“The team at The Queensbury Hotel has been amazing to work with and we chose this venue because with attendees and performers all staying in the same building, the stage is perfectly set for a memorable weekend of music and unique collaborations.”
– Mateo Vosganian, Summit Organizer and Drummer for Wild Adriatic
The lineup so far includes Wild Adriatic, Andy Frasco and the UN, Rustic Overtones, Annie In the Water, Let’s Be Leonard, Chestnut Grove, Sly Fox & the Hustlers, PJ Duo & Friends, Paradisa, and The East End Boys, with more to be announced soon.
Tickets are on sale now through Brown Paper Tickets
While you’re waiting for this year’s event, here’s the recap from 2018:
The legendary Max Creek, featuring guitarist Scott Murawski, bassist John Rider, drummer Bill Carbone, keyboardist Mark Mericier, and percussionist Jamemurrell Stanley will make a stop at the Garcia’s at The Capitol Theatre on Friday, October 25. They also recently announced their New Years Eve performance at The Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield, MA.
Titans of the jam music scene, Max Creek, have been going strong for nearly 50 years. The band has been known for embarking on extensive tours, playing as many as 200 shows a year to crowds of thousands of people.
True pioneers of electric rock jam, Max Creek has more than four decades of experience launching musical adventures with a rich repertoire of originals and uniquely interpreted gems. Each set is a journey for audience and band alike, chasing muses without a net and bringing it all back home to the roots again. The Max Creek show at Garcia’s is a unique opportunity to see the legendary band in a completely new way. Fans will be able to jam out and boogie along to Max Creek’s electrifying music in an intimate concert space.
The Empire State Youth Orchestra has announced the 2019-2020 season which includes: a 40th birthday celebration for the organization, a concert with an ESYO alumnus who is assistant principal cellist for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and a tour to South America.
The organization is comprised of 13 performing ensembles and the successful CHIME (Creating Harmony Inspiring Musical Excellence) program. ESYO will also participate this season in two national music cohorts: Presto Sistema USA, and Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute PlayUSA. ESYO’s Symphony Orchestra will once again be led by music director Carlos Agreda.
This year also marks the organization’s 40th birthday. In celebration, there will be a concert on Saturday, Nov. 2 at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall.
Hailing from the Capital Region, Kenneth Olsen, the assistant principal cellist in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra will also be joining Agreda. The Times Union will be sponsoring the November concert.
This upcoming season is particularly exciting. We have the celebration of our 40th Anniversary and also the appearance of an amazing soloist, who once played in ESYO. We are also going on an international tour to Argentina and Uruguay. But, on top of that, we are working on our new partnership with the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall that will bring a greater value to arts in the Capital Region.
Carlos Agreda
Since its founding in 1979, the Empire State Youth Orchestra (ESYO) has challenged and inspired young people to achieve excellence through music in a rigorous learning environment leading to high-level performance opportunities. Over 600 youth from the Capital Region of New York and western New England are selected by audition each year for the ESYO program. They then participate in one of the ten performing ensembles that collectively give approximately 30 performances a year. In 2015, ESYO launched ESYO CHIME (Creating Harmony, Inspiring Musical Excellence). ESYO CHIME seeks to expand access to music in underserved communities making sure that every child has access to musical excellence regardless of economic status.
ESYO concert attendees are once again able to use Access ESYO to attend the concert. Access ESYO allows ticket purchase for as little as $1.00 per seat, and will be sustained through a pay-it-forward campaign inviting donors to deposit the cost of a seat in an online ticket bank. For more information on ticketing click here.
