NYS Music 20​16

Category: Utica

  • moe.down Returning in 2017

    After a two year hiatus, moe.down is a go for 2017.  Last year the band announced that, for the second consecutive year, moe.down would not take place but have never outright dismissed the fact that it would return. Today’s announcement puts the conjecture to rest. moe.down is returning to its original location, Snow Ridge in Turin, NY June 30 – July 2.

    The July date marks a departure from previous moe.downs, which traditionally took place over Labor Day weekend, a weekend, as any upstater knows, that can bring weather ranging from excessive heat to cold rain, sometimes over the course of one day. The July date should make for a more pleasant weekend experience for fans.

    Past moe.downs have seen the band perform six sets throughout the weekend as well as sets with side projects such as Al and the Transamericans, Ha Ha the Moose and Floodwood. The festival is known for attracting artists typically not seen at jamband festivals. Past performers have included Violent Femmes, They Might Be Giants, Cracker/Camper Van Beethoven and Meat Puppets.

    Early bird tickets, VIP and RV passes for moe.down 16 go on sale Friday, Dec. 16 at noon ET. Three-day general admission tickets are $130 in the early bird allotment. For more information, visit moe.’s website.

  • Saranac 2016 Concert Series ‘Going Out in Style’ with Dropkick Murphys

    Saranac Brewery in Utica closed out its 2016 summer concert series with a bang Wednesday night. Dropkick Murphys’ 20th anniversary tour rolled into Varick Street, leaving a mass of sweaty and delirious flat-capped and kilted fans in its wake.  The band last visited Utica in this very location on Sept. 20, 2012, and as Fred Matt mentioned when introducing the band, were the first to grace the Saranac stage in 2007.

    The Celtic punk band has made a steady climb into mass consciousness since its formation in Quincy, MA in 1996. In 2004 the band re-imagined the song, “Tessie,” a song that helped push the Boston Red Sox to the first ever World Series title in 1903. The Dropkick Murphys’ version of the song is now one of three that is played at Fenway Park following each Red Sox victory.

    dropkickmurphys-markmcgauley-8069The Murphys wear their love of hometown and the working man/woman proudly on their collective sleeves. This was made ever more present on this night when, prior to performing “Bastards on Parade” midway through the set, the band was presented with the first and only ever “You Give a Shit” Award by members of the local IBEW/CWA unit for their support of the union during the recent Verizon strike.

    The show began with a rousing sing-along of the traditional Irish ballad “The Foggy Dew” and quickly escalated from there. “Out of Our Heads,” with the chant of “Here we go!” revving up the crowd, set the pace for the next hour and a half.

    The Murphys faithful were given a bit of a scare early on during “Famous for Nothing,” when vocalist Al Barr took one step too many at the front of the stage and almost took a header into the pit. Fortunately, he recovered quickly and those not paying attention to the stage probably didn’t even notice the brief misstep.dropkickmurphys-markmcgauley-8124The band employs dual lead singers. Al Barr provides the gravelly yet melodic Oi! style vocals while band founder Ken Casey lends his slightly gentler voice to the trad-Irish and rousing pub rockers when taking leads.  In addition to the boisterous front men, the band also employs some top notch musicians in drummer Matt Kelly, guitarist James Lynch and multi-instrumentalists Tim Brennan and Jeff DaRosa. Brennan is imposing and animated. Whether he’s ripping chords on lead guitar or squeezing out notes on the accordion, his tall frame looms large onstage.

    It isn’t often a mosh pit forms at Saranac, but when Dropkick Murphys are in town, you can be sure one does. The pit formed early and was active throughout the night, especially when the band broke into the first song they ever recorded, “Barroom Hero.”dropkickmurphys-markmcgauley-7974Throughout the show, the band recognized the dedication of its fans. Casey invited one enthusiastic audience member to the stage to take his job for a song of his choice. The fan traveled from Raleigh, NC to see the band and Casey recognized him as one of their most die hard fans as he allowed him to take the lead on “Devil’s Brigade.” Following the performance, Casey said of the aspiring vocalist, “What he lacks in melody, he makes up for in enthusiasm.” A big hug between them sealed the arrangement and the fan headed back to the crowd.

    The Murphys’ affinity for boxing is not a secret. Their 2005 album The Warrior’s Code was dedicated to Lowell, MA light welterweight fighter “Irish” Mickey Ward. Ward is most famous for his three epic battles versus Arturo Gatti in the early 2000s, fights that are still discussed in boxing circles today.  Casey has even formed his own boxing promotion company, Murphys Boxing, promoting Danny O’Connor and Spike O’Sullivan.

