NYS Music 20​16

Tag: Music News

  • Syracuse Sounds of Music Association Honors DeSantis Family

    The Syracuse Sounds of Music Association is holding its annual dinner Oct. 20 at Traditions at the Links in East Syracuse. The dinner is a fundraiser for several non-profit organizations as well as for Syracuse Symphoria, the successor to the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra and Syracuse Symphony guild. Money raised throughout the year is distributed through a grant process each December. This year’s dinner honors Mario and Maria DeSantis with the Ovation Award, an annual award presented for outstanding commitment to the Central New York music community. This year’s dinner honors Mario and Maria DeSantis and family with the Ovation Award, an annual award presented for outstanding commitment to the Central New York music community.

    musicMario DeSantis is best known as the leader of the DeSantis Orchestra. The band bearing his surname has been performing for 70 years and is now led by his daughter Maria, who has brought a modern flair to the orchestra.

    For more than 20 years, the elder DeSantis provided the soundtrack to the long-running Syracuse children’s television show Magic Toy Shop. He also performed at the Baseball Hall of Fame for Cal Ripken, Jr.’s induction in 2007.

    Syracuse Sounds of Music Association’s “Music Matters” event supports not only Symphoria but college music study scholarships as well as a variety of music non-profits in Central New York.

    In the past year, the organization has raised over $35,000 through its various fundraisers and the Encore Thrift Shop it runs in Fayetteville. The money raised was distributed among several area non-profit music organizations, including CNY Association of Music Teachers, Syracuse Children’s Chorus, Syracuse Opera and the CNY Jazz Arts Foundation. The group also provided two $1000 scholarships to high school seniors planning to study music in college.

    Reservations for the dinner can be made until Oct. 10 through the Syracuse Sounds of Music Association website.

    Forty years ago, Central New York children were glued to their televisions watching the Magic Toy Shop. Take a step back in time to hear some of DeSantis’ work on the long-running show below.

  • Armin van Buuren Collaborates With a Different Kind of Artist

    Amsterdam is known for its artistic heritage.  Two separate art forms will join forces and collaborate in a unique way this fall in the Netherlands. The Van Gogh Museum is teaming up with DJ/producer and native son, Armin van Buuren to merge two separate art forms into one.

    Armin van BuurenUsually collaborating with other music artists, this will be a first for van Buuren. The one-off collaboration will see personal commentary and personalized music from van Buuren in the museum’s special edition multimedia guide, that will takes effect October 21, titled, “Embrace Vincent.”

    Van Gogh Museum director Axel Rüger commented about the collaboration:

    This collaboration sees us bring music, art and the museum together. Each form of expression influences the other; culture works as a unifying force. The Embrace Vincent project allows us to highlight how Vincent’s legacy remains relevant. And more importantly, that this legacy is being passed down to future generations. This takes numerous different forms, as is aptly illustrated by this collaboration between the museum and Armin van Buuren.

    Van Buuren has reached another incredible feat in the music world. On Sept. 30, van Buuren reached a milestone for his career, releasing his 15 year anniversary album in his A State Of Trance series titled I’m In A State Of Trance 15 Years. The two disc set features some of the greatest trance anthems by van Buuren and other top DJ/producers throughout the last fifteen years. Van Buuren was voted #1 DJ in the world five years in a row by DJ Mag, setting two separate records in the process; as the only DJ to have won five times and the longest streak at number one.

  • Hearing Aide: Dave Keller “Right Back Atcha”

    Northeastern blues can be heard echoing from the mountains of Vermont in Dave Keller’s new album Right Back Atcha. The September 23 release date came just a day after the start of fall and his lyrics are symbolically vibrant with a colorful spirit and a life-changing attitude.

    dave kellerRecorded in the Green Mountain State, Keller recruited a 3-piece horn section, two backup vocalists and a small string ensemble to collaborate with his usual members of The Dave Keller Band. The diverse talent was used right off the bat in “It’s Time You Made Up Your Mind,” which serves as the opening track and the lone cover on the album. Willie Clayton originally brought the song to the studio during the peak of his funk-soul era in 1974 and much like Keller, Clayton didn’t see much in the way of commercial success or critic recognition until he was ripe into his 40s. Keller tips his hat to the roots he knows best while adding his own modern blues sound to this underplayed gem.

