Jazz and Microbits will occur every Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. The schedule for October features world jazz trio BeBimBop (10/2), Newark-based trumpeter James Gibbs III (10/9), renowned guitarist Paul Meyers and Brazilian percussionist Nanny Assis (10/16), guitarist Bob Devos and bassist Steve LaSpina (10/23), and pianist Oscar Perez (10/30). Click here for directions.
Riverview Jazz, the producers of the Jersey City Jazz Festival, have announced a new intimate jazz series in Kearny Point, NJ. In partnership with Sprig Market Cafe and Kearny Point, each Wednesday in the month of October will bring an evening of delectable bites, bespoke cocktails, and world-class jazz music.
“We are very excited to bring some great jazz to the town of Kearny. We toured the industrial space at Kearny Point and immediately saw the potential for presenting music,” says Riverview Jazz Executive Director Bryan Beninghove. “The food and drinks at Sprig are top-notch, there’s a wealth of amazing musicians in the area, and the vibe is really hip. We’re excited!” RiverviewJazz.Org is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.
Admission to Kearny Jazz is free with a tasting menu offered for $25/person.
White Denim blew the proverbial roof off of the new White Eagle Hall in Jersey City, bringing their sweet Austin, Texas rock sound to the East Coast and fans throughout the tri-state area. The two-hour headlining set from the high powered rock outfit never skipped a beat and was virtually non-stop. Night after night, this band displays communal showmanship and a loud lesson for how to make rock and roll work very well in 2019. White Denim presented a two hour clinic is proof that a diversified rock sound played by very talented musicians still deserves a spot in the debate of today’s best contemporary music.
With events in Colorado, California and Vermont, WinterWonderGrass Music and Brew Festival has announced the 2020 lineup across all three of their flagship events. Taking place in in Steamboat Springs, CO from February 21st – 23rd, Squaw Valley, CA from March 27th – 29th and Stratton, VT from April 10th – 11th, the traveling music festival will welcome performances from some of the hottest names currently thriving in today’s Bluegrass and Americana music scenes.
“It’s with a mountain of intention, huge hearts, humility and a commitment to delivering the hottest and sweetest artists that we present to you the 2020 WinterWonderGrass landscape,” expresses festival founder, Scotty Stoughton. “Each year, the hardest thing to do is not heed our desire to return to each and every band–and by virtue of that, friends to WWG–year in and year out. It is our sincere desire you’ll find new lifetime favorites on this lineup, have the chance to be reunited with old loves and step out of your comfort zone with open arms to new experiences.”
“WinterWonderGrass has become a home for artists, fans, staff, locals, businesses, skiers, riders, their families and all of the like,” adds festival Director of Marketing & Ticketing, Ariel Rosemberg. “We pride ourselves on creating a sustainable, safe and receptive environment, bound by the marriage of the best in bluegrass, folk and Americana, and the undefeated nature of American ski culture.”
Returning to Colorado for its eighth consecutive year, and its fourth year located in the pristine ski town of Steamboat Springs, CO, WinterWonderGrass presents headlining performances from Greensky Bluegrass, Billy Strings and Margo Price over its three days this coming February. Additional artists on the bill include Keller & the Keels, Della Mae, Travelin’ McCourys, Nikki Lane, Molly Tuttle, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades, Bluegrass Generals (Chris Pandolfi & Andy Hall of The Infamous Stringdusters), ALO, Lindsay Lou, a collaborative set from the WinterWonderWomen, Pickin’ on the Dead, Che Apalache, Cris Jacobs, Twisted Pine, Jon Stickley Trio, Meadow Mountain, Jay Roemer Band, Buffalo Commons and Bowregard, as well as special guests Andy Thorn, Jennifer Hartswick, Bridget Law, Pappy Biondo and Will Mosheim.
Over March 27th – 29th, WinterWonderGrass makes its way to the Tahoe region of California for its sixth consecutive year presenting three days of music at the base of Squaw Valley Ski Resort. Headliners for this festival stop include The Devil Makes Three, The Infamous Stringdusters and Billy Strings (two sets). Peter Rowan, Fruition, Keller and the Keels, The War and Treaty, The Lil Smokies, Brothers Comatose, Della Mae, Larry Keel Experience, Kitchen Dwellers, Andy Falco & Travis Book (of The Infamous Stringdusters) Perform Jerry Garcia, Cris Jacobs, Trout Steak Revival, Midnight North, Town Mountain, Pickin’ on the Dead, Pixie and the Partygrass Boys, Old Salt Union, TK & the Holy Know-Nothings, Rapidgrass and Twisted Pine also join the bill, alongside special guests Lindsay Lou, Bridget Law, Will Mosheim and a collaborative WinterWonderWomen set.