    The International Boxing Hall of Fame is located in Canastota, a quick drive up I-90 from Utica.  Barr recognized the museum’s Executive Director Ed Brophy, who was one of the night’s attendees, as the band broke into the titular song from their Mickey Ward-inspired album to a roar from the crowd.

    The biggest surprise of the night was when the opening notes of the Cars’ “Just What I Needed” began. Some with puzzled faces looked around for recognition of the song, while others of older vintage immediately recognized the Boston new wavers’ song. This one wasn’t too well-received by those in attendance, at least not those who were the most vocal the majority of the night, but it was a nice surprise to hear it mixed into the setlist.

    The set ended with the high energy songs the band has made its trademark beginning with “Rose Tattoo,” a Murphys original that could easily be mistaken for a trad-Irish song. Originally released on the band’s 2013 Signed and Sealed in Blood album, the band re-recorded it with Bruce Springsteen for the For Boston Charity EP to benefit the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing of 2013.  A ripping version of “Going Out in Style,” a song that will be played at many a Murphys fans’ funeral in future years, followed.dropkickmurphys-markmcgauley-8206Starting with the most famous banjo notes to open a song, the unmistakable “The State of Massachusetts” whipped up the crowd and the mosh pit and merged into the traditional “The Irish Rover” to close the set.

    While encores are a given these days, the crowd still found it advantageous to encourage the band to return to the stage with the “Let’s go Murphys!” chant heard at each show. The band returned after a brief rest to Brennan’s accordion intro of the Woody Guthrie penned “I’m Shipping Up to Boston,” a song made famous for its inclusion in Martin Scorsese’s Irish mob movie The Departed and a song that has become synonymous with Boston itself.

    Continuing the fan-love, Casey invited all the ladies in the house to join the boys onstage for their last call classic, “Kiss Me, I’m Shitfaced.” Suddenly the Saranac stage was packed with fans bouncing and singing along to Casey’s ode to the beer goggles.

    Casey then chose one lucky female fan to sing the parts of the modern day Murphys’ version of the Pogues classic “Fairytale of New York.” While the guest vocalist required some assistance with the lyrics from Casey, the fan held her own surprisingly well, much to the delight of those in attendance.

    The night, and Saranac’s summer concert series, ended with a cover of the Sam Cooke soul classic “Having a Party” and a party it was, and there was no better way to finish off the summer. The crowd was left wanting more, exactly what Dropkick Murphys were striving for.

    Dropkick Murphys Setlist: Out of Our Heads, The Boys Are Back, Famous for Nothing, The Gang’s All Here, Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya, Sunshine Highway, Sunday Hardcore Matinee, Bastards on Parade, Worker’s Song, As One, Cruel, Barroom Hero, Devil’s Brigade, You Can’t Put Your Arms Around a Memory (Johnny Thunders cover), Memories Remain, The Warrior’s Code, The Gauntlet, Just What I Needed (the Cars cover), Rose Tattoo, Going Out in Style, The State of Massachusetts, The Irish Rover (traditional)
    Encore: I’m Shipping Up to Boston, Kiss Me, I’m Shitfaced, The Dirty Glass, Having a Party (Sam Cooke cover)

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  • Kinky Boots Kicks It Up at The Stanley Theatre in Utica

    “Be yourself because everyone else is taken!” is the recurring theme in this spectacular Tony award winning musical brought to the Stanley Theatre by the Broadway Theater League of Utica. Executive Director, Derek Clark, opened the show by announcing that they had the first ever “Pledge for a Purpose Gala” on opening night benefiting the LGBTQ youth and the Q Center of Utica. This community oriented event was a huge success at bringing support to a very worthy cause.

    Kinky Boots, is set in a Northampton shoe factory where young Brit Charlie Price (Adam Kaplan) inherits his fathers ailing business. His father believed that the most beautiful thing in the world was a shoe.

    kinky bootsHowever, Charlie’s father’s dream was not his dream. He had already moved to London with his girlfriend and had no intention of staying in the family business. With a loyalty to his father he returns, and a chance encounter with a drag queen named Lola (J. Harrison Ghee), this pair come up with a brilliant idea to cater to a niche market as a way to save the shoe factory he has inherited.

    Lola and her drag dancers (The Angels) wearing very exotic and glamorous costumes and insist that  these stilettos must bear the weight of a man. So, with the help of an enormously humorous dedicated cast of employees, they make boots for “women who are men.”  The only stipulation for Lola’s assistance in this endeavor, they must be RED “the color of sex and passion and danger”.  Born are the thigh-high “kinky boot”. Lola’s rendition of “Sex is in the Heel” was a soulful and sultry number that included The Angels, her “gaggle of fabulous drags.” By the end of this number, every member in the audience was ready to buy into a pair of Kinky Boots.

