NYS Music 20​12

Author: Sophia Strange

  • Preview of The NY Banjo – A Five-String Summit

    Dan Smalls Presents brings a wonderful night of music to The State Theatre in Ithaca on November 2, 2012 with NY Banjo -A Five-String Summit featuring Bela Fleck, with Tony Trischka, Eric Weissberg (Dueling Banjos), Richie Stearns, Peter Wernick (Hot Rize), and Mac Benford (Backwoods Band).  Doors to this show open at 7:00 p.m. and music begins at 8:00 p.m.  Tickets are available online through the theater’s website and via the box office and range from $29.50 to $36.50.  Gold Circle tickets (preferred seating) available for $42.50.

    The NY Banjo – A Five-String Summit has a very rich tradition.  So rich, in fact, it reaches beyond its own ten year history and into the history of the banjo’s story.  Actually an instrument with African heritage, the banjo began to assume its place in the culture of americana music around the 1930s.  Pete Seeger was at the apex of that effort, and his time touring with Woodie Guthrie helped catapult him along with, and perhaps through, the burgeoning folk scene of the time.  Audiences began to embrace the banjo as a lead instrument, and as the lead instrument in many cases.  Largely because Seeger was not only an expert technician but also so adept at fusing politics and social issues with song, he and his banjo filled a much needed niche in the country given the political and social climate of the changing times.  New York City began to flourish with the sounds of flying fingers and a wave of young musicians emerged hungry to lend their thumb picks to the cause.  Among those musicians was Eric Weissberg, ultimate member of the NY Banjo Summit, who studied for a time at the nimble hands of Pete.

    Bluegrass groups began to take shape and New York City was a hotspot in the early 50s, at the cutting edge of the wave.  Through the rise of Mike Seeger and The New Lost City Ramblers, The New York Ramblers and The Down State Rebels and many others, banjo players were evolving and developing their own styles.  Naturally, they cooperated, work-shopped, and listened to each other, drawing out the best innovative ideas each had to offer and strengthening the overall community.  Mac Benford and his 5 string were upstate, and so entered Ithaca’s part of this tale with Benford’s The Highwoods Stringband.  Other notable bluegrass musicians included in his I-town contemporaries include Walt Koken, Howie Bursen, and Ken Perlman and as they are wont to do, these musicians all began to collectively establish a community supportive of their genre in the Southern Tier, a healthy extension of downstate’s scene.  Communities easily blossomed into networks and it is from that The NY Banjo Summit was planned in 2002.

    In the 1970s, Bela Fleck was living among the downstate limb of the body of New York bluegrass and is a part the next wave of appreciation for the banjo.  He studied under Tony Trischka and whittled his craft to precision.  He has unique techniques of interacting with his instrument and he is both traditional and progressive.

    That’s quite a history and quite a root stock running through New York!  This history was recognized in 2002 when the  Empire State Plaza Performing Arts Center in Albany, NY, assembled an all star group of banjo aficionados for the first New York Banjo concert.  This marks the 10 year reunion of that effort and a 10-city New York Banjo Summit tour arose in honor of the accomplishment.

    For additional information regarding this show, please reference the State Theater and Dan Smalls Presents websites.  Gold Circle Seats refer to the first 10 rows in the center section of the theater and also the first 2 rows of the balcony section.

  • Larry Bloch, founder of The Wetlands Preserve, passes away

    Larry Bloch, founder of The Wetlands Preserve, passes away

    The Wetlands Preserve original owner Larry Bloch, died Sunday. The Wetlands Preserve gained prominence as the center of the burgeoning jamband scene in the early 90’s, hosting bands such as Phish, The Spin Doctors, Blues Traveler, moe., Strangefolk and more early in their careers. It was located at 161 Hudson Street in the TriBeCa neighborhood of NYC. The Wetlands was also a model for environmental responsibility, prominently displaying and circulating hundreds of petitions (club patrons accounted for over 30,000 signatures a year) and lobbied corporate and government leaders for action.

    larry blochLarry explained his concept of The Wetlands Model in 2001: “We have proven that a for-profit enterprise can efficiently and dynamically create positive change in the world by including in its mission a purpose for being, beyond profit, and adequately funding that good work as an overhead expense. Combining music and fun with activism worked well at Wetlands, and can work wherever people who share a vision come together. With so many magical seeds sown, I am optimistic about what may grow.”

