Just as Phishmas at YEMSG got underway last night, so too did after party season. Night one’s offerings were numerous, highlighted by the one-off supergroup of John Medeski (keys), Billy Martin (drums), Scott Metzger (guitar, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead), and Nels Cline (guitar, Wilco) at Sony Hall. Not to discount the draws of Metzger and Cline, but MMW’s acid jazz has been intertwined with the Phish scene since 1995 and this highly anticipated show would eventually sell out in the hours before its 1:00 am start, leaving many fans outside on the sidewalk.
Sony Hall occupies the footprint of The Diamond Horseshoe, a celebrated and historic Times Square dinner theater with a standing room capacity of 1,000. The room is trimmed with gold paint, coffered ceilings and a disco ball, and lounge seating around the perimeter, lending to its historic feel. The room sounded great, although overcrowding was a serious deterrent for many.
Medeski, Cline, Metzger, and Martin were arranged audience left to right respectively, and began their two hour improvisational journey just before 1:00 a.m. Medeski would contribute the evening’s bass lines on his keys, as he and Martin provided the anchoring rhythm section for guitarists Cline and Metzger to explore in, on, and around. There were gorgeous moments of Metzger shred amidst a backdrop of effects heavy psychedelic exploration from Cline. The tempo was deliberate and purposeful and, coupled with the intense crowding, didn’t create much of a dancing atmosphere. At times the music felt almost transcendent, as Medeski and Martin created an ambient space for guitarists Metzger and Cline to play, their guitar work totally dictated by the tempo and beat of the drums and keys.
These musicians clearly enjoyed playing with one another as they treated those who braved the crowds and the late hours to a two hour set of improvisation that ended at 3:00 a.m. Sony Hall will host after shows on nights two and three as well, with Star Kitchen on 12/29 and Ghost Note plays Prince on 12/30.
The Soul Rebels, a brass/hip-hop ensemble out of New Orleans, has announced a winter tour in support of their new album, Poetry In Motion. Joining them on tour will beMatisyahu, Tank and the Bangas, and Big Freedia who are also featured artists on the album.
During the month of March, The Soul Rebels will make four stops in New York. First, they will be performing at Buffalo Iron Works on March 1. They will travel to Syracuse for a night at the Westcott Theater on March 2, before journeying downstate to Poughkeepsie to play at Revel 32 on March 7. Finally they will spend their last two days on March 13 & 14 at the Brooklyn Bowl where they will be joined by unannounced special guests.
Released in October via their imprint Rebelution Music Group, on Artistry Music/Mack Avenue Music Group, Poetry in Motion debuted at #1 on the Contemporary Jazz charts and was in the top 20 for the Current Rap, R&B/Hip – Hop and R&B Album charts. The song “Greatness” was ESPN’s official College Hoops Blockbuster promo song for the 2019-20 season. Recently The Soul Rebels appeared on Dave East feat. Nas‘ track “Godfather 4,” adding harmony and backup vocals.
The 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award recipients have been announced by the Recording Academy and it features a heralded list of singers, songwriters, rappers and performers.
The recipients include, rock bandChicago, who is known for bringing jazz band-style horns into rock music, as well as numerous number one albums, one of which –Chicago Transit Authority– has been inducted into the Grammy Hall Of Fame.
Fourteen-time nominee, and four-time Grammy-winner, Roberta Flack, will also be a recipient. The songstress is known for number one records like “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” and “Killing Me Softly with His Song.”
Soul singer-songwriter Isaac Hayes, already a member of the Songwriters and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, will collect another nod to his legendary career.
Influential rocker, Iggy Pop, also known as the “Godfather of Punk,” is best known for his illustrious solo career, while also serving as the lead singer of proto-punk band, The Stooges. He will be on the receiving end of his very first Grammy-award, as a 2020 Special Merit recipient.