2019 – 2020 Concert Dates
*locations and times
are subject to change
Nov. 2 – Troy Savings Bank Music Hall – Troy, NY
Nov. 4 – Shaker Junior High School – Latham, NY
Nov. 24 – TBA
Dec. 6 – TBA
Dec. 15 – Massry Center for the Arts, College of Saint Rose – Albany, NY
Dec. 19-22 – Proctors Theatre – Schenectady, NY
Feb. 1 – Crossgates Mall – Albany, NY
Feb. 12 – TBA
Feb. 13 – TBA
Feb. 27 – Massry Center for the Arts, College of Saint Rose – Albany, NY
Mar. 9 – UAlbany Performing Arts Center – Albany, NY
Mar. 29 – UAlbany Performing Arts Center – Albany, NY
Apr. 1 – Proctor’s Theatre – Schenectady, NY
Apr. 26 – Troy Savings Bank Music Hall
May 1 – TBA
May 2 – Arthur Zankel Music Center, Skidmore College – Saratoga Springs, NY
May 3 – Brown School – Schenectady, NY
May 10 – Massry Center for the Arts, College of Saint Rose – Albany, NY
May 17 – Massry Center for the Arts, College of Saint Rose – Albany, NY
May 31 – Saratoga Performing Arts Center – Saratoga Springs, NY
June 20 – GE Theatre at Proctors – Schenectady, NY
NYC’s brass-funk quintet Lucky Chops are releasing their brand new, self-titled album Lucky Chops to the public tomorrow. Fans who donated to support the album’s production were treated to the full album a day early.
Lucky Chops isn’t their first recording, however, the 11-track album marks their first full-length studio effort that brings a collection of original songs to their growing fan base, marked by careful attention to detail in the compositions and production. Their first release, NYC, came out around the same time that their New York City subway performances gained viral attention on social media and is comprised mostly of covers, and subsequent single and EP releases that established a foundation of original material leading to this latest project.
Lucky Chops performing at Brooklyn Bowl (April 2019)
There is no single defining sound that the band has laid down on this latest release. By the fourth song, Lucky Chops has defined a well-crafted blend of original sounds for this multi-genre, multi-decade influenced banger of an album.
The medium paced disco groove of “Halfway to the Hudson” leads things off with interludes laced with brassy, Daft Punk-inspired licks. From this catchy attention grabber, the album quickly flaunts a diversity in sound, traveling through a lighthearted “Dancing Babies” to the heavy, steady beat of “Traveler” where their own original dance style shines through.
The album’s prominent track and first single, “Full Heart Fancy,” is the best demonstration of Lucky Chops’ writing and performing skills, with each of the five members featured throughout the song.
The album, as a brass band recording, is naturally instrumental and sans vocals. However, a unique part of their compositions is that several of the melodies beg the attentive ear to search for its own lyrics to sing in tune or harmony with those melodies. “Flyway,” as an example, is a relaxed tune where the tenor sax line resonates with the familiar feel of Paul McCartney’s singing on “Yesterday.” Naturally, or even instinctively, unspoken words form at the tip of the tongue while listening to the album.
In a broader sense, Lucky Chops brings that aspect out in many of the tracks by how well the subtlety (and sometimes the obvious) blend into their arrangements prominent elements of some of the pop music styles of 1950’s surf rock (“Dance Nights”), and 1990’s/2010’s alt/pop (“Familiar Places,” “Mo’ Mo,” “Memories”).
Lucky Chops represents a step forward for the band in the effort and craft in composing/producing/recording, and for the perseverance they have shown fans through an unavoidable delay in the release. The band’s new music continues in the band’s tradition of having a wide appeal, enjoyed at home or at one of their high energy club/concert hall shows.
Before heading out on an extensive European tour in a few weeks, Lucky Chops will be doing a special live stream performance on their social media channels today from the Times Square subway station (by the A-C-E lines/Port Authority) at 12:30 EST. The band will also host an additional special album sneak peek live stream/Q&A on their YouTube channel beforehand at noon. The album can be purchased and streamed here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_D5RFEiPbOk
Key Tracks: Full Heart Fancy, Memories, Familiar Places
Track Listing
Halfway To The Hudson
The Dancing Babies
Traveler
Dance Night
Full Heart Fancy
Flyway
Pizza Day
Familiar Places
Memories
It’s Not Goodbye
Mo’ Momo
Lucky Chops will return to touring around the US this spring with several East Coast stops (listed below), including two nights at Brooklyn Bowl. Full tour dates, along with ticket information, can be found here.
