Sam Luke

Sam Luke has been a perming artist in the Northeast since 2015. He has shared the stage with national touring artists/bands such as Mihali Savoulidis (Twiddle), Ryan Dempsey (Twiddle), Strange Machines, The Funky Dawgz Brass Band, Bob Wagner (Kat Wright & The Indomitable Soul Band), Hayley Jane, Craig Brodhead (Turkuaz), Luke Bemand (lespecial), and Rob Compa (Dopapod). His use of a looper creates a full-band sound in an intimate solo setting, and his blend of folk/rock/funk music offers a diverse and dynamic musical palate that caters to an array of listeners. You will hear both original music as well as covers from artists such as Tyler Childers, Billy Strings, The Wood Brothers, and many others. Most recently Sam has teamed up with Kevin Cottone and Brendan Klippel under the moniker “Play Date,” who focus on Folk/Americana music.

Kevin Cottone is a well-studied, well-traveled Americana musician who has played throughout the country for the last 15 years. He has taken up roots in his hometown area and become a staple in The Saratoga Strings Band, as well as having performed with other area bands such as The North And South Dakota's. He’s held ranks with some musicians as Cheech Marin, Danny Trejo, and Ronnie McCoury. He and Sam Luke have been gigging together for the last year and a half and formed the duo "Play Date."

Brendan Klippel grew up playing classical Viola. Brendan then studied at Berklee College of music where he learned from string players such as Dr. David Wallace, Darol Anger, Rob Thomas, and Simon Shaheen. During this time he played in shows with many great artists from around the world, including Terence Blanchard, Shahkar Bineshpajooh, Araki al-Bakheit, and Suzanne Vega. He later returned to the Capital Region where he picked up the violin, playing with local bands including The Saratoga Strings Band, and Brain Medicine. England since 2015. He has shared the stage with national touring artists/bands such as Mihali Savoulidis (Twiddle), Ryan Dempsey (Twiddle), Strange Machines, The Funky Dawgz Brass Band, Bob Wagner (Kat Wright & The Indomitable Soul Band), Hayley Jane, Craig Brodhead (Turkuaz), Luke Bemand (lespecial), and Rob Compa (Dopapod). His use of a looper creates a full-band sound in an intimate solo setting, and his blend of folk/rock/funk music offers a diverse and dynamic musical palate that caters to an array of listeners. You will hear both original music as well as covers from artists such as Tyler Childers, Billy Strings, The Wood Brothers, and many others. Most recently Sam has teamed up with Kevin Cottone and Brendan Klippel under the moniker “Play Date,” who focus on Folk/Americana music