    Title track, “Right Back Atcha” has a very seductive brass and bass combination highlighted by Jessica Friedman’s baritone sax. Although the lyrical structure is very inventive, I found the song somewhat off putting, as I know that Keller is around the same age as my father and singing about his sexy time with a woman.   The album artwork on the back of his LP lets us know Keller is still getting freaky and his not-so-subtle innuendos complete the picture. Putting my personal issues with the song’s story behind, Keller nails his silky guitar solo and gets some help from the backup vocalists to bring this sonic, sweaty bang to a finish.

    After the most provocative track on the album, Keller hits us with his first love ballad entitled, “Deeper Than The Eye Can See.” Original band member, Ira Friedman, warms the tune up with a soft piano introduction before Keller gently harmonizes with the female backup singers. This lyrically and vocally soulful composition is reminiscent of Van Morrison’s “Tupelo Honey” and will leave you feeling all the feels the same way Van the Man does.

    “Circles” clocks in as the longest track of Right Back Atcha, which allows time for the Hammond B3 organ to really drive home the profound message. If “Deeper Than The Eye Can See” is Keller’s way of expressing the beauty of being in love, “Circles” tells the tale of how shitty life can be during the confusing parts. He lets his guitar solo do the crying as Friendman’s B3 steals the show during this deep-rooted blues piece.

    Vermont may one of the least populated states in the country, but that doesn’t prohibit their bands from getting funky. While Keller’s subject matter may be geared towards an older crowd in terms of the over-the-hump, post mid-life crisis topics presented in the lyrics, I can still get down with the eclectic musical arrangements he brought to the studio. This isn’t the type of album that someone in their twenties would throw on during a party, but give me twenty more years of experience and Right Back Atcha may be found on my iPhone 17 shuffle.

    Key Tracks: Right Back Atcha, Circles, You Make It Easy

  • MTV Live teams with nugs.net for Weekly Jam Series

    Jam fans looking for a live fix at home will soon be able to get it via MTV Live beginning Oct. 2. The recently re-branded cable channel (formerly Palladia) has teamed up with nugs.net for a weekly series of live music from the nugs vaults called nugs.net Live Stash.

    According to Jambase, the premiere episode airs this Sunday night and features a performance from the Disco Biscuits at their Camp Bisco festival this July. Each week’s broadcast will feature shows from the nugs.net vaults.

    The show airs at 9:00 p.m. each Sunday and according to the Jambase post, Widespread Panic will be visiting living rooms across the country on Oct. 9 in a show taken from the band’s July visit to Red Rocks.

    Further examination of the trailer (shown below) reveals clips from Dead and Company, Phil and Friends and moe.

  • Louisiana Legend Buckwheat Zydeco Dead at 68

    Stanley “Buckwheat” Dural, Jr., the performer who brought the unique sounds of Louisiana zyedco music to the world, passed away early Saturday morning in Lafayette, LA at the age of 68. Dural had been battling lung cancer since 2013. His long time manager Ted Fox confirmed the death in a Facebook post today.

    Dural, given the nickname “Buckwheat” in his youth due to his hair resembling that of the Little Rascals character, became synonymous with the regional music that he championed. He performed at the closing ceremonies of the 1996 Olympics as well as both of President Bill Clinton’s inaugurations.

    buckwheat zydeco
    Stanley “Buckwheat” Dural Jr. of Buckwheat Zydeco died Saturday morning from lung cancer. He was 68.

