On Wednesday, September 25, The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY will host “There’s A Reward,” a musical tribute to Neal Casal, who tragically passed away on August 26. Casal’s former bandmates and musical friends will join together to remember his friendship and music in a career-spanning musical biography.
Artists scheduled to appear include:
Beachwood Sparks, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Circles Around the Sun, Joe Russo, Dave Dreiwitz, Tom Hamilton & Scott Metzger, Hazeldine, Mapache, Dave Schools, Citizen Cope, Jeff Hill, Bob Glaub, Dan Fadel, Davis Jaynes, Don Heffington, Dori Freeman, Jesse Aycock, John Ginty, Jon Graboff, John Lee Shannon, Kenny Roby, Leslie Mendelson, Rickey Medlocke, Robbi Robb, and Zephaniah Ohora. Additional special guests to be announced soon.
Tickets for There’s A Reward: A Celebration Of The Life & Music Of Neal Casal go on-sale this Friday, September 13 at Noon ET with all net proceeds to be donated to MusiCares®. A special pre-sale begins today from 1pm to 10pm ET with passcode: moonlight.
Circles Around The Sun had completed recording a new studio album the week prior to his passing. The album’s producer Jim Scott will see the recording through to its completion with plans being made for its release in early 2020. CATS had also collaborated with drummer Joe Russo on an EP entitled ‘Circles Around The Sun Meets Joe Russo’ that was already set to be released October 18 on limited edition vinyl and digital formats.
CATS had previously announced tour dates in October and December, while plans were in the works for the band’s busiest year yet in 2020. Casal left behind specific wishes for Circles Around The Sun to continue in his absence. The surviving members, keyboardist Adam MacDougall, bassist Dan Horne and drummer Mark Levy, have decided to honor that request and move forward together. A new guitar player will be announced shortly and all 2019 tour dates will go on as scheduled.
Circles Around the Sun Tour Dates
October 16 – Seattle, WA – The Crocodile October 17 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom October 18 – San Francisco, CA – The Chapel October 19 – Sacramento, CA – Harlow’s October 20 – Los Angeles, CA – Zebulon October 24 – Live Oak, FL – Hulaween December 27 – Denver, CO – The Gothic Theatre December 29 – Fort Collins, CO – Aggie Theater December 31 – Buena Vista, CO – Ivy Ballroom January 7-12 – Miami, FL – Jam Cruise
Philadelphia’s electro-rock powerhouse Tweed has announced a run of dates for fall 2019. This weekend, Tweed will be at Blue Point Brewery in Patchogue for a free show, and on October 4 they’ll be aboard The Lucille for an NYC Rocks Off boat cruise with New Jersey’s Waiting On Mongo. The band brings their electrifying “Tweed Goes Disco” tunes to the boat cruise and will be welcoming horn-section sit-ins throughout the night. Additionally, Tweed has also added a new member in multi-instrumentalist, Charles Field, to their permanent lineup.
This announcement comes after Tweed’s recent Camp Bisco debut and August co-headline with El Ten Eleven and TOBACCO at Philly’s SENSORiUM Festival. If you missed the recent release of their single, Moves, whichincluded a homemade music video, go and check out the band’s new sound. The official music video will be released in October and their sonically-charged full-length album, Moves, is due to release in November.
Drummer, Joe Vela explains, “We couldn’t be more excited to add Charlie to the band. Chaz is an incredibly talented musician and has been sitting in as a special guest with us for years. It’s been long overdue to get him on tour with us. Charlie will be leveling-up these songs with his violin, guitar, percussion, and vocals and has already contributed to our soon-to-be-released album.”
Sep 14 Blue Point Brewery – Patchogue, NY
Oct 4 Rocks Off Boat Cruise – New York, NY
Oct 5 Beauty in the Backyard – Darlington, MD
Oct 18 Electric Halloween Festival – Millville, NJ
Oct 31 Deer Park Tavern – Newark, DE
November 2 TBA – Philadelphia, PA
November 27 Sprout Music Collective West Chester, PA
Marco Benevento has released “Send It On A Rocket,” his self-proclaimed “end of summer anthem” and third single ahead of new album Let It Slide, due out September 20th on Royal Potato Family. In between references to reefer and Topo Chico, deep pockets of bass and spaced-out synths, the cascading composition reveals that behind Marco the bandleader – who covers his piano strings in gaffers tape and enjoys walking his pet goats and peacocks through the Catskill woods – there are patches of sorrow he’s now ready to contemplate more seriously than ever.
