On Sunday, November 17, Everyone Orchestra, conducted by Matt Butler, will welcome a cadre of musicians for a performance at Garcia’s at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY.
Butler will bring with him sacred steel guitarist Robert Randolph, Vernon Reid (Living Colour), Claude Coleman Jr. (Ween), George Gekas (The Revivalists), Josh Schwartz and Chris Brouwers (Turkuaz), along with Asbury Park’s Remember Jones.
If you’ve never caught Everyone Orchestra, let alone a Sunday show at Garcia’s, this performance couldn’t be better timed.
The calendar may have turned to November but the Halloween spirit was strong in Buffalo with Turkuaz dressing up in celebration of our neighbors’ to the north national pastime, ice hockey! Sammi Garett and Shira Elias even dropped their gloves and staged a hockey fight that had to be broken up by referee Chris Brouwers to the delight of the packed crowd at the Town Ballroom.
Setlist: Nightswimming, Doktor Jazz, Make You Famous, Heat Drop, If I Ever Fall Asleep, E.Y.E., Mister Man, Digitonium, Big Business > Murder Face, Take ‘Em Down, Every1’s A Winner > Superstatic, Better Get Ready > Lookin’ Tough, Feelin’ Good, Gogo Mr. Dodo, The Shape I’m In Encore: Monkey Fingers
After releasing singles “L.B.E.,” “Losing,” and “Insecure” earlier this year, Brooklyn based R&B singer Amare Symoné released her latest single “Ellipsis” on October 24. Utilizing her inseparable ties of Jazz and R&B, Symoné creates a modern fusion of the unique two genres. A dissonant sample loops throughout the track, as Amare’s vocals float throughout in her ever-confident delivery.
This sex-positive track finds Symoné sorting through her head wondering why they both just can’t read the signs. Wrapped up in her own thoughts, this song looks to fill in the blanks, or in other words the ‘Ellipsis’ of her own feelings.
Symoné, a California born and Brooklyn bred singer-songwriter, poet, activist, and womanist, graduated from Professional Performing Arts High School in NYC. A student at Columbia College working towards a Bachelor’s degree in music business, Amare is inspired and influenced by Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, Destiny’s Child, Etta James and Eryn Allen Kane.
Ghost Note, the acclaimed jazz, hip-hop, funk and world-fusion outfit will gather a few talented friends for a very special tribute to Prince at Sony Hall on Monday, December 30 for a late-night show following Phish’s performance at Madison Square Garden.
Former Prince collaborators MonoNeon (bass), saxophonist Sylvester Onyejiaka (saxophone) and Dominique Xavier Taplin (keys) have made sure the Purple One’s pedigree is always well-represented with Ghost-Note. For this guest-filled, late-night Ghost-Note & Friends Play Prince blowout, the insanely gifted outfit led by percussionists Nate Werth and Robert Sput Searight (Snarky Puppy) will dive headfirst into the beloved Prince catalog to help NYC party like it’s (almost) 2020.
Joining Ghost-Note as the “Friends” portion of the bill will be Trey Anastasio Band trumpeter/vocalist Jennifer Hartswick (Trey Anastasio Band), D’Angelo and The Vanguard singers Rojo “REDD” Lavoe and Ahrel Lumzy, and Cory Henry/Childish Gambino vocal collaborator STOUT. Hartswick will be pulling double-duty during the Phish run, as the TAB trumpeter and vocalist will also be playing with The Disco Biscuits bassist Marc Brownstein’s Star Kitchenthe night before, Sunday, December 29th, also at Sony Hall.
Tickets for Ghost-Note & Friends Play Prince go on-sale at 2 p.m. ET, and can be purchased here.
The first ever Dr. Martens Music & Film Seriesis set to take place on Wednesday, Oct. 30at the Superchief Gallery, located on 1628 Jefferson Avenue in Queens. The event—set to begin at 7:00 p.m.—will consist of a group of performers and entertainers, sharing their stories of resilience and determination. They explore the trials and tribulations that come with a career in entertainment while realizing their own artistic vision in the music industry.
Curated by New York-based filmmaker Vincent Martell and Los Angeles based filmmaker Erik Rojas, the series will consist of L.A. and NYC concert events as well as accompanying short documentary films that will provide an intimate look at the daily lives of working musicians.
The confirmed artists for the Dr. Martens Music & Film Series include Brooklyn’s own JunglePussy—who is being promoted as the headline performer for the New York City portion of the event. Rapper De’wayne Jackson, female rock group L.A. Witch and labelmates Sad Girl, Los Angeles punk-rock quartet The Paranoyds, hip-hop soul duo OSHUN, Afro-Latinx group Combo Chimbita, New York-based R&B group Phony Ppl, punk band Death Valley Girls, singer-songwriter Samia and r&b songstress PJ.
Premiere psychedelic funk band Lettuce will find their way to Central New York on November 20, with a performance at Utica’s Stanley Theater. No strangers to playing shows across New York State, this marks Lettuce’s first ever performance in Utica.
For more than two decades, Lettuce have brought a new vitality to classic funk, matching their smooth and soulful grooves with a hip-hop-inspired urgency.