    From moe.org : “…we lost a mentor to many. Larry Bloch was a great man who brought a great vision to life. Those who frequented the Wetlands in New York City got a chance to see someone build a scene like no other and understood the significance; they got to witness and be part of the vision. Nobody has been able to duplicate what Larry did. In a way, moe. lost their Bill Graham today.”

    From John Popper’s Facebook page : “So sorry to hear about Larry Bloch, founder of Wetlands… He fought his cancer really hard&lived 8months longer than predicted in pretty good health&went peacefully by all accounts… We all love him&wish him well on the next phase of his journey…”

    For more information on the Wetlands check out their website:
    http://www.wetlands-preserve.org/

    updated Oct 31st:
    from the moe facebook: In memory of Larry Bloch and all the amazing memories we made at the Wetlands, we are giving away the MP3 download of the 9/23/95 show, now through Monday 11/5 at noon. Be seeing you, Larry!

    http://www.livedownloads.com/live-music/0,5796/moe-mp3-flac-download-9-23-1995-Wetlands-Preserve–New-York-NY.html

  • Rawson and The Rick Short Band, Live at The Kirkland Art Center in Clinton, November 3rd

    Attention music fans!  This is not a test of the Emergency Broadcast System.  This is the real deal coming at you.  Saturday, November 3rd at 8:00 p.m., a rolling wave of powerhouse party rock is scheduled to hit the Kirkland Art Center Roadhouse with Rawson and The Rick Short Band.  You do not want to be left out of this one!

    The story goes, a wild eyed Rick Short, blissed out on his first UMAF experience several years ago, walked in on a Rawson set at The Electric Company.  Rick took in part of a number and looked around him noting the lack of other bodies for him to excitedly exclaim to.  He was overcome.  He ran outside and literally grabbed hold of the first person he saw. I’ll closely paraphrase: “You gotta get in there!  This band!  It’s like Prince on Acid!”

    If you know Rick, you know you can picture this actually happening.  Cue your dream sequence moment.  As luck would have it, the hapless victim of this guerrilla promotion was none other than Bernie Freytag of the KAC (among other projects and community contributions).  Bernie was intrigued and followed Rick inside.  The rest, as they say, was history.

    It was love at first listen for Rick and he and the clan from Rawson became fast friends; a friendship that has stood the test of time over the last several years.  And over that period of time, as many of you CNY-ers know well, Rick has put together quite a band himself!  The Rick Short Band debuted UMAF weekend at The Tramontane Café two years ago and then again this year at The Boilermaker Road Race with a change in the line up making things fresh again.  With thoughtfully crafted songs, catchy hooks and melodies, familiar tones, expert musicianship and varied and pertinent lyrical subject matter, The Rick Short Band has done nothing but gain fans and support since this summer.  Their run of UMAF shows this year impressed the fans and promoters and all the hard work is coming to an exciting and endearing fruition with this coming show.

    And so it goes that under a Utica Greens Festival sunny sky, Rick, Jimi Short from Rawson, and Bernie Freytag struck up a discussion.  Playfully remembering the connection between them all from years ago, a plan took shape.  Now the Mohawk Valley gets to reap the benefits of this mega-networking when The Rick Short Band and Rawson rock and roll the Kirkland Art Center.

    That’s the backstory, but what can you expect to hear November 3rd?  Both of these bands understand and appreciate the roots of soul, R&B and Rock and Roll and how much music can ignite the masses.

