NYS Music 20​19

Category: World/Reggae

  • 29th Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival Lineup Posted

    The 29th annual Finger Lakes Grassroots Festival Of Music & Dance takes place July 18-21 this year. Held in Trumansburg, the event includes more than 70 musical performances. In addition to hosts Donna the Buffalo, headliners include Hayley Jane & The Primates, Driftwood, Railroad Earth, and Giant Panda Guerrilla Dub Squad. The lineup also includes a diverse array of national and regional acts.

    Other offerings include camping, local food and craft vendors, children’s activities, daily yoga, healing arts and instrument workshops, visual arts exhibits, and so much more. A Culture Camp chock full of workshops, food and dance, will be held July 14-17.

    Finger GrassRoots Headliners:Donna the Buffalo – Taj Mahal Quartet – Willie Watson – Railroad Earth – Rising Appalachia – Todd Snider – Ryan Montbleau Band – Hayley Jane & the Primates – Driftwood – Tony Perez Band  BKO – Keith Frank & the Soileau Zydeco Band – Giant Panda Guerrilla Dub Squad – Garifuna Collective – Nativos Jammin’ Orchestra – Sammus

    New Finger Lakes GrassRoots Acts: Jose Albizu Jazz Trio – Swamp Kids – Root Shock – Feufollet – The Turbans – The Crucials  Ephniko DJ Evo Evolution – Oliver Bates Craven – Aaron Lipp & the Slack Tones – Dirty Blanket – ¡Viva Mayhem! – Ruth Rosenblatt & George Cooke – PA Line Drank – The Gold Tattat – Folkfaces – Vicious Fishes

    Finger Lakes GrassRoots AllStars: Jim Lauderdale – Preston Frank & His Zydeco Family Band – Richie & Rosie Cortadito – Sim Redmond Band –  Gunpoets – The Campbell Brothers – The Blind Spots – Mosaic Foundation – Keith Secola & His Wild Band – Ithaca Bottom Boys – Sihasin – Fall Creek Brass Band – Jones Benally Family Dance Troupe – The Flying Clouds Of South Carolina – Moontee Sinquah – Walter Mouton & the Scott Playboys –  Kevin Kinsella – Hank Roberts – Tenzin Chopak – Empire Kings Double Tiger – Traonach – Mac Benford & Up South – Mary Lorson – KidBess & the Magic Ring – Bubba George String Band – Nery Arevalo – Plastic Nebraska – The Fly Rods Laila Belle – The Sutras – Ithaca Underground – Move-Along Songs w/John & Diane – GrassRoots Chamber Orchestra

    Tickets are on sale now.

  • In Focus: A Benefit for Creative Music Studio

    On Wednesday April 3 The Brooklyn Bowl played host to a Benefit for Creative Music Studio. An amazing lineup of musicians including Billy Martin, Oteil Burbridge, Joe Russo, Marshall Allen, Dave Harrington, Cyro Baptista, Jonathan Goldberg and many more paid tribute to an amazing cause with two hours of jamming – blending of many different styles of music in true fashion of the foundation. The culmination of the performance came when founder Karl Berger conducted this amazing group of musicians, just as he’s done since he began this foundation.

    Karl Berger, Ingrid Sertso and Ornette Coleman founded the Creative Music Studio in 1971. Their Goal was to establish a nonprofit organization focused on improvisation and musical cross-pollination that complemented musician’s academic studies. It’s a place where music as a universal language can be explored and expanded. The organizations main program was a place where over 500 hundred performances were recorded. Hundreds of guiding artists lived, played, and shared musical wisdom with thousands of participants many who went on to become well know musicians.

    Support more of the amazing work being done at Creative Music Studio.

  • Angelique Kidjo to Light Up UPAC

    Remain in Light, the Talking Heads’ fourth studio album, peaked at number 19 on the U.S. Billboard 200 in 1980. Even more impressively, Rolling Stone named it the fourth best album of the decade in 1989. On April 11, Grammy winner Angelique Kidjo will perform her interpretation of the iconic album at Kingston’s Ulster Performing Arts Center (UPAC).

    angelique kidjo upacAngélique Kidjo, (Angélique Kpasseloko Hinto Hounsinou Kandjo Manta Zogbin Kidjo) is a native of the West African nation Benin. No stranger to creating astounding albums, Kidjo won three Grammys for her contemporary world music and was nominated on multiple other occasions. Kidjo premiered Remain in Light at Carnegie Hall in 2017 and she claims that West African influence on the original Talking Heads’ album made her interpretation an organic fit. While Kidjo’s musical interpretation will be a unique twist, the Talking Heads’ lyrics are sure to be familiar to all. 