    Kinky BootsMemorable performances by Lauren (Tiffany Engen) and Don (Aaron Walpole), leave audience members in stitches throughout the show. Lauren’s crush on Charlie is portrayed in the hilarious “The History of Wrong Guys” and her school girl giddiness in his presence is beyond believable. Don is portrayed as a very macho man and is convinced he knows “What a Woman Wants.” It’s a great ride watching him change his tune by the end of the show.

    This Tony award winning musical based on Broadway’s own Harvey Fierstein’s book and with a score written by Cyndi Lauper is a beautiful story of acceptance, love, and tolerance. The musical definitely attempts to educate the audience on these virtues, and indeed it does! When Lola sings the moving “Hold Me in Your Heart” to her estranged father, the entire theatre broke into applause for a length of time before the show could continue.

    The final song “Raise You Up/Just Be” had everyone on their feet singing and dancing as the entire cast belted out the lyrics JUST BE WHO YOU WANT TO BE. A long and enthusiastic standing ovation followed.

    Kinky Boots proves to be a memorable night at the theatre. It is a breathtaking event from the sets, to the elaborate costumes, upbeat songs, amazing dance routines that include cartwheels and splits, and a good blend of humor and reflection. It sends a valuable message to challenge each of us to accept others for who they are. As it makes it’s way across North America, it is definitely a must see performance.

    TOUR DATES:

    Pittsburgh, PA – Sep. 20 – Sep. 25, 2016
    Tokyo, Japan – Oct. 5 – Oct. 30, 2016
    Osaka, Japan – Nov. 2 – Nov. 6, 2016
    Worcester, MA – Nov. 29 – Dec. 4, 2016
    Waterbury, CT – Dec. 6 – Dec. 11, 2016
    Wilmington, DE – Dec. 13 – Dec. 18, 2016
    Ottawa, ON – Dec. 27 – Jan. 1, 2017
    Salt Lake City, UT – Jan. 17 – Jan. 22, 2017
    San Jose, CA – Jan. 24 – Jan. 29, 2017
    Sacramento, CA – Jan. 31 – Feb. 5, 2017
    Vancouver, BC – Feb. 7 – Feb. 12, 2017
    Edmonton, AB – Feb. 14 – Feb. 19, 2017
    Calgary, AB – Feb. 21 – Feb. 26, 2017
    Spokane, WA – Feb. 28 – Mar. 4, 2017
    Tucson, AZ – Mar. 14 – Mar. 19, 2017
    Denver, CO – Mar. 21 – Mar. 26, 2017
    Dallas, TX – Mar. 28 – Apr. 9, 2017
    Clearwater, FL – Apr. 11 – Apr. 16, 2017
    West Palm Beach, FL – Apr. 18 – Apr. 23, 2017
    Sarasota, FL – Apr. 25 – Apr. 30, 2017
    Jacksonville, FL – May 2 – May 7, 2017
    Indianapolis, IN – May 16 – May 21, 2017
    Dayton, OH – May 23 – May 28, 2017
    Richmond, VA – May 30 – Jun. 4, 2017
    Toledo, OH – Jun. 6 – Jun. 11, 2017
    Louisville, KY – Jun. 13 – Jun. 18, 2017

  • Tad Robinson Brings a Heart Full of Soul to The Dev

    Two steps past the front door of The Dev to load in for a Friday, September 16 performance in Utica, Tad Robinson took a quick glance left and figured he and the band were about to be pigeon-holed into playing in the front window of the small bar. Twenty-five years ago, that would have been the case, with the likes of Danny Morris, Sonny Rhodes, Hubert Sumlin, and others having done so. The bar has expanded since then, added a raised stage, and co-owner Tim Schram has avoided having The Dev be pigeon-holed by featuring a wide variety of live music styles, with a commitment to primarily original music.

    The Indianapolis based Robinson is an eight-time Blues Music Award nominee. His 2016 Soul Blues Album of the Year nomination was for Day Into Night, his fourth release on the renowned  Severn Records label. A diverse crowd of blues fans, bar regulars, out of town businessmen, and neighborhood residents were all captivated by Robinson’s voice and the musicianship of him and his band. Backing Robinson were Paul Holdman on guitar, Jeff Chapin on drums, and Kevin Anker on keys, who has appeared on and co-produced Robinson’s recent recordings.

    Tad RobinsonA smooth, stylish, distinctly different vocalist, Tad Robinson impressed with both tone and control by knowing when to punch a phrase and when to lay back. He also exhibited notable harmonica skills, particularly on the chromatic harp. Holdman took the lead for a song of his own with a bit of a gospel touch, and Robinson often gave Anker plenty of room to showcase his abilities on the Hammond keyboard. Remarkable moments during the two set show included “Rained All Night” from Back in Style, Little Walter’s “Last Night,” and a crowd-pleasing rendition of the O.V. Wright southern soul classic, “A Nickel and a Nail.”