The sounds of “Send It On A Rocket” preview the new territory charted between Benevento and Let It Slide producer Leon Michels, a partnership marking the first time Benevento relinquished studio control of his own music. As evident on the new single, that surrender led to his deepest inward exploration, and spontaneous impulses like taping those piano strings. Read Benevento’s introduction to the song via Talkhouse.
Introduced via dear friend Richard Swift (who was set to mix the LP before passing), Marco made Let It Slide with Michels (Sharon Jones, Adele, Lana Del Rey, Lady Gaga) and an unexpected, Upstate NY bromance ensued, and Marco’s trust in Leon ultimately informed the album’s core: free yourself to be yourself. Citing influence in Can, ESG, Childish Gambino, and Mulatu Astatke, he dug deep into his lyrics, exploring acceptance, desire, and regret, while embracing the moment – an impulse to cover piano strings in gaffers tape created the LP’s main muted sound (along with the Binson Echorec, the tape machine behind 1970s Pink Floyd).
This fall, Marco Benevento and his band – including Karina Rykman (bass) and Andy Borger (drums) will make 30 stops from coast to coast, with 5 shows in New York over two weeks in October.
MARCO BENVENTO Tour Dates
10/10 – Buffalo, NY – Iron Works 10/11 – Ithaca, NY – The Haunt 10/12 – Albany, NY – Cohoes Music Hall ** 10/13 – Woodstock, NY – The Colony * 10/17 – Portland, ME – Port City Music Hall ^ 10/19 – Burlington, VT – Higher Ground ^ 10/20 – Holyoke, MA – Gateway City Arts ^ 10/23 – Fairfield, CT – FTC StageOne ^ 10/24 – Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg ^ 10/25 – Philadelphia, PA – Underground Arts ^ 10/26 – Washington, DC – Pearl Street Warehouse ^ 11/2 – Shizuoka, Japan – Frue Festival 11/6 – Pittsburgh, PA – Club Cafe ^ 11/7 – Grand Rapids, MI – Founders Brewing ^ 11/8 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall ^ 11/9 – St. Paul, MN – Turf Club ^ 11/10 – Milwaukee, WI – The Back Room @ Colectivo ^ 11/11 – Davenport, IA – Raccoon Motel ^ 11/12 – Indianapolis, IN – HiFi ^ 11/13 – St. Louis, MO – Old Rock House ^ 11/14 – Nashville, TN – Basement East ^ 11/15 – Louisville, KY – Zanzabar ^ 11/16 – Cleveland, OH – Beachland Tavern ^ 12/5 – San Diego, CA – Casbah San Diego 12/6 – Los Angeles, CA – The Teragram Ballroom ^ 12/7 – San Francisco, CA – The Independent ^ 12/8 – Felton, CA – Felton Music Hall 12/9 – Mill Valley, CA – Sweetwater Music Hall ^ 12/10 – Arcata, CA – Humbrews / Humboldt Brews ^ 12/11 – Eugene, OR – WildCraft Cider Works ^ 12/12 – Bend, OR – Volcanic Theatre Pub ^ 12/13 – Portland, OR – Doug Fir Lounge ^ 12/14 – Seattle, WA – The Crocodile ^
New England Conservatory (NEC)’s internationally renowned Jazz Studies Department, the first fully accredited jazz studies program at a music conservatory, celebrates its 50th anniversary by showcasing the department’s vibrant legacy and its place as one of the top jazz education programs in the world. A year-long celebration of Jazz50 will include concerts and events in Boston and NYC featuring many of the school’s distinguished jazz alumni, faculty, students and special guests.
Boston events will include the NEC Jazz Orchestra with Alan Pasqua (alum) and Antonio Sanchez (alum) led by the department’s first chair Carl Atkins and current chair Ken Schaphorst; Jazz Advance: The Legacy of Cecil Taylor (alum) featuring an all-star line-up including Matthew Shipp (former student), Bruce Brubaker (faculty), Dan Tepfer (alum), plus faculty members Ran Blake, Ethan Iverson and Joe Morris; a weeklong residency and concert by Luciana Souza (alum); and The Music of Gunther Schuller featuring the NEC Jazz Orchestra; Cosmosis: The Music of Dave Holland featuring Jim McNeely with the NEC Jazz Orchestra; The Invisible Choir, The Music of Ken Schaphorst and many more.
NYC events will include an NEC Faculty All-Star Group featuring Fred Hersch (alum, former faculty), and current faculty members Donny McCaslin, Billy Hart and Cecil McBee at the Jazz Standard; Dominique Eade (alum, faculty) and Fred Hersch (alum, former faculty) at the Jazz Standard; and Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society (alum) as well as the NEC Alumni Big Band at the Sheen Center. A full list of celebratory events is below.