Comprised of a stellar group of musicians – Drummer Adam Deitch, guitarists Adam Smirnoff, bassist Erick “Jesus” Coomes, keyboardist and vocalist Nigel Hall, saxophonist Ryan Zoidis, and trumpet player Eric Bloom—the band consistently displays an applauded mastery of their respective crafts. The group of high caliber musicians blend their talents together in a sound that is distinctly their own.
From their latest album Elevate, acclaimed single “The Love You Left Behind” is a funky take on the classic tune. Featuring the gritty vocals of blues siren Alecia Chakour, the track was included in NPR’s All Songs Considered and is a crowd favorite at their live shows.
Formed in 1992, when several band members attended a summer program at Boston’s Berklee College of Music as teenagers, Lettuce was founded on a shared love of legendary funk artists like Earth, Wind & Fire and Tower of Power. After returning to Berklee as undergrads in 1994, Lettuce started playing in local clubs and steadily built up a following that soon extended to cities across the country and then throughout the world.
Opening the night will be Ghost-Note. Having formed in 2015, the group’s two studio albums – 2018’s Swagism and 2015’s Fortified – have earned critical acclaim and popular success around the globe, with both albums hitting the #1 spot on the iTunes jazz charts. Pushing funk music into the future, Ghost-Note builds on the uplifting, pioneering foundations laid out by the likes of James Brown and Sly & The Family Stone and infuse their fresh take with tastes of afrobeat, hip-hop, psychedelia, world folklore, and more.
For more information and tickets, visit The Stanley Theater website.
Four years ago Matt Strong had an idea — an idea that came to him as he admired a painting a friend of his had done. The idea was to put together a fall festival celebrating Mother Earth and female musicians. As the owner-operator of Rooted Entertainment Solutions, he was finally able to bring that to fruition at Woods Valley Ski Area in Westernville, site of the past two Woods Fest Music Festivals, this past Saturday at Harvestfest: Tribute to Mother Earth.
Woods Valley owner-operator Tim Woods and Strong put their heads together to create a regional fall festival drawing from bands with strong female musicians. The result was a full day of music, collaboration, vendors, good vibes and hats, lots of hats, that lasted into the wee hours of the morning. The event culminated with a female-heavy superjam that saw the ladies collaborating on stellar versions of Labelle’s “Lady Marmalade” and Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition.”
Headliner Hayley Jane sat in with a number of the acts throughout the day and performed two sets with Rob Compa of Dopapod as well.
The running theme throughout the day was community. Attendees of all ages, including families, attended the event, greeting familiar faces and befriending unfamiliar faces. Attendees and musicians alike were seen mingling, talking music and art and just enjoying the beautiful weather.
Despite the fact that each band came from different backgrounds and different areas, there was a true sense of community felt among the musicians at Woods Valley. Many of them were meeting each other for the first time and became fast friends, with some even making plans to perform together in the future. This may have been an unintended goal in putting together such a festival but one that will surely benefit the Northeast music community for some time to come. The intended goal was surely achieved. This was a day to celebrate the power of women in music. There were several powerful performances throughout the day and one powerful organization that is quickly making its name in the live music scene.
The non-profit organization Groovesafe was on site during the festival. Groovesafe is a 501(c)(3) organization that brings awareness of the need for consent, to stand against sexual assault and unwanted touching at shows and festivals and to create safe and respectful dance spaces. It is a movement founded by Ashley Driscoll, following an incident at a Phish show in Las Vegas in the fall of 2016. To learn more about the Groovesafe movement and how you can donate or contribute to the cause, visit their website here.
Plans are already underway for Harvestfest 2.
Kari Feingold of Tailfeather, Hayley Jane and Ashley Driscoll of GroovesafeEvan Bujold and Andrea Canale skanking during Viva Mayhem’s setDwayne Keith from the New Mosaic sits in with Late EarthEmily Hoyt, Hayley Jane, Andrea Canale and Erica T. Bryan SuperjammingEmily Hoyt, Andrea Canale, Hayley Jane, Erica T. Bryan and Jessica Brown (L to R)Hayley Jane, Erica T. Bryan and Rob CompaHayley JaneBrian Lauri, Jessica Brown/Root ShockMatt StrongRob Compa and Hayley JaneRoot ShockRoot ShockRoot ShockViva MayhemViva MayhemErica T. Bryan and the New MosaicAndrea Canale/Late EarthBrock Kuca/Annie in the WaterEvan Bujold/Late EarthRob CompaErica T. BryanThe New MosaicLate Earth
One Night Only Again brought awareness to an unfortunate disease called EB, thanks to a few incredible musicians who came together for a special night of jamming at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY last weekend. The night started with a few EB patients on stage rallying for debra of America, the only U.S. non-profit that provides all-inclusive support to the EB community, and ended with two sets of soul satisfying blues standards, jazz, funk and southern rock.
The EB patients take the stage
The show began with several patients on stage discussing the difficulties associated with EB, also known as Epidermolysis Bullosa, which causes extremely fragile skin. These brave individuals rallied for Debra, as their bandages can cost up to $85K per month and Debra helps defray this cost and much more. Please visit http://www.debra.org/ for more information.
