NYS Music 20​19

Author: Pete Mason

  • Break Science shares new single “Oshun” ahead of Fall Tour

    In advance of their upcoming fall tour, which starts in Washington D.C. on Wednesday, October 2, Break Science has shared the downtempo and lyrically esoteric single, “Oshun.”

    “This song is a dedication to Oshun, the Goddess who governs love and freshwaters,” shared Break Science keyboardist and producer Borham Lee. “She is the protector of the poor, healer of the sick, the bringer of music and dance, prosperity and fertility. With this song, we hope to invoke the divine feminine essence of nature to instill a higher thought and create spiritual balance.” 

    With over a decade of creation under their belts, and arguably among the artistic pioneers of the mid-2000s electronic music explosion, the duo –comprised of keyboardist, producer and jazz pianist, Borahm Lee (Pretty Lights Live Band) and funk, hip-hop drummer extraordinaire, Adam Deitch (Lettuce) – adds a layer of intrigue and depth to their music with the incorporation of Deitch’s live drumming and Lee’s real-time performance behind the synthesizer and keyboard.

    Break Science Fall Tour Dates

    10/2 – Washington, DC – Gypsy Sally’s
    10/3 – Brooklyn , NY – The Brooklyn Bowl
    10/4 – Richmond, VA – The Broadberry
    10/5 – Asheville, NC – Asheville Music Hall
    10/10 – Salt Lake City, UT – Soundwell
    10/11 – Seattle, WA – The Crocodile
    10/12 – Portland, OR – The Star Theater
    10/16 – Minneapolis, MN – The Varsity Theatre
    10/17 – Grand Rapids, MI – The Stache @ The Intersection
    10/18 – Chicago, IL – The Chop Shop
    10/19 – Indianapolis, IN – The Mouse Trap
    11/29 – Portland, ME – Port City Music Hall
    11/30 – Philadelphia, PA – Ardmore Music Hall

  • Zappa tribute The Furious Bongos announce Halloween-ish tour in November, kicking off at The Chance

    The Furious Bongos are extending the season of Halloween shenanigans and observing the unofficial holiday of Frank Zappa! They’re returning to some of their favorite venues and expanding into new territory as things are rapidly growing for this fiery band. They’ll kick off tour at The Chance in Poughkeepsie on November 1, then make stops in Albany and Buffalo. Bring your ponchos…or your best Zomby Woof costume!

    When bassist/arranger Conrad St. Clair decided to tackle this project, knowing Zappa drew on influences ranging from Stravinsky to Leadbelly, he felt it was important to assemble musicians with backgrounds as farflung as Zappa’s influences. As a result, the band has a heavyweight and eclectic resume, including work with artists like Yo Yo Ma, India Arie, Mick Fleetwood, and Les Paul. This tour will also feature amazing violinist Randal Harrison and master mallet player Matt Peters, as well as Grammy-winning Jay Frigoletto on keyboards for the first half of the tour.

    Since Zappa’s music was constantly evolving and adapted to the musicians he was playing with at a given time, doing a note-for-note rendition of ‘Song X‘ from ‘album Y‘ while staring at their shoes didn’t seem like the proper way to go about this project. The Furious Bongos tracked down hundreds of pages of transcriptions and quickly scribbled notes from former band members and other sources, painstakingly compared different versions of the songs, and even dug up copies of rare scores in Frank’s own hand (coffee stains included). The end result is arrangements that you won’t hear anywhere else.

    The Furious Bongos understand that however people describe Zappa, safe or vanilla aren’t usually first in mind. And, they appreciate Frank’s role as an entertainer, not just as a composer It’s a show that pays respect to an iconic legacy but is still new and different and dangerous and FUN, with lots of eyebrows. Kinda like Frank.

    THE FURIOUS BONGOS TOUR DATES

    11/1– Poughkeepsie, NY @ The Chance Theater

    11/2– Manchester, NH @ Jewel Music Venue

    11/3– Burlington, VT @ ArtsRiot

    11/5– Brattleboro, VT @ The Stone Church

    11/6– Albany, NY @ The Linda

    11/8– Buffalo, NY @ Tralf Music Hall

    11/9- Baltimore, MD @ Orion Studios

    11/10– TBA

    11/12– Lexington, KY @ Cosmic Charlie’s

    11/14– Columbus, OH @ Skully’s Music-Diner

    11/15– Three Oaks, MI @ The Acorn Theater

    11/16– Fremont, OH @ Strand Theater

    11/17– Chicago, IL @ Reggie’s Rock Club

  • Max Creek to perform at Garcia’s, plan NYE show at Colonial Theatre

    The legendary Max Creek, featuring guitarist Scott Murawski, bassist John Rider, drummer Bill Carbone, keyboardist Mark Mericier, and percussionist Jamemurrell Stanley will make a stop at the Garcia’s at The Capitol Theatre on Friday, October 25. They also recently announced their New Years Eve performance at The Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield, MA.

    max creek garcia's

    Titans of the jam music scene, Max Creek, have been going strong for nearly 50 years. The band has been known for embarking on extensive tours, playing as many as 200 shows a year to crowds of thousands of people.