“I’m very grateful for Gunther Schuller’s farsightedness and efforts in establishing the Jazz department in 1969,” says current Jazz Studies Chair Ken Schaphorst. “I’m also grateful to the faculty and students who have established NEC as a leader in the world of jazz education over the past 50 years. It’s been deeply humbling to share the responsibility of shepherding this noble mission for the past 18 years, educating students in the transformational art form of jazz, developing communication between unique individual human voices. I’m excited to have this opportunity with Jazz50 to celebrate the achievements of NEC’s past and present, while looking forward to our future.”
NEC’s Jazz Studies Department was the brainchild of Gunther Schuller, who moved quickly to incorporate jazz into the curriculum when he became president of the Conservatory in 1967. He soon hired saxophonist Carl Atkins as the first department chair, as well as other greats including NEA Jazz Master George Russell, pianist Jaki Byard and Ran Blake. The foundation of its teaching and success begins with the mentor relationship developed in lessons between students and the prominent faculty artists. In addition to its two jazz orchestras, faculty-coached small ensembles reflect NEC’s inclusive approach to music making, with ensembles focused on free jazz, early jazz, gospel music, Brazilian music, and songwriting, as well as more traditional approaches to jazz performance.
Students are encouraged to find their own musical voices while making connections and collaborating with a vibrant community of creative musicians, and ultimately to transform the world through the power of music. The program has spawned numerous Grammy winning composers and performers and has an alumni list that reads like a who’s who of jazz, while the faculty has included six MacArthur “genius” grant recipients (three currently teaching) and four NEA Jazz Masters.
“This anniversary provides us the opportunity to reflect on half a century of leadership in jazz education at New England Conservatory, and to celebrate the importance of jazz in both the history and future of American music,” says NEC President Andrea Kalyn.
2019-2020 Season: Jazz50 Celebration
FALL 2019
Wednesday, August 28 | Jazz Jam Session
7:30 p.m. Brown Hall
Tuesday, September 17 | Dave Holland Small Combo Master Class
1:30 p.m. Williams Hall
Thursday, September 19 | Dave Holland Master Class
1 p.m. Eben Jordan Ensemble Room
Friday, September 20 | Music of Dave Holland Residency Concert
7:30 p.m. Brown Hall
Dave Holland will perform his original compositions with NEC student ensembles.
Wednesday, October 2 | A Discussion with Tyshawn Sorey
12-1:50 p.m. Eben Jordan Ensemble Room
Thursday, October 3 | Concert Featuring Tyshawn Sorey
7:30 p.m. Jordan Hall
Composer and multi-instrumentalist Tyshawn Sorey is celebrated for his incomparable virtuosity, effortless mastery and memorization of highly complex scores, and an extraordinary ability to blend composition and improvisation in his work. A MacArthur Fellow, he’s been praised by The New Yorker as being “among the most formidable denizens of the in-between zone…An extraordinary talent who can see across the entire musical landscape.”
The concert will include Sorey’s recent orchestral piece, “For Bill Dixon and A. Spencer Barefield,” his chamber pieces “Inner Spectrum of Variables (Movement III)” and “For Fred Lerdahl,” his piano piece “Movement,” his noise project “LOUD” featuring faculty member Joe Morris, and an NEC student ensemble playing his “Autoschediasms.” It will also feature Sorey in an improvisational duo performance with NEC faculty member Anthony Coleman and excerpts from a Yiddish Theatre project featuring Sorey’s arrangements and orchestrations.
Wednesday, October 16 | Antonio Sanchez Master Class
1 p.m. Brown Hall
Thursday, October 17, 2019 | NEC Jazz Orchestra featuring Carl Atkins, Alan Pasqua, and Antonio Sanchez
7:30 p.m. Concert, Jordan Hall
9:30 p.m. Post-concert Jam Session, Brown Hall
The NEC Jazz Orchestra will celebrate the anniversary of NEC’s Jazz Studies Department by playing music drawn from throughout its 50-year history, including George Russell’s “All About Rosie” and Jaki Byard’s “Two Five One.” Featured guests will include alums Alan Pasqua and Antonio Sanchez. The department’s first chair, Carl Atkins, will assist current chair Ken Schaphorst in conducting.
Friday, October 18, 2019 | Jazz Advance: The Legacy of Cecil Taylor
5 p.m. Pre-concert panel discussion, Brown Hall
7:30 p.m. Concert, Jordan Hall
Among NEC’s many prominent alums, Cecil Taylor stands out for his influence over the history of jazz. Taylor’s significant legacy will be recognized with a series of piano solos featuring NEC faculty and alums: Ran Blake, Bruce Brubaker, Ethan Iverson, Matthew Shipp and Dan Tepfer. Ensemble performances will include Steve Lacy’s “Rain” as well as an ensemble led by NEC faculty member Joe Morris.