The Vermont stop of the festival takes place over April 10th and 11th at Stratton Mountain Resort in Stratton, VT. Previously held in December, this year’s festival stop in Vermont was scheduled to coincide with the ski resort’s closing weekend. Headliners for this iteration of the festival, billed as WonderGrass Presents: Sugar & Strings, include The Infamous Stringdusters, Cabinet, Della Mae, and Molly Tuttle. Additional artists on the two-day lineup include Kitchen Dwellers, Andy Falco & Travis Book (of The Infamous Stringdusters) Perform Jerry Garcia, Twisted Pine, Che Apalache, a special WinterWonderWomen collaboration, Saints and Liars, Dead Winter Carpenters and Damn Tall Buildings, as well as special guests Jennifer Hartswick, Bridget Law, Pappy Biondo, Will Mosheim and more.
Additionally, the Grass After Dark Series will return for post-festival programming with more details coming soon. Resort lift tickets, Mountaintop Dinner tickets (Colorado and California only) and Grass After Dark tickets are not included in regular festival admission and should be purchased separately.
Tickets for all three festivals are on sale now: | |.
This month, Caravan to Wondergrass events are taking place in Denver, CO, Tahoe City, CA and Manchester, VT.
The Denver event takes place on October 3rd at Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom and Cervantes Otherside, with an October 11th Steamboat Springs presentation of The WinterWonderGrass All-Stars happening at The Depot Art Center.
The California Caravan takes place in the coming weeks with a Tahoe Food Hub Event on October 17th, and performances by Midnight North at Moe’s BBQ in Tahoe City, CA on the 18th, and Alibi Brewing in Truckee, CA on the 19th.
Vermont’s pop-up Caravan stop happens at the end of the month on October 26th at Earth Sky Time in Manchester, VT for a special Halloween-themed event, featuring music performances by Andy Falco (The Infamous Stringdusters), Saints and Liars and Terrible Mountain String Band.
A limited quantity of fee-free tickets to WinterWonderGrass festival stops will be available for purchase during all Caravan to WonderGrass events. Click here for tickets and more information on specific Caravan events.
Fish House Road, a New Jersey-based power jam/rock band, has released their latest single “Honey Drip” in collaboration with 2nd Act Brewery.
The Dover-based brewery teamed up with Fish House Road as part of their mission to produce musically inspired brews. “Like the 2nd Act of a concert, 2nd Act Beer is the up-and-coming main event, ready to take the stage,” and with early collaborations like this, there is great potential for this craft brewery.
“Honey Drip” also features artwork developed by the owner of Y’all Art Project, which uses art as the catalyst to heal and empower victims of child abuse and others traumas. Printed copies of the artwork will be featured on t-shirts, posters and more, with proceeds donated back to the non-profit.
The beer itself, Honey Drip, is a 6.5% abv, hop-forward ale from that is pale in color and brewed with local organic honey from Bird and the Bee honey and a touch of vanilla. The beer is dosed with two dry-hop charges, lead by amarillo and supported by motueka and saphir, which combine for lemon/orange citrus characteristics with herbal undertones.
Fish House Road, who blend shades of funk, blues, trance, and Americana, have a unique sound that connects with audiences of classic rock and jam band enthusiasts. It’s easy to be drawn in by roaring guitars, sweet harmonies, and a dynamic rhythm section, found on originals that translate from studio to stage. The group, comprised of Nick Deblasio (vocals, ukulele, harmonica, percussion), Rocky Tironi (guitar, keyboards, banjo), Dan Morrell (guitar), Kayne Neugebauer (bass) and Nick Van Leer (drums), started out in 2011 and have performed across New Jersey with shows in New York, Pennsylvania and New England mixed in as well. Check out their upcoming shows here.