    True pioneers of electric rock jam, Max Creek has more than four decades of experience launching musical adventures with a rich repertoire of originals and uniquely interpreted gems. Each set is a journey for audience and band alike, chasing muses without a net and bringing it all back home to the roots again. The Max Creek show at Garcia’s is a unique opportunity to see the legendary band in a completely new way. Fans will be able to jam out and boogie along to Max Creek’s electrifying music in an intimate concert space.

  • Whose Hat is This? featuring members of TTB plan East Coast tour for November

    For their first shows in over a year, Whose Hat Is This?, the free jazz collective of current and former Tedeschi Trucks Band members will be hitting the road for an East Coast U.S. tour this November. Featuring bassist Tim Lefebvre (David Bowie), saxophonist Kebbi Williams (Outkast), and drummers JJ Johnson (John Mayer) and Tyler “Falcon” Greenwell (Col. Bruce Hampton), the all-improvisational group will perform for the first time since the release of their second live album, Everything’s OK. Special guests on the tour include Ryan Stasik (Umphrey’s McGee) in Charleston, SC and Rachel Ann Morgan Band in Washington, DC.

    Drawing on their collective experiences, Whose Hat is This? seamlessly conjure up music that combines elements of experimental jazz, funk, electronica, with unhinged musical spontaneity. The band’s debut self-titled record was released in 2017 and featured highlights from their first-ever performance, an impromptu gig at the A-Trane in Berlin.

    Tour Dates:

    Nov. 18 – Charleston, SC – Charleston Pour House (with Ryan Stasik’s Wondrous Band)

    Nov. 19 – Washington, DC – The Hamilton

    Nov. 20 – Baltimore, MD – The 8×10 (with Rachel Ann Morgan Band)

    Nov. 21 – Philadelphia, PA – Green Soul

    Nov. 22 – New York, NY – Rockwood Music Hall

  • Jazz at Lincoln Center announce ‘Big Band Holidays II’

    Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Blue Engine Records celebrates the most wonderful time of the year with the release of Big Band Holidays II, a sequel to a beloved and festive album released in 2015, performed live by the world-renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis. 

    The Big Band Holidays concerts have been a New York City tradition among jazz lovers and families for more than a decade. Every December, the critically acclaimed Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra ,Wynton Marsalis and an all-star roster of guest vocalists explore the canon of holiday standards to perform both new and traditional arrangements of Yuletide favorites. Blue Engine Records has assembled highlights from these historical performances, making them available on record for the first time. 

    Big Band Holidays II includes an electric, never-before-released solo piano performance of “O Tannenbaum” by Aretha Franklin. The Queen of Soul sang the holiday classic in English and German, while accompanying herself on piano, at a surprise performance at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s 2015 Big Band Holidays concert. “O Tannenbaum,” exclusively on Big Band Holidays II, is one of only a handful of tracks to be released since Franklin’s passing on August 16, 2018.

    Additional guests on Big Band Holidays II include some of today’s commanding new voices in jazz: Catherine Russell, Veronica Swift, Denzal Sinclaire and Audrey Shakir. This newest collection of holiday classics is now available for pre-order and will be available on all digital platforms on October 25, in stores as a CD on November 8, 2019, and available on 2xLP audiophile vinyl later in the holiday season.

    Big Band Holidays II tracks include holiday favorites “Silver Bells,” “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” and “Silent Night.” They feature the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra’s signature sense of swing, New Orleans-flavored nuances, and deeply soulful, church-rooted grooves. 

    To celebrate this special Blue Engine Records release, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and guest vocalists Denzal Sinclaire and Alexis Morrast will embark on a 12-city Big Band Holidays U.S. Tour. Kicking off the holiday season with messages of peace and good cheer, the Big Band Holidays tour commences on November 30 in Toronto, Canada and ends with four performances December 18-22, including a special matinee at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Rose Theater at Frederick P. Rose Hall, located at Broadway at 60th Street in New York, New York. 