Wednesday, October 30, 2019 | NEC Philharmonia & Jazz Orchestra + Hugh Wolff
7:30 p.m. Jordan Hall
The NEC Philharmonia and Jazz Orchestra combine to perform Gunter Schuller’s Encounters, written in 2003 for the 100th anniversary of the opening of Jordan Hall.
Monday, November 4 | Grow Your Art Residency with Luciana Souza
1 p.m. Eben Jordan Ensemble Room – Master Class
6 p.m. Eben Jordan Ensemble Room – Workshop
Tuesday, November 5 | Grow Your Art Residency with Luciana Souza: Business Panel
6 p.m. Burnes Hall
Wednesday, November 6 | Grow Your Art Residency with Luciana Souza
1 p.m. Eben Jordan Ensemble Room – Workshop
6 p.m. Black Box Theater – Pitch Night
Thursday, November 7, 2019 | Luciana Souza: Grow Your Art Residency Concert
7:30 pm, Brown Hall
Grammy-winning NEC alum Luciana Souza is one of jazz’s leading singers and interpreters. She returns to her alma mater for a week-long collaborative residency with NEC’s Entrepreneurial Musicianship Department. From November 3 – 7, Souza will work with students, discuss lessons learned in the music business, ways to take charge of one’s career in the rapidly changing world and more, culminating in this performance with NEC students.
Wednesday, November 13 | Joe Morris Instantiation
8 p.m. Brown Hall
Guitarist and Jazz/CI Faculty Member Joe Morris will perform selections from his multi-part piece Instantiation for improvising musicians with ensembles featuring Brad Barrett on bass, Elinor Speirs on violin, Dan O-Brien on reeds, Ben Hall on percussion, Andrea Nicodemou on vibes and others.
Thursday, November 14 | Jazz Ensemble Concerts: Nieske
7-10 p.m. Eben Jordan Ensemble Room
Monday, November 18 | Jazz Ensemble Concerts: McNeil and Carlberg
7-10 p.m. Eben Jordan Ensemble Room
Tuesday, November 19 | NEC Gospel Ensemble & NEC Jazz Composers Ensemble
8 p.m. Brown Hall
Wednesday, November 20 | Jazz Ensemble Concerts: Seager and Lockwood
7-10 p.m. Eben Jordan Ensemble Room
Thursday, November 21 | Jazz Ensemble Concerts: Reichman and Eisenmann
7-10 p.m. Eben Jordan Ensemble Room
Tuesday, November 26 | Jazz Ensemble Concerts: Bergonzi and Morris
7-10 p.m. Eben Jordan Ensemble Room
Tuesday, December 3 | Jazz Ensemble Concerts: Eade
7-10 p.m. Eben Jordan Ensemble Room
Thursday, December 5, 2019 | The Music of Gunther Schuller
7:30 pm, Jordan Hall
One of Gunther Schuller’s first orders of business as president of NEC was to create the first fully accredited jazz program in a music conservatory in 1969. To honor his musical vision, Schuller’s compositions and arrangements will be performed by the NEC Jazz Orchestra, with the help of his son and NEC alum George Schuller and faculty member Ran Blake.
Monday, December 9 | Jazz Ensemble Concerts: Coleman, McBee and Morris
7-10 p.m. Eben Jordan Ensemble Room
Tuesday, December 10 | Jazz Composers Workshop Orchestra Concert
7;30 p.m. Brown Hall
Wednesday, December 11 | Jazz Ensemble Concerts: Levy, Leake and Moses
7-10 p.m. Eben Jordan Ensemble Room
Thursday, December 12 | Jazz Ensemble Concerts: Zaleski and Moran
7-10 p.m. Eben Jordan Ensemble Room
SPRING 2020
Wednesday, January 15 | Ran Blake Concert with Bruce Brubaker and Frank Carlberg
7:30 p.m. Jordan Hall
Monday, January 27 | Jazz and CI Faculty Spotlight
7:30 p.m. Jordan Hall
Tuesday, February 25 | NEC Symphonic Winds, William Drury Conductor
7:30 p.m. Jordan Hall
NEC’s Symphonic Winds will perform Grammy nominated composer Chris Brubeck’s Concerto for Bass Trombone and Orchestra featuring acclaimed trombone soloist James Markey (Boston Symphony Orchestra and chair of NEC’s Brass and Percussion Department). The ensemble will also perform Brubeck’s D-Day, March to Freedom, as well as other works.
