Category: Genres

Ameribeat Festival of Art’s 2016: Celebration of American Freedom & Freedom of Expression

Once a year families and friends gather at Sterling Stage Kampitheater, located in Sterling, New York to celebrate American freedom. This freedom was celebrated through music, art and dance. The three-day festival was held June 30 – July 3 and people of all ages joined for a beautiful weekend of love and laughter in a community where artistic expression is encouraged.

There were many arts and crafts available for children to take part in, which included painting, jewelry making, origami and much more, while everyone else enjoyed great music.

The festival featured The Heavy Pets, Sophistafunk, Rootshock, Freekbass, Flux Capacitor, and many more incredible artists such as The Primate Fiasco, who did their annual parade around the festival grounds allowing others to join in on the fun. The Ameribeat Orchestra, which includes Sterling family and alumni, one of which was Jack Brown, lead vocalist of Sophistafunk also took the stage, finishing off the set with a line that echoed through the forest, “Some come to chill, some come to rage, may the four winds blow you to Sterling Stage.”

On that note, make sure you make it to Last Daze of Summer, Labor Day weekend September 1-4, the last festival of the 2016 festival season at Sterling Stage featuring Max Creek two times, Ryan Montbleau, Formula 5 and many more to be announced.

Get your tickets here.

July 19, 2016
Trombone Shorty Holds Dance Off on Day 2 of Syracuse Jazz Fest

Day 2 of this years’ 34th Annual M&T Syracuse Jazz Festival held at Onondaga Community College Campus in Syracuse, was the night that over 5,000 plus fans were waiting for. With a large roster of highly awarded artists and performers sharing 1 stage throughout 2 days and nights turned out to be an incredible event. As New Orleans’ own Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews and the Orleans Avenue braced the lineup, other national and local bands brought their “A game” to get the crowds energized for the headlining act.

Returning to this years fest, the City of Syracuse Parks & Rec All-Stars kicked off the day with their fluid compositions, directed by the highly regarded Joe Carello. The all-stars swung through a 45 minute set, all taking turns at solos and giving the crowd a piece of their heart and souls.

Second Line Syracuse Brass Band was second in command of day 2 of the fest. Led by the Juilliard School of music master jazz trombonist Melissa Gardiner, the core group features one other trombone, two trumpets, a saxophone, sousaphone, and drums. The eight-piece ensemble performed a various array of original scores and a few covers.

Paulie Cerra and Andrew Lippman led Groove Legacy through a fantastic set of jazzy tunes, sprinkled with bluesy twists and soulful harmonies. Increasing with energy as the evening sun settled, the steadily growing audience was getting loose on their feet and enjoyed a new song recently recorded with Utica’s own Joe Bonamassa.

Originally scheduled was Larry Coryell and the Eleventh House. Tho, Larry is currently in post-surgery and was unable to perform, son and master jazz guitarist Julian Coryell led the group with determination to show Syracuse how to have a good time. Performing a variety of covers and originals, the group shined through the evening with many tasteful guitar licks and drum fills. Just as the group was ending, Executive Director Frank Malfitano rushed the stage accompanied with a beautiful plaque to present to the band, giving thanks for continuing to show up and perform considering the circumstances of Larry condition.

Malfitano briefly returned to the stage to give warm welcome to Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue. The band bounced onto the stage one by one as drummer Joey Peebles kicked up a funky groove. Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews dramatically appeared lastly with shades on, Trumpet in one hand and Trombone in the other. As the band got underway, they immediately cranked up the energy and didn’t let up until the their set was done. Aside from his skillful brass chops, Andrews danced his way across the entire stage, covering almost every inch replication the styles of James brown and Michael Jackson. At points, even gathering other members to march around in a huddle, while others shared solos and some spotlight. A memorable highlight of the nearly 2-hour performance was an intimate rendition of Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get it On,” along with accompanied with a crowd sing-a-long. Before closing out the weekend, Andrews eagerly invited Frank Malfitano up on stage to dance along to their mashup of “Mardi Gras Medly” and “When the Saints Go Marching In,” representing their hometown of New Orleans.