    Rawson is indeed a powerhouse of an ensemble and their goal is to make you shake your thang.  Their original selections fuse R&B and good old fashioned Rock and Roll creating what they like to call the “Rawson Roll.”  Everyone is as slick as slick gets and they look every bit the part of members in one of downstate’s most epic party bands.  Jimi Sharp is infamous for coaxing his lead guitar to scream, moan, and wail while Sean Rawson works the microphone like the great frontmen of years gone by.  You certainly will think of Prince and you’ll also have some liberal Rolling Stones moments, particularly from their later years.  Sean and Jimi play off of each other well on stage, each giving, taking, and pushing the other and the fans and lifting things to the pinnacle of the next level.  G steadily gives up what everyone at a Rawson show wants- that rhythm!  Shuffling, rolling, splashing and crashing, he holds down the foundation together with Edwin Alvarado thumping on the bass.  They drive that Rawson Roll straight home.  This band does not let their talent and showmanship isolate them from their fans, either.  They are extremely down to earth and genuinely want to make you smile and get to know you.  This is a big reason why Rawson has built a strong following of quality fans in the Utica area.  It’s a rare Rawson show that doesn’t end with a stage full of gyrating audience members.

    Rawson’s stage show is going to go so well next to The Rick Short Band’s nostalgic and high energy performance.  Joining Rick in the act of creation are Kassandra Freetage on vocals, Rick DeJohn on the bass, Eddie Reilly on drums, and Joe Rizzuto on lead guitar.  Kassandra’s vocals are smokey and confident and she illustrates her range, sometimes singing in the lead role and frequently supporting Rick’s vocal, weaving in and out reminiscent of both bluesy bands you know and love and the more psychedelic fare of yore.  Rick DeJohn understands the importance of an active and present low end and dances inside the song structures expertly.  His work stands out and I enjoy it immensely.  Eddie is a supportive, spirited rhythm master, intuitively understanding when to push out to the forefront of a song and when to hang back and add texture and depth; such a valuable quality in the percussion section.  Joe is an incredible lead guitarist and I expect he will blow your socks off.  He plays with and off of Rick’s strong rhythm structures and intriguing progressions.  Prepare to stand slack-jawed.

    The bands are psyched, too.  In Rick’s own words, “This showcase is a pairing of two bands that, first, are great friends. Second, that met at The Utica Music Fest. And, third, who are going to ROCK the KAC like it’s never been rocked before. THAT is a promise! The tremendous setting and professional sound system will allow the guests to truly enjoy the musicianship and artistry.”  It’s true that the KAC is a very bright spot on the CNY music venue landscape.  Rick continued, “Both bands feed off of each other’s energy and passion. Friends for years, [we] encourage each other, support each other, respect each other, and truly enjoy each other. The audience will feel this respect and will be drawn into the family.”  Rick summed up the experience he is expecting nicely for me.  “The combination of being featured with Rawson and performing for the discerning audience of the KAC Roadhouse is truly a highlight in The Rick Short Band’s calendar. We’re taking this VERY seriously and bringing our “A” game.”

    I also spoke with Sean about his thoughts.  “It’s our first time playing together outside of UMAF.” He continued that he and Jimi, “have [our] musical wheels spinning in preparation for this show. Don’t be surprised to see bubbles, heels and Hershey kisses during the Rawson set!  I’m just saying you are not gonna want to miss this show. We can’t wait to share the stage with our friends. We are honored and anxious for this fun filled night of music which is sure to be an incredible time for people of all ages.”

    How’s that sound to ya?  Nice, right??  I think these are two of the best party bands I’ve had the pleasure of dancing around to and I hope you will too.  Tickets for this event are $10.00 for KAC members and $12.00 for non-members, pre sale.  Tickets at the door will be $12.00/members and $15.00 nonmembers.  They can be purchased by calling 853-8871 in advance.

  • SOLARiS Announces Fall/Winter Tour Dates

    SOLARiS is announcing the first leg of their Fall/Winter tour dates. The dance parties start when the band returns to their old stomping grounds in  Binghamton to headline a Halloween bash with shake shake shake, The Quantum, & Happy Thieves in Paradise at The Beagle Pub.

    The band returns home to Ithaca to play a FREE show at Lot 10, and then its onto New Paltz for a pre-Thanksgiving rager at Snug Harbor. The tour rounds out with a big weekend of collaboration – SOLARiS heads to Albany for Eli Fest, a benefit concert with Timbre Coup and DigiMUN, at The Bayou Café, to be followed by a debut performance at The Haunt in Ithaca, opening for Dopapod and The Manhattan Project (contact SOLARiS to purchase pre-sale tickets).