Warren Haynes
After the heartfelt moment with the patients, an all-star cast of musicians emerged on stage to rock out in honor of them, including Warren Haynes (Gov’t Mule) on guitar, Joe Russo (Joe Russo’s Almost Dead) on drums, John Medeski (Medeski, Martin and Wood) on keys, George Porter Jr (Meters) on bass, and Karl Denson (Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe) on saxophone, flute and percussion.
These musicians are feeling it!
Jazzy undertones were present throughout the night as this group had great stage karma, wove through musical genres, and delivered a delicious setlist. Notable jazz-infused rock covers included The Rolling Stone’s “Honky Tonk Woman” and The Allman Brother’s “Whipping Post.” Unfortunately, these songs could only be heard for one night only.
George Porter Jr.
Set One: Warren Hayne’s 3 “String George,” Warren Hayne’s “Sick Of My Shadow,” The Meter’s “Just Kissed My Baby,” Allen Toussaint’s “From A Whisper To A Stream,” The Rolling Stones’ “Honky Tonk Women,” “Good Morning, School Girl” (blues standard), and “32-20 Blues” (blues standard)
Set Two: The Staple Singers’ “Hammer & Nails” > Smokestack Lightning (blues classic), James Brown’s “The Payback,” Jesse Stone’s “Don’t Let Go,” Warren Hayne’s “River’s Gonna Rise,” The Rolling Stone’s “Let’s Spend The Night Together,” Gov’t Mule’s “Sco-Mule,” The Meters’ “It Ain’t No Use,” The Allman Brothers’ “Whipping Post”
The Phryg, a four piece progressive funk band from Brooklyn, best known for tremendously original music featuring deep pockets of funk have found their talents bringing them across the country. Today, The Phryg release the video and single for “Bad Habit,” a song about being ‘addicted’ to funk and attempting to suppress the urge to dance when hearing music that makes you want to let loose.
The lyrics playfully describe the main character coming to terms with his problem and later succumbing to his primal urges stating, “If we could all come to see that the funk is a remedy.”
The tune opens with a thumping groove between the bass and drums that drops into an intoxicatingly catchy chorus. The verses bounce along as lyrics intertwine with Hammond organ before synth chords. The song climaxes with a fiery guitar solo that twists, turns and ascends upwards. The listener is brought back down to earth with a return to the chorus and the final lyrics, “It’s easier to give in then to refrain – I’ve got a funk bad habit.”
The video features Seth Schiesel, Terry Brennan (Cousin Earth) and Angelic Aguilera, with videography by Brandon McClasky and editing by Bryan Walters.
The Phryg most recently played an after party at Garcia’s for a sold out Vida Blue show at The Capitol Theatre, and 2018’s Shakori Hills Festival alongside NY artists like Lettuce and Consider the Source. They’ve shared the stage with Bob Lanzetti of Snarky Puppy, Organ Freeman, Joe Hertler & the Rainbow Seekers, The Fritz, Cycles and many more. The Phryg released their self-titled full length album in July 2016 as a follow up to their debut EP Midnight Snack.
The Phryg Fall Tour dates
Nov. 2 – Official Umphrey’s McGee pre-party at Goose Island – Philadelphia, PA
Nov. 8 – Casa del Sol – Nyack, NY
Nov. 22 – Rock Harbor Pub & Brewery – Rockland, ME
Nov. 23 – Maine Craft Distilling – Portland, ME
Dec. 28 – Phish after party at Rockwood Music Hall – New York, NY
While in the midst of a change of leadership, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has nominated 20 new possible inductees for 2020. These latest nominees—which include posthumous nominations for legendary rapper, The Notorious B.I.G, as well as R&B and soul songstress Whitney Houston—are bridging a gap between genres, genders and race. Something departing Rock Hall chairman Jann Wenner has been criticized for in the past. A claim which he has refuted. “Musical achievements have got to be race-neutral and gender-neutral,” said Wenner, according to the New York Times.
Nonetheless, incoming chairman John Sykes—the president of Entertainment Enterprises for the radio conglomerate iHeartMedia—has made it a point to embrace the new direction that music is heading into. “The important goal is to diversify the New York foundation board, with more women, more people of color and [become] a board that reflects the artists that are now being inducted,” said Sykes, according to The Cleveland Plain Dealer.
While new agendas are being set forward, traditional rock bands are still a mainstay of the Rock Hall of Fame. This year’s nominations include rock acts Motörhead, Judas Priest, Dave Matthews Band, Nine Inch Nails, the MC5, Thin Lizzy and T Rex, among others.
After nominations, the committee in charge of electing inductees—made up of more than 1,000 historians, members of the music history and every living Rock Hall inductee—fill out ballots with the five highest vote getters making up that year’s class. Beginning in 2012, fans have been allowed to vote who they think belongs in the Rock Hall, with the top five fan vote-getters making up one ballot. Artists become eligible to be nominated 25 years after the release of their first commercial recording, according to the Rock Hall’s official website.
The official inductees will be announced in January, with the ceremony to take place in May. The show will air at a later date on HBO.