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July 18, 2016
In Focus: Grace Potter at Xerox Rochester International Jazz Fest

Day one of the Xerox International Jazz Fest and Grace Potter gave an energized performance. Grace rocked the blues as the headlining act in the beautiful venue of Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre.

The packed venue of seated fans were told by Grace in between songs, her performance will feed from their energy. She elaborated sharing that if people felt like like they wanted to stand, dance sway, tap their foot to feel comfortable with enjoying as they wished. The crowd loosened up as she continued through her set and took up her offer to get up close to the stage if they wanted to. Fans faces were lit up with smiles as they enjoyed her close interaction by reaching out to them from stage. The air filled with the excitement while she was on stage. A piece of that night stays with each person of the energy that was created by the performance, music and people.

Grace and each member of the band played the whole set with meaning and directed it to those there to see them. It was an incredible treat to have attended to see Grace in action whipping her hair as she moved to the music playing. Every song was given the attention, emotion, energy and soul as if it was the first time they played it, no mechanical movement or sound could be noticed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ty7J5tJRZIQ[

Setting on her piano had a large crystal on one side and an alien figurine on the other, a sign she is filled with wonder, depth, love and channeling energy. It was unforgettable night because of Grace Potter coming to Jazz Fest. The tone had been set for the remaining 9 days of the festival after that show. The Jazz Fest had the positive vibe of people coming to enjoy music to dance, smile and have a good time with one another each day. Check out these moments caught from the night brought to you by NYS Music.

July 18, 2016
Hearing Aide: Tasha Taylor “Honey For the Biscuit”

Tasha Taylor’s third album Honey for the Biscuit

Tasha Taylor is bearing her heart and her love of soul and blues in her third album Honey for the Biscuit. Daughter of American vocalist Johnnie Taylor, Tasha released her third album in February 2016. The 13-track disc infused with soul and blues, funk and pop, is the perfect vehicle for Tasha’s powerful yet measured vocals and instrumentation.

“It’s soulful blues and good storytelling, but it also has something you can shake your butt to here and there,” said Tasha.

Honey For The Biscuit features a star-studded line-up. Tasha is joined by Keb Mo on Track 03 “Family Tree,” Robert Randolph contributes to Track 06 “Little Miss Susie” and Tommy Castro lends his vocals for Track 13 “Same Old Thing.”

“I think being on tour and doing so much live music with these blues artists inspired me on Honey for the Biscuit to find my own blues,” she said. “Most of the songs I wrote on my guitar. I felt inspired by these guys. If I heard something I thought they’d be perfect for, I’d call them up and ask them if they had time.”

Track 10 “Leave That Dog Alone,” features a sultry and salty duet with Samantha Fish about kicking a man to the curb.

“Had a Sweet Talking Man. Had to let him go. He wouldn’t leave other women alone. He wouldn’t stop, messing round on me. I had to throw his stuff out on the street. Better leave, better leave, cause his back, his back, his back ain’t got no bone.”

The Blues Caravan, featuring Ruf recording artists Ina Forsman, Layla Zoe and Tasha Taylor, rolls into Rochester at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 19 at Abilene’s Bar in Rochester.

Nathan Watts, best known as Stevie Wonder’s bassist for 30 years, helped produce the album, pulling together a band for the studio recording including Tasha’s brother John Taylor on guitar. Tasha also collaborated with Richard Flemming and Grammy award-winning Buffalo native rock, country and blues artist Tom Hambridge on the songs “Weatherman,” “How Long” and “Leave that Dog Alone” during a traditional Nashville songwriting session.

A fireball of energy, actor/musician, Tasha is fresh off a European tour promoting her album and from starring in “The Heart of Soul…The Stax Musical,” about the record label with which her father recorded with Booker T. & the MG’s.

Tasha rolls into Rochester with the Blues Caravan at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 19 at Abilene’s Bar in Rochester along with fellow Ruf label artists Ina Forsman and Layla Zoe. Click here for information and advance tickets.