    Collaborators for this Angelique Kidjo project include producer Jeff Bhasker, who has worked with The Rolling Stones and Beyonce among others, Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend and songwriter Dev Hynes, also known as Blood Orange. Bhasker states the lofty goal of the collaboration was “to rip out [Remain in Lights’] guts and turn it on its head.” He explains that he and Kidjo hope the project brings the worlds of rock and African music closer together. The event takes place on Thursday, April 11 at 7:30. UPAC, located on Kingston’s historic Broadway, hosts the event. Tickets can be purchased here.

  • Lúnasa Brings Troy Music Hall to their Feet

    As Lúnasa winds up their North American spring tour, it would be remiss not to take an opportunity to sing their folk praises. The sextet had quite the reputation to live up to, even as a first time attendee, after being quoted by New York Post as the “Hottest Irish Acoustic Group on the Planet.” With special guest Natalie Merchant, we would expect nothing less.

    For those of you who have not heard of Lúnasa, they are an award winning Traditional Celtic band from Ireland. Touring extensively over the course of the last 22 years, the band brings the highest level of musicianship.

    With Kevin Crawford on flute/whistles, Trevor Hutchinson on bass, Cillian Vallely on Uilleann Pipes/whistles, Colin Farrell on fiddle, and Ed Boyd on guitar, this group melds together perfectly, bringing  a flawless sound to their audience.

    The setting for the evening was Troy Savings Bank Music Hall. Living in Troy a short period of time back in the early 90’s, I don’t recall this charming neighborhood of brownstones, little pubs and shops with such grand architecture all around. It was the perfect setting for a perfect evening of music. The venue itself is a work of art, with the most amazing lighting and acoustics. You couldn’t ask for a better place to see Lúnasa.

    Performing two full sets of music from their extensive library, Crawford would occasionally set up the songs with a personal story about who wrote the number, what inspired it and what the audience would be in store for. He was witty and charming, making the audience feel comfortable from the start. It was a personal insight that would invest you even more into the evening.

    Later they were accompanied by the acclaimed Natalie Merchant, lead singer of 10,000 Maniacs.  Her voice is sultry and smooth, with lyrics that speak to your soul. As she took the stage with the band, she spoke of joining them last year on a tour of Ireland, sharing how they came to work together. While working on a collaborative album, Merchant was looking for some of the world’s leading musicians to join her, she did not hesitate to invite them, and the rest they say is history.

    Ironically, was fun to hear that the first time she ever saw Lúnasa was in this very venue, pointing to the row and seat she sat in. Unbeknownst to the band, she longed to join them on stage that evening. Fast forward a few years later and the chemistry they share on stage is a true synergy.

  • In Focus: Antibalas Celebrates 20 Years at Brooklyn Bowl

    With lead singer Amayo preaching ‘deep unconditional love’ throughout the night, Antibalas performed to a sold out crowd on the second night of their 20th anniversary run at Brooklyn Bowl this past Saturday.

    The fusion of African and Cuban music that Antibalas has brought to audiences for two decades is one that is rich in history and message, bringing the influence and sounds of Fela Kuti to a new generation. For nearly two hours, the 12-piece band and special guests took to the stage, creating a rich, full sound that moved the captive and diverse audience. Here’s to at least two more decades of Antibalas!

  • Antibalas 20th Anniversary Tour brings band back to Brooklyn

    Antibalas return to their Brooklyn roots this weekend for their 20th anniversary tour’s final U.S. shows. They’ll play two nights at Brooklyn Bowl, with Innov Gnawa joining them on Friday, March 15, and Poetic Thrust starting the night off on Saturday, March 16.