Thursday, February 27 | Cosmosis: The Music of Dave Holland featuring NEC Jazz Orchestra with Jim McNeely
7:30 p.m. Jordan Hall
New York City
Thursday, March 19, 2020 | NEC Jazz50 Faculty All-Stars
7:30 and 9:30 pm, Jazz Standard, NYC
NEC has always boasted an impressive faculty. But this quartet, featuring NEC alum and former faculty member Fred Hersch, with current faculty members Donny McCaslin, Billy Hart and Cecil McBee, sets a new standard—each member a leader in the world of jazz, in addition to being a dedicated teacher.
Friday, March 20, 2020 | Dominique Eade and Fred Hersch
7:30 and 9:30 pm, Jazz Standard, NYC
NEC faculty member Dominique Eade was not only the first jazz artist to receive NEC’s prestigious Artist Diploma, but she is also the teacher of many of the most prominent jazz vocalists working today including Sofia Koutsovitis, Jo Lawry, Michael Mayo, Rachael Price, Luciana Souza and Sara Serpa. She joins with the legendary NEC alum and former faculty member, Fred Hersch, for the night.
Saturday, March 21, 2020 | Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society and NEC Alumni Big Band
8 pm, Sheen Center for Thought and Culture
Darcy James Argue is one of many prominent jazz composers to have studied at NEC, working with the legendary Bob Brookmeyer. Darcy’s ensemble will be joined by an all-star group of NEC alums, including Dominique Eade, Marty Ehrlich, Brian Landrus, Tony Kadleck, Michael Thomas, Noah Preminger, Chris Washburne, Curtis Hasselbring, Josh Roseman, Jennifer Wharton, Frank Carlberg, Jerome Harris, and Kim Cass.
Boston
Tuesday, March 31 | Jazz and Wildcard Honors Ensemble Concert
7:30 p.m. Jordan Hall
Thursday, April 2 | NEC Gospel Ensemble & NEC Composers Ensemble
7:30 p.m. Brown Hall
Thursday, April 9 | Jazz Ensemble Concerts: Niekse and Lockwood
7-10 p.m. Eben Jordan Ensemble Room
Monday, April 13 | Jazz Ensemble Concerts: McNeil and Carlberg Ensembles
7-10 p.m. Eben Jordan Ensemble Room
Tuesday, April 14 | Jazz Ensemble Concerts: Reichman
7-10 p.m. Eben Jordan Ensemble Room
Wednesday, April 15 | Jazz Ensemble Concerts: Eade
7-10 p.m. Eben Jordan Ensemble Room
Thursday, April 16 | NEC Jazz Orchestra Concert: Invisible Choir: The Music of Ken Schaphorst
7:30 p.m. Jordan Hall
Monday, April 20| Jazz Ensemble Concerts: Seager and Morris
7-10 p.m. Eben Jordan Ensemble Room
Tuesday, April 21 | Jazz Composers Workshop Orchestra Concert
7:30 p.m. Jordan Hall
Wednesday, April 22 | Jazz Ensemble Concerts: Moses and Levy
7-10 p.m. Eben Jordan Ensemble Room
Thursday, April 23 | Jazz Ensemble Concerts: McBee and Moran
7-10 p.m. Eben Jordan Ensemble Room
Thursday, April 30 | The Future: a 50th Premiere
Featuring the world-premiere of a new work by Grammy nominated musician Chris Brubeck and excerpts from Ellington’s Sacred Concert with guest pianist Helen Sung.
7:30 p.m. Jordan Hall
In honor of 50th anniversaries of NEC’s Wind Ensemble and Jazz Department, this concert features the world premiere of a new work by esteemed jazz artist and multi-genre composer Chris Brubeck, commissioned and performed by the NEC Wind Ensemble conducted by William Drury. Brubeck will attend the concert, which will also feature excerpts from Duke Ellington’s Sacred Concert, performed by NEC’s Symphonic Winds and Chamber Singers with special guest jazz pianist Helen Sung.
Monday, April 27 | Jazz Ensemble Concerts: Bergonzi and Coleman
7-10 p.m. Eben Jordan Ensemble Room
Tuesday, April 28 | Jazz Ensemble Concerts: Zaleski, Eisenmann and Leake Ensembles
7-10 p.m. Eben Jordan Ensemble Room
Thursday, April 30 | International Jazz Day Celebration
This Fall, Goose flies West after a run of shows along the east coast, starting with a show at Parish Public House in Albany on Friday, October 18. The eight week run finds the band in New York City on Halloween and also makes return visits to familiar haunts in Buffalo and Boston, and will be supporting The Disco Biscuits in Pittsburgh and Pigeons Playing Ping Pong in New Haven, CT.