March 27/28 – NYC – Brooklyn Bowl April 1 – Pawling, NY – Daryl’s House Club April 2 – Hamden, CT – Space Ballroom April 3 – Somerville, MA – ONCE Ballroom April 4 – Syracuse, NY – Syracuse University April 10 – Philadelphia, PA – The Foundry at The Fillmore April 11 – Washington, DC – Union Stage
Gov’t Mule and Warren Haynes made a stop on their Bring On The Music fall tour on September 19 with a performance at Albany’s Palace Theatre. The name of the tour is a play on the band’s new concert film and corresponding live album, Bring On The Music – Live From The Capitol Theatre, which came out in June on CD, vinyl, DVD, and BluRay.
To see the Southern rock jam band Gov’t Mule live at this beautiful and historic Albany landmark was an amazing experience. The lighting was nothing short of perfection, which added greatly to the experience.
Photo by Stephanie J Bartik
Gov’t Mule is comprised of guitarist Warren Haynes, drummer Matt Abts, multi-instrumentalist Danny Louis, and bassist Jorgen Carlsson. Haynes took the stage and commanded the crowd’s attention with his soulful vocals and guitar chops while wowing the eager fans with the first song, “Traveling Tune.” His talent is known throughout the music world and he is the inspiration of many guitar players. He was the guitarist for The Allman Brothers Band and put together Gov’t Mule with the late Allen Woody (bass) in 1994 as a side project.
There is a connection between Haynes and bass player Carlsson and Abts on drums that can be easily observed. Each band member became completely immersed in not just their individual instruments, but the songs themselves. With Haynes’ soulful voice and virtuosic solos with expansive guitar tones, Carlsson’s expert bass playing, Abts locking it in with insane drumming, and Danny Louis dazzling the crowd on keys, each tune was performed to perfection
Jorgen Carlsson on bass
With rock at its core, Gov’t Mule integrated a full range of musical styles including blues, jazz, soul and some funky rhythms. No one left the room disappointed. If given the chance to see this band first hand, you owe it to yourself to do so.
Check out the Gov’t Mules website for a full list of the band’s upcoming tour dates, ticketing, and more information.
Set One: Traveling Tune (part 1), Mule, Pressure Under Fire, Time To Confess, Lay Your Burden Down, Inside Outside Woman Blues, Unring The Bell, Endless Parade, Revolution Come, Revolution Go
Set Two: Wandering Child, What is Hip?, (with Jerry Marotta, without Matt Abts), Freeway Jam, Child Of The Earth, Lively Up Yourself, Fool’s Moon, Thorazine Shuffle, Traveling Tune (part 2)
Robert Hunter, lyricist for the Grateful Dead and the pen behind some of the band’s most beloved songs passed away at his home in Marin County, CA, on Monday night. He was 78 years old. Hunter wrote numerous songs alongside Jerry Garcia, including “Ripple,” “China Cat Sunflower,” “Casey Jones,” “Sugar Magnolia,” “Mountains of the Moon,” “Althea,” “Dark Star,” “Stella Blue” among others.
photo by Scott Harris/The Capitol Theatre
A statement from Hunter’s family stated “It is with great sadness we confirm our beloved Robert passed away yesterday night. He died peacefully at home in his bed, surrounded by love. His wife Maureen was by his side holding his hand.” For his fans that have loved and supported him all these years, take comfort in knowing that his words are all around us, and in that way his is never truly gone. In this time of grief please celebrate him the way you all know how, by being together and listening to the music. Let there be songs to fill the air.”
Grateful Dead guitarist and singer Bob Weir shared his condolences on Twitter
If I’m gonna count my blessings, Robert Hunter and his imagination are gonna be up at the top of that list. I think I can speak for a lot of people In saying that. And then there’s the added blessing that he left us with plenty to go forward with... https://t.co/fnEZloJg9E
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a non-performing member of the Grateful Dead, Hunter wrote with Bob Dylan, Bruce Hornsby, Cesar Rojas of Los Lobos, in addition to Garcia. Hunter also produced a number of books of poetry, as well as solo albums over the course of his life.