Folk singer/songwriter, John Prine, known for his humorous style of country music – will be collecting his third Grammy, the influential songwriter has also had his eponymous debut-album inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Hip-hop pioneers, Public Enemy, known for their hard-hitting politically conscious lyrics and social commentary – will be awarded their very first Grammy win. The legendary group is best known for its classic LPIt Takes A Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back in addition to the renowned protest anthem “Fight the Power,” which has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Sister Rosetta Tharpe, being awarded posthumously, was a gospel singer, with innate skills on the electric guitar. The singer-songwriter, somewhat under-appreciated, with only one Grammy nomination before her death in 1973, but not any less legendary, was also recognized as having the first gospel record to crossover on the R&B charts.
The Special Merit Award – also known as the Lifetime Achievement Award – is decided on by vote of the Recording Academy’s National Trustees, to performers who, during their lifetimes, have made creative contributions of outstanding artistic significance to the field of recording, according to the official Grammyswebsite, with past recipients including the likes of – Dianna Ross, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles and Miles Davis.
Marcus King is currently on tour in support of his debut solo album El Dorado, which is slated to be released in January.
While the album may be a solo affair, Marcus King’s show in Buffalo at the Town Ballroom was a team effort with each member of the sextet having their chance to shine.
However, the spotlight definitely shined brightest on the namesake of the group. Marcus King may only be 23 years old but he already possesses the chops and stage presence of a timeless blues master that demands your full attention.
Marcus King – Town Ballroom, Buffalo
Setlist: What’s Right, Virginia, How Long, Beautiful Stranger, Radio Soldier, Dyin’, One Day She’s Here, Sweet Mariona, Good Hearted Woman, Side Door, Homesick, Always / Jesus Children, Plant Your Corn Early, New Song
Greenwich, NY natives Eastbound Jesus is set to release a new studio album, Full Moon Over Salem, on February 1 in celebration of their new album, for a a one-night performance at The Cohoes Music Hall at 8 p.m.
Carl Anderson (drummer/vocals) said of the release, “Full Moon Over Salem will be our first album in close to five years. We spent four years writing and performing these tracks before spending the last year recording it. After releasing four albums in five years it was important for us to take our time with this one and continue to push ourselves musically. It’s always been a goal to elevate our songwriting while remaining true to our signature Eastbound Jesus sound. Over the past year we have picked away at the songs, playing around with pedals and amps to find new tones, and trying different recording styles to elevate the compositions. We gave ourselves the time to bring in a number of guest musicians, and to really work through each track sometimes changing and re-recording our parts to get them where we wanted them. Now it’s time to put the album out there and hopefully everyone will appreciate all the work that has gone into it.”
Comprised of six friends the self-titled “Northern Rock” band has previously released four studio and one live album. Fans have seen them around the region at venues like The Palace Theatre and Alive at Five. For the past several years they have also partnered with Greg Bell of Guthrie/Bell Productions to host a two-day music and camping festival called Eastbound Throwdown on Irwin Farm in Salem, NY.
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here.
Acclaimed jazz guitarist – Julian Lage, has revealed a new set of performances to end the year and bring in the new decade, in celebration of his latest Grammy nomination. A five-time nominee of the prestigious award, Lage has been a universally renowned composer for almost two decades – having first performed at the 2000 Grammy awards, at only 12 years old.
The tour, which has included performances alongside fellow guitar icon Bill Frisell, will see him and his bandmates – The Julian Lage Trio, featured in his 2019 album Love Hurts – perform throughout the East Coast. Beginning with a stop at Philadelphia’s Jonny Brenda’s, Lage will also make stops in Washington, DC and Old Saybrook, CT, before finishing off with a six-night set at the Village Vanguard in New York City.
Julian Lage’s slate of performance can be found below, while tickets can be purchased here.
Dec. 18 – Johnny Brenda’s – Philadelphia, PA
Dec. 19 – Union Stage – Washington, DC
Dec. 20 – Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center – Old Saybrook, CT
Jan. 14 – 19 (Tuesday through Sunday) – Village Vanguard – New York, NY
Mike Zito, the highly praised blues-rock guitarist, will be performing at Daryl’s House Club in Pawling, NY on Thursday, Dec. 12. This is just one stop on the ‘Rock N’ Roll World Tour’ that will continue through the winter in promotion of his new album Rock N Roll: A Tribute to Chuck Berry.
