, guitarist Ben Moss brought a second voice to the performance that kept the set feeling fresh. The two traded vocals effortlessly, while bassist Jason Sarubbi anchored every groove with equal parts confidence and attitude.

Behind them, drummer Joe Sorbero became the evening’s engine. Every beat seemed to push the music forward, keeping the energy high while allowing the guitars and horns room to soar. His playing never overpowered the band; it simply refused to let anyone stop dancing.

And dancing they were.

The true stars of the performance may have been the horn section. Trumpeter Brian Brancato and saxophonist Bill Ringwood unleashed wave after wave of New Orleans brass that transformed Washington Park into Bourbon Street. Ringwood’s psychedelic snake-print shirt and crisp white slacks perfectly matched his vibrant saxophone lines, while Brancato’s geometric orange-and-gray patterned shirt reflected the same colorful personality he poured into every note. Together, they didn’t just play melodies—they created a whirlwind that swept the audience straight to Louisiana.

One of the evening’s most memorable moments came when Jess Bowen stepped to the microphone for her interpretation of “It’s a Man’s World.” Her smoky, controlled vocals built steadily before delivering a breathtaking finish that earned one of the night’s loudest ovations. Dressed in a flowing blue skirt, white peasant blouse, dark blue bandana, and oversized sunglasses, she carried herself with effortless confidence. It was impossible not to watch her.

Throughout the set, I wandered around Washington Park checking the sound from different vantage points. Whether standing near the stage or further back on the lawn, the mix remained remarkably balanced. The bass never buried the vocals, every instrument found its place, and the clarity made it easy to appreciate the musicianship.

The NoLaNauts don’t simply perform songs. They celebrate an entire musical culture. Drawing inspiration from legends like Dr. John and the Meters while mixing in original songs such as “Neutral Ground,” “Early Warning,” and “Up Until the Morning,” they’ve become one of the Capital Region’s finest ambassadors of New Orleans music. Their reputation is well deserved.

Pigeons Playing Ping Pong Keep the Party Going

By the time Pigeons Playing Ping Pong took the stage, Washington Park was fully warmed up.

The Baltimore quartet, formed by college friends at the University of Maryland in 2009, has earned a devoted following not by chasing radio hits but by becoming one of the country’s most respected live acts. Their fans, known simply as The Flock, come for marathon performances, seamless transitions, and nonstop dancing.

My first observation?

Hair.

Every member seemed to have a head of hair perfectly suited for psychedelic funk, flowing in every direction as the grooves stretched further and further into improvisation.

Frontman Greg Ormont commanded the stage with infectious enthusiasm while guitarist Jeremy Schon delivered extended solos that often sent the songs into unexpected directions. Bassist Ben Carrey quietly held everything together underneath those explorations, while drummer Alex “Gator” Petropulos maintained a steady pulse that never let the momentum fade. Keyboardist John Brady, who recently joined the touring lineup, added another layer of color to the band’s already expansive sound.

I must admit something.

I’m not naturally a jam-band fan.

I like lyrics. I enjoy hearing the end of one song before another begins. Pigeons Playing Ping Pong doesn’t believe in those rules. Songs flowed into one another with barely a pause, often making it difficult to tell where one composition ended and the next began until the vocals returned.

For devoted jam fans, that’s paradise.

For listeners who love bands like Goose, Phish, or the Grateful Dead, this performance was exactly what they came for.

Their music carries flashes of the Red Hot Chili Peppers alongside psychedelic improvisation. It was all wrapped inside an unmistakably joyful energy that kept the crowd dancing from beginning to end. Whether playing material from their latest album, “Feed the Fire,” or reaching back through earlier releases, every extended jam felt less like a performance and more like an invitation to join the celebration.

A Night Built Around Community

Alive at Five reminded me that concerts aren’t only about the artists on stage.

They’re about volunteers pouring beer to support local organizations. They’re about city leaders taking time to be present. They’re about police officers making strangers feel welcome. They’re about families dancing barefoot on the grass, friends singing together, and musicians creating moments that linger long after the amplifiers are switched off.

For one beautiful summer evening, Washington Park became both New Orleans and Baltimore at the same time, and Albany and I couldn’t have asked for a better soundtrack.