Key Tracks: Little Miss Susie, Leave That Dog Alone, Family Tree, That Man

July 18, 2016
Camp Springer is approaching its second year this July at Stable Gate Winery

Camp Springer Music Festival was founded by Tim Thornton, Casey McGuire, and Tim Pomer in 2015 and will come together again this July 29-31st at Castleton-on- Hudson, NY.

Camp Springer Festival Recap from 929Media on Vimeo.

Camp Springer is a multi-stage music, camping, and arts festival located in New York’s scenic Hudson Valley at Stable Gate Winery. The intimate festival experience is based on a musical tradition that refuses to be defined by a single genre and an environment focused on community, celebration, and sanctuary. From unforgettable live music to original artwork and late night vineyard silent disco under the stars, come experience that magic that is Camp Springer!

Headliners include Start Making Sense, Kat Wright and the Indomitable Soul Band, and The Reign of Kindo but the full lineup has arrived! Check it out below.

Camp Springer | 2016 Artist Lineup from Camp Springer on Vimeo.

If a variety of live music isn’t enough for you…

Springer offers visual projections by Lucin & A Case of Space, a silent disco brought to you by silent storm sound systems, morning yoga hosted by Bhakti Barn, guided meditation led by All Energy Healing, an eclectic art gallery, local food and craft vendors, and much more!

Visit campspringer.com for tickets and further information!

https://www.instagram.com/campspringer/

July 17, 2016
Doobie Brothers and Journey Chase Away Storms but Bring the Lightning to the Stage

As the Journey, Doobie Brothers, and Dave Mason tour made it’s way through New York state this past month, they made their final destination stop right here in Central New York at the newly constructed Lakeview Amphitheater.

This amazing structure, set on Onondaga Lake, features not only the most up to date, state of the art equipment, it offers concert goers a visual treat as well with an amazing picturesque backdrop. Although concert goers did not get to appreciate the spectacular sunset Lakeview offers on this particular night, the fiery stars were not absent as they shifted a little to the right burning up the stage with a heat and intensity. With a packed venue, both under the cover of the pavilion and out in the elements on the lawn, die hard fans were not deterred from attending by a few buckets of rain. After all, adverse weather for central New Yorkers, does not rain make.

As Dave Mason opened the evening, the concert goers of earlier years were up on their feet dancing and appreciative of this amazing songwriter/performers talents. Still rather early for those coming into the venue, it definitively was a treat for being prompt.

As the sets changed in what seemed to be record time, our hats are off to the stage crews as it was literally within minutes that Dave left the stage, that The Doobie Brothers took the stage. Starting off strong with “Jesus Is Just Alright”, this upbeat tempo set the tone for the rest of the set and an energy that proved that you can still rock and roll no matter what age you are. With a diverse mix of talent on the stage, each musician added their personal touch with vocals, personal comments, and of course some of the best instrumentals proving to all that they still have “it”. Entertaining the crowds with an extra long set and two encores, the fans were treated by some of the best music of the night making the Doobie Brothers a hard act to follow.

Again, within perhaps only enough time to fill your cup and make a pit stop, the stage was once again switched off and the scene set for the main event. Journey is one of those bands that is forever timeless. With a catalog of some of the most memorable songs, most covered songs, and most time poignant memories associated with them, it was a treat for this journalist to be present this evening as this was the first concert I ever saw back on October 9, 1981 at the Carrier Dome. Touring at the time for what is now celebrating it’s 35th anniversary, and first number one album, Escape was one of those albums and shows that one would never forget. That evening at the Dome, this teenage girl went through quite a bit to get to the nosebleed seats on the left side of the stage. Listening to the following set list, it seemed almost surreal to be in Syracuse once again watching and listening to almost an identical show.

