NYS Music 20​18

Tag: boston

  • Herbie Hancock Earns Honorary Doctorate from New England Conservatory

    Legendary jazz composer/performer and 14-time Grammy award-winner, Herbie Hancock, was celebrated on Sunday, May 20, 2018 and received an honorary doctorate as part of the 147th Commencement ceremony in NEC’s (New England Conservatory‘s) Jordan Hall.

    Herbie Hancock © Eric Antoniou courtesy of NEC.

    Hancock was one of four distinguished musicians to receive an honorary doctorate. Joseph L. Bower, Edgar Albert Meyer, Jr., and Peter Lyman Row were the other recipients of NEC’s honorary doctorates.

    According to NEC:

    “Born in Chicago, Hancock was a piano prodigy, performing with the Chicago Symphony at age 11. His career began after being discovered by Donald Byrd and, shortly thereafter, he joined the Miles Davis Quintet; he later made appearances on Davis’ groundbreaking In A Silent Way and Bitches Brew, which heralded the birth of jazz-fusion. After leaving Davis, Hancock put together a new band called The Headhunters and, in 1973, recorded Head Hunters, which became the first jazz album to go platinum. The winner of multiple Grammy Awards, he also won an Academy Award for his film score ‘Round Midnight. His 2007 tribute album River: The Joni Letters won the 2008 Grammy Award for Album of the Year, only the second jazz album ever to win the award, after Getz/Gilberto in 1965. Recently named by the Los Angeles Philharmonic as Creative Chair For Jazz, he also serves as Institute Chairman of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz.”

    Approximately 265 students graduated from NEC’s degree, diploma, and certificate programs this year along side Hancock while he received his honorary doctorate. Students graduated in a range of studies including: Bachelor of Music, Master of Music, and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees, as well as Graduate Diploma and Artist Diploma.

  • The Motet Sell Out Paradise Rock Club

    On April 7 Denver based powerhouse, The Motet, brought some serious funk out to Paradise Rock Club in Boston, MA. With Front man Lyle Divinsky, and Guitarist Ryan Jalbert both being from New England, and with Boston’s own Strange Machines opening the night, this show had a hometown feel to it.

    The sold out crowd was packing in fast as Strange Machines was getting into their set. The band fed off the crowd and played what seemed like a continuous set. The quartet rocked a seamless cover of Blackstreet’s “No Diggity” and then into a Golden Rule > Remote Dream > Golden Rule. Remote Dream was a  nice throw back to their 2014 album, Turn the Tide, while blending with Golden Rule, of their new album, Voice of Color.

    The Motet came out to a sea of crazy Bostonians who only got wilder when Lyle opened his jacket to reveal his Celtics’ Larry Bird shirt. The band was high energy from the beginning and never seemed to slow down. Fan favorites “Keep on Don’t Stoppin” and “Closed Mouth Don’t Get Fed” were met with an uproar. The crowd was also happy to hear a couple new tracks from the group, along with recently released singles, “Get It Right” and “Supernova”. The guys played a long set, ending with a beautiful rendition of George Clinton’s “Knee Deep”.

    The show in Boston was the Motet’s last of their Spring tour, and the band as of now has only one show between now and their Red Rocks headliner on June 2, which is the Sweetwater 420 Fest in Atlanta, Georgia. Check out pictures of both bands below via Zatchmo Lives Media.

  • Eminem, The Killers, Jack White to Headline Boston Calling 2018

    Boston Calling has released the names of performers for the 2018 music festival, including headliners Eminem, The Killers, and Jack White. The three-day-long event takes place across three stages at Harvard Athletic Complex, and includes performances by 54 musicians, bands, and comedians. Early tickets are on sale now at the Boston Calling Music Festival website.

    Photo: Ty Johnson

    The list of performers was chosen by Aaron Dessner of The National, a co-founder of Boston Calling Music Festival. While the festival draws iconic acts and rising stars from all over, there is a lot of local and regional flavor. Boston alt rockers Belly will play. Also slated to perform are indie rock trio Weakened Friends and and hip-hop duo STL GLD, who each took prizes at the 2017 Boston Music Awards. Harvard alum  and award-winning actress and director Natalie Portman will be curating a special series (more information will be announced at a later date).

    2018 Music Lineup: 

    Eminem, The Killers, Jack White, Queens of the Stone Age, The National, Paramore, Tyler, The Creator,
    Khalid, Bryson Tiller, Portugal The Man, Fleet Foxes, St. Vincent, The Decemberists, Brockhampton,
    Maggie Rogers, Royal Blood, Manchester Orchestra, Daniel Caesar, Dirty Projectors, Stormzy, Thundercat, Belly, Pussy Riot, Julien Baker, Alvvays, The Menzingers, Thee Oh Sees, Perfume Genius, Noname, (Sandy) Alex G, Big Thief, Mount Kimbie, Citizen, Pond, Zola Jesus, Taylor Bennett, Westside Gunn & Conway, Charly Bliss, Leikeli47, Field Report, Lillie Mae, Tauk, This Is The Kit, Weakened Friends, Stl Gld

    2018 Comedy & Entertainment Lineup:

    Natalie Portman, Pod Save America, Lovett or Leave It, Jenny Slate, Bridget Everett, Cameron Esposito, Tony Hinchcliffe, Jo Firestone, Max Silvestri,Martin Urbano

    Early bird tickets for Boston Calling 2018 went on sale Thursday, Jan. 4. Three-day general admission passes cost $279. There is a VIP package and a Platinum VIP package available as well at a cost of $599 and $1049 respectively. More information can be found at the Boston Calling website.