    October 26 @ The Beagle Pub, Johnson City, NY. (w/ shake shake shake, The Quantum, & Happy Thieves in Paradise)

    November 2 @ Lot 10, Ithaca, NY. (Guest TBA)
November 21 @ Snug Harbor, New Paltz, NY. (w/ DJ Rodan)

    November 30 @ Bayou Café, Albany, NY. (Eli Fest w/ Timbre Coup & DigiMUN)

    
December 1 @ The Haunt, Ithaca, NY. (w/ Dopapod & The Manhattan Project)
More dates to be announced.

    Check out footage of SOLARiS at the Delancey in New York City

    [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSZdRBhpEqY]

    SOLARiS’ EP Beyond 3-D can be downloaded for free along with other SOLARiS music

    SOLARIS was formed in 2010 as a 3 piece all-instrumental band that hails from upstate New York. In the short time they’ve been together as a band, the members of SOLARiS have created a bevy of original compositions that range from electronica to dubstep, jazz fusion to funk, breakbeatss to drum’n’bass. Each of these compositions vary in speed, length, genre and style, but all of them are used as blank slates to showcase the Trio’s explosive improv, electronic  experimentation, and constantly evolving new sounds.

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  • Joe Driscoll at Blu

    Occasionally the planets align in a favorable manner and bring some truly incredible show moments to Utica, NY.  Saturday, October 13th was a prime example of this effect.  The band moe. was in town on a two day run at the Saranac Brewery and this town always comes out big for them.  The bars that line Varick Street were bursting with quality pre and post moe. shows to keep the party going.  Among the pre-moe. festivities was a set at Blu by CNY alum Joe Driscoll.  Blu was holding it down for fans by keeping this a free show and also having some pretty solid drink specials.  You cannot let the chilly temperatures keep you inside under conditions like that.  Wrapped up in our winter finest, a few friends and I gathered and made our way.

    Joe was joined for this performance by James ‘Hollywood’ Moore on the saxophone and both of their wonderful attitudes.  Each looked genuinely pleased to be doing exactly what they’d come to do, play some music for some people and get some hips swinging.  No time at all was wasted and the music started before the outside bar was even open.

    The performance spanned Driscoll’s career from “Origin Myth” to tracks of the new album he has penned with Sekou Kouyate (check the history on this, it’s quite an interesting collaboration and the songs I have heard are epic).  Only getting better with time, Driscoll is well seasoned by his constant touring schedule and time overseas and the accompaniment from Moore added a lot of audible interest.  I loved that he often sang along and looked just about as pleased as most of us did.  Joe took a few requests and did plenty of interacting with the audience lending a real hometown feel to this show.  It was something to be grateful for, indeed.

    By including a few special cover selections including a request for Ani DiFranco’s “Untouchable Face” and an unexpected interpretation of “Soul to Squeeze” by The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Driscoll again proved his diversity as a performer.  He is willing to please his crowd and seems to take earnest interest in flexing his beat box and string tickling prowess on songs of others that he himself enjoys listening to.  He slowly and deliberately layered textures of sound over each other with effect and looping equipment, building the sound to a crescendo effortlessly.  You feel a bit like you’re hanging out in a garage somewhere with a few of your most talented friends, one of whom can’t put down his guitar and the other weaving beautiful and stirring sounds from his horn.  The likeability factor was off the charts.

    Then, there are the rhythms coming out of these performers, with nary a drummer in sight! Assuming both your legs work, I submit it is impossible not to use them at a show like this.  I was bouncing all over the place and eventually an expert hulahoop-er took over the ‘pit’ area with an impressive display.  When Joe mixes his beatboxing with a staccato beat banged out on his tambourine, it’s bliss for your dancing feet.  It’s more than a one man band effect.  It is something fresh, new and utterly intriguing.

    In case you can’t tell by now, I had an absolute blast and will continue to eagerly seek out opportunities to experience Joe Driscoll at Blu, or elsewhere, live again.  And, probably, again … and again. I’m totally hooked. Here is a brief taste of a new track of the aforementioned album with Sekou Kouyate.  Purely for your enjoyment.