    Tad Robinson

  • Rock and Remembrance: Umphrey’s McGee Pack Saranac

    Poor souls centered in the selfish earth
    How could silence for what suffers worth
    Old worms shall never reach these excesses
    Define terms to lease you to another friend.
    — “The Haunt”

    On September 11, 2001, the world changed forever. That same night, Umphrey’s McGee performed at a venue in Ithaca called The Haunt, a Central New York venue well known to all up-and-coming bands. While Umphrey’s was still in the midst of finding its footing in rock and roll, the band showed that the events of that fateful day were not lost on them, as they penned a song called “The Haunt” which sums up the band’s feeling about the terrorist attacks that crippled the World Trade Center in New York City.

    jim-houle-photography-umphreys-mcgee-saranac-brewery-watermark-nysmusic-19

    Fast forward almost 15 years to the day, and that band which headlined The Haunt was taking the stage not far from Ithaca, at the Saranac Brewery in Utica. The band with the technical prowess of a jazz master and the gleaming intensity of the best of the prog-rock world showed a crowd of about 1,000 thirsty fans that they haven’t forgotten what happened that night by performing a somewhat haunting rendition of the song about halfway through their opening frame.

    Heading into the show, the usual Umphrey’s circus of dedicated fans was gathered outside the brewery, preparing for the night ahead. Being on the home turf of their good friends in moe., Umphrey’s delivered a very straightforward performance that won’t stand out among the best in the band’s history, but certainly satiated a hungry crowd.

    “Slacker” and “Linear” > “The Floor” set the tone for a night filled with syncopated guitar from axemen Brendan Bayliss and Jake Cinninger, before the pairing of “Uncle Wally” > “Higgins” provided a somewhat funky — for Umphrey’s, anyway — danceable breakdown.

    That’s when they launched into “The Haunt.” A guy standing next to me leaned over and tried to explain the significance of the tune, but I could only make out some of his words, prompting me to look into it. The impassioned song seemed to provide the crowd a reflective period in the show to remember the lives lost in the senseless tragedy 15 years ago. “The Haunt” then gave way to “Miss Tinkles’ Overture,” which closed out the set.

    jim-houle-photography-umphreys-mcgee-saranac-brewery-watermark-nysmusic-32

    During setbreak, I took a walk around the backstage area, and noticed Al Schnier, moe. guitarist, trotting around, making me believe a sit in was imminent. That would turn out to be false, but at least it kept me guessing throughout the second set, which featured more guitar-heavy material, but with a bit more improvisation than the earlier set.

    “Hunt Bird Bath” and “Intentions Clear” > “Upward” were both upbeat and spot-on, but it seemed the crowd had thinned out a lot during setbreak. Maybe the locals who wanted to check Umphrey’s out decided to end their night, because the fans who remained were deeply into this set.

    “Bridgeless” > “Day Nurse,” “Mail Package,” “Resolution” and a segue back into “Bridgeless” was classic Umphrey’s, with dueling guitars, a drum solo and a somewhat rare keyboard jaunt from Joel Cummins.

    Just before the “Hollywood Nights” encore, bassist Ryan Stasik gave a short speech about how moe. had influenced the band in their infancy, and even brought out Schnier to wave to the crowd in a show of support. Overall, the show was very well done, with minimal miscues, but there was a bit of creativity lacking, however there was no questioning the band’s soul. It was worth the drive, the total lack of sleep heading into work the next day and the ringing in my ears from being way too close to one of the stage speakers.

    Setlist: 

    Set 1: Slacker, Linear >The Floor, Uncle Wally > Higgins, The Haunt > Miss Tinkles’ Overture
    Set 2: Hurt Bird Bath, Intentions Clear > Upward, Bridgeless > Day Nurse, Mail Package, Resolution >Bridgeless
    Encore: Hollywood Nights

  • Holy Ghost Tent Revival Converts Listeners to Fans

    It was only appropriate that a group named Holy Ghost Tent Revival, from Asheville, North Carolina, played at a converted church, and converted listeners into new fans. Named after a roadside advertisement in their home state, they kicked off the fall schedule at the Kirkland Art Center on September 8th. The six-piece band showed tremendous versatility, with four different members playing keyboards at various times during their two-set performance.