Setlist from 1981 Show: Escape, Where Were You, Line of Fire, Don’t Stop Believin’, Stone in Love, Keep on Runnin’, Lights, Stay Awhile, Do You Recall, Lay It Down, Lovin’ You Is Easy, Walks Like a Lady, Guitar Solo, Dead or Alive, Drum Solo, Too Late, Who’s Crying Now, The Party’s Over (Hopelessly in Love), Wheel in the Sky, Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’, Any Way You Want It

There were a few changes though this time around for the better. I didn’t have to sneak out of the house and fear my parents grounding me, and this time I could see the stage and the performers. Present at both shows would be Neal Schon – founder & lead guitarist, Ross Valory – co-founder & bassist, Jonathan Cain – longtime member & keyboardist, Steve Smith – drummer; who is rejoining Journey for the first time since 1998, and newcomer Arnel Pineda – lead vocals; who was discovered via YouTube by Neal Schon. It’s difficult to compare the two shows as I really wasn’t close enough to notice, but to me it felt as though Arnel Pineda, who now is actually the longest running lead singer for the band, brought an energy that was lacking before. His spot on vocals, together with the most spectacular group behind him, made for one of the most high energy shows yet this year I’ve seen.

Ridden with solos from each musician, Neal proved why he is considered one of rock and roll’s all time greatest guitar players and Steve proved that his drum skills are off the chart. Drawn to keyboards, Jonathan’s beautiful playing as well as story he shared with his hit “Faithfully” moved me, while Ross laid down a bass line that often is overlooked but not under-appreciated by this crowd or this journalist. Contagious was Arnel’s energy levels as the band and crowd seemed to feed off of him. Humble too was he as he made an effort to shake hands, point and wave to fans, and make this show as interactive as could be. Yes, this was quiet an anniversary celebration for both the band, and this journalist.

All in all, it didn’t matter that storms blew over, as all the performers brought an air of electricity to the Lakeview stage. Faithful were the fans, as they welcomed these legends with Open Arms, and closed this evening out as another to go down in the pages as memorable. Dare we plan another anniversary show for 2051? I’m up for it!

Dave Mason Setlist: Only You Know and I Know, Rock and Roll Stew (Traffic song), The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys (Traffic song), We Just Disagree, Dear Mr. Fantasy, Feelin’ Alright (Traffic song), and All Along the Watchtower

The Doobie Brothers Setlist: Jesus Is Just Alright (The Art Reynolds Singers cover) Rockin’ Down the Highway, Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me a Little While) (Kim Weston cover, Another Park, Another Sunday, Sweet Maxine, Eyes of Silver, Spirit, Clear as the Driven Snow, Piano Solo, Takin’ It to the Streets, The Doctor, Black Water, Long Train Runnin’,China Grove, Encore: Without You, Listen to the Music
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Journey Setlist: Separate Ways, Be Good to Yourself, Only the Young, The Star-Spangled Banner (John Stafford Smith cover), Stone in Love, Any Way You Want It, Lights, Piano Solo, Open Arms, Who’s Crying Now, Escape, La Do Da, Drum Solo, Guitar Solo, Wheel in the Sky, Faithfully, Don’t Stop Believin’, Encore:Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’
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July 17, 2016
Visuals: Phish at Saratoga Performing Arts Center, July 2016

Phish took their “en Fuego” summer tour to the beautiful park-set and spring fed Saratoga Performing Arts Center over Fourth of July weekend 2016. And while the overall set list selections may have not been everyone’s “AC/DC Bag” (Are they ever?), the bands deep jams and surprises provided much “Joy” throughout the weekend for the majority of true Phish Phans.

Setlist(s) courtesy of phish.net

Friday, 07/01/2016
Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Springs, NY

Soundcheck: Alaska, Let’s Go, Running Scared, Unknown Mike Song
Set 1: Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan, The Birds > NICU, Cities, David Bowie, Free, Uncle Pen, Halfway to the Moon, Let’s Go[1], Waiting All Night > Bathtub Gin > Golgi Apparatus, The Squirming Coil
Set 2: Sand > Carini > Chalk Dust Torture[2] > Prince Caspian > Bug, Shine a Light, My Sweet One, Sleeping Monkey > Also Sprach Zarathustra > Fire
Encore: Character Zero
[1] Debut.
[2] Unfinished. With Trey on Marimba Lumina and Mike on keys.
Teases:
· My Sweet One and Say My Name quotes in Sleeping Monkey

Saturday, 07/02/2016
Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Springs, NY

