On a steamy Thursday night in Saratoga Springs, the only thing hotter than the weather was the lineup inside Putnam Place. The August 14th double-bill of Cool Cool Cool and Capital Zen turned the beloved Spa City venue into a full-blown funk sanctuary, complete with deep grooves, soul-powered vocals, and a carefree dance party that raged well past 11pm, making the night feel like a homecoming, a reunion, and a celebration rolled into one. For fans of feel-good music and floor-shaking rhythms, there was simply no better place to be.
Launching the evening with high-octane energy, Hudson Valley favorites Capital Zen wasted no time igniting the dance floor. Riding the momentum of their recently released studio album The Phoenix, the genre-defying ensemble delivered a powerful and eclectic set, blending hip-hop, blues-rock, jazz, and straight-up funk into a sound all their own. Opening with the upbeat “Party in Paradise,” the band took the audience on a deep dive through The Phoenix, performing 10 of the album’s 11 tracks with fiery precision. Standouts like “Crunchy Dirt,” “Lost Strangers,” and the title track showcased their instrumental chops and compositional creativity, while older tunes like “Lemon Pie” brought nostalgic cheers from longtime fans. From jam-heavy breakdowns to smooth lyrical flows, Capital Zen was as tight as they were energetic. By the time “Dust and Stone” closed their set, the crowd was sweaty, smiling, and fully warmed up for Cool Cool Cool. A thrilling start to a night that only got funkier from there.
If Capital Zen set the stage, Cool Cool Cool absolutely tore it down. Featuring five former members of the beloved funk powerhouse Turkuaz, Cool Cool Cool represents both a continuation and a reinvention of a legacy. With sexy female vocalists Shira Elias and Sammi Garett leading the charge, alongside a dynamic cast of seasoned multi-instrumentalists that include Craig Brodhead (guitar/synth), Greg Sanderson (tenor sax/EWI/flute), Chris Brouwers (trumpet/keyboards), Miles Livolsi (bass), and Deion Williams (drums), this band is already a well-oiled funk machine, even if they have yet to release a full album.
Opening their performance with a song called “Tied Up,” the danceable grooves were flowing from the very beginning as latecomers quickly filled in the floor. From there, it was a rollercoaster of funk, soul, and house-tinged rhythms, including the punchy “Sylvia Says,” and Cool Cool Cool’s infectious debut single “Never Noticed.” Meanwhile, the bands interpretation of Little Dragon’s “Hold On” and Steve Swatkins‘ “Gotta Give It Away (If You’re Gonna Keep It)” revealed their impeccable taste in covers.
The chemistry onstage was undeniable, no doubt forged through years of playing together from tiny clubs to festival main stages. This night felt like both a homecoming and a launchpad for what’s next. Sharing vocal duties, Shira and Sammi were completely in sync and appeared to be having an absolute blast, smiling at each other and at the crowd as they sang and danced to semi-choreographed moves. In the back of the stage, Greg Sanderson had his hands full all night, regularly switching between his trusty tenor saxophone, an electric wind instrument and a seldomly used flute. Running them all through a bevy of effects pedals, the sounds he was able to create was rather stunning.
Equally impressive in his own right was Chris Brouwers, who somehow managed to play trumpet with one hand, while also playing keyboards and synth with the other. Not to be outdone on the multi-tasking front, Craig Brodhead on the opposite side of the stage was also busy creating a world of textures through his guitar and synth rigs. Previously known for his huge, sprawling guitar solos with Turkuaz (and also with the Ryan Montbleau Band), here he was much more reserved and focused on pushing the funky rhythms forward with understated brilliance.
Midway through the set, the brand-new track “HOOKD” made its Saratoga debut and was instantly met with raucous applause, suggesting big things to come from the band’s upcoming full-length album. The disco-tinged “Made Ya Look” turned Putnam Place into a glittering dance floor, and with bassist Miles Livolsi and drummer Deion Williams each getting solo spotlights on “Try” and “The Chain,” the entire band had a moment to shine.
The show closed with the explosive “Street Milk,” but fans weren’t ready to call it a night just yet. Returning to the stage for a heartfelt encore, Cool Cool Cool closed with “Thank You,” a fitting and emotional send-off that summed up the night’s theme of connection, gratitude, and community. Before playing it, Shira and Sammi shared their love for Saratoga Springs and affectionately recalled the venue’s former name, the Putnum Den, in a moment that earned knowing nods and cheers from longtime locals. It was clear that, despite the name change, the spirit of Saratoga funk remains strong.
There was something beautifully full-circle about Cool Cool Cool’s return to Putnam Place on this hot summer night. Many in the crowd remembered the Turkuaz days, and while that chapter has closed, this new evolution feels even more refined, focused, and deeply connected. A band reborn, rooted in funk tradition but reaching for something new. Cool Cool Cool is not just a band to watch, they’re a band to move to, sing with, and celebrate. Their live show is a testament to collaboration, creativity, and the power of groove. If Thursday’s performance was any indicator, the group is on the cusp of a serious breakout and their debut full-length album can’t come soon enough.
Cool Cool Cool | August 14, 2025 | Putnum Place | Saratoga Springs, NY
Setlist: Tied Up, Sylvia Says, Gotta Give It Away (If You’re Gonna Keep It), Never Noticed, Hold On, Dynamite, HOOKD, Just Love, Made Ya Look, Try, The Chain, Street Milk
Encore: Thank You
Capital Zen | August 14, 2025 | Putnum Place | Saratoga Springs, NY
Setlist: Party in Paradise, Crunchy Dirt, Elevator, Summertime, Lost Strangers, The Phoenix, Unsaid, Touch Your body, Lemon Pie, Broken Pieces, Dust and Stone.
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