    Buckwheat Zydeco performed at the 2015 Syracuse Jazz Fest and provided one of the most entertaining and rollicking sets of the weekend. He had been scheduled to perform at the Earlville Opera House on Sept. 16 but was forced to cancel due to a recurrence of his lung cancer. In announcing the cancellation, Dural stated:

    I hope everyone knows I truly believe ‘the show must go on’ and I’ve always tried to make that happen. But, I’ll need to fight this off first. So I’m sorry to say we will need to cancel or postpone some shows. But, you can’t beat the Wheat! I will be back. Soon. And, you can take that to your best bank.

    Dural was born in Lafayette, LA in 1947. His father, Stanley Dural, Sr., was a farmer and Cajun accordionist. The younger Dural resisted his father’s music at first, gravitating towards playing the organ in the funk band he formed in 1971.

    Syracuse Jazz Festival
    Dural and his son, Sir Reginald, performing at the 2015 Syracuse Jazz Fest

    While performing with famed zydeco bandleader Clifton Chenier in the late ’70s, Dural took up his father’s instrument, eventually venturing out on his own to form Buckwheat Zydeco.

    Dural and his band were the first zydeco band signed to a major label, signing with Island Records in 1987 for the Grammy nominated On a Night Like This. Throughout his career, he performed with Eric Clapton, U2, Ry Cooder, Keith Richards and Robert Plant.

    Dural is survived by his wife, Bernite Dural; two sons, Sir Reginald M. Dural  and Stanley Paul Dural III and three daughters, April Germain Dural, Stacie Durham and Tomorrow Lynn Dural.

  • Donna the Buffalo to Perform at Cohoes Music Hall Grand Reopening Weekend

    Donna the Buffalo will be performing at the Cohoes Music Hall Grand Reopening Weekend on Sept. 29th, in Cohoes, joined by special guests, the Nellies.

    DtB has done over 25 years of extensive touring, attracting a herd of fans that is devoted to following its tribe. Their music is feel-good, accessible, and groove-heavy while elements of cajun/zydeco, rock, folk and country make their sound distinct and memorable, especially when coupled with their beautiful songwriting.

    The quintet includes Jeb Puryer (vocals, electronic guitar), Tara Nevins (vocals, guitar, fiddle, accordion, scrubboard), David Nevins (Hammond organ, Honer clavinet, piano), Kyle Spark (bass) and Mark Raudabaugh (drums).

    In a press release, Puryer talks of his inspiration:

    Rolling off all the great protest songs and the socially conscious music like Bob Marley and the Beatles and Bob Dylan – all of that stuff. So that, to me, is sort of like a tradition to write from; that angle as a way of reflecting on what you feel about the world and how you feel it could be better and getting to a different place as a society. There’s also the strength that comes from music and gives you the feeling like you can change those things and make some progress, and then express some of the particulars about what you’d like to change.

    The Cohoes Music Hall is a historic venue that dates back to 1874. It has been closed for over a year after receiving more than $30,000 in city-funded renovations for things like new seating, curtains, a projection system, refinished floors, new lighting, and sound systems, Albany.com reports.

    Albany’s Palace Theater announced back in March that it has signed a three-year contract to help Cohoes Music Hall bring its business back. Officials report that they expect up to 60 performances in the first year following the renovation, and they expect that to double annually during the three-year period.

    Tickets for the show can be found on Cohoe’s Music Hall website. For more Donna the Buffalo information and tour dates, please visit the band’s website.

  • Syracuse Area Musicians Form Supergroup, 1000 Drops Of Venom

    Syracuse area musicians that helped create the Syracuse metallic hardcore sound, have formed the supergroup, 1000 Drops Of Venom. Members from the band are from some of the area’s most prolific performers, and include frontman Karl Buechner (Earth Crisis, the Path Of Resistance, Freya), guitarist Jonathan Dennison (the Promise, Unholy, the Path Of Resistance), drummer Andy Miller (Unholy), and bassist Chris Reilly.