    The musical collective known as Antibalas (Spanish for bullet-proof or anti-bullets) was conceived of in Mexico City and formed in Brooklyn in the late ’90s. The early formation of the group was composed of the band’s founder Martín Perna and later included several other members (Gabriel Roth, Michael Wagner, Del Stribling aka Binky Griptite, Victor Axelrod, Fernando Bugaloo Velez, Anda Szilagyi) from the Soul Providers / Dap Kings band. performing their first show in May 1998 at St. Nick’s Pub in Harlem NY.

    The music of Fela Kuti is well represented in the Antibalas sound, and was part of the band’s early connection with percussionist Amayo, who grew up in Lagos, Nigeria who was fluent in the music of Fela. Within months of his first show with the band at The Cooler, he began composing and performing lyrics and assuming the role of the group’s lead vocalist / frontman.

    Antibalas recently released their sixth studio album on Daptone, Where the Gods are in Peace.  Though recognized for their fluency in Afrobeat and funk music, the band is known to collaborate with diverse groups and artists, from Angélique Kidjo to Jovanotti to Medeski Martin & Wood to Public Enemy, and served as the house band at Carnegie Hall in 2014 (Music of Paul Simon), 2015 (Music of David Byrne & Talking Heads) and 2017’s Music of Aretha Franklin.

    Join Antibalas and guests Innov Gnawa and Poetic Thrust this weekend at Brooklyn Bowl and celebrate 20 year’s of Afro-Cuban funk and rhythm.

    antibalas anniversary

    Check out the rest of Antibalas’ 20th Anniversary Tour Dates.

    March 14 – The Warehouse at FTC – Fairfield, CT
    March 15 – Brooklyn Bowl – Brooklyn, NY
    March 16 – Brooklyn Bowl – Brooklyn, NY
    March 30 – The Shrine – Lagos, Nigeria
    April 3 – FuzzYon – La Roche Sur Yon, FR
    April 4 – La Sirene – La Rochelle, FR
    April 5 – Le Temps Machine – Joue Les Tour, FR
    April 6 – Festival Banlieues Bleues – Epinay, FR
    April 7 – La Nef – Angouleme, FR
    April 9 – Le Moloco – Audaincourt, FR
    April 10 – Cully Jazz Festival – Cully, CH
    April 12 – Moods – Zurich, CH
    April 13 – Le Plan – Ris Orangis, FR
    April 16 – Het Depot – Leuven, BE
    April 17 – Maison Folie – Lille, FR
    April 19 – Jazz Cafe – London, UK
    April 20 – The Sugar Club – Dublin, IE
    April 21 – The Sugar Club – Dublin, IE

  • Photo Gallery: The Wailers at Brooklyn Bowl

    On Wednesday, February 27, The Wailers concluded a classic two night run at the Brooklyn Bowl, showing the life and joy reggae music brings to fans. Lead by famed bassist and founder Aston “Familyman” Barrett and original Wailers guitarist, Donald Kinsey, this band has the roots to carry the incredible legacy that comes with performing these songs. But it is in the youth of powerhouse Drummer Aston Barrett Jr. and lead singer Joshua David Barrett that brings a fresh energy – an exploration that’s new and fresh for the band.

    The Wailers Brooklyn Bowl
    The Wailers Brooklyn Bowl 2.27.19

    The Wailers are fan favorites and brought a packed house to the Brooklyn Bowl. It’s amazing to see the vast generations of music fans singing every word to classics hits like “Easy Skanking,” “Stir it up,” and “Redemption Song,” showing the life this music still has, and how good the band that created it really is. The Wailers did not disappoint and brought all that this amazing music has to offer to every show they’ve played, proving why they are still one of the top acts in music.

    Setlist: Intro-G Minor, Easy Skanking, Rastaman Vibration, Concrete Jungle,Heathen, Running Away/Crazy, Satisfy My Soul, Johnny B Good, War/No more Trouble, Trench Town, Stir It Up

    Encore: Redemption Song, It’s Alright, Punky Reggae Party

  • Mountain Jam Announces Lineup and Venue Change

    After 14 years at Hunter Mountain, Mountain Jam announced its lineup Thursday and that it will be relocating to the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, site of the original Woodstock festival. Mountain Jam will be held June 13-16.

    More than 40 artists were announced as the festival looks to get back to its roots of being more jam-friendly. Headliners for the 15th edition of Mountain Jam include Gov’t Mule, Willie Nelson and Family, and the Avett Brothers. An additional headliner will be announced later in the spring.