Goose’s fall will culminate with their sixth annual holiday celebration, Goosemas VI, on December 21. For the first time, Goosemas will be held at the historic Wall Street Theater in South Norwalk, CT. Surprises are always in store for Goosemas attendees, as the band regularly surprises attendees with a theme, special guests, and a healthy mix of new covers and well-known songs.
The quartet, based in Norwalk, CT, is comprised of Rick Mitarotonda (vocals, guitar), Peter Anspach (vocals, keyboards, guitar), Trevor Bass (bass), and Ben Atkind (drums).
The band returned to the studio in 2019 for the first time since the 2016 debut LP, Moon Cabin, releasing two singles, “All I Need” and “Time to Flee.” Mastered by Grammy Award winner, Emily Lazar, the singles exhibit a developed live band showcasing their studio voice.
In August, Goose played two nights at an intimate music festival in Kentucky, Birds of a Feather Music Festival. Goose premiered just this week the entire multi-cam 80 minute set from night two. Watch here, and check out their buzzworthy set from Peach Fest in July below.
Goose Fall 2019 Tour Dates
OCT 18 – Albany, NY, Parish Public House
OCT 19 – Cambridge, MA, Middle East Upstairs
OCT 25 – Wilkes-Barre, PA, River Street Jazz Cafe
OCT 31 – New York, NY, Mercury Lounge
NOV 02 – New Haven, CT, College Street (supporting Pigeons Playing Ping Pong)
NOV 07 – Harrisburg, PA, Club XL
NOV 08 – Washington, DC, 9:30 Club (supporting Sunsqabi)
NOV 10 – Richmond, VA, The Camel
NOV 14 – Pittsburgh, PA, The Roxian (supporting The Disco Biscuits)
NOV 15 – Columbus, OH, The Summit
NOV 16 – Buffalo, NY, Nietzche’s
DEC 05 – Fort Collins, CO, Aggie Theatre
DEC 06 – Denver, CO, Cervantes Other Side
DEC 07 – Steamboat Springs, CO, Old Town Pub
DEC 08 – Steamboat Springs, CO, Old Town Pub
DEC 11 – St. Louis, MO, The Bootleg
DEC 12 – Chicago, IL, Schubas
DEC 13 – Cincinnati, OH, Top Cats
DEC 14 – Indianapolis, IN, The Mousetrap
DEC 21 – Goosemas VI – South Norwalk, CT, Wall Street Theatre
Mungion and Magic Beans have announced a 15-date co-headlining tour kicking off November 6th in Kansas City, MO with stops bringing them to the Northeast and Southeast. The bands will trade off closing duties night to night, for a run that is full of energy and surprising shows.
“This tour will be something special,” says Scott Hachey from Magic Beans. “The two bands are matched in a way where the overall goal and outcome of our music is the same, however our means of achieving said response varies. Meaning we both set out to lift up the crowds spirits with high energy tunes, but our sounds and musical approach are different.
“However, both bands run the gamut of genres and songwriting. Anyone who is lucky enough to hit this tour will experience a very wide ranging scope of both familiar and unexpected music. Both bands should inspire each other to their upmost potential.”
Mungion’s Justin Reckamp adds, “We can’t wait to get out on the road with The Magic Beans! It’s been a little while since we got down to the south and east coast so we’re really looking forward to getting back there to show our fans what we’ve been working on. As far as pairing up with Magic Beans goes, there’s going to be some pretty wild stuff happening both on and off stage so be prepared to get weird. We’ve crossed paths with them for a while now so it’s nice to finally get a chance to tour with them and get to know each other better.”
Mungion, on the road in support of 2018’s Ferris Wheel’s Day Off, will also be performing a handful of midwest dates in September and October before celebrating Halloween with a show at Durty Nellie’s in Palatine, IL. They’ll also be ringing in New Years Eve with a three night run at Martyrs’ in Chicago, IL.
Magic Beans, fresh off the release of their new album Off Leash this past June will be heading into this run directly off a 3-Night Run of String Cheese Incident Halloween after shows in Austin, TX. The band will also be on the road for a run of dates with Cycles in late September, along with an appearance at Resonance Music & Arts Festival and culminates with a late night Magic Beans show to conclude Pigeons Playing Ping Pongs’ Flocktoberfest in Philadelphia on October 5th.