For a man who provided us with so many meaningful words, the soundtrack to our lives, he’s left us a bit speechless with his passing. For more than 50 years, since his first lyrical contributions to the Grateful Dead in 1967, Robert Hunter has been just as integral a part of the legacy of the Grateful Dead as those who recorded the music to accompany his words, those who walked out on stage to bring his words to life. More than 2,000 times 1967-1995, these six (or five or seven) proud walkers on the jingle bell rainbow, plus countless thousands of times since then by other performers, the Grateful Dead have brought Hunter’s words to life in front of all of us as their witness. Not a single day has gone by since 1984 that Hunter’s words haven’t been a part of my world; I’ve heard Jerry, Bob and others sing his words literally every day for the past 35 years.
When the final Fare Thee Well show ended in Chicago in 2015, Mickey Hart famously sent us on our way by asking us to “please, be kind,” and that lesson along with its lyrical brethren written by Hunter, “ain’t no time to hate,” and “are you kind?” are some of the truest words to live by. No matter what meaning, solace, lesson you find in Hunter’s lyrics, please go out and do some good with them.
Listen to full show audio from Robert Hunter’s performance at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY on October 5, 2013. May the four winds blow you safely home.
Sometimes, often unexpectedly, life decides to take a plate of glass and smash you right in the face. When that happens, you can either retreat and regroup or take that sharp, broken glass and smash back. That is what Adapter did with their first EP, Period. This is a band with a chip on their shoulder, and the chops to go out and make a statement about it.
First impressions as a modern mix between Zeppelin and The Allman Brothers Band are never a bad thing, but as you dig deeper you realize Adapter subtly carved a sound of their own. Their sound can loosely be described as a new aged hard rocking spin on classic blues; however, they possess the in-your-face rock and roll spirit that once dominated life for many. Even through headphones there is a sense of electricity and danger, both musically and lyrically, with explosive rocking chords that nearly beg to be vibrating wall to wall in an arena.
Lyrically, Period is a familiar peek into a songwriter who has been damaged and cannot decide what to do next. The hard-rocking opening track “The Pains” delves deep into the mental struggle of whether to go back to a lover who has hurt you. This all too human battle continues as the EP continues with “Mean Bitch Blues,” where the band transports you to that dark unknown where you don’t know what to do next now that it has all ended except express anger and sadness. While only five songs, Period gives a good snapshot of the band’s capabilities melding between hard rock, trippy blues, and a more subtle, lighter side at times. Already sounding like a refined, authoritative group, Adapter will be a fun band to watch grow as they continue making music.
Hailing from Jamestown, NY, Cold Lazarus is a fusion four-piece that melds funk, psychedelic rock, reggae and soul with indie-style vocals and introspective lyrics. With three releases now in their discography, the band is established in their sound and aesthetic. Their albums all have a great flow, and in the past offered consistency with each song. While this is the case as a whole with the new release, Colors and Lights, there are a lot of new ideas presented that break the band away from their regular brand of psychedelic jam-rock. This new release brings a lot of composition and arrangement without compromising on the live feeling Cold Lazarus emulates so well. Cold Lazarus is unconventional in their songwriting, and unrelenting in their audacity to make something distinct.
The opening track on the album, “A Dream Serene” sends the listener straight into space with a multi-dimensional ambient piece with a heavy emphasis on vocals. The harmonies are tight and varied, and offer a real pallet cleaner to usher in the titular track “Colors and Lights.” The low-fi funk opening leaves room for the song to build, as the band expands the production and enters the realm of hi-fi. The composition is very unique to Cold Lazarus- as opposed to each member holding big chords, the group has each person playing one or two notes that create a moving chord progression more similar to classical funk, and even classical music at that. The drums are agile with fills, fresh and diversified between phrases. The keys and guitar find themselves in conversations atop a steady and arresting bass line.