Released on Nov. 1 by Ruf Records, Zito’s Rock N Roll: A Tribute to Chuck Berry quicklyrose to number one on the Billboard Blues Chart were it spent several weeks. Twenty-one guest guitarists are featured on the project in honor of the rock ‘n’ roll trailblazer. The album is produced by Mike Zito and was recorded at his Marz Studios. In addition to the album, Zito has also recently launched his own new label, Texas-based Gulf Coast Records.
“This was a very special project for me,” says Zito. “I lived in Chuck’s hometown of St. Louis for thirty-two years, and I worked at a small musical instrument store where his drummer also happened to be employed. Chuck’s son would drop by on occasion as well. He was an icon, and rightfully so. I’ve been playing his songs since I was a kid. Needless to say, he was a tremendous influence on my career, and, of course, on many other musicians’ as well.”
Show time is 8 p.m. with ticket prices ranging from $15 – $25. Tickets are available for purchase through Ticketweb. See all U.S. tour dates below.
Mike
Zito – “Rock N’ Roll World Tour” US Dates
Dec. 11 – Infinity Music Hall – Norfolk, CT
Dec. 12 – Daryl’s House Club – Pawling, NY
Dec. 13 – Mauch Chunk Opera House – Jim Thorpe, PA
Dec. 14 – Narrows Center for the Arts – Fall River, MA
Festival organizers have released the names of the first three headliners for the 2020 Rochester International Jazz Festival. They are Nile Rodgers & Chic; A Celebration of 50 Years, Garth Fagan Dance with Monty Alexander Sextet; and Spyro Gyra. Tickets go on sale Friday, Dec. 6 at 10 a.m. at RochesterJazz.com . Three and nine-day Club Passes are also on sale now.
The 020 Rochester International Jazz Festival will be held June 19 to 27, 2020 in multiple indoor and outdoor venues in downtown Rochester. All headlining shows are held at 8 p.m. at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre.
Nile Rodgers & Chic take the stage on Friday, June 26. Garth Fagan Dance will celebrate 50 years of dance at the CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival performing with long-time friend, Monty Alexander and his Sextet,on Wednesday, June 24. And returning for the first time since 2003 is contemporary jazz icons Spyro Gyra.
December is here, and that means Phish’s annual four night run at Madison Square Garden is right around the corner. And with those four nights of Phish come… Phish after-parties! CEG Presents has put together an incredible slate of post-shows that you’ll be looking to check out after emptying out on 7th and 8th Avenues following Phish. See below for details on all the great shows you’ll find starting late, December 28-30, plus a special NYE show from The New Mastersounds!
John Medeski and Billy Martin (Medeski Martin and Wood) will come together with Scott Metzger (JRAD) and Nels Cline (Wilco) for the first time, one night only, for an evening of improvisational music after Phish performs at Madison Square Garden on December 28.
An eclectic jam/funk band, infusing deep psychedelic grooves with improvisational techniques. The ambitiously crafted keyboard mastery, expressive saxophone and immaculate guitar shredding meld into a dynamic fusion. Lean more about The New Motif.
Pink Talking Fish provides their own original musical concept by combining the songbooks of Pink Floyd, Talking Heads and Phish to create a unique experience for live music fans. The band has added to this concept over the years by adding a 4th Act such as David Bowie, Grateful Dead, Michael Jackson and more. They have also performed complete albums while intertwining songs from the other 2 Acts into the mix. On December 29 at Gramercy Theatre, PTF will unleash one of the most exciting concepts to date: Pink Talking Fish Are Beastie Boys! This will be a fusion of Pink Floyd, Talking Heads, Phish AND Beastie Boys.
Joining the band will be DJ Logic, who will be assuming the duties of Mix Master Mike and also adding his flavor to songs from the other 3 Acts. PTF will also be performing ‘Dark Side Of The Moon’ for a NYC Phish After-Party on December 28th, also at Gramercy Theatre. This will be a full rendition of the Pink Floyd album with Phish and Talking Heads songs intertwined through the album cuts.