  • One World Concert at The Carrier Dome

    It’s hard to imagine a reason why thirty musicians from all corners of the world and all genres of music would be performing on a stage in Syracuse.  But if you can imagine the Dalai Lama being the combining force that brought them all to The Carrier Dome on Tuesday, October 9 for The One World Concert.

    Labeled as “a historic celebration of peace, music, and common ground,” was a fast paced variety show, exhibiting some of the world’s best musicians, in order to share the message of peace with the world.  As Whoopi Goldberg the emcee put it, we were all there for a “piece of the peace.”  And while that may have been true for a fair amount of the audience, the great majority was there for the star-studded line-up meant to perform after the Dalai Lama’s speech.

    Aside from a few technical issues, the speech given by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama was both inspiring and entertaining.  Who would have expected one of the great spiritual leaders of the word to have such a great sense of humor and be taken seriously while wearing a Syracuse University visor?  He spoke of peace, tolerance, and leaving the past centuries of war and conflict behind us for a new one filled with peace and happiness.

    When Dave Matthews came on stage, everyone was filled with happiness to spare.  The renowned artist graced the crowd with a three-song set, a rarity for the evening and a privilege only granted to four of the thirty acts at the concert.  Without a doubt, Matthews was the headliner.  After his performance of “Mercy,” the crowd was ready for the rest of the concert to get underway.

    Natasha Bedingfield sang “Unwritten,” Nelly Furtado “Spirit Indestructible,” and Cyndi Lauper and Angelique Kidjo did a duet of “True Colors,” as everyone seemed to be having a great time, really paying attention to and enjoying the music.  That is, until Roberta Flack came on.  The audience seemed more interested in trying to keep a wave going, than actually listening to her perform.  Needless to say, the artist was upset and ended up leaving the stage without so much as a goodbye.

    The world music artists were expectedly unknown to most of the audience members, with the exception of AR Rahman.  However, Rahman didn’t even sing the song that made him famous by him and The Pussycat Dolls for SlumDog Millionaire, so most people were truly hearing his music for the first time.  There were also artists from Afghanistan, Iran, and Israel.  In fact, this concert marked the first time in history an Israeli artist and Iranian artist shared the stage.  The Israeli pop singer, Liel Kolet, was one of the few artists who got a three song set, and she seemed to impress the crowd.

    By the end of the show, the stadium had emptied out significantly.  Being a college campus on a week night right before mid-terms, it was to be expected.  The closing act was Counting Crows, and they had a straight-up jam session lasting several songs that was great to watch and a fantastic way to end the show.

    Review by Morgan Craig

    Previously known for his traditional Hasidic beard and fedora, reggae star Matisyahu proved the old cliché “you are your hair” to be true when he stepped out on stage at the One World concert freshly shaven and quaffed. New album, New man, and a handsome new man at that. During his performance a few rows behind me, someone shouted “You’re Hot!”, a phrase I have never heard used to describe Matisyahu before. On stage he seemed right at home, as Matisyahu grew up in Westchester County, New York about four hours away from Syracuse, where he attended White Plains High School.

    When the lyrics to the hit “One Day” off his 2010 album Light echoed throughout the dome it was clear why he chose to perform the older song.  “Sometimes I lay under the moon. I thank god I’m breathing.” The perfect compliment to the messages about cherishing life from the Dalai Lama. The words: “We don’t wanna fight no more, there’ll be no more wars and our children will play” gave me chills. I looked around the bleachers to find that the rest of the audience was just as moved, bobbing and swaying to the relaxed vibe. Inspired voices in the crowd sang along to the chorus repeating the words “One Day” and in that moment the possibility of one day having world peace really hindered in the air.

    After reading the names David Sanbourn, Cyndi Lauper, and Angelique Kidjo on the set-list for the One World Concert at Syracuse University last Wednesday. I had never imagined the three would collaborate so melodically. Nor should I have been surprised by anything at that point in the concert considering Whoopie Goldberg had  introduced the Dalai Lama (who later gave up the stage to Dave Matthews). Like an iPod on shuffle you never knew what would play at the One World Concert.

