SARANAC LAKE — On Aug. 5 at 7:30 p.m., Saranac Village at Will Rogers brings Backwoods Brass to a stage that once hosted vaudeville stars and other stage actors.

Formed in 2022, Backwoods Brass comprises five of the area’s finest brass players.

A retired band director from northern Illinois, John Harshey moved to Adirondacks last year to be closer to his daughter’s family in Ottawa.

Keith Kogut is a graduate of the Crane School of Music in Potsdam and the instrumental music teacher at Saranac Lake High School. In addition to leading his SLHS ensembles, he plays with the Adirondack Jazz Orchestra, the Northern Symphonic Winds and the Adirondack Wind Ensemble.

French horn player Samantha Marocco is pursuing a doctoral degree in Health Professions Education, is an associate professor of physical therapy and plays the French horn in her “spare time.” She performed with the Strawhatter’s Concert Band and also performs with the SUNY Plattsburgh Concert Band.

Joe Marocco dusted off his horn five years ago so he could play duets with his daughter. Since then, he has been a dedicated student of the trumpet. He plays orchestra for local theater productions, most recently “Damn Yankees,” and has also performed with the Adirondack Wind Ensemble.

Jon Dallas played trombone for Music Theatre North and The All-Star Big Band for many years before moving to Minnesota, where he played piano with IvoTrio and trombone with the Northern Lights Music Festival, Big Time Jazz Orchestra, The Temptations and The Harry James Orchestra, among others. He was once fortunate enough to play jazz duets backstage with Dizzy Gillespie.

Saranac Village at Will Rogers is located in Saranac Lake at 78 Will Rogers Drive. A $5 donation is suggested for admission. The building is accessible, and light refreshments will be provided. For more information, contact Adrien Vlach or Debbie Kanze at 518-891-7117.