    1000 drops of venom
    1000 Drops Of Venom is set to release the band’s first metallic hardcore style 7″ EP, which is now complete, and currently being finalized. The EP was recorded, mixed, and mastered at the Watchman Studios in Buffalo by Doug White. The studio has also produced the likes of the Gym Class Heroes, Brutal Truth, and Psyopus. The EP will be released on a label still to be announced. The band leaked its first single from the upcoming EP, “To Their Doom,” now available for streaming.

    When talking about the new project, guitarist Jonathan Dennison said, “Well, talks of starting a new band together with Karl has finally materialized. I think fans of our past and present bands will like what we’re doing. Musically, this band represents how we feel and some things never change.”

    Vocalist, Karl Buechner added:

    JD and I became friends back when Another Victim toured with Earth Crisis in the nineties. Since then we have played music together in Earth Crisis, the Path Of Resistance, and Freya at different points. It was only a matter of time before we put a band together on our own. Our beliefs and our take on metal and hardcore are identical. There is genuine hatred in this music but it’s not back to square one. I think it’s the best elements of what were known for.

    1000 Drops Of Venom can be seen Tuesday Sept. 20, opening for Crowbar at the Westcott Theater in Syracuse.

  • Hearing Aide: TAUK “Sir Nebula”

    On September 16, 2016 Long Island’s very own TAUK will be releasing Sir Nebula. This will be their fourth studio release, fifth along with their live double album, HEADROOM. Sir Nebula is being released by STS9’s record label, 1320 Records and is available at taukband.com.

    TAUK "Sir Nebula"Captivating the knowable instrumental fusion that is TAUK, the four piece has again proven they have earned their right to be performing on a professional level with bands such as Umphrey’s McGee, Lettuce, Thievery Corporation, and more. Since their lineup completion in 2012 TAUK has been working harder than most to show music appreciators their brand. Constantly spreading the name TAUK with tours of 30 plus shows, always writing new material, and producing albums on their ‘time off.’ Bassist Charlie Dolan says when the band is in the studio it is “a time where we can really try to expand what we do, try new things and rediscover who we are.”

    Listening back to tracks such as “Side Project” from Pull Factors, you can really understand Dolan’s statement. TAUK’s use of melody and creating a singular sound with four people cohesively creating music is a consistency they will always have. As they have progressed and grown you will notice in this new album their use of effects and technology followed by true musicianship.

    The first single “Horizon”  follows the TAUK path but with a major punch. With a really interesting intro of each member coming in piece by piece into all four members melodically arpeggiating notes into a break. Following this path throughout the song with each member touching back at the their root tag but staying extremely progressive.  A fully captivating tune.  The track playing in the beginning of the video preview of the album (below), “Program Select,” will also give you further taste of what’s to come. At any giving moment this track can take you in a surprisingly new direction with trap into another explosive well section.  The entire album follows this theme and keeps you interested. Individually each track ‘TAUK’s’ for itself but I would suggest sitting back and listening to it as a whole, keeping you interested and on a path of excitement of what’s to come next.

    Watch TAUK talk about Sir Nebula:

    Whether you’re at a show or festival with the desire to get down, driving all 119 miles from Montauk to NYC, or just feel like listening to music Sir Nebula is a perfect choice.

    Key tracks: Horizon, Program Select, Time’s Up

  • Helmet, Supporting New Album, Hits the Road with Local H

    Helmet recently announced touring plans for the band’s upcoming Dead To the World U.S. tour through the month of November and most of December. The tour finds the veteran alt-metal band playing thirty-six shows inside of forty-five days in support of their brand new and eighth studio album Dead To The World, scheduled for release on Oct. 28, days before the tour kicks off. Helmet brings along a special guest to open shows on the tour in two-man band Local H.

    helmetThe venture kicks off in Bloomington, IL at the Castle Theatre on November 3, and concludes at Delmar Hall in St. Louis, MO Dec. 17. New Yorkers can catch the “Unsung” rockers at the Highline Ballroom in NYC on Nov. 12, and Nov. 13, at the Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn.