    TRACK LISTING
    1. It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
    2. Cool Yule (ft. Catherine Russell)
    3. We Three Kings (ft. Denzal Sinclaire)
    4. O Tannenbaum (ft. Aretha Franklin)
    5. Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow
    6. (Everybody’s Waitin’ for) The Man with the Bag (ft. Veronica Swift)
    7. What Will Santa Claus Say? (When He Finds Everybody Swingin’) (ft. Catherine Russell)
    8. Brazilian Sleigh Bells
    9. Silver Bells (ft. Catherine Russell)
    10. Snowfall
    11. Silent Night (ft. Denzal Sinclaire)

  • Above and Beyond to ring in 2020 at New York Expo Center in The Bronx

    On Tuesday, December 31, titans of the electronic music genre Above and Beyond will ring in 2020 with a special headline show at the 60,000 sq foot New York Expo Center. Presented by Above & Beyond’s Anjunabeats label and New York nightlife impresario DEG Presents (formerly RPM Presents), Jono Grant, Tony McGuinness and Paavo Siljamäki will return to one of their favorite cities for the biggest party of the year. Special guests will be announced soon to support the festivities.

    The globetrotting trio have penned several of dance music’s most abiding anthems. Whether performing as DJs or as a live band, Above & Beyond have always kept songwriting at the very heart of what they do. This dedication to their craft has earned the group two GRAMMY nominations in recent years. Their global Anjunafamily of fans continues to grow as does the community of artists found on their iconic Anjunabeats label imprint, which celebrates its 20th anniversary next year.  

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qde9KyFtWUA

    In 2018, the trio’s fourth electronic album Common Ground debuted at number three on the Billboard Album Chart. The band have performed for sold out crowds at an enviable list of venues including Madison Square Garden, Red Rocks, The Gorge and LA Forum among many others. Don’t miss this amazing way to ring in 2020 in The Bronx!

  • The New Motif Lays out Fall Tour – Includes Stops in Colorado and Northeast

    Eclectic funk/jam band The New Motif are back on the road this fall and look to branch out of the Northeast with their two-night debut run in Colorado.

    With stops in NYC at The Cutting Room, two nights on Cape Cod, a Phish after-party in Providence and supporting Kung Fu leading up to a performance at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, the deep psychedelic grooves The New Motif has become known for will reach wide audiences as they close out 2019 with a bang. For New Years Eve, they’ll perform at the iconic Paradise Rock Club in Boston, opening for Pink Talking Fish.

    Sept. 20 – The Press Room – Portsmouth, NH 
    Sept. 28 –  MTG Pheno Cup Music & Arts Festival – Lancaster, NH
    Oct. 11 – LaBoca – Middletown, CT 
    Oct. 12 – Cutting Room – NYC, NY
    Oct. 18 – Hawks & Reed – Greenfield, MA  w/Strange Machines
    Oct. 26 – P.H.O.M.E. – Portland, ME  w/ Strange Machines
    Nov. 15 – Your Mom’s House – Denver, CO –  PPPP After Party w/Stig
    Nov. 16 – ULLR Tavern – Winter Park, CO
    Nov. 22 – Grumpy’s Pub – Falmouth, MA 
    Nov. 23 – Grumpy’s Pub – Falmouth, MA 
    Nov. 29 – Stone Church – Brattleboro, VT  w/ Kung Fu
    Nov. 30 – Fete – Providence, RI  Phish After Party w/ Meraki
    Dec. 19 – Port City Music Hall – Portland, ME  w/ Kung Fu
    Dec. 20 – 3S Artspace – Portsmouth, NH  w/ Kung Fu
    Dec. 21 – Toads Place – New Haven, CT  w/ Kung Fu
    Dec. 22 – Bethel Woods Center for Arts – Bethel, NY  w/ Kung Fu
    Dec. 31 –  Paradise Rock Club – Boston, MA w/ Pink Talking Fish

  • 18th Annual Independent Music Awards announce call for entries

    Music Resource Group has announced the official Call for Entries for the 18th annual Independent Music Awards (IMAs) to honor the year’s best indie music and visual design work from around the world.  

    Now in its 18th year, The Independent Music Awards is the premier platform for independent creatives from around the world. Honoring artistry, diversity and excellence, winners and nominees are promoted to millions of music consumers and industry insiders via ongoing promotion, performance and distribution opportunities, and celebrated during the annual IMA ceremony and Indie Konference in New York City.

    Independent

    Entries are judged – for their artistry and innovation rather than streaming stats or social influence – by panels of influential recording and touring artists, programmers, talent buyers and other influencers worldwide. Previous IMA judges include Keith Richards, Tom Waits, Laurie Anderson, Snoop Dogg, Amanda Palmer, Keith Urban, Chris Thile, Aimee Mann, M’shell Ndegeocello, Norah Jones, Peter Gabriel, Melissa Etheridge, Buddy Guy, Ozzy Osbourne among many others.

    The most diverse awards on the planet, the prestigious program celebrates achievements by established and emerging talent in more than 100 Album, EP, Song, Producer, Video and Graphic Design categories. Projects can be submitted for review here through December 12, 2019. Enter by September 29 to take advantage of the early entry period.