MUNGION / MAGIC BEANS TOUR
11/06 • Knuckleheads • Kansas City, MO
11/07 • Stickyz • Little Rock, AR
11/08 • Martin’s • Jackson, MS
11/09 • Proud Larry’s • Oxford, MS
11/10 • Howling Wolf • New Orleans, LA
11/13 • Nowhere Bar • Athens, GA
11/14 • Salvage Station • Asheville, NC
11/15 • Pour House • Charleston, SC
11/16 • Precarious Beer Hall • Williamsburg, VA
11/17 • Tellus360 • Lancaster, PA
11/20 • Wonder Bar • Asbury Park, NJ
11/21 • Knitting Factory • Brooklyn, NY
11/22 • Sprout Music Collective • West Chester, PA
11/23 • Kings Rook • Erie, PA
11/24 • Beachland Ballroom • Cleveland, OH
MUNGION TOUR DATES
9/13 • Larrypalooza • Gibbon Glade, PA
9/19 • The Cabooze • Minneapolis, MN
9/20 • Mill Creek • Appleton, WI
9/21 • Gabe’s • Iowa City, IA
10/18 • Kenny’s Westside Pub • Peoria, IL
10/19 • Canopy Club • Urbana, IL
10/26 • HiFi • Indianapolis, IN w/ Tauk
10/27 • Bell’s Eccentric Cafe • Kalamazoo, MI w/ Tauk
11/01 • Durty Nellies • Palatine, IL
12/28 • Martyrs • Chicago, IL
12/29 • Martyrs • Chicago, IL
12/31 • Martyrs • Chicago, IL
MAGIC BEANS TOUR DATES
9/07 • Hightopps Backstage • Timonium, MD
9/19 • Bourbon on Division • Chicago, IL w/ Cycles
9/20-9/22 • Resonance Music & Arts Fest • Slippery Rock, PA
9/25 • The Jewel • Manchester, NH
9/26 • Nectars • Burlington, VT w/ Cycles
9/27 • Iron Works • Buffalo, NY w/ Cycles
10/02 • Port City Music Hall • Portland, ME w/ Cycles
10/03 • The Hollow • Albany, NY w/ Cycles
10/05 • Flocktoberfest After Show at The Foundry • Philadelphia. PA
10/26 • The Summit • Denver, CO w/ Tnertle & Frogleg
On September 20, Radio City Music Hall will play host to Easy Rider Live, a special movie/concert event featuring the iconic 1969 film screened along with a live soundtrack. With the recent death of Easy Rider actor/writer Peter Fonda, the event will now also celebrate the memory of the legendary actor.
The evening at Radio City was originally planned to kick off with a statement from Fonda, and Fonda’s wife, Parky, said regarding the night “We are all still healing from Peter’s sudden passing, but he would insist that the message of Easy Rider and the culture for which it stands carry on. The celebration of a cinematic masterpiece, a Hollywood icon, and my beloved husband will not only be one of a kind, but exactly what he wanted.”
Easy Rider Live also celebrates the 50th anniversary of the film. The legendary soundtrack will be performed live by John Kay, Roger McGuinn, & special guests, with the evening’s music produced by T. Bone Burnett. More information can be found here.
Yo La Tengo have confirmed their annual Hanukkah run for 2019, with special guests joining them for eight consecutive nights at New York City’s Bowery Ballroom. The shows start Sunday, December 22 and end Sunday, December 29. Tickets for every night are on sale now.
The annual Hanukkah run features surprise guests each night, with 2018 seeing Graham Nash and Preservation Hall Jazz Band join Yo La Tengo. This year’s eight night residency marks the third year at Bowery Ballroom, after prior years in Hoboken, NJ at Maxwell’s.
Phish bassist Mike Gordon will hit the road with his band in early winter 2020, kicking off with their first ever show at The State Theatre in Ithaca, NY. The tour includes shows in Toronto, Chicago, St. Louis, Salt Lake City, Portland and wraps up in Seattle on February 1.
Tickets are now available for pre-sale, ending Thursday, September 12 at 5PM EST). Visit mike-gordon.com/tour for more info. Mike Gordon band is Scott Murawski (guitar), John Kimock (drums), Craig Myers (percussion) and Robert Walter (organ). Check out photos and review from his show in Jersey City in March.