    brian-cornish-holy-ghost-tent-revival-18Stephen Murray handled most of the lead vocals and rhythm guitar, but also played trumpet, and switched to the bass guitar when Kevin Williams played piano. Murray sat at the keys himself to close the first set with a stunning cover of George Harrison’s “Isn’t It a Pity,” performed with remarkable grace. Ross Montsinger on drums and Kevin Williams on bass handled the bottom end, with Williams lending backup vocals on most songs. Williams’ lead vocals and song styles while playing keys had an early Elton John feel to them. The majority of the band’s selections were in the roots rock/Americana realm accented by the wonderful punch of Charlie Humphrey on trumpet and the trombone of Hank Widmer, who both also played keyboards.

    brian-cornish-holy-ghost-tent-revival-07Widmer added clarinet on some of the evening’s quieter pieces. Rounding out the sextet was Matt Martin leading the way on guitar, sales pitch chants (“Pay what you want. Pay what you can.”) entertaining gesticulations, and fashion sense. How many ascots have you ever seen on stage?

    The intimate venue may have had a bit of a reduced crowd on a Thursday night, but those in attendance were very appreciative of the energetic appeal of this group, and glad to have the opportunity to support live music. Holy Ghost Tent Revival’s most recent release, the EP Summer Jelly, is available on a pay what you want, pay what you can basis. The remainder of KAC’s fall performance schedule, and other events, may be found at Kirkland Art Center’s website.

    brian-cornish-holy-ghost-tent-revival-04Partial setlist: Who Knew, Long Road, Right State of Mind, Sun/Shadow, Walking Over My Grave, Isn’t It a Pity?, Trouble with the Truth, Smoke Myself to Death, Long Night, Broken Spirit, The End to, Thought About

  • Kinky Boots – Don’t Miss this Must-See Musical

    Central New York theater-goers are in for a spectacular treat. Kinky Boots is a wonderful Broadway experience with performances at the Stanley Theater in Utica on September 6-8, 2016. This upbeat and popular musical won the coveted Tony Award in 2013 for Best Musical.

    kinky bootsKicking off this three day extravaganza, patrons who take in the first night of the event will help to raise money for the Q Center, a safe haven for the LGBTQ community, providing case management, after school hours, education awards, leadership and advocacy training.

    Kinky Boots is an uplifting story inspired by true events written in a book by Tony winner Harvey Fierstein. It is a story that conveys a valuable message about friendship and acceptance. The main character is Charlie Price. His family run shoe factory is going bust and he comes up with an idea to make and sell thigh high red boots. Together with a drag queen named Lola, they conceive a plan to make these ladies’ shoes marketed for men that are referred to as “kinky boots.” In the process, these two men from very different backgrounds forge a strong friendship.

    Tony and Grammy award winning pop star, Cyndi Lauper, wrote the show’s music, winning her best original score at the 2013 Tony Awards.  Lauper is most famous for the ’80’s hit “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” and brings that same energetic style of music to this production. Many shows have the audience dancing in the aisles.

    So, pull on your boots and head to the Stanley Theatre this week. This production has proven to have plenty of humor and entertainment for everyone.

  • Ladies Sing the Blues: The 24th Annual Chenango Blues Festival

    In 1956, Billie Holiday wrote her autobiography, Lady Sings the Blues. Sixty years later, Holiday would be pleased to know that ladies still sing the blues most impressively, as four female band leaders wowed the crowd at the 24th Annual Chenango Blues Festival, held August 19-20 in Norwich, New York. Davina Sowers of Davina and the Vagabonds, singer/saxophonist Vanessa Collier, sisters Tierinii and Tikyra Jackson of Southern Avenue, and Carolyn Wonderland all displayed powerful vocals and musicianship, as well as overwhelming stage presence that was met by thunderous applause from more than five thousand fans in attendance over two days.

    24th annual chenango blues festivalFestival attendees enjoyed perfect weather in a comfortable outdoor setting, and were treated to a variety of roots and blues music styles from more than a half dozen other outstanding acts, leading up to the headliner, New Orleans’ Anders Osborne.

    The festival began Friday evening, with the traditional free performances on the tent stage. The crowd grew quickly, with hundreds of fans setting up chairs and pop up tents on the lawn for the following day, as Central New York’s Funky Blu Roots played the fest’s first notes. Fronted by the husband and wife team of guitarist Mikal Serafim and bass player Nancy Giannone, the group included Tom Townsley on harmonica and vocals, drummer Phil Leone, and special guest George Rossi on keyboards. Serafim and Townsley traded lead vocals, backed by Rossi, on primarily original material of blues, light rock, and up-tempo numbers.

    Flying in from London the night before the show, exuberant Englishman Laurence Jones next took the stage for his first performance in the United States with his own band. Just twenty-four years old, Jones led his power trio, including bassist Roger Inniss and drummer Phil Wilson, through a high energy seventy-five minute set, featuring his brand new Ruf Records release, Take Me High, produced by the legendary Mike Vernon. Yet again, the Chenango Blues Festival secures its reputation for presenting the very best emerging artists for their Central New York debuts.

