This was a good year for a number of jazz performers and venues in the Capital Region.

The Empire Jazz Orchestra gave two sterling concerts at Schenectady County Community College, including a guest appearance by saxophonist David Fathead Newman. The First Reformed Church in Schenectady continued to spotlight local performers at its Sunday afternoon series of jazz vespers.

And the musicians unions from Albany and Schenectady again honored Jazz Appreciation Month in April, with two afternoons of music as well as performances in several area schools.

Pianist Lee Shaw’s trio returned from a week in Europe just in time to issue a CD/DVD of its 2007 concerts there. The event was held at the sparkling new Massry Performing Arts Center at The College of Saint Rose in Albany. Lee’s drummer, Jeff Siegel, issued a CD (“Live in Europe”) featuring his own quartet, which performed at the Kingston Jazz Festival.

Also issuing CDs this year were Adrian Cohen (“Delphic”) and The Bob Gluck Trio (“Sideways”).

New RPI venue

Speaking of new venues, RPI in Troy unveiled its Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center with performances by Cecil Taylor, Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and the Roy Haynes Quintet, a last-minute replacement for Ramsey Lewis.

Saxophonist Keith Pray led his 17-piece Big Soul Ensemble at the Albany Jazz Festival, and eclipsed most of the other performers at the event.

Toward the end of the year, it was announced that Jeff McDonald, owner of Schenectady’s Stockade Inn, had bought and planned to reopen the historic Van Dyck restaurant, where so many greats have performed. The promise of hearing jazz once again at this venerable club was welcome news indeed.

TOP 10 CONCERTS

Here are the top 10 jazz concerts of 2008, in chronological order, as selected by reviewers Tim Coakley, Michael Hochanadel and Dave Singer.

Marcus Roberts Trio and the Albany Symphony Orchestra — Jan. 19 at The Egg.

Monterey Jazz Festival All-Stars — Feb. 23 at Proctors Mainstage.

Brad Mehldau Trio — April 6 at Skidmore College.

Local musicians unions celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month — April 20 and 27.

Frank Wess Quintet with Terrell Stafford — June 29 at Kingston Jazz Festival

Esperanza Spalding — Aug. 2 at Music Haven.

Keith Pray’s Big Soul Ensemble — Sept. 6 at Albany Riverfront Jazz Festival.

Bill Charlap Trio — Sept. 12 at A Place for Jazz.

Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra — Oct. 11 at RPI’s EMPAC.

The Empire Jazz Orchestra — Oct. 21 at Schenectady County Community College.