Tanglewood, the famed summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra since 1937, launches the Tanglewood Learning Institute, and a dazzling array of concerts for their summer season, which runs from June 15 through Labor Day weekend. Tanglewood is located in the Berkshire Hills, between Stockbridge and Lenox, MA. This summer includes a lot of debuts, as well as returning acts for Tanglewood.
The season starts off with Popular Artist Series throughout the month of June, including performances from Postmodern Jukebox, Josh Groban, James Taylor and Earth, Wind & Fire. Then, starting on July 5, the Tanglewood will be home to BSO’s Music Director, Andris Nelsons, for 14 orchestra programs. The BSO and Andris Nelsons will open the orchestra’s summer season with Mahler’s Symphony No. 5 and Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 22, with Emanuel Ax as soloist.
Other highlights from the season include a one-night-only performance of Bach Cello Suites by Yo-Yo Ma and three performances from The Boston Pops celebrating the music of John Williams. One of these performances being Star Wars: A New Hope, which includes a showing of the classic 1977 film, with the Boston Pops Orchestra performing Mr. Williams’ iconic score. For a complete list of events this summer at the Tanglewood and ticket information click here.
Western New York natives, Cold Lazarus, released their second full length album, Colors and Lights, today. The quartet from Jamestown is composed of Jeremy Bunce (lead guitar/keys/synth), Adam Gould (guitar/keys/synth/vocals), Gavin Paterniti (bass/vocals) and Marc Scapelitte (drums/beats). The album features seven tracks that capture a critical moment in the band’s history as they undergo personnel changes and continue to explore their unique brand of rock fusion with a unique blend of progressive, psychedelic, indie and funk.
In late 2018, Cold Lazarus announced the departure of founding member/keyboardist, Drew Minton, who was replaced by Jeremy Bunce. However, the band had already started recording Colors and Lights, so they returned to the studio with Bunce to complete the album. This included three shorter musical interludes that have been woven in between the previously recorded tracks.
In the interlude tracks “Trepidation” and “Dimension Ascension”, the band explores elements of jamtronica, which was previously uncharted territory for them. “I think the album is a good indication of the huge strides we’ve made not only as musicians but as songwriters who are constantly striving to push into new creative territory,” says Paterniti, “Colors and Lights is a big step in the direction we want to be heading as artists.”
For thirty years the Music Haven Concert Series has been bringing musicians from around the world to the capital region and this year to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the summer series they are also adding eight additional events, including theater and film.
The seven Sunday shows feature artists from five continents, with special guests including Eddies lifetime achievement winner Kevin McKrell on July 28th opening for Ireland’s Seamus Egan (founder of the band Solas).
Music Haven’s Founder and Producing Artistic Director Mona Golub announcing the lineup. Photo by Ed Conway
Music Haven is also bringing Shakespeare back to Schenectady’s Central Park with two evenings of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. They will also be introducing a Broadway karaoke night, called Hamiltunes, a first of its kind event.
Along with great entertainment the concert series has great food vendors, specialty beers, ice cream and other novelties making it a treat for the whole family. It’s no wonder that Music Haven won this year’s Eddie for Concert Series of the Year for enriching the cultural experiences of the region.
2019 Concert Series (Sundays, 7 p.m.)
July 7—Raghu Dixit Dubbed “India’s biggest cultural export” by The Guardian, Raghu Dixit’s contemporary global sound embraces elements of rock and hip hop, while rooted to India’s rich cultural heritage. Special Guests: Crossroads—Jay Gandhi & Yacouba Sissoko Sponsored by M&T Bank, Ellis Medicine, Fingerpaint
July 14—Casuarina Named for the street where the band formed, Casuarina has gone from humble Rio de Janiero beginnings to rarified status as one of Brazil’s finest, sultriest Samba combos. Special Guests: Eduardo de Carvahlo e Forró de Bom Sponsored by Freihofer’s, The Salmon Law Firm, Goya
The Garifuna Collective
July 21—The Garifuna Collective Garifuna Collective preserves traditional Caribbean coastal rhythms like Wanaragua and the semi-sacred Hungu-Hungu with turtle shells, jawbones, guitars, bass and spiritual singing. Special Guest: Bodoma Garifuna Culture Band Sponsored by Benchemark Printing, Ben & Jerry’s, Snapple
July 28—Seamus Egan Project Simply put, Solas founder and multi-instrumentalist Seamus Egan is a giant in the world of Irish traditional music, and he returns to his roots with a top notch quartet. Special Guest: Kevin McKrell Sponsored by Galesi Group, Carlilian Foundation
Aug. 4—Thornetta Davis Multiple award-winner “Detroit’s Queen of the Blues,” Thornetta Davis has sung her truth alongside Bonnie Raitt, Kid Rock, Bob Seeger, and a host of blues luminaries. Special Guest: Tas Cru Sponsored by MVP Health Care, CDTA, Rivers Casino & Resort, WEXT 97.7/106.1
Aug. 11—Cimarrón Like the Spanish Fandango, the Colombian Joropo that Cimarrón brings from the plains of the Orinoco River, is fierce, stomping and virtuosic. Special Guests: Sten & Maria Z. Sponsored by FAM Funds, Bustelo Coffee, SAVI
Aug. 18—Jupiter & Okwess Kinshasa-born “Jupiter” Bokondji’s band Okwess marries the American funk heard during his youth in Germany with the Congolese Rumba of his homeland. Special Guests: TBA Sponsored by Lia Auto Group, Polar Beverages, WEXT
Additional Performances (7 p.m.)