    Returning to the Chenango Blues Festival was Friday’s featured act, Davina and the Vagabonds. The group was a smash hit on the main stage in 2012. Due to return last year for Norwich’s Thursday Summer Music Series, that performance was canceled after the band was involved in a tragic accident on the day of the show. A man named John lost his life in that incident, and an emotional Davina Sowers dedicated her set Friday night to his memory. Piano, stand-up bass, trombone, trumpet, drums and four vocalists combine for rollicking, barrel house piano songs, a show-stopping cover of “I’d Rather Go Blind,” and her own crowd favorite tunes, including “Pocket,” “Start Running,” and “LipsticknChrome,” all from her release Black Cloud.

    Following the tent stage show Friday evening, fans were treated to a jaw-dropping preview performance by Saturday’s opening act, Noah Wotherspoon, at a small local tavern.

    At high noon on the main stage, Noah Wotherspoon, the 2015 International Blues Challenge Best Guitarist winner, led his trio through a set that included “Going to Mississippi” from his debut release Mystic Mud, and a handful of cover tunes. The diminutive Wotherspoon, who appears to be much younger than thirty-four, proved that a small band and a small guitarist sure can make a mighty big sound. In addition to gaining new followers, Wotherspoon and bandmates Rob Thaxton (bass) and Brian Aylor (drums) were unabashed fans of the other musicians, chatting up old friends and making new ones. Thaxton commented that he couldn’t believe all the talent he got to hear, and Wotherspoon had a smile a mile wide while talking to Carolyn Wonderland following her set.

    Acts alternated between the main stage and the tent stage throughout Saturday’s schedule, and first up under the big top was Berklee College of Music trained singer/saxophonist Vanessa Collier. She started off with a funky tune that easily won the crowd over, and toward the end of the set, had one of the festival’s highlights, a walk through the crowd during an extended rendition of Joe Zawinul’s “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy,” made famous by his bandleader, Cannonball Adderley. Collier made a point of making eye contact with members of the audience, a very effective technique to keep fans engaged. It is up-and-coming debut acts like Collier, Jones, and the next act, Southern Avenue, that made the 24th Annual Chenango Blues Festival so special to its fans. Collier’s sax, vocals, and award-winning songwriting can be heard on heart soul & saxophone.

    Immediately following Collier’s set, Southern Avenue took to the main stage. Sisters Tierinii (vocals) and Tikyra Jackson (drums, backing vocals) along with Ori Naftaly (guitar) and Daniel McKee (bass) showed tremendous versatility playing blues, gospel, soul, funk, and more. Tierinii Jackson is a compelling vocalist, as showcased on a slinky tempo-changing cover of Prince’s “Kiss,” and accompanying McKee’s infectious bass on Bill Withers’ “Use Me.” The band spent time last month recording at the Zebra Ranch in Independence, Missouri, in anticipation of their debut release in 2017 on the prestigious Stax Records label.

    24th annual chenango blues festivalBen Hunter and Joe Seamons presented a unique glimpse of much older musical songs and styles, as the duo explained the origin of many of the songs, performed with combinations of guitars, banjo, fiddle, and harmonica, performed with a vintage microphone. Under the tent, the IBC award winners made listeners feel as though they were transported back to the early twentieth century.

    Curtis Salgado is a favorite vocalist of many blues/soul aficionados, and his voice paired wonderfully with the Hammond B3 organ handled masterfully by his keyboard player. The 2013 Blues Music Award Entertainer of the Year, singing to his ex in the time-honored blues theme of love gone wrong, explained “I learned more about the blues in two weeks with you than twenty years of B. B. King.” His latest recording, The Beautiful Lowdown featuring “Walk a Mile in My Blues,” is available from Alligator Records.

    Duke Robillard played a stripped down set of semi-acoustic material, accompanied by Bruce Bears on keyboard, and Brad Hallen on stand-up bass, in support of his 2016 Blues Music Award winning album, The Acoustic Blues and Roots of Duke Robillard. He will release Blues Full Circle, with special guests Jimmy Vaughan, Sugar Ray Norcia, and Kelley Hunt in September 2016.

    Canned Heat hit the main stage and got the crowd boogieing to the familiar strains of “Goin’ Up the Country.” Original members Fito de la Parra (drums) and Larry “The Mole” Taylor (bass, guitar) were joined by John Paulus (guitar, vocals, bass) and Dale Spalding (vocals, harmonica, guitar.) The band is touring in celebration of their fiftieth anniversary, and concluded with an extended version of their hit “Let’s Work Together.”

