Celebrating their 45th anniversary in 2019, Sweet Honey In The Rock remains among the most vibrant, versatile and ever relevant musical collectives around today. Together, they perform an inspiring signature mix of soul, gospel, folk and world music, with elements of hip-hop and jazz.
While founding member Bernice Johnson Reagon has since retired, the torch continues to be carried by longtime members Carol Maillard, Louise Robinson, Nitanju Bolade Casel, Aisha Kahlil, and featured musician Romeir Mendez. This powerful and unique female a cappella vocal quartet is best known for their uplifting concerts.
Sweet Honey in the Rock will “Celebrate the Holydays” with a selection of traditional American holiday spirituals and hymns, as well as songs from other cultures.
Vince Herman and Drew Emmitt of Leftover Salmon will hit the road as an acoustic duo tour this winter, with dates stretching across the Midwest and East Coast.
The two long-time collaborators are hitting the road for a rare run of acoustic duo shows performed in intimate settings that will celebrate over thirty years of musical friendship. Each night will be a journey through the pair’s long history and touch on all realms of their vast musical catalog including everything from well known favorites to long-forgotten gems, and everything in between.
They first came together on a late October evening when Vince Herman wandered into the Walrus Saloon in Boulder, Colorado, after being enticed by a sign reading “Bluegrass Music Here Tonight,. He met Drew Emmitt, whose band was playing that night, and the pair have been reshaping the musical landscape ever since. First at house parties and in the campgrounds at festivals, then in Emmitt’s bluegrass outfit the Left Hand String Band, before forming the legendary roots band Leftover Salmon on New Year’s Eve thirty years ago.
Since then, these two have been blazing new musical paths with Leftover Salmon, taking the music at their core: rock ‘n’ roll, folk, bluegrass, Cajun, soul, zydeco, jazz and blues, and crafting it into something new that has spawned a legion of bands in their wake. With their unpredictable approach in a live setting, their willingness to take chances by fusing disparate musical styles together and their incorporation of non-traditional bluegrass covers into their repertoire, Leftover Salmon has pushed that progressive bluegrass sound they were originally influenced by to the next level. Instead they are firmly settled in the long lineage of bands that defy simple categorization, always setting their own musical agenda.
Vince Herman and Drew Emmitt Acoustic Duo Tour Dec. 19 – Barley’s – Knoxville, TN Dec. 20 – Asheville Music Hall – Asheville, NC Feb. 6 – City Winery – Atlanta, GA Feb. 7 – City Winery – Nashville, TN Feb. 8 – 185 King Street – Brevard, NC Feb. 9 – Richmond Music Hall – Richmond, VA Feb. 11 – City Winery – Washington, DC Feb. 12 – City Winery – Philadelphia, PA Feb. 13 – City Winery (2 shows) – New York, NY Feb. 14 – The Egg – Albany, NY Feb. 15 – Stage One – Fairfield, CT Feb. 16 – City Winery – Boston, MA Feb. 27 – Kenny’s Westside Pub – Peoria, IL Feb. 28 – Redstone Room – Davenport, IA Feb. 29 – City Winery (2 shows) – Chicago, IL
Earlier this summer, the experimental 7-piece rock ensemble Thank You Scientistreleased their critically acclaimed third studio effort, Terraformer, which debuted at Number 8 on the Billboard Heatseekerschart. Fans of the New Jersey group will have plenty of chances to catch them this fall as they embark on their first full-fledged national headlining tour, with the tour kicking off (Rochester, November 7) and ending (NYC, December 14) in the Empire State.
“We are unreasonably excited to announce our first full-fledged US tour for our latest release–the inconveniently long, yet suspiciously charming Terraformer,” shared TYS bandleader and guitarist Tom Monda. “An unexpected byproduct of our years of sloggin’ it out is the incredible network of friends we’ve made across the country, friends whose support make it possible for us to keep creating, even under occasionally dire circumstances, and can’t wait to visit all of you across the country this winter.”
“We promise these shows will be an incredible celebration for us and the fellow weirdos we’ve met on this strange journey,” continued Monda. “To make this event even more ‘extra special-er,’ we’re bringing along some of our dearest friends in the biz: Bent Knee and The Tea Club.”