    The child in me gawked at the stage as the great Cyndi Lauper emerged in an edgy black and white suit jacket and loud pattern leggings. “We’re gonna do a song.” From the floor audience someone yelled “Girls Just Want To Have Fun!” to which Lauper replied with a smirk, “Not that one. I do wish you a lot of fun though.” She proceeded to pick the strings of a steel pedal guitar. David Sanbourn added to the sound with an aged-to-perfection-saxophone and then Angelique Kidjo let out her stunning vocals and the three produced a rendition of “True Colors” that left every soul rejuvenated.

    A tranquil sense of peace and oneness fell over the dome until Angelique Kidjo to an energetic bound back to center stage for a solo performance of “Afrika” off her sophomore album Spirit Rising. There was not a single booty in the arena that wasn’t shaking to the bongos. I’d be surprised if the Dalai Lama himself wasn’t moving his peace-maker backstage. In a shimmering blue suit jacket, Kidjo single-handedly turned the previously calm One World Concert into one big peace-party. My peers and I, as college students, saw Kidjo as just another obscure world-music artist on the set-list whose performance we would use as a chance to run to the bathroom before acts like Matisyahu or Swizz Beats. However, the instant we heard her booming, divalicious voice we were hooked. Her energy was contagious. From 30-year old men to high schoolers everyone in the Dome had caught the afro-fusion fever. Angelique Kidjo was the perfect example of how music can bring people together.

  • Dropkick Murphys, Saranac Brewery, September 20th

    Another chance arose last week for me to scratch a band off my ‘Must see before I croak’ list.  It’s always an extra treat when that happens in our own backyard and most especially with this show.  I absolutely love Dropkick Murphys but have some trepidation about plunging myself into a seething pit of jack booted ‘punk rawk’ fans lit up on whiskey, particularly in a place where I’m not familiar with the exits.  I was long overdue for some live Dropkick and not optimistic about my prospects.

    Then, a few weeks ago, I caught wind of some promotion about the fall line-up of shows at the Saranac Stage at the Brewery on Varick Street and lo and behold, score Utica some Dropkick Murphys!  Tickets were nabbed, a posse was assembled, and down to V Street we trekked on a lovely, temperate autumnal evening. I was a bit confused and unimpressed by the opening acts and from all I overheard, I wasn’t the only one.  They didn’t really make sense or fit cohesively with Dropkick’s style, and my friends and I stopped off at the Nailcreek first to wet our whistles and time our entry for the main event.  So worth the wait! Utica came out strong for this and with a perfect attitude!  High energy and joyful, and the band both fueled it and was fueled by it.

    Opening with a few well known favorites, including dropping “Boys On The Docks” into the early part of the set and taking a crowd request for “You’re a Rebel”, the band whipped the fans into a frenzy.  I saw huge smiling faces around me and my friends and I very quickly decided this was the opportunity to finally be up front at a Dropkick show.  Honestly, we sort of flanked up the side but if your elbows are on a speaker, that counts as up front to me!  Perfect vantage point to soak up the excitement rolling off everyone and to watch the most pleasant bunch of crowd surfers I’ve ever seen. I’d be remiss not to give a genuine kudos to the security from Westcott Events who did a fantastic job between the stage and the crowd barricades, gently but firmly plucking elevated bodies from simulated flight and placing them safely on the ground, their exits from stage front met with a gauntlet of high fives and fist pumps from their fellow fans.

    Everyone sang enthusiastically along, especially with “Forever” and Al Barr frequently jumped off the stage to interact with the throng, cumulative voices ringing out into the microphone he held to their faces. About half way in, the band announced they were about to play us some new songs whether we liked it or not, and delivered two new selections that will easily become new favorites.  The material on this most recent album is on par with or exceeds their current body of work!  I was feeling really grateful…and also a little full of Saranac Octoberfest so I dashed off to a bathroom that wasn’t freestanding in a parking lot, missing the closing number.  My timing sometimes is epic.  But I still heard it, even inside the bar bathroom!  The strong strains of “Kiss Me I’m Shitfaced” punched through the cool night air and the band invited fans to jump up on stage and help the song along, making everyone’s night.