Anybody who’s seen Marco Benevento perform will attest, with eyes closed, smile wide across his face and fingers free-flowing across the keys, he’s a satellite to the muse. With a devout and growing fan-base, Benevento is an artist whose story is only beginning to unfold..
– Sunday December 29 – Hill Country
The music of The Grateful Dead transcends time, age and space. Their high energy, soul-touching jams, and family-like environment were central to the counter-culture experience. Over the past 19 years Dead Sessions has grown to become one of the favorite Grateful Dead experiences in the Northeast. Playing since 1998, the collective is known for their authentic but unique renditions of Grateful Dead classics, thick with spiritual connectivity and heartfelt jams that make the most jaded Deadhead rejoice. Dead Sessions is composed of a rotating cast of musicians throughout the country, but the roots of origin are easily traced to the Green Mountain State. With an unmasked joy that pours off the stage and blurs any boundaries with their audience, the Sessions are beloved by all from the casual fan to the dedicated Terrapin warrior.
Monday December 30 – (le) poisson rouge
On December 30, Greenwich Village venue (le) poisson rouge will host Electric In The Village: Ryley Walker, Chris Forsyth, and Garcia Peoples. Guitarist/songwriter Chris Forsyth got his start in Brooklyn’s experimental circles in the early 2000’s, and as the bandleader of Chris Forsyth & the Solar Motel Band, channeled both the psychedelic jamming of the Grateful Dead and the precision of art-punk guitar acts like Television. Illinois-based fingerstyle guitarist and singer-songwriter Ryley Walker adds new flavor to the series; his music has been described as fingerstyle ballads, psychedelic waltzes, and raga-inspired blues. Garcia Peoples is the Brooklyn Sextet blasting through residencies and new songs and sessions and collaborations, leaving a trail of live tapes in their wake, and scaling ever upwards.
– Tuesday December 31, 2018 – Gramercy Theatre
The New Mastersounds have been delighting audiences with their infectious brand of funky soul-jazz since they formed in Leeds in 1999. For the first five years of the band’s career they were regulars at the Jazz Café in London, before they began to turn heads on the funk scene in the US, where guitarist/producer/bandleader Eddie Roberts now lives. For over a decade they have been a staple act of the late-night scene during New Orleans’ annual Jazz Fest.
Though they have collaborated over the years with such musical luminaries as Maceo Parker, Fred Wesley, Corinne Bailey Rae, Art Neville, Bernard Purdie and Lou Donaldson, they are at their best on stage as a tightly-packed quartet – bass, drums, guitar and keyboards – firing scorching grooves off each other and feeding on the energy of the dancers in the front row.
UK-based modern jazz artist Kamaal Williams brought his band to Brooklyn this past Saturday for a headlining show at Bushwick’s Elsewhere. Also known as Henry Wu, Williams has been putting out hip-hop-infused jazz music since 2012. With a musical foundation as a drummer, Williams has brought a percussionist mentality to his music, developing deep layers and rhythms on the keys.
In 2018, Williams founded his own record label, Black Focus Records, and released his debut as Kamaal Williams, The Return. The album is a true representation of the modern jazz scene, with influences from hip-hop, UK garage and funk melding with the jazz foundation in a unique way. All of these influences feature heavily on William’s NTS Radio residency as Henry Wu.
The show relied heavily on The Return, but throughout the night the band ventured in and out of unidentifiable musical passages and jams. The connection between Williams and the drummer was obvious as they cued off each other constantly, all while keeping in sync. Along with Williams’ large keyboard setup, the band consisted of drums, bass and tenor saxophone, but the depth of their sound made them seem much larger.
Shifting back to his roots as Henry Wu, Williams also released the 70th edition of the legendary series DJ Kicks this earlier this month. Still with jazz influences throughout, this release focuses more on the eclectic history of UK beat and garage music with Williams’ jazz style layered in. After the show at Elsewhere, Williams moved up to the second floor loft to DJ a late night party celebrating this release.
Fourteen-time nominee, and four-time Grammy-winner, 