Wednesday, July 17—The Turbans—Global dance party
Thursday, July 18—Hamiltunes: An American Singalong
Thursday, July 25—Huntertones—Horn-driven jazz/funk
Friday and Saturday, July 26–27—Will Kempe’s Players: A Midsummer Night’s Dream —Shakespeare in the park
Wednesday, July 31—A Tribute to Nick Brignola—Jazz
Friday, Aug. 9—School of the Performing Arts at Proctors—Broadway Cabaret
Saturday, Aug. 10—The Schenectady Symphony Orchestra—Pops and classical
Friday, Aug. 16—Woodstock: Three Days that Defined a Generation —Premiere screening of new PBS Documentary
Sing Out! New Yorkcelebrates New York’s leading role in championing equal rights through innovative concerts, close encounters with today’s most adventurous artists and composers, interactive workshops, collaborative community events, film screenings, and artistic happenings throughout Troy and the New York Capital Region.
The Albany Symphony is committed to telling the stories of our time, place, and history through collaborations between composers and fellow artists, and through the creation of new music. In late May and early June 2019, we will shine a light on New York State’s leading role in social justice history through Sing Out! New York, this year’s American Music Festival and free concert tour. To frame an artistic discussion surrounding the fight for inclusion and equality in New York State, we drafted a broad team of artists, including a number of emerging composers who represent our richly diverse community and partnered them with other creative artists and community organizations from myriad disciplines. Then we invited them to tell stories, about the heroic figures, defining events and related issues of some of the most defining equal justice movements in our history. We paired remarkable new and recent works by composers who have led the fight for social justice in New York State alongside established works, and we designed immersive events that celebrate the things that bring us together as New Yorkers and as human beings.
David Alan Miller, Albany Symphony Music Director
The Albany Symphony’s American Music Festival will return to Troy with performances and happenings at EMPAC, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and Troy’s Monument Square starting Thursday, May 30 through Sunday, June 9. Curated by Grammy Award-winning conductor and Albany Symphony Music Director, David Alan Miller, the festival will turn downtown Troy into a hub for new American concert music featuring 50 new or recent works by 38 composers, including 27 world premiere performances. The Festival includes works by acclaimed composer-activist David Del Tredici, and four-time Grammy and Academy Award-winning composer, John Corigliano, as well as performances by composer/performer Molly Joyce, the Argus Quartet and soprano Hila Plitmann. Sing Out! New York kicks off on Thursday, May 30 with First Draughts Reading Session & Beer Tasting and runs through Sunday, June 2 in Troy. The musicians, then embarks on a four-concert regional tour in Schuylerville (June 6), Schenectady (June 7), Albany (June 8), and Hudson (June 9), New York.
The American Music Festival Sing Out! New York explores the storied legacy of New York’s rich cultural history in the fight for inclusion and equality. Two milestone anniversaries frame the festival: the centennial of the passage of the 19th Amendment, giving women the right to vote and the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising.
“I began researching the history of the suffragist movement last year in advance of its centennial. I discovered that many of the seminal events of the movement happened right here in New York. At the same time, I knew that June 2019, marks the 50th anniversary of Stonewall, that amazing moment in Greenwich Village when members of the LGBTQ community stood up and demanded true equal rights for all. By exploring these movements together, we send the message that the fight for social justice and equal rights never includes just one interest group but applies to all of us.” – David Allen Miller
The stories of the activists who led these movements, and their significance today are the basis for each festival event. On Friday, May 31, the Dogs of Desire, combining popular culture and classical ensemble, will premiere five commissions inspired by the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention. The Albany Symphony will premiere a suffragist inspired piece by composer/performer Tanner Porter on Saturday, June 1 alongside Pop-Pourri with soprano Hila Plitmann, David Del Tredici’s first in his series of works based on Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and John Corigliano’s Piano Concerto with pianist Phillip Edward Fisher. Albany Symphony will record both Pop-Pourri and the Piano Concerto for commercial release.