    Although she has played several times throughout New York State, Carolyn Wonderland’s first appearance at Chenango was eagerly anticipated, and she delivered a dynamic set to a raucous, sweaty, appreciative crowd. Backed by Bobby Perkins on bass and Kevin Lance on drums, Wonderland blew the roof off the tent early in her set with “Judgement Day Blues.” She was demonstrably thrilled to have guitarist Eric McFadden from Anders Osborne’s band (who sported a pink daisy shaped small scale guitar) join her for a couple of tunes, including “Two Trains.” The Austin, Texas based Wonderland paid tribute to her home state’s Freddie King, concluding her evening’s show with an incendiary version of his “Palace of the King.” I will go, and I have gone, a long, long way to hear this woman play guitar and sing. You should too.

    Anders Osborne stalks the stage like a party looking for a place to happen. Expressive, energetic, and engaging, it’s hard not to feel good when Osborne and his top notch band start making noise. Carl Dufrene on bass and vocals, Eric McFadden on guitar, and Tony Leone on drums are all renowned musicians with impressive resumes. Highlights of Osborne’s set included “Different Drum,” “Flowerbox,” “Fools Gold,” “Mind of a Junkie,” “Higher Ground,” “Lafayette,” “Back To Mississippi,” and “Louisiana Gold.”

    Two days, twelve acts, thousands of fans, a small army of critically important volunteers, and tremendous community support add up to twenty-four years of “Keeping the Blues Alive.” Congratulations to the 24th Annual Chenango Blues Festival for another unsurpassed success! I can’t wait ‘til next year.

  • Utica Music and Arts Festival Not Returning this Fall

    Utica Music and Arts Festival will not return fall, as reported initially by Utica Observer Dispatch. The city-wide weekend long event each September featured dozens of bands from across the country playing at venues throughout the city.

    The two-day festival grew over the last 8 years, and made the event affordable to attendees – $10 granted you entrance to participating bars and other venues, including art galleries. Local business owners shared their thoughts on the lack of UMAF returning this fall.

    “It’s a lot of work,” festival founder Joe Sweet said. “I just feel so beat up by the end – so physically and emotionally tired that I just need a rest. … It’s grown bigger than me. So before I get too buried, I just want to let it breathe and see what grows out of it instead of just keep pushing and pushing.”

    “I would love to partner up with someone who could fill that space that the festival needs as it grows,” Sweet said, noting his 7- and 8-year-old children and his business also have kept him busy. “We know we can keep packing bars and that’s awesome, but I want to grow it more than that.”

    “I think it was something that people began to expect each year,” Schram said. “Hopefully, someone else will step up and bring it back next year. While there are plenty of music options in town, this event brought everyone together and introduced the city to a lot of bands and artists from outside the area, which is rare to see outside of the The DEV.”Tim Schram, owner of The DEV.

  • Chenango Blues Festival 24th Annual set for August 19-20 in Norwich

    On January 29, Chenango Blues Festival organizers were presented with the “Keeping the Blues Alive” Award during this year’s International Blues Challenge. The award is in recognition of their twenty-four years of all-volunteer festivals presented “by blues fans, for blues fans.” They have consistently presented both fan favorites and the very best new talent they can find in a relaxed setting, with many fans stating that this is their favorite blues festival every year. A look at this year’s 24th annual Preferred Mutual Chenango Blues Festival lineup reveals another astounding collection of musical talent.

    Frontier Communications – Free Friday night show, August 19th
    6:00 – 6:45 p.m. – Funky Blu Roots  The Chenango Blues Festival kicks off with a Central New York based band with a diverse catalog of styles. Veteran blues fans will recognize singer, harmonica player, and all-around blues ambassador Tom Townsley contributing his talents.

    7:15 – 8:30 p.m. – Englishman Laurence Jones, just 24 years old, has already had 3 record releases on the prestigious Ruf Records label. His newest, Take Me High, was released on July 22. He has led his eponymous power trio since the age of 17 and does so while living with Crohn’s disease, requiring a daily regimen of diet and medication and monthly two-hour treatments. While studying at Birmingham University, he was faced with a decision – stay and take his final exams or go on tour with Johnny Winter and Walter Trout. There are some things that simply can’t be learned in the classroom.

    9:00 – 10:30 p.m. – “For blues fans, by blues fans” is the Chenango Blues Festival’s guiding principle. They respond to fans by routinely bringing back crowd favorites. Davina and the Vagabonds were a huge hit on the main stage in 2012, and return to headline Friday’s free show at the Chenango County Fairgrounds. Their sound encompasses the New Orleans style reminiscent of Professor Longhair, gospel, soul, Tin Pan Alley songs and beyond.  Davina Sowers is an entrancing presence backed by a rhythm section featuring a stand-up bass and the deft drumming of Conrad McRae Hammergen while rounded out with a trumpet and trombone. DATV released their latest recording, the live album Nicollet and Tenth in March of this year.