You can catch Fish House Road on Friday, October 4 with After Funk at Barranquilla Studios in Brooklyn; January 3, 2020 at Mercury Lounge; and they’ll be at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ with Splintered Sunlight on Saturday, October 12.
This November and December, guitarist Jorma Kaukonen and bassist Jack Casady will take to the road to close 2019 as Hot Tuna and wrap up their 50th year with acoustic shows with electric holiday performances as well.
Town Hall in New York City will host the tour kick off with two nights of electric Hot Tuna on Nov. 29 and 30, with special guest Steve Kimock. The Jefferson Airplane alums will then team up with Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams for 11 shows around the Northeast and Midwest, including stops in Troy, Poughkeepsie and Buffalo. Hot Tuna will then close out 2019 in Florida with shows on Dec. 28 in Clearwater and Dec. 31 in Ft. Lauderdale with an electric performance. Full tour dates can be found below.
Hot Tuna Fall Tour Dates
Nov. 29-30 – The Town Hall – New York, NY* Dec. 2 – Musikfest Cafe at ArtsQuest Center – Bethlehem, PA^ Dec.3 – Troy Savings Bank Music Hall – Troy, NY^ Dec.5 – Bardavon 1869 Opera House – Poughkeepsie, NY^ Dec. 6 – The Colonial Theatre – Keene, NH^ Dec. 7 – Garde Arts Center – New London, CT^ Dec. 9 – Asbury Hall – Buffalo, NY^ Dec. 10 – The Palace Theatre – Greensburg, PA^ Dec. 11 – Kent Stage – Kent, OH^ Dec. 13 – Park West – Chicago, IL^ Dec. 14 – Fitzgerald – St. Paul, MN^ Dec. 15 – Turner Hall Balroom – Milwaukee, WI^ Dec. 28 – Bilheimer Capitol Theatre – Clearwater, FL Dec. 31 – Parker Playhouse – Fort Lauderdale, FL+
* w/ Steve Kimock ^ w/ Larry Campbell & Teresa Williams
There are times when a festival lineup drops and you immediately thinking to yourself, “Damn, I really need to go to that!” The sixth annual Resonance Music and Arts Festival which took place September 19-22 in Slippery Rock, PA is a perfect example.
Presented by Papadosio, in partnership with Mammoth Music Group and Essential Productions, itâs clear that Resonance truly gets its audience.
The festival features a diverse cross-section of music on five stages ranging from jam to jamtronica to electronic with a common thread being that it’s all music everyone in the Resonance community digs, including the arists themselves.
Along with Papadosio itself – who played four sets including a Gorillaz tribute, which was something special to behold – tons of artists played multiple sets on different stages at different times of day and night throughout the weekend, giving them a wide latitude for creativity and exploration and channeling the unique energy of each environment.
To that end, this year’s music schedule was particularly stacked, featuring two headlining sets from Tipper along with multiple performances from each of Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Umphrey’s McGee, Twiddle, Black Moth Super Rainbow, TAUK, Goose, Andy Frasco & The U.N., EOTO, SunSquabi, and Dizgo.Â
But the incredibly chill vibe of Resonance is always about more than just the music and a literal change of scenery this year went along way towards making everyone feel welcome. Held for the first time at the bucolic Coopers Lake Campground in Western Pennsylvania, there was a ton to like about this new, smaller and cozier venue and site setup.
Want to car camp? It’s included, for free, for everyone in attendance. Prefer shady wooded spots or a lakeside view? Take your pick. No matter where you setup camp, all of the stages were close by and only a short stroll from each other. No lengthy hikes, arduous hills or tedious security checkpoints to be found anywhere. As an added bonus, Resonance is BYOB-only event and the ability to go back and forth between your campsite and the stages with a beverage of your choice is priceless.
Attendees at Resonance this year were also treated to near-perfect late summer weather, featuring sunny but not scorching daytime sets and hoodie-friendly evening air. Twilight sets each night at all stages were accompanied by spectacular sunsets with surreal hues. Even a brief storm delay Saturday afternoon gave way to a delectable double rainbow.
Not to be outdone by nature, artisitic and technological visuals were equally as impressive at Resonance, with live art installations aplenty and projection mapping illuminating the dragon-adorned castle as well as an intricate web weaved into the ceiling of the barn.
In its sixth year, Resonance has found its groove and an exceptionally fitting new home for its family.