Sing Out! New York is a terrific addition to the slate of events taking place across New York State this summer to celebrate WorldPride and commemorate Stonewall 50, and the concerts will inspire travel to the Capital-Saratoga vacation region. Empire State Development and I LOVE NY are excited to support this great series of events and the always innovative work of the Albany Symphony.
Ross D. Levi, New York State Executive Director of Tourism
According to Executive Director Anna Kuwabara, “The American Music Festival is the annual blossoming of the Albany Symphony’s commitment to the music of our time, to giving voice to the stories, aesthetics, thoughts, and emotions of our society right here, right now. The Festival is a hub for new music, and it is our opportunity to celebrate and unite our community, to transform lives and be transformed through the power of music. The four free Sing Out New York! Tour events are our joy and honor to present. The program in each community includes Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, sing-alongs, and summertime favorites. The centerpiece of each is one of the newly commissioned works from the Dogs of Desire concerts earlier in the Festival. Along with great music, we look forward to bringing attention and business to each site with family activities, food trucks, fireworks, and other festivities.”
Tickets and Festival Passes to the American Music Festival Sing Out! New York in Troy May 30 – June 2, 2019 are on sale now and can be purchased through the Albany Symphony Box Office: 518-694-3300, Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or online. Performances take place at EMPAC Concert Hall on the campus of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, and Troy’s Monument Square
The American Music Festival Sing Out! New York Tour concerts at Hudson Crossing Park in Schuylerville, Mohawk Harbor in Schenectady, Albany’s Jennings Landing, and Basilica Hudson are free and open to the public.
2019 American Music Festival Sing Out! New York Calendar can be found at their website.
A Trey Anastasio documentary, Between Me And My Mind is slotted to hit select North American theaters on July 17. The three-year production follows Anastasio through the writing and recording of his recent solo project Ghosts Of The Forest and also features documentation of the tremendous preparations for Phish’s 2017 New Years celebration at Madison Square Garden.
Premiering at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival this past spring, the documentary spans 100 minutes with deeply personal footage of the prolific musician, including conversations with his friends, family and bandmates. Delving into the icon’s songwriting process, the film is an exploration of his methods, a nod to his genuine character and a showcase of one of the most talented and revered artists of our time. Watch the official trailer for Between Me And My Mind below.
The Kirkland Art Center in Clinton was recently the scene for Kat Wright‘s return to her upstate roots. The Rochester-born chanteuse and her band performed a soulful, sometimes funky, 22-song set to a sold out audience at this small venue in Central New York.
NPR once described Wright as a mix of Amy Winehouse and Bonnie Raitt. It’s easy to note tones of Susan Tedeschi in her delivery as well. This served Wright well later in the set when she and guitarist, Bob Wagner, teamed for a stirring duet of Tedeschi Trucks Band’s “Shelter.”
Kat Wright
Wright’s band is one of the tightest around, making due without the presence of keyboardist, Shane Hardiman, who was missing due to health issues. Wright made note of the spaciousness to her right and wished Hardiman well in his recovery.
Wright commands your attention with her presence and her voice. As soon as she opens her mouth, the notes pour out effortlessly. She possesses that rare quality of projecting deep soulful notes with what may seem to the onlooker as pure ease.
Their set opened with an instrumental jam sans Wright, where the band: Bob Wagner (guitar), Josh Weinstein (bass), Colin Jalbert (drums), Jake Whitesell (tenor sax), and Phil Rodriguez (trumpet), displayed their chops right out of the gate.
Wright joined the fellas for a sultry, soulful performance of “All About You” to get things rolling. The standing room only audience was rapt with the voice coming from the stage while the band provided a jazzy backdrop.
Throughout the course of the night, Wright wowed with her voice while the band did the same. There were points during the show where the band seemed like they were ready to let rip but were holding back just a bit, to allow Wright to shine. These moments were sparse and when they let loose; they really let loose.
This is a well-educated outfit, as shown in covers of blues classics from Howlin’ Wolf and Junior Wells and their jaw-dropping version of the Tedeschi Trucks Band’s “Shelter.” This is a band that wears its influences on their sleeves. If you want funk, they can funk you up with the best of them. If you want soulful ballads, you got it. Blues? Indeed. Kat Wright is one to check out.