    The fest will have a decidedly New York flair with the inclusion of Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Amy Helm, Marco Benevento, Consider the Source, Wild Adriatic, and the Big Takeover.

    Early Bird tickets go on sale Friday, Feb. 8 at 10:00 a.m. and are available through Monday, Feb. 11 at 11:59 p.m. for $159 through the Mountain Jam website.

  • Hearing Aide: Some Ska Band ‘It’s Going Down’

    Ska has come a long way since its origins in the Caribbean in the 50’s. The upbeat, syncopated style of music has caught on around the globe, adapting to the cultural nuances in places far and wide. It has spilled Upstate with Some Ska Band and their 9-track debut release, It’s Going Down, which shows off how adaptable ska music can be.

    The opening track “Forty Thieves” was inspired by author and sax player, Charles Benoit, who spent  time teaching in Kuwait and absorbing all the cultural influences of the city. The instrumental ditty pulls from classic literature for its title and snippets of Middle-Eastern-style riffs.

    Everything I know about ska, I learned from Benoit, a ska-aficionado (or ska-ficionado, if you will). Benoit is one of eight members of the Rochester-based band. Mary-Jude Vacca and Shad Froman take on the vocals. Will Browar keeps the beat and hits things. On guitars are Joe Sims (bass), David Keller (lead), and Miles Pierce (rhythm). Joining Benoit in the brass section is Neil Pierce on trumpet. After years of playing originals (and some songs originally by other artists), the eight of them made their way into the studio to lay it down.

    All the songs on It’s Going Down are pretty snappy, but a few stand out in particular. “End of The World” is a clever little tongue-in-cheek song, written on January 20, 2017 (if that date doesn’t ring a bell, look it up). The chorus includes the lines “It’s not the end of the world/ But you can see it from here.”

    The title track “It’s Going Down” is another little gem, that demonstrates their musical prowess. The deep, heavy rhythm creates a perfect backdrop to showcase Vacca’s rich, sonous voice. The “Obligatory Drinking Song” is a sing-a-long fan favorite at live shows. The album wraps up with an instrumental version “American Skalines,” a song that usually includes a spoken-word script when played live.

    Whether you’re a ska-ficionado or a newbie to the genre, you’ll get a kick out of It’s Going Down.

    Key Tracks: Forty Thieves, End Of The World, It’s Going Down

  • JÄH DIVISION releases “Isolation Dub”

    Brooklyn collective Jäh Division has released “Isolation Dub,” a reggae-experimental interpretation of rock band Joy Division’s track from their album Closer. Bred in the shadows of the Brooklyn Bridge, 21st Century  DIY musicians merge, including members of the pop group Animal Collective, experimental Brooklyn rockers Oneida and Awesome Color (Brooklyn).

    This psychedelic twist comes from Dub Will Tear Us Apart… Again, a deluxe edition remake of their 2004 debut. The bonus release includes the reggae-dub version of “Isolation Dub” from Joy Division classics. Dub Will Tear Us Apart… Again  proves the sparse musicianship Jäh Divisionparty of the once on-call-Brooklyn party-band has not only resurfaced, but also evolved to greater heights. Their sound stretches from the north-city to Manchester (UK) with Barry London’s Space Echo tape loop.

    The reissue is a deluxe version of the original release, the band’s sole output. Initially a 4-track EP, the record has been expanded to include a fifth Joy Division track (“Isolation”), two unreleased originals from a scrapped album and a bonus 7″ with previously unreleased covers of Desmond Dekker and Jackie Mittoo tracks from the original sessions.

    The reissue was recorded on a reel-to-reel tape in a single-day session at the Free 103point9 residential melting pot: a performance space, loft and micro FM radio station with windows overlooking the Williamsburg Bridge. What started as ‘a good smoke and a joke,’ said their original 12 Inch Recording label, quickly opened a wormhole of unreleased music, psychedelic lost-voyages and vintage instruments: including a Radio Shack purchased Moog, trash electronic drums and, of course, lots of delay and reverb.

    Jäh Division will be celebrating the release with a performance at the Secret Project Robot in Brooklyn, NY, on January 26.

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