Jan 17 State Theatre Ithaca, NY Jan 18 Danforth Music Hall Toronto, Ontario Jan 19 Mr. Smalls Theatre Millvale, PA Jan 20 Newport Music Hall Columbus, OH Jan 22 Thalia Hall Chicago, IL Jan 23 20th Century Theater Cincinnati, OH Jan 24 Delmar Hall St. Louis, MO Jan 25 Majestic Theatre Madison, WI Jan 26 Varsity Theater Minneapolis, MN Jan 28 Boulder Theater Boulder, CO Jan 29 The Commonwealth Room Salt Lake City, UT Jan 31 Crystal Ballroom Portland, OR Feb 01 The Showbox Seattle, WA
The Saratoga Performing Arts Center together with The Philadelphia Orchestra have announced a celebration of the 250th birthday of Ludwig van Beethoven to take place in 2020. In a concentrated four-night event, August 12-15, 2020, The Philadelphia Orchestra and Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin will present Beethoven’s Complete Cycle of Symphonies in dialogue with music by composers of today. The Philadelphia Orchestra has commissioned works that reflect on the relevance of Beethoven’s legacy today by its Composer-in-Residence, Gabriela Lena Frank, and a diverse group of composers from her Creative Academy of Music – including Jessica Hunt, Carlos Simon and Iman Habibi.
“Traversing the complete Symphonies of Beethoven is a profound and deeply moving musical experience. To hear them under the baton of the great Yannick Nézet-Séguin, in such a concentrated period, will be an artistic experience unlike anything we have ever presented at SPAC,” says Elizabeth Sobol, President and CEO of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. “Though Yannick and the Orchestra will also be performing the cycle in Philadelphia and at Carnegie Hall, only at SPAC will audiences be able to experience the symphonies in this immersive and virtually unprecedented manner.”
“We are incredibly excited to share the majesty of Beethoven’s masterpieces in four consecutive nights with our beloved fans in Saratoga,” said Philadelphia Orchestra Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin. “By pairing his groundbreaking works with new companion pieces, we look forward to creating fresh perspectives on Beethoven’s legacy today. It will surely be an exhilarating and deeply moving experience unlike anything we’ve ever presented before at SPAC.”
Beethoven 2020:The Philadelphia Orchestra Beethoven Cycle at Saratoga Performing Arts Center August 12-15, 2020
Wednesday, August 12th
Conductor: Yannick Nézet-Séguin
Carlos Simon: Work in Dialogue with Beethoven – PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA COMMISSION
Beethoven: Symphony No. 8
Beethoven: Symphony No. 4
Beethoven: Symphony No. 7
Buoyant and humorous, the Eighth Symphony belies none of the composer’s worsening health issues or what had to be the devastating end of a love affair, detailed in a famous letter written around the same time to his “Immortal Beloved.” Perhaps the least known, the Fourth was widely admired: Schumann compared it to “a slender Greek maiden” between the two “Norse giants” of the Third and Fifth; Berlioz insisted it was the work of an angel. And Tchaikovsky described the triumphant Seventh as “full of unrestrained joy, full of bliss and pleasure of life.” The exhilarating and familiar second movement is said to have been so inspiring at the premiere, an encore was demanded instantly.
Thursday, August 13th
Conductor: Yannick Nézet-Séguin
Jessica Hunt: Work in Dialogue with Beethoven – Philadelphia Orchestra Commission
Beethoven: Symphony No. 2
Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 (“Eroica”)
Beethoven was just beginning to go deaf when he wrote his Second Symphony and though he was losing his hearing, he was finding his voice. He could have composed a manifestation of despair, but instead gave the world one of his most ebullient and life-affirming works. The Third Symphony was groundbreaking, a turning point in the composer’s oeuvre and a watershed in musical history. A vast ode to heroism, revolution, and freedom, the “Eroica” is considered by many to be the greatest not just of Beethoven’s symphonies, but of all time.
Friday, August 14th
Conductor: Yannick Nézet-Séguin
Iman Habibi: Work in Dialogue with Beethoven – PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA COMMISSION
Beethoven: Symphony No. 5
Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 (“Pastoral”)
The indelible four-note opening of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony lays the foundation for a truly fateful symphonic journey. Written in 1804, and on the program when The Philadelphia Orchestra gave its first concert in 1900, it’s an epic tour de force that resonates in 2020. Following its rousing conclusion come the verdant valleys and sweet smells of the woods and the Austrian countryside, an exposition of Beethoven’s love of nature. Composed and premiered at the same time, the “Pastoral” offers a striking contrast to the assertive Fifth.
Saturday, August 15th
Conductor: Yannick Nézet-Séguin Chorus: Albany Pro Musica Concert Chorus
Frank: Work in Dialogue with Beethoven – PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA COMMISSION
Beethoven: Symphony No. 1
Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 (“Choral”)
Beethoven was just 25 when he wrote his First Symphony. Delightful and high-spirited, floating on strains of Mozart and Haydn, it’s a fascinating glimpse of the greatness and genius to come—all on full, glorious display in the climactic Ninth. Written just a few short years before his death, “Beethoven’s profound ode to brotherhood, salvation, and pure joy reminds us why we are here as an orchestra,” says Yannick, “and why we constantly try to make our world better by playing music.”