Eclectic funk/jam band The New Motif are back on the road this fall and look to branch out of the Northeast with their two-night debut run in Colorado.
With stops in NYC at The Cutting Room, two nights on Cape Cod, a Phish after-party in Providence and supporting Kung Fu leading up to a performance at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, the deep psychedelic grooves The New Motif has become known for will reach wide audiences as they close out 2019 with a bang. For New Years Eve, they’ll perform at the iconic Paradise Rock Club in Boston, opening for Pink Talking Fish.
Sept. 20 – The Press Room – Portsmouth, NH Sept. 28 – MTG Pheno Cup Music & Arts Festival – Lancaster, NH Oct. 11 – LaBoca – Middletown, CT Oct. 12 – Cutting Room – NYC, NY Oct. 18 – Hawks & Reed – Greenfield, MA w/Strange Machines Oct. 26 – P.H.O.M.E. – Portland, ME w/ Strange Machines Nov. 15 – Your Mom’s House – Denver, CO – PPPP After Party w/Stig Nov. 16 – ULLR Tavern – Winter Park, CO Nov. 22 – Grumpy’s Pub – Falmouth, MA Nov. 23 – Grumpy’s Pub – Falmouth, MA Nov. 29 – Stone Church – Brattleboro, VT w/ Kung Fu Nov. 30 – Fete – Providence, RI Phish After Party w/ Meraki Dec. 19 – Port City Music Hall – Portland, ME w/ Kung Fu Dec. 20 – 3S Artspace – Portsmouth, NH w/ Kung Fu Dec. 21 – Toads Place – New Haven, CT w/ Kung Fu Dec. 22 –Bethel Woods Center for Arts – Bethel, NY w/ Kung Fu Dec. 31 – Paradise Rock Club – Boston, MA w/ Pink Talking Fish
Steve Kimock & Friends kick off their 25 year celebration on Wednesday, September 25, and leading up to this silver anniversary they’re releasing SKF videos from the archives. Check out “Cole’s Law” from earlier this year at Sweetwater Music Hall in Mill Valley, CA.
The group recently released “While We Wait,” an elegant instrumental with Steve playing lap steel, guitar and piano on the track, alongside Spencer Murphy on bass, and John Morgan Kimock on drums, kalimba, piano, and synthesizers. Written by Steve and produced by John Morgan, the initial source of the song was the bittersweet joy Steve experienced in visiting with a friend who didn’t have much time left.
Steve’s playing creates a unique space, one not conventionally occupied by the average mind. As John Morgan put it, “You cannot identify what you are hearing, which is really exciting to me. I try to run with the ‘UFO’ vibes and let that creep into the production.” Commenting on John’s production work, Steve replied, “I don’t know how he does it. He takes pieces I’ve done and creates something new…his process is fascinating.” The other-worldly magic of Steve’s guitar meets its match with John Morgan’s studio alchemy.
Steve Kimock and Friends 25th anniversary tour dates:
A full 48-piece orchestra filled the Fenway Park stage on September 13 to back up and showcase a long list of Who tunes, many of which were from the band’s two great blockbuster albums – Quadrophenia and Tommy. The latter helped coin the term “rock opera.” The Who celebrated its 50th anniversary in May of this year. This evening, they paid tribute to Eddie Money who died that day at age 70 after he had been diagnosed with stage 4 esophageal cancer. The show was dedicated to Eddie
One can only imagine this show must be the vision that Townshend had for these albums over four decades ago as the pieces that would push The Who beyond its previous pop-rock limitations and into an area far more radical, which features the 74-year-old artist windmill-strumming his six-string surrounded by violins, french horns, bassoon, and timpani.
This huge 31-date tour has been labeled the “Moving On!” tour and promotes the band’s eponymous new album that has a release date in November of this year simply titled Who, its first since 2006. But this two-hour set was a celebration of the band’s past penchant for an over the top performance, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for enduring fans to witness the songs performed as they were meant to be showcased. Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey deserve much respect for constantly finding new ways to extend this final tour, allowing fans to continue to want to see them and not see the same old show.
The thought of a full symphony orchestra and a rock band duking it out to be heard would be tough at even the most acoustically perfect venues. And Fenway Park is not known for the best acoustics, however, congratulations to the sound team on this one. The rock band was sharp and crystal clear, and conductor Keith Levenson’s orchestra cut through with precision rarely heard in situations like this.