There are some really fun tunes on this album. “Don’t Hide” is a great illustration of how the band can combine extended jams with compact choruses. While the song can meander into new spaces and ideas, there is always a return to home base. Something the band has that sets them in a league of their own are their longer jams that incorporate motifs and themes. The meat of the song is the organic performances in these live-feeling jams, but the potatoes are certainly the choruses. The characteristic harmonies that play off each other give these choruses more muscle and tension.
Between songs you will find interesting electronic-inspired breaks. “Trepidation” and “Dimension Ascension” highlight an entirely new aspect of the band’s abilities. Making use of 606’s and glitchy drum beats, these sketches add more variety to the album than past projects.
Cold Lazarus has certainly accomplished their goal in creating an adventurous psychedelic rock album that doesn’t place itself solely in the realm of one genre. The talent of the band absolutely shines through in different ways in each of the songs. While some of these songs last upwards of 10 minutes, they never become tedious. Interesting composition and tight production work together to construct something that keeps the listener engaged and excited to see what the next turn brings.
Key Tracks: Don’t Hide, Spiral Sea Unending, Colors and Lights
Ambassador Music Group (AMG) will host its second annual Rocktoberfest music festival on Saturday, October 5th as a benefit for Cohoes-based nonprofit Community Miracles In Action (CMA) and CMA’s Louder Dreams project. The free, family-friendly event will run from noon to 6:00 pm in the heart of Albany’s Warehouse District (15 Pleasant Street, 12207).
The successful launch of Rocktoberfest in 2018 featured three main-stage acts and two acoustic performances. This year, Rocktoberfest will feature seven acts on the Louder Dreams main stage. Headliners include American Idol’s Madison VanDenburg, Americana-rock group C.K. & The Rising Tide and indie-rockers El Modernist. Rounding out the lineup are pop/indie/R&B artists Vince Palmeri, Julia Gargano, David Cuttino & The Antiks and This Strange Paradise.
Rocktoberfest is central to AMG’s mission of featuring local musicians, partnering with and promoting local businesses, and helping local non-profits. Fulfilling the goal of helping local non-profits, Rocktoberfest 2019 has partnered with Community Miracles in Action (CMA). CMA is a drop-in teen center offering a safe place for kids to set and achieve goals, build meaningful relationships, and connect with adults who provide structure and compassion. In support of this collaboration and in support of teens, the “Louder Dreams” rock stage will feature special performances by CMA and Youth FX (another non-profit organization helping students through film) youths in between main acts.
In an interview with Spot 518 (“Calculated Venture”) in 2018: “The community aspect of the music scene here is unlike anywhere I’ve been,” said Andrew, co-owner and artist manager of AMG. “I think there’s potential for something bigger to happen in the music scene, here in Albany,” said Rose, co-owner and marketing director of AMG. “And we’re on the brink of making it bigger than what it is right now. I think we’re all trying to make it happen.”
Ambassador Music Group (AMG) is an artist management company based in Albany, New York. AMG’s artists have performed on stages across New York and New England and benefit from a devoted management and PR team. While promoting their own roster, AMG reserves resources to support local musicians, partner with local businesses, and help children through music. Learn more at www.ambassadormusicgroup.com.
Lake Street Dive will conclude their extensive 2019 US tour in October in support of its critically acclaimed 2018 album, Free Yourself Up. The band will perform in Brooklyn in support of the Avett Brothers on Oct. 5, then head north to Albany for a solo performance at the Palace Theatre on Oct. 6. They swing back to the Empire State in mid-October with stops in Buffalo on Oct. 18 and Geneva on Oct.19.
Free Yourself Up was released last year on Nonesuch Records to critical and popular acclaim, spending a remarkable seven and a half months on the non-commercial radio charts and an equally rare eighteen weeks on Billboard’s Top Current Albums chart. The record debuted at No. 4 on the Top Album Chart and No. 8 in the Billboard Top 200 Chart, and the lead single “Good Kisser” was in the Top 5 at Americana radio for more than a month.
Lake Street Dive Tour Dates
Oct. 2 – Lebanon Opera House – Lebanon, NH (Sold Out)