Soundcheck: Funky Bitch, How Many People Are You, Miss You, Tide Turns
Set 1: Crowd Control, 555 > Seven Below > Back on the Train, Army of One, Divided Sky, Martian Monster[1] > Rift, Water in the Sky > 46 Days, Walls of the Cave
Set 2: No Men In No Man’s Land > Fuego > Light -> Golden Age > Taste, The Horse > Silent in the Morning > Julius, A Day in the Life
Encore: Bouncing Around the Room, Run Like an Antelope
[1] Trey on Marimba Lumina.
Teases:
· Sleeping Monkey quote in Back on the Train
· No Men In No Man’s Land quote in Light
· The Birds quote

Sunday, 07/03/2016
Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Springs, NY

Soundcheck: Winterqueen (x2), Guelah Papyrus
Set 1: The Wedge, Heavy Things, Tube, Sugar Shack, Lawn Boy, Sparkle > Sample in a Jar, It’s Ice > Guelah Papyrus, Ocelot > Scent of a Mule[1], Possum
Set 2: Soul Shakedown Party, The Moma Dance[2] > Twist > Joy > Breath and Burning, Axilla > Theme From the Bottom > Harry Hood > Show of Life
Encore: Rock and Roll
[1] Fish on Marimba Lumina.
[2] Unfinished.

July 15, 2016
String Cheese Incident and Twiddle Play to a Rainy Ommegang Crowd

Ommegang Brewery played host to jam heavyweights Twiddle and String Cheese Incident on Friday, July 8. Despite the rain, the crowd enjoyed fresh beers and the ideal setting for live music in Central New York.

Twiddle began their set with a 20 minute long “Gatsby the Great,” as fans packed the front of the stage. Ryan Dempsey was heavy on keys early in the jam and Mihali seemed to tease a Flecktones tune before seguing into “Jamflowman,” with “Layla” worked in towards the end. “Zazu’s Flight” followed, dedicated to Dylan, which moved into “Frankenfoote,” wrapping up a tight four song set of older Twiddle tunes.

As rainy as setbreak was, the crowd was treated to music referencing summertime and rain for the full 75 minute setbreak, making the extended break even more enjoyable, in addition to Ommegang’s beer selections.

SCI opened their set with “So Far From Home” > “Wheel Hoss,” raising the crowd out of the soaking rain that came through during setbreak and made brief appearances throughout their first set. The Michael Kang led “These Waves” is ideal island music with a jam that got extremely funky when Kyle Hollingsworth stepped up while Keith Moseley followed with “Until the Music’s Over,” both spacey and uplifting. Behind the band were impressive lights that matched up well with the band, a near perfect array and a highlight through the rain.

Of all the bands who cover the tune, String Cheese performs “This Must be the Place (Naïve Melody)” better than any other. The outro jam and crowd singing familiar lyrics were a huge highlight to the show. Seguing into “Hi Ho No Show,” a deep jam ensued after and led us into setbreak as a chill descended upon the crowd.

Set two was oddly mellower than set one, starting with “Climb” and beyond “Can’t Stop Now’, the set never seemed to reach the energy of set one. The newish “Falling Through the Cracks,” and jam ballad “Give me the Love” were relaxing and “Sirens” > “Miss Brown’s Teahouse” attempted to bring the energy back up, which peaked with “Land’s End” > “Colliding.” The encore of Pink Floyd’s “Fearless” > “How Mountain Girls Can Love” closed out the show with the same combo of mellowness and high energy that was found intertwined throughout the show, and wrapped up String Cheese’s first ever show in Cooperstown shortly before midnight.

July 15, 2016
Jane’s Addiction Partner with Dinosaur Jr at the Capitol Theatre

Alt-rock founding fathers Janes’ Addiction’s Sterling Spoon Tour is celebrating the twenty-fifth anniversaries of both the band’s sophomore studio LP Ritual de lo Habitual and Lollapalooza, the eclectic festival co-owned and directed by Jane’s frontman Perry Farrell. The tour will stop at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester on Sunday, July 17, with support from jangle-noise rockers Dinosaur Jr. The appearance will constitute the third consecutive night of NYC-metro area performances, following on the heels of tour stops at Coney Island and Asbury Park, NJ.

