NYS Music 20​16

Tag: Le Poisson Rouge

  • Medeski Martin Wood Plan 25th Anniversary in New York City

    Although the jazz-funk fusion trio has been silent for bit, Medeski Martin and Wood recently announced the release of a new record this fall, followed by the news that the band would celebrate its 25th anniversary with two shows in New York City in October.

    MMW 25th anniversary

    After performances at Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre (July 22) and in Esslingen, Germany, (Sept. 2), John Medeski (keyboards), Billy Martin (drums) and Chris Wood (bass) will regroup for two nights at Le Poisson Rouge in New York City. The Bleecker Street venue currently rests on the site of the old Village Gate where MMW played their first show together. The anniversary concerts are set for Oct. 19 and 20; special guests are soon to be added to the bill.

    As reported by Jambase, the news that MMW was back in the studio at work on a new album came from a Tweet by drummer Billy Martin:

    MMW dropped their debut album Notes From the Underground in 1992, and the group’s last release Free Magic came out in 2012 via the band’s label Indirecto Records. In 2011, MMW recorded brand new tracks to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their musical journey together, and aptly named the compilation 20. This fall, the three-piece is releasing a collaborative recording with the 20-member ensemble Alarm Will Sound.

    Tickets for the quarter-century celebration — both single-day and two-night offerings — went on sale at noon today through the venue’s website.

  • Zuli at Le Poisson Rouge

    Zuli took the stage at Le Poisson Rouge on Monday, January 25th, for their first Manhattan show of the year. The New York City based four-piece played a set involving strong three-part vocal harmonies, a complex instrumental cover and striking dynamic changes. I got the sense that the whole thing was admirably unlabored, despite the highly detailed musical composition, as the band moved between songs with a casual ease. Some thoroughly speedy guitar work, courtesy of frontman Zuli (Ryan Camenzuli), was underpinned by the nord electro keyboard and the bass, which made the songs followable, fun and accessible.

    zuliZuli arrived just in time for their 9.30 slot, having played another set – in another borough, no less – just beforehand. A pretty intense schedule didn’t impede the joyous musical moves that were on display throughout their performance. A large room like LPR, when not-quite-full with the mixed crowd of a Monday night – fans, friends of the other bands, NYU juniors catching up after their Christmas breaks – can create an awkward vibe for some live bands. If Zuli sensed this difficulty at all, they tackled it with jesting stage banter, the settling of a beef about their favorite restaurant (it might, after all, be CJ’s), and a set full of rhythmic surprises emerging like bold rabbits pulled from sonorous hats. I sense that Zuli are not quite at their peak, yet: they’re probably building up momentum for the spring, when they’ll hit SXSW and the West coast. In the meantime, Zuli have a busy March lined up with shows DC, Charlotte, New Orleans and Phoenix.

    zuli