    We rounded our evening out with another taste of Jameson and a Utica Club on the deck at the Nailcreek and were treated to an impromptu, pop up performance of some kilted bagpipers from the street.  Really.  Random bagpipes appeared out of seemingly nowhere.  Only in Utica!  Stellar times all the way around.

  • Mazza, Allanson and Lockwood at the Green Onion Pub

    Taking it back again to Thursday night of the Utica Music and Arts Festival for my final review of fest time;  a rundown of a local Utica, NY instrumental jazz jam fusion trio, Mazza, Allanson, and Lockwood at The Green Onion Pub.

    I like to round out my UMAF evenings at The Onion.  It’s cozy, close to my abode and the libations and service are always top notch.  I also am of the opinion that a lot of the acts that bust through this bar end up sinking deep into the psyche here.  Cozy also means small, and groups that can pump their energy out of a small space and command attention do well.  I seem to keep missing this particular act around town (formerly, Side Effect) and that problem had to go.  That night, the trio had wrapped up a set at The Radisson and dashed over to load in uptown.  Randy Niles, the infamous Pat the Cough, and myself extracted ourselves from O’Donnels and settled into a booth in the back in the middle of a kicking number.  The place was packed and lively and the band had no problem asserting themselves through the din.

    Anything to do with jazz styling is all about musicianship.  The free form structure and drift can seem deceptively magic, but while intuition does play a large role, if every player isn’t tight, the whole thing crumbles.  If blues is for the soul and reggae for the body, jazz is brain music.  Watching these three musicians in question throw down, it’s apparent that everyone is right on point and serious about what’s happening.

    Otto Allanson rides the kit with flair and style.  Heavy on the finesse, sharp snare stings and colorful cymbal splashes, he engages synapse connections, sometimes shuffling along as a steady spine for the meanderings of the tonal components beside him.  I like not knowing quite what to expect or where a percussive expert will set the down beat and accents, it keeps me on my toes while listening.  I also enjoy occasional departures from rock drumming’s bass pedal addiction and straight rhythms.  Allanson delivers.

    Gabe Lockwood’s bass is nice and present, well rounded and colorful.  When the group takes a turn into more proggy numbers, it’s the bass that drives them there, mixing elements of slap, injections of funk, and confident, heavy runs.  The syncopation is electric, rhythms and counter rhythms advancing and then stepping back to showcase the other elements of the music.  You can feel the rumble and pop deep in your core and I think you could get used to it.  He seems equally confident lending more subtle depth in the slower more laid back songs, illustrating complexity.

    Gary Mazza’s guitar style is very jazzy and he tickles melodies tactfully over the waves undulating from the bottom end.  Either hard or soft, the high end soars, showcases and compliments.  Clearly secure in his theory, Mazza exemplifies an intelligent nurture of obvious natural gifts.  Inside the structure of the songs, these musicians are weaving their individual expressions precisely without knocking the mix out of balance.  In this case, all the while crammed into a space about the size of a hall closet.  Right on!

    Fans of groups like Dopapod and Aqueous are sure to note some similarities between these bands and MA&L., but I think what sets them apart is a more solid commitment to the style of traditional jazz.  One could equally compare them to MMW in many ways as well.  I suggest it’s time for some larger venues and stages to work from, including the festival circuit!

    Already established on the scene here, I hope and expect to see the following of this trio continue to grow and expand as more people encounter them and catch the itch to have some again.  Walking away from a Mazza, Allanson and Lockwood performance, it is difficult not to feel impressed.  I’m looking very forward to the next time and hope you will also.

    Get out there and take in some music.  It’s everywhere in the Central New York!

  • Review: The Moho Collective at Utica Music and Arts Festival

    One thing I do not miss is an outdoor Moho Collective set.  I think it’s safe to say that nearly everyone I ran into all weekend knew this was one of my must see bands. I do a great deal of prattling on about Moho’s charms,  and I intended to see both their Greens Fest set as well as later in the evening at Piers & Blake.  Indoors, they are a delight, but something extra special happens when this band has a chance to do its thing in the sunshine and fresh air, and their first set this year was on the Utica Greens Festival Stage right on Varick Street on Saturday afternoon.

