Jay & The Americans have been getting people out of their seats since 1962, and the catalog has not worn thin; it has only gotten more familiar. The group’s founding members Sandy Deanne and Marty Sanders are still on the stage, joined by a lineup that brings real range to “Come a Little Bit Closer,” “Cara Mia,” and “This Magic Moment.” They play Paramount Hudson Valley in Peekskill on Sunday, September 27, at 3:00 p.m.
About the Show
Formed in 1959 in Belle Harbor, New York, Jay & The Americans built their early reputation working with legendary producers Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, and the chart history shows how well those lessons took. “She Cried” reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1962; “Come a Little Bit Closer” hit number three in 1964; “Cara Mia” landed at number four in 1965; and “This Magic Moment” climbed to number six in 1968. The group was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2002.
The current lineup carries both institutional memory and genuine range. Founding members Deanne and Sanders remain with the group; Deanne purchased the band name outright in 2006 and reunited former members to continue performing. Lead vocalist Jay Reincke holds the front-of-house role, joined by Darren Dowler, who previously fronted Paul Revere and the Raiders, and Lenie Colacino, who performed in the Broadway production of BEATLEMANIA. The band recently completed the Happy Together Tour and has a Flower Power Cruise on the horizon.
One footnote worth knowing: before Donald Fagen and Walter Becker formed Steely Dan, Jay & The Americans signed the duo to their publishing company and had both perform with the group in live and studio settings — a detail that puts the band’s musical company in perspective.
Venue & Logistics
Sunday’s show lands at Paramount Hudson Valley, a 1,024-capacity theater in Peekskill — an intimate room for a group that shared bills with the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and James Brown. The Hudson Valley venue is within reach of a wide stretch of the region, and a 3:00 p.m. matinee start makes for a comfortable afternoon. Wheelchair-accessible seating and VIP Bistro Lounge options are available. The box office is open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and from noon to showtime on show days; tickets are also available online around the clock.
Tickets
Tickets range from $54 to $74 depending on section, with VIP Bistro Lounge seating also available. Buy tickets