    Fans are able to register to determine this year’s Vox Pop Nominees and will be in the running for the IMA Super Fan Award by promoting their favorite Song and Video entries to their social networks.

    Nominees will be announced in Spring 2020, and all Winners revealed in June at the annual ceremony during the IMA Indie Konference in New York City.

    Known for championing artists who follow their muse rather than metrics, the program receives submissions from 119 countries from artists previously on major labels, as well as notable indie label and self-released talent in all styles and mediums.

    Past IMA Winners & Nominees include:Amy Lee, Asking Alexandria, fun., Melissa Auf der Maur, Five Finger Death Punch, Meghan Trainor, Passenger, Valerie June, …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, Lacuna Coil, Macy Gray, All That Remains, Band of Skulls, Ben Kweller, Chris Whitley, Cursive, Dale Watson, Flying Lotus, Girl in a Coma, Jamie Lidell, JD McPherson, Miguel Migs, Jackson Browne, Spinnerette, Team Me, The Apples in stereo, Tony Trischka, Vienna Teng, and many, many more.

  • Portland’s Ezra Bell rolls through New York this week

    Carving a wide path through the musical spectrum, Ezra Bell brings thrir folk/soul/rock sound to New York City on Friday, September 27 and Syracuse on Sunday, September 29. Featuring the irreverent and introspective songwriting of Benjamin Wuamett, Ezra Bell has been a staple of the Portland, OR scene since 2013, with three well-received EPs under their belt.

    Ezra Bell features Maurice Spencer (bass), Tom Trotter (drums), Aaron Mattison (horns and arrangements), Honora Hildreth (backing vocals and percussion), and Jeremy Asay (keys and guitar) more-than-ably backing up Wuamett’s story-songs and satirical jigs with organic precision.

    Ezra Bell

    Ezra Bell has released three EP’s: Don’t All Look Up at Once, 2013; We Came by Canoe, 2014; and Farewell Griffin, 2016. Their first full length eponymous album dropped in May 2018 and is streaming now. They are currently recording regularly and releasing singles almost as quickly as the months fly by.

  • In Memoriam: Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter

    Robert Hunter, lyricist for the Grateful Dead and the pen behind some of the band’s most beloved songs passed away at his home in Marin County, CA, on Monday night. He was 78 years old. Hunter wrote numerous songs alongside Jerry Garcia, including “Ripple,” “China Cat Sunflower,” “Casey Jones,” “Sugar Magnolia,” “Mountains of the Moon,” “Althea,” “Dark Star,” “Stella Blue” among others. 

    Robert Hunter
    photo by Scott Harris/The Capitol Theatre

    A statement from Hunter’s family stated “It is with great sadness we confirm our beloved Robert passed away yesterday night. He died peacefully at home in his bed, surrounded by love. His wife Maureen was by his side holding his hand.”  For his fans that have loved and supported him all these years, take comfort in knowing that his words are all around us, and in that way his is never truly gone.  In this time of grief please celebrate him the way you all know how, by being together and listening to the music. Let there be songs to fill the air.”

    Grateful Dead guitarist and singer Bob Weir shared his condolences on Twitter

    Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a non-performing member of the Grateful Dead, Hunter wrote with Bob Dylan, Bruce Hornsby, Cesar Rojas of Los Lobos, in addition to Garcia. Hunter also produced a number of books of poetry, as well as solo albums over the course of his life. 

    Grateful Dead archivist David Lemieux said in remembering Hunter

    For a man who provided us with so many meaningful words, the soundtrack to our lives, he’s left us a bit speechless with his passing. For more than 50 years, since his first lyrical contributions to the Grateful Dead in 1967, Robert Hunter has been just as integral a part of the legacy of the Grateful Dead as those who recorded the music to accompany his words, those who walked out on stage to bring his words to life. More than 2,000 times 1967-1995, these six (or five or seven) proud walkers on the jingle bell rainbow, plus countless thousands of times since then by other performers, the Grateful Dead have brought Hunter’s words to life in front of all of us as their witness. Not a single day has gone by since 1984 that Hunter’s words haven’t been a part of my world; I’ve heard Jerry, Bob and others sing his words literally every day for the past 35 years.

    When the final Fare Thee Well show ended in Chicago in 2015, Mickey Hart famously sent us on our way by asking us to “please, be kind,” and that lesson along with its lyrical brethren written by Hunter, “ain’t no time to hate,” and “are you kind?” are some of the truest words to live by. No matter what meaning, solace, lesson you find in Hunter’s lyrics, please go out and do some good with them.

    Listen to full show audio from Robert Hunter’s performance at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY on October 5, 2013. May the four winds blow you safely home.

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