Playing in or near New York City is always a sort of homecoming for Perry Farrell, who left his hometown of Queens after high school to pursue dreams of surfing the California coast. The band’s only live album aside from their 1987 self-titled debut was recorded in NYC in 2013.

Jane’s and Dinosaur Jr both hail from the broad mid-80s world of independent, do-it-yourself music, but they represent opposite coasts and distinct stylistic leanings. Jane’s Addiction blazed a trail by combining heavy metal and post-punk sensibilities into an art-rock fusion music that retained its integrity even after being picked up by a major label. Dinosaur Jr made a name for themselves as the first notable indie band to infuse their songs with soaring guitar solos reminiscent of the seventies rock music that the punk movement had rebelled against. Thirty-plus years on from their formation, this pairing of bands offers audiences a chance to see two highly influential acts who are alike in having historically had difficulty staying together over the course of their respective careers but have recently been enjoying periods of stability and creative fruitfulness.

The string of eight shows that Dino Jr is set to play with Jane’s Addiction comes just weeks in advance of the August 8 release of their eleventh studio album Give a Glimpse of What Yer Not. See Dinosaur Jr playing “Tiny” from the forthcoming album on The Late Show with Jools Holland:

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwJN6Ac-dcE[/embedyt]

See live video of Jane’s Addiction’s jammed out masterpiece “Three Days” from Ritual performed last month in London:

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1G0ZzaBadZU[/embedyt]

The Capitol Theatre, famous as a venue for classic rock acts and performers who follow closely in their footsteps, is an apt place for Jane’s Addiction and Dinosaur Jr to prove that they too are part of the unified history of rock and roll.

July 15, 2016
Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy Pays Tribute to Keith Emerson

When it comes to rock and roll drummers, Carl Palmer joins the ranks of the most regarded drummers in the genre. Under the touring name of Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy, the drummer intended it to be a celebration of his 50th year as a professional musician. However, in early 2016 when tragedy struck his former bandmate Keith Emerson (who was set to join Palmer on a few shows), the show quickly turned around to a tribute to Emerson.

Palmer stopped by the Paramount Hudson Valley theater on June 16 with his performance, joined by Paul Bielatowicz on guitar and Simon Fitzpatrick on bass. Without Emerson’s legendary keyboard role in the mix of the sound, the group took a new form of power trio to interpret and present Emerson, Lake and Palmer’s music. Channeling the groundbreaking progressive rock format in this setting doesn’t seem like an easy task, but Palmer did it in a fresh way that was just as exciting as ELP’s recordings.

The two-set show started off with a punchy version of the Peter Gunn theme and continued with many of the iconic original and classical re-arrangements that make up the ELP library. Throughout the evening, Palmer took a moment between each song to break from the kit to share a story about the tune, particularly if there was a connection to Emerson. Most notably, he dedicated “Pictures of an Exhibition” to Emerson, which had been one of Emerson’s favorites.

Palmer’s band can properly be called a power trio — their sound was rich, robust, and complete to fill out the fresh take on ELP’s songs. In a way, it sounded like a really good garage band with a progressive rock influence.

Fitzpatrick alternated between bass and Chapman Stick, which coupled with Bielatowicz’s guitar recreated Emerson’s keyboard parts which defined many of ELP’s songs. Behind them (or rather, front and center on the stage), Palmer’s technical and powerful drum playing was just as, if not more, vivid than in his younger ELP years. Both Fitzpatrick and Bieltowicz had opportunities to show their chops with solos — an instrumental version of “Take a Pebble” by Fitzpatrick on Chapman Stick and Bielatowicz with a multi-part solo guitar solo right before the intermission.

Leading out of “Fanfare for the Common Man,” Palmer broke out an extended solo, fairly routine at the start. Building up the solo, he mixed in some electronic drums buried in the kit. After a few minutes navigating the kit, a grin grew on his face as he stood up to show off some Buddy Rich-style stick tricks that drew some quick applause.

Before calling it a night, Palmer introduced the encore by encouraging the audience to take their phones out and record and post a video of it in memory of Keith.

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July 14, 2016