Bent Knee joined Thank You Scientist for their Northeast run earlier this year. As Monda explains, “The Tea Club is a band I have loved and admired for years, so much so that I coerced them to join us on our first ever US tour many years ago! Their lineup has since expanded to include my brother on drums, making this tour figuratively and literally a family event. Don’t sleep on this or you’re grounded.”
Since the release of Terraformer, Thank You Scientist has spent the summer touring throughout the United Kingdom and recently recorded a live EP, Live At Backroom Studios, featuring three additional string players and complete video footage of live performances for “Son of a Serpent” and “Anchor.”
Thank You Scientist Fall Tour Dates
11/7 – Rochester, NY – Montage Music Hall 11/8 – Akron, OH – Musica 11/9 – Grand Rapids, MI – The Pyramid Scheme 11/10 – Chicago, IL – Beat Kitchen 11/12 – Minneapolis, MN – 7th St. Entry 11/14 – St. Louis, MO – Firebird 11/15 – Lawrence, KS – The Bottleneck 11/16 – Denver, CO – Globe Hall 11/17 – Salt Lake City, UT – Urban Lounge 11/19 – Seattle, WA – Columbia City Theater 11/20 – Vancouver, BC – The Rickshaw Theatre 11/21 – Portland, OR – Dante’s 11/22 – Sacramento, CA – Holy Diver 11/23 – San Jose, CA – The Ritz, San Jose 11/24 – Los Angeles, CA – Bootleg Theater 11/25 – Santa Ana, CA – Constellation Room 11/27 – Scottsdale, AZ – Pub Rock Live 11/29 – Austin, TX – Empire Control Room & Garage 11/30 – Dallas, TX – Three Links 12/1 – Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall 12/3 – Atlanta, GA – Purgatory at The Masquerade 12/4 – Tampa, FL – Crowbar 12/6 – Charlotte, NC – Amos’ Southend 12/7 – Richmond, VA – Canal Club 12/8 – Washington, DC – Union Stage 12/10 – Pittsburgh, PA – Thunderbird Music Hall 12/11 – Philadelphia, PA – Underground Arts 12/12 – Fairfield, CT – StageOne 12/13 – Asbury Park, NJ – Asbury Lanes 12/14 – New York, NY – Mercury Lounge
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.
Brooklyn-based family band New Kingston continues to be one of the most prolific and relatable bands in the U.S. reggae community. Their rock2roots showcases the many styles and vibrations New Kingston brings both on the road and in the studio. Their latest single, “Bring Your Rays,” released via Easy Star Records, gives listeners a taste of their trademark sound.
Comprised of a trio of brothers – Tahir Panton (keys/vocals), Courtney Panton Jr. (drums/vocals), and Stephen Suckarie (guitar/vocals) – New Kingston first came together as a band performing for friends and neighbors under the watchful eye of their father (and bassist) Courtney Panton Sr. Dubbing themselves New Kingston to reflect upon both their Jamaican heritage and their home in New York City, the fusion of these two identities, both cultural roots and Brooklyn roots, guides their musical and stylistic direction.
They’ll perform at Music Hall of Williamsburg on Thursday, October 31, after a summer of putting a focus on singles for their rock2roots series. Tahir Panton states, “The rock2roots series will showcase the wide range of our musical styles that we’ve been crafting for over a decade.”
According to the band, “Bring Your Rays” was inspired by humanity’s collective soul, adding, “In this changing world, love is something we need more of. It will solve more than we know. So be the sunlight in the darkness and “bring your rays”!” It’s the perfect follow up to their fiery last single release “Fyah Nuh Hot Like You,” which dropped in March.
Midtown Manhattan’s Irish Arts Center has curated some music shows this season. On November 7, they host a performance by pianist Isabelle O’Connell. Mid-month, they will hold the 7th annual New York Trad Fest. And from December 11-15, they celebrate the holidays with their 13th annual Winter Solstice. Tickets are on sale now.
Isabelle O’Connell: November 7
Dublin-born contemporary pianist Isabelle O’Connell, who has performed engagements at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Ireland’s National Concert Hall, takes Irish Arts Center audiences on an intimate journey into her exciting repertoire of 20th and 21st century music, featuring work by eminent Irish composers including Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, Bill Whelan, Seóirse Bodley, Jane O’Leary, and Siobhán Cleary.
