THE RICH CLEMENTS BAND

The Rich Clements Band was born in 2014 after Rich moved from Cobleskill to Saratoga Springs and decided it was time to go in a new musical direction.  Rich, along with fellow musicians Ray Gargett and Mark McKay formed a trio and started playing gigs at The Saratoga Winery and other local venues.  Mark exited to pursue his blues and jazz drumming roots.  Rich reached out to Gary O to sit in for a gig, having seen Gary sitting in on djembe with a local band.  As musicians do, they started up a conversation which revealed that Gary was a drummer without a band.  A note was taped to Gary’s door with an invitation to play a gig the next weekend, and he has been with the band ever since.  The next change in lineup occurred when Rich met Eric Brodwin, an accomplished violinist, who wanted to give playing in a band a try.  For two years, Eric was a big part of the band’s signature sound, before stepping back to play duo gigs with a friend.  During this period, Jon Tario started sitting in on guitar, and the band members were so impressed they encouraged him to join full time.  Since then, Ray has stayed steady on bass, Rich has focused on vocals and rhythm guitar, Gary has added washboard, suitcase drum, cajon and vocals to his repertoire, and Jon has added vocals and mandolin.  

     The Rich Clements Band, and its various incarnations, have performed throughout the area from Schenectady to Bolton Landing for the past 7 years.  The boys have found a home in many of the local microbreweries and brewpubs including Druthers, Bolton Landing Brewing, Common Roots, Unified Beerworks, Frog Alley, Mean Max and more.  They have also played The Saratoga Winery, Saratoga City Tavern, Carson’s, Bailey’s, Harvey’s, Gaffney’s, Tap and Barrel and others.  It’s always been a treat to perform for Caffe Lena events on Phila Street and at Pitney Meadows Farm.

     The pandemic has brought live performing to a halt for the RCB for now, but they are already lining up gigs for the 2021 outdoor season.