The night’s opener was the Utica-based Americana band, The Old Main. Their brand of music is rife with foot-stompers and tender ballads with the ability to flat-out rock. They’re a band on the rise around New York State, but knew their role on this night as the opening act. Humble and funny, they quickly won the audience over with witty, self-deprecating banter between songs and a solid set of original material spanning their two studio albums, as well as a new, as-yet-unnamed song.
The Old Main
The band, consisting of stand-up bassist Nash Robb, guitarist Seth Becker, drummer Mitch Eckler, and banjoist Dusty Elmer, rolled through a solid eight song set, incorporating an enthusiastic jam session that had Eckler using Robb’s bass as an adjunct to his drum kit during “Tuesday.” Robb and Owen offer some of the best harmonizing in Americana today with Eckler providing additional harmonies to add an extra punch. Elmer’s picking is effortless. The Old Main did exactly what they set out to do for this show — provide solid opening band material while winning over new fans.
Kat Wright will be performing at the moe.down Festival in Turin Fourth of July Weekend. The Old Main will be performing at Woods Fest 2 in Westernville on August 10. Both bands are well worth checking out.
New York seven-piece band, The Big Takeover, perfectly fuses big band Motown with Jamaican pop roots, making it nearly impossible not to dance along. In their new single “Shy.” they offer an upbeat, retro tune that stays with you, keeping you bopping around all day. This is the first single released from the band’s upcoming fourth album, and it’s filled with powerful horns, a foot-stomping beat, and soulful vocals.
Despite its cheery, optimistic sound, the single has a rather somber story. Powerhouse singer/songwriter, Nee Nee Rushie, tells us about a love triangle, and everyone involved is too shy to communicate with each other and see their own truth. “I was trying to tell a very specific story, because I’ve written many stories that are left up to interpretation,” she elaborates, “feeling shy is an inexplicable and intriguing human behavior that most humans should be able to relate to.” “Shy” has an incredibly rich, boppy, and sweet sound that flows through you in a way that you can’t help but dance across the room. Listen to the single below or check it out through your favorite streaming platform here.
The Big Takeover has been making a name for itself recently, sharing the stage with major acts such as The Wailers, Sister Sparrow, Jefferson Starship, and Pete Seeger. In 2018 they completed a 12-state tour and performed at Omaha’s Jazz on the Green festival.
In addition to writing their new album, which is set to release later this year, The Big Takeover is set to appear at a number of notable music festivals this summer, including Strangecreek in Greenfield, MA this weekend, Mountain Jam, and Musikfest. Check out the dates below to see when they’re playing near you.
The Big Takeover Tour Dates:
May 24 – Strangecreek Festival – Greenfield, MA
May 25 – Cisco Brewers – Portsmouth, NH
May 30 – Lukin’s – Utica, NY
May 31 – Red Square – Burlington, VT
June 1 – Newburyport Brewing Co. – Newburyport, MA
June 2 – Strawberry Jam – Turin, NY
June 7 – Waterhole – Saranac Lake, NY
June 8 – Burlington Discover Jazz – Burlington, VT
June 9 – Earth Sky Time – Bennington, VT
June 14 – Mountain Jam – Bethel, NY
June 15 – Clearwater Festival – Croton On Hudson, NY
June 23 – Unifier Festival – Tolland, MA
June 30 – Cisco Brewers – Nantucket, MA
July 3 – The Promenade at Sagemore – Marlton, NJ
July 5 – First Fee Friday Eve – Shelburne, VT
July 6 – Dockside Park – Cold Spring, NY
Aug. 1 – CFCU Summer Concert Series – Ithaca, NY
Aug. 3 – Reggae Festival – Woodstock, NY
Aug. 8 – Musikfest – Bethlehem, PA
Sept. 7 – Drum Boogie Festival – Woodstock, NY
Sept. 14 – Gloucester, MA @ Gloucester Harvest Fest
The famed Bonnaroo Arch has been demolished, confirmed directly from Bonaroo’s social media accounts,. After buzz was created from posts about the arch being ‘destroyed’ and ‘burned in a fire,’ the iconic landmark on The Farm was put into question. It was engulfed in flames – rightfully so – due to structural deficiencies.
Goodbye old friend! ❤️This incarnation of the Bonnaroo Arch had significant structural issues and needed to be removed. The Arch has changed throughout the years, and we're exited for it's newest incarnation – Stay tuned + share your favorite arch pic! (📷 j_kelty on Insta) pic.twitter.com/ynJjhY8Du9
Check out Part 1 and Part 2 of NYS Music’s Bonnaroo Coverage in 2018.