    Saturday, August 20th

    The Saturday schedule lists over ten hours of music, alternating between the Sheffield Bio-Science Infield Stage and the Nelson & Flanagan/Grouse Ridge Kennel Tent Stage

    Infield Stage
    12:00 – 1:00 p.m. – Noah Wotherspoon Last year, Wotherspoon and his band mates placed second in the finals at the International Blues Challenge with Wotherspoon receiving the Best Guitarist Award. Those achievements have had him in demand at festivals and venues from coast to coast. Earlier this year, the band saw its debut release entitled Mystic Mud.

    1:45 – 3:00 p.m.- Southern Avenue In a town renowned for premier musical talent, Memphis-based Southern Avenue is generating a lot of buzz for its live performances. Israeli born Ori Naftaly on guitar, Daniel McKee on bass, and sisters Tierinii Jackson on vocals and drummer Tikyra Jackson make up this dynamic band that is sure to catch fans’ ears and turn their heads.

    4:00 – 5:15 p.m. –  Curtis Salgado  One of the world’s very best blues and soul vocalists, Portland, Oregon’s Curtis Salgado, makes an infrequent swing to the East Coast and fans will come from near and far to hear him. In 2013, Salgado was the Blues Music Award Winner for B.B. King Entertainer of the Year, Soul Blues Male Artist of the Year and also won Soul Blues Album of the Year. An extraordinary harmonica player as well, Salgado’s latest Alligator Records recording, The Beautiful Lowdown, was released in April of this year.

    6:15 – 7:30 p.m.- Canned Heat The legendary blues band still features the rhythm section of Adolfo “Fito” de la Parra on drums and bassist Larry “The Mole” Taylor. The group took its name from a Tommy Johnson tune referring to the habit of straining inexpensive Sterno through cloth and drinking the alcohol. Best known for their hits “On The Road Again,” “Let’s Work Together” and the unofficial theme song to the movie Woodstock, “Going Up The Country,” they also were credited with rediscovering numerous blues men and reviving their recording and performing careers.

    8:45 until ?? Anders Osborne A triple threat as a vocalist, guitarist and songwriter, Osborne’s relentless touring has won him thousands of dedicated fans throughout the world. He has written hit songs for pop, blues, and country artists and performed with reggae, blues, funk, swamp rock, jazz, and jam bands. His brand new recording, Flower Box, was released July 22.

    Tent Stage

    1:00 – 1:45 p.m. – Vanessa Collier Band Led by the Berklee School of Music trained vocalist, saxophonist, and songwriter Collier, this group looks to be yet another in a long list of outstanding emerging artists identified and brought to Norwich by Chenango Blues Festival organizers.

    3:00 – 4:00 p.m. – Ben Hunter and Joe Seamons At the 2016 IBC Awards, Hunter and Seamons won first place in the solo/duo category. A unique approach has the pair focusing primarily on pre-World War II music including jazz, Appalachian folk music, field hollers and work songs, and jug band favorites. Respectful musical historians as well as first class musicians, Hunter and Seamons are an opportunity to hear songs and sounds not always presented at festivals.

    5:15 – 6:15 p.m. – Duke Robillard No less an expert than Jerry Portnoy, who once held the harmonica slot in Muddy Waters’ band, has said of Robillard, “Believe me, I’ve played with all of them, and Duke is the man.” He played the main stage in 2012 with his full electrified band and returns this year for an acoustic set, highlighting his 2016 Blues Music Award winning album, The Acoustic Blues & Roots of Duke Robillard, on Stony Plain records.

    7:30 – 8:45 p.m. – Carolyn Wonderland With a raspy edge and a powerful delivery, Carolyn Wonderland’s voice surrounds the listener, grabs hold and doesn’t let go. Add to that her impressive attacking style of playing guitar without a pick and you have an artist that easily attracts fans throughout the U.S. and Europe. Her appreciation of those fans was never more evident than following a recent incident in which her tour money and personal belongings, including cell phone, wallet and passport, were stolen while she was on stage in the Canary Islands. Fearing she might have to end her European tour, fans rallied behind a gofundme effort and raised a significant amount of funds in ten hours. The U.S. Embassy in Madrid was able to provide her with a replacement passport and, following the conclusion of her European tour, she will return to the U.S. and blow the roof off the tent stage. Do not miss this blues woman!

    Ticket Prices: Friday night show is free! Tickets for Saturday – $25.00 in advance; $35.00 on the day of the show. See the festival website for more info.