Jon Button, Zak Starkey, Roger Daltrey, and Pete Townshend of the Who performs at Fenway Park in Boston on Friday, September 13, 2019
As with a standard symphonic piece, the concert was sectioned into three movements: first, a Tommy-centered medley with the orchestra at full strength; then a cluster of early-career odds and ends without the symphonic outfit; and finally a Quadrophenia-focused segment that concluded as most Who shows have in recent memory, with the grandiose “Baba O’Riley.”TheTommy block ran through seven of the albums 24 tracks, from the elaborate “Overture” to “Sparks,” which allowed Townshend to shred with a blur of arms and fingers, proving at 74 that he is still one of rock’s most virtuosic guitar men. The favorites “Who Are You” and “Eminence Front” were also placed in this section and boomed raucously.
Pete Townshend
The orchestra left the stage after almost an hour of music and the core band — now merely a seven-piece — ran through a handful of “golden oldies, just like we are,” as Daltrey put it. Here fans heard an animated “I Can See For Miles” —the band’s only Top 10 single in the U.S. — and a folksy rendition of “Won’t Get Fooled Again” featuring only the duo of Daltrey and Townshend.
A cellist and a violinist soon returned to the stage to add background to “Behind Blue Eyes,” a song whose exceeding vocal demands Daltrey continues to manage. At 75, Daltrey is among the most seasoned singers left performing at the arena level, and considering he underwent throat surgery earlier this decade his vocal abilities have held up amazingly well. He was unbeatable during the third act’s larger-than-life rendition of “Love, Reign O’er Me,” which began with a piano interlude and reached its peak during Daltrey’s wails. While the rest of the performance was exciting and bright, these moments brought on the emotions and made the fans feel goosebumps.
Daltrey has suggested this tour could feasibly be the band’s last. “I’m just being realistic about going through the 75th year of my life,” he told Rolling Stone in January. If that were to happen, and The Who never get to showcase whatever new material is coming, this would be a fantastic send-off: tracks from its most respected projects, revamped by a magnificent orchestra and unleashed in a way that showcases one of the greatest bands to ever rock.September 13, 2019, Fenway Park, MassachusettsWith orchestra: “Overture”, “1921”, “Amazing Journey”, “Sparks”, “Pinball Wizard”, “We’re Not Gonna Take It”, “Who Are You”, “Eminence Front”, “Imagine a Man”, “Hero Ground Zero” Without Orchestra: “Substitute”, “I Can See For Miles”, “You Better You Bet”, “Won’t Get Fooled Again”(acoustic), “Behind Blue Eyes” (with orchestra string section accompaniment) With orchestra: “Ball and Chain”, “The Real Me”, “I’m One”, “5:15”, “The Rock”, “Love, Reign O’er Me”, Baba O’Riley
On Friday, September 20th, Phantasy Tour will celebrate 20 years with a performance by Star Kitchen at The 8×10. As a Baltimore-based, grassroots organization that has long supported The Disco Biscuits, Star Kitchen at the legendary 8×10 venue is the perfect way to celebrate twenty years of set-list obsession.
Star Kitchen is a star-studded side project by members of many of Phantasy Tour’s long time favorite bands. Featuring bassist Marc Brownstein (The Disco Biscuits), guitarist Danny Mayer (Eric Krasno Band), keyboardist Rob Marscher (Addison Groove Project, Matisyahu) and drummer Marlon Lewis (Lauryn Hill, John Legend), the band is known for their exploratory jazz improvisations that stray from what listeners may expect from this cast. Surprising as it may be, everyone leaves a Star Kitchen show revived. Their two sets at The 8×10 will begin at 9:30pm.
Phantasy Tour is an online community of live music fans largely driven by set list prediction games for jam bands. Inspired by Phish and their 1999 Fall Tour, Phantasy Tour has now expanded to include the majority of touring bands one would consider to be in the jam/Americana/funk live rotation. PTers use the platform not only to play set list prediction games with their friends, but also to connect with other fans of their favorite bands and collect their live music experiences. To date, Phantasy Tour has over 170,000 registered members.
Tickets are available now. This show is sponsored in part by Remedy Columbia.