The Bonnaroo Arch has draped the festival’s skyline since its inception in 2002. Over the years, its changing face has remained a rite of passage for new and returning festival junkies – illuminating the night’s sky as late night jam-sessions and raves blare till dawn.
Something (the arch?) is on fire on the @Bonnaroo Farm.
We want to thank you for being a loyal Bonnaroovian, and we appreciate your patience as we navigate the best options to ensure we can be together on the Farm in 2021.
The dates we originally announced for Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival 2021 have changed. Bonnaroo will now take place on September 2-5, 2021. Information on lineup, camping and accommodations will be available at a later date.
We encourage you to rollover your tickets to the new dates, however, we will make refunds available for those who cannot attend.
Chelsea Music Festival announced the theme of this year’s program: “10th Season | 200° due Clara.” The festival in NYC’s Chelsea district takes place from June 6-15, and will feature performances by The Clara Schumann Ten, a distinguished group of female composers, whose inspiration is drawn from visual art, poetry, and letters and text from Clara Schumann’s life.
With additional venues and new partnerships, this anniversary season will be one you won’t want to miss. A full line-up, including the homage to Composer Clara Schumann, is available at the festival’s website here. Tickets are on sale now.
Hailed by The New York Times as a “gem of a series,” the Chelsea Music Festival exists to celebrate great music by bringing together world-leading musicians and exciting newcomers to the international stage. Inspired by its Chelsea roots, the Festival seeks to reflect the creativity gathered in one of New York City’s most dynamic neighborhoods by presenting site-specific programs that span musical genres ranging from classical to contemporary to jazz. With an emphasis on Festival-commissioned works, community outreach, and education, the Festival also exists to create a gateway to music through the exploration and interplay of art forms – specifically the musical, visual and culinary – alongside an intimate and thrilling Festival experience shared by artists and concert-goers alike.
The New Mastersounds will hone in onBrooklyn Bowl Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18 for two nights, back-to-back, in honor of their 20th anniversary of creating music together. The intimate yet energetic venue encapsulates the explosive nature of the band – that is, if their kinetic energy can be jam packed into such a short window.
Each night will host two evening sets and a Saturday matinee. Friday will feature support from Lamar Williams Jr. on vocals, saxophonist, Jason Mingledorff and Mike Olmos on trumpet on top of the Leeds-based quartet. Doors at 6 pm. Set one at 8:45 pm and a follow up set at 10:15 pm.
Saturday brings on a support band, Control The Sound, for an all ages show with doors at noon. Later on, The New Mastersounds reignite for a recurrence of Friday’s collaboration, mirroring an identical lineup and set times.
The time to celebrate is now. The band’s vast accomplishments and endless discography is complimented by the recent 7” record release. A-side’s “Shake It,” featuring Brooklyn Bowl guest Williams Jr. and B-Side’s “Permission to Land,” featuring Jeff Franca are quintessential NMS, horn-driving and grooving from the start. Written and recorded in Denver, CO, the record was put out by guitarist’s Eddie Roberts own label, Color Red. The release coincided with the two-night appearance at House of Blues New Orleans earlier this month during Jazz Fest. Respectively so, it would only be appropriate to give New York the same courtesy.
More inside The New Mastersounds:
From Leeds, United Kingdom, to the heart of American soul, The New Mastersounds are intuitive to a sonic mold created by their audience. Over the past 20 years, NMS have emerged as one of the prominent bands in a new-funk scene. Elevator-esque consciousness fuses with razor-sharp funk and syncopated drums that results in a dancing frenzy.
The band’s short instrumental songs, what drummer Simon Allen, refers to as a post-Grateful Dead jam band scene with a “snappy, quirky funk,” stretches across the pond. Distinctive as Tatton’s Hammond organ itself, the band shimmers, shines and grooves beyond belief. NMS are hard to stump, fueled by necessity, gritty grooves and the deep rhythms that leak through the cracks of a late-night dance club rage. New generations of people flood, in an overwhelming word-of-mouth craze.
NMS engages the audience directly and harnesses their energy. All of this translates to a unique concept that Allen refers to as “believing in the groove.” By stripping the groove down and keeping it going, it makes the music consistent. Suddenly, fans hip to the groove burst out in dance. NMS generated this loop-like feel of today’s electronic music to give listeners something to hold on to.
At its core, NMS found a common interest in Black American music in the 1960s spun by DJs in Leeds. EDM Electronica was hip and the band quickly began to add this ammunition into their arsenal.