7th Annual New York Trad Fest: November 16
Tony DeMarco brings together masters of Irish, Americana, bluegrass, and Cajun traditions at the annual Trad Fest. Kick off this citywide music festival at Irish Arts Center with Mickey Kelly, Cajun greats Kelli Jones and Joel Savoy, and Irish fiddle legend Eileen Ivers with her musical partner Matty Mancuso.
Winter Solstice: December 11-15
Irish Arts Center’s 13th annual holiday gathering returns to its heart and hearth. Mick Moloney, Athena Tergis, and The Green Fields of America gather a host of special guests in Irish Arts Center’s intimate 51st Street home for six spirited performances of reels, jigs, songs and stories in a musical celebration of Christmas and midwinter traditions from Ireland and around the world.
This November 7 to 17, New York City’s Nublu will host their 10th annual Jazz Fest at their classic and 151 locations. Performers featured at this year’s festival include Sun Ra Arkestra, Mark de Clive-Love, Shigeto, Melanie Charles, Brian Jackson, Stuart Bogie Trio, Shira Elias’ Goods and Services, and J.E.D.I. For a full schedule and more info click here.
SweetWater 420 Fest 2020 has announced that Oysterhead – the supergroup of Anastasio, Primus bassist Les Claypool and Police drummer Stewart Copeland – will be headlining the festival along with the Trey Anastasio Band.
Also part of the initial lineup are Gary Clark Jr., Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Lake Street Dive, The Floozies, Dr. Dog, The Marcus King Band, Larkin Poe, Delta Rae and Funk You. Thirty more artists will round out the diverse lineup set to be fully announced in January. The annual festival will take place April 24-26 once again on three stages in Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta, GA.
Not only does the festival bring to the community local breweries and artists but also plans on maintaining its focus on the environment with priority put on waste diversion and compost creation. In the past the event has recycled more than 240,000 pounds keeping it from landfills and created 60,000 pounds of compost. There will also be the return of the 4:19 Got a Minute to Give charity auction which has seen a lot of artist involvement in the past.
SweetWater 420 Fest also hosts a 5k that is a USATF Certified race and is a Peachtree Qualifier. The 2020 race is set for April 25. Runners can purchase combo tickets. Early bird tickets are on sale via Eventbrite now.
After a decade of trucking their twangy rock ‘n’ roll from New York to New Orleans, Albany punk rock Americana quartet The Slaughterhouse Chorus will ride off into the sunset with a farewell show at The Hollow Bar + Kitchen on Friday, November 1. The Day of the Dead goodbye party will also feature performances from longtime friends and collaborators Henry’s Rifle and Charmboy (both emerging from semi-retirement for the festivities), and Boston’s Coffin Salesman.
The Slaughterhouse Chorus formed in 2009 from the ashes of long-running punk/ska band Public Access, reconnecting over old country records to work up a fast and loud sound somewhere between Sun, Stax, and SST. From the outset, the band took the DIY approach they’d honed over their years of touring with Public Access to its logical extreme; they recorded, mixed, burned, pressed, spraypainted and screenprinted their own albums and merchandise, booked their own shows and tours, and co-founded the local recording collective Built4BBQ as a means to help produce and distribute music by like-minded local artists like Henry’s Rifle, Kimono Dragons, Charmboy, and the Savage Randys.
Over the course of the last decade, The Slaughterhouse Chorus embarked on weekenders and tours that stretched from Boston to Kansas City, released a full-length,a vinyl EP, and a handful of singles, landed on a couple of widely distributed compilation albums, and even racked up a few “best-of” nods in now-defunct local papers.
In commemoration of their last round of shows, The Slaughterhouse Chorus released both their new EP … In the Name of Progress and their 2012 self-titled full-length album on limited edition 12″ vinyl earlier this year. The band will hold a “going out of business sale” at the November 1 show, with both records and all leftover merchandise out on the table for cheap.
Doors open for 18+ show at 8:00 PM, with music starting at 8:30. Cover is $10
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.