    I pried myself from the merch booth and ran up front to get a little much needed Rochester-style boogie on. The Moho Collective plays an innovative mix of instrumental jazz fusion with a strong world music representation.  There is a heavy taste of blues and even nods toward the grunge movement in their approach as they  truly use tones and styles as tools rather than definitive compartments.  Fans of funk and avant-garde,indie rock can also find many things to appreciate about the Moho and I really do encourage everyone who wasn’t drawn by the sound this weekend to go to the band’s website and check them out, pronto.

    From the opening strains of the first song, this band did indeed draw people.  My time in Rochester taught me well to run right up front and start grooving, however ridiculous I might look.  Some of the first souls to join me were the kids.  The tiny tot crowd, no older than 7, dug the hell out of this group, responding naturally to the evocative tonal arrangements and eternal rhythms and the sight of their innocent enjoyment heightened my experience for sure.   Some music sets the spirit free and Moho serves up a steady dose of just that sort.  May the youngest ones continue to remind us of this.  In no time at all, most of the people milling about the street had pushed up toward the stage to listen closer.

    Kurt G. Johnson wielded things with strings commandingly as usual, moving from his telecaster to a lap steel, tweaking knobs and adjusting tones all the while, including a small bit of sampling.  A slight feedback problem and a little unanticipated bleed over from the inside stage nearby proved challenging for the band’s on stage sound, but it’s safe to say the audience wasn’t phased.  Ryan Barclay is an  intuitive and intelligent percussionist.  The term ‘drummer’ just does not fit the bill here.  Shaking and rattling a wide array of noise making devices, Barclay layers brick by brick into the wall of sound.  Particularly worth noting, he taps out a great groove on a tambourine in Chikyu Hakken against the eastern tones of Johnson’s finger picking on the steel that adds a heady counterpoint and gets stuck, itself, in your head.  He frequently fuses percussion with tonality by employing gongs, what looks like brass meditation bowls, and chimes in choice moments of several numbers in addition to his work on his kit.  They are professionally trained, accomplished musicians and it plainly shows.  Justin Rister works both an upright and a Fender P Bass, switching as the situation calls for.  Also trained in percussion, Rister rounds out the trio’s sound both high and low and is constantly adding rhythm and color to each song.

    I’m intrigued and impressed by how often the band is able to weave spiritual sounds into their songs and notice that often the bass’ rumble is dancing close to or on top of chakra tones.  Like a puzzle, each member of this sonic team drops firmly into place and expresses to create the whole that is the collective. So, we smiled into the sunshine on a lovely Saturday afternoon, close friends and neighbors nearby, and we simply were joyful.  It was a beautiful thing.  A sign sat on the check in desk all weekend that sums up the experience of a Moho Collective show.  “The groove is here to lift you up.” Right on, right on.

  • Brothers Past and Timbre Coup at Valentines this Friday

    Philly-based Brothers Past returns to Albany this Friday night, September 28th with Timbre Coup. This four piece jamtronica band has been described by The New York Press as “the square-jawed, bastard child of Pink Floyd with a gigantic stage show.”  Summing up their music with a few catchy adjectives won’t do them justice though… their songs vary in style and crossover many genres.   You’ll just have to judge for yourself.

    Timbre Coup, Albany’s favorite prog-rock act, has had a very busy summer, holding an awesome stage presence at festivals such as Catskill Chill, moe.down, Cabinfest, Strangecreek, and Bellstock.  Pronounced “tam-ber koo” (see: music theory), this talented four piece experiments with crazy time signatures and tripped out experimental prog-rocky funky beats that get you off your ass and spinning around.

    Valentines (upstairs) is located at 17 New Scotland Ave in Albany and the show is 18+. Doors are at 8 pm with  Timbre Coup taking the stage at 9:30 pm and Brothers Past at 11pm.

    A word of advice – Do NOT be late for this show.  Tickets are sure to sell out (there are still a few left online!!) and are only $12 in advance!