    Helmet was formed in 1989 in New York City by frontman/lead guitarist and only surviving original member Page Hamilton. Hamilton moved from Oregon to New York, where he studied jazz guitar at the Manhattan School of Music.

    Helmet’s Dead To The World Tour Dates:

    Nov. 3 – the Castle Theatre – Bloomington, IL
    Nov. 4 – Saint Andrew’s Hall – Detroit, MI
    Nov. 5 – Lee’s Palace – Toronto, CA
    Nov. 6 – the Beachland Ballroom and Tavern – Cleveland, OH
    Nov. 7 – Baltimore Soundstage – Baltimore, MD
    Nov. 9 – World Cafe Live – Philadelphia, PA
    Nov. 10 – Brighton Music Hall – Boston, MA
    Nov. 11 – THE MET – Pawtucket, RI
    Nov. 12 – Highline Ballroom – New York, NY
    Nov. 13 – Music Hall of Williamsburg – Brooklyn, NY
    Nov. 15 – Black Cat DC – Washington DC
    Nov. 16 – Visulite Theatre –  Charlotte, NC
    Nov. 17 – Motorco –  Durham, NC
    Nov. 18 – the Masquerade –  Atlanta, GA
    Nov. 19 – Jack Rabbits –  Jacksonville, FL
    Nov. 20 – State Theatre –  Saint Petersburg, FL
    Nov. 22 – Revolution Live –  Fort Lauderdale, FL
    Nov. 23 – the Social – Orlando, FL
    Nov. 25 – the White Oak Tavern –  Houston, TX
    Nov. 26 – Mohawk Austin –  Austin, TX
    Nov. 27 – Gas Monkey Live –  Dallas, TX
    Nov. 29 – Crescent Ballroom –  Phoenix, AZ
    Dec. 1 – the Roxy Theatre –  Hollywood, CA
    Dec. 2 – Casbah San Diego –  San Diego, CA
    Dec. 3 – Discovery Ventura –  Ventura, CA
    Dec. 4 – the Independent  – San Francisco, CA
    Dec. 6 – Dante’s –  Portland, OR
    Dec. 7 – the Crocodile –  Seattle, WA
    Dec. 9 – the Pub Station – Billings, MT
    Dec. 10 – Marquis Theatre –  Denver, CO
    Dec. 11 – Slowdown –  Omaha, NE
    Dec. 13 – recordBar –  Kansas City, MO
    Dec. 14 – Fine Line Music Café –  Minneapolis, MN
    Dec. 15 – High Noon Saloon –  Madison, WI
    Dec. 16 – Metro Chicago –  Chicago, IL
    Dec. 17 – Delmar Hall –  St Louis, MO

  • Del & Dawg Come to RPI

    Del McCoury and David Grisman – Del & Dawg – will perform a show at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in December.

    Del and Dawg
    Del and Dawg – Jason Charme photography

    Fifty years ago, Del McCoury and David Grisman played their first ever show together at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute back in 1966. They return to RPI at EMPAC on Dec. 10 to share music and stories celebrating their 50 years together.

    McCoury and Grisman, affectionately known together as Del and Dawg, have each become bluegrass legends in their own right. McCoury had his start playing banjo for Bill Monroe in the early 1960s. He went on to form his own band, serving as an influence for many acts, including Phish and the String Cheese Incident. In 2008, he started his own bluegrass and folk music festival, DelFest, which has been held every year since in Cumberland, MD.

    Grisman got his start as a member of the Even Dozen Jug Band. He went on to form a close friendship and well-known musical partnership with Jerry Garcia. He still performs regularly with the David Grisman Quintet and the David Grisman Bluegrass Experience.

    Tickets for the Del & Dawg show range from $36 to $59. They go on sale this Friday, Sept. 16 at 9 a.m.