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.
Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe brought their brand of optimistic funk to White Eagle Hall in Jersey City on July 31 for an enthusiastic Wednesday night crowd. With them for an opening set of reggae and saxophone showmanship was DeLa and Steady Rock Easy. DeLa is the saxophone player for Slightly Stoopid, the San Diego reggae outfit with which Karl Denson has recorded and performed with as a sought after horn player himself. And I must say… Karl Denson is a hell of a bandleader!
Seriously, this guy is relentlessly generous. When you share the stage with some of the top-notch talent in the music business, there’s plenty of room to share in the groove.
DeLa and Steady Rock Easy
Pulling from a selection of bouyant reggae beats from his latest studio effort Opening Night, on which Denson is a guest musician, DeLa and Steady Rock Easy provided a straight up and joyful delivery. DeLa’s chops are seasoned, and tasteful, greasing the wheels for the ride Karl Denson and Co. were about to venture on. For the finale of the opening set, DeLa spoke, “If Karl Denson is in the house, we’d like to get him up here…. Oh I guess he is here!” Denson then came out for a collaborative saxophone duo to close out the Steady Rock set.
Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe
The most glaringly obvious thing about Karl Denson is his humility. Tiny Universe is widely regarded as one of the most talented and lively acts on the planet and, in addition to being a founding member of Greyboy Allstars, Denson was tapped by legendary rockers The Rolling Stones in 2014 as their touring saxophone player. In fact, the Stones played Metlife Stadium just one day after this gig. That’s quite a resume’ already, not even counting his impressive list of studio sessions and sit-ins. All of this, suffice to say, is enough to fluff anyone’s ego. Despite that, it seems that Karl Denson keeps a tighter grasp on his own humbleness than he does on his instruments. He grins and dances on stage with a tambourine as much as he fires on all cylinders with his saxophone or flute.
Gnomes and Badgers (out now via Seven Spheres Records) is Karl Denson’s commentary on today’s political atmosphere. A handful of the songs from that album made their way into Wednesday nights set, like “What If You Knew,” “Gossip” and “Can We Trade.” Each track is toe-tapping, no matter the pace, and laced with positivity. It’s uplifting that there is so much music being created right now that is built on optimism as opposed to avoiding hope for the future, given the state of affairs around the world.
Karl Denson shakes the tambourine during “Under My Thumb”
There were also some throwbacks. “New Ammo,” from the album of the same name, is a racer. There’s also the Rolling Stones cover “Under my Thumb,” which abandons the lyrics in favor of harmonized horn lines of the vocal melody instead. Throughout all of it, Denson took a lot of opportunities to point, glance, and shift towards other members of the band as if to say, “You take a solo! Now you take a solo!” Again, hell of a band leader.
The closer, “Time to Pray,” was a fresh reminder that none of us are in a competition. Each member of the Tiny Universe team was shining bright and grinning in delight, reveling in each other’s stamina. The lyrics “Kneelin, kneelin, there is no other way / You think it’s time to win, I think it’s time to pray” gives weight to this idea; it’s not about being right, it’s about sharing in hope for a more positive and optimistic future. A blazing guitar solo, plenty of flute action, an up-tempo beat to drive the dancing festivities, and a huge, rising organ build up drove it all home on a high note.
Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe
Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe is on tour through the end of August and takes on a Fall Tour from September through November.
Setlist via guitarist Dj Williams:
Catching Sparks, Everybody Knows That, Satisfied, Gossip, What If You Knew, Rich Man’s Welfare, I’m Your Biggest Fan, Can We Trade?, Under My Thumb, New Ammo, Time to Pray.
A jazz legend in the making, Kamasi Washington, will perform on Thursday, August 1 at White Eagle Hall in Jersey City, NJ, bringing his West Coast jazz sound and multi-instrument skills to an eager audience. Born in Los Angeles, Washington’s 2015 debut album The Epic received critical praise and was awarded the inaugural American Music Prize. Subsequent albums Heaven and Earth and Harmony of Difference received similar acclaim, with the latter debuting at the 2017 Whitney Museum of Art Biennial.
When Kamasi Washington released his tour de force LP, The Epic, in 2015, it instantly set him on a path as our generation’s torchbearer for progressive, improvisational music that would open the door for young audiences to experience music unlike anything they had heard before. The 172-minute odyssey featuring his 10-piece band, The Next Step, was littered with elements of hip-hop, classical and R&B music, all major influences on the young saxophonist and bandleader, who exceeds any notions of what “jazz” music is. Washington followed that work with collaborations with other influential artists such as Kendrick Lamar, John Legend, Run the Jewels, Ibeyi, among others. Washington’s mass appeal continues to grow, drawing vibrant, multi-ethnic and multi-generational crowds with tour stops at the world’s most prominent festivals such as Coachella, Glastonbury, Fuji Rock, Bonnaroo and Primavera. He is currently on tour with Herbie Hancock in August.
Since the 2018 release of Heaven and Earth and its counterpart The Choice, Washington has toured the world over with sold-out shows in North America and Europe, including New York’s Apollo Theater and London’s Brixton Academy. Washington recently debuted his short film As Told To G/D Thyself which originally premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. Watch an interview with Washington discussing the movie below.
Joining Washington at White Eagle Hall is Taylor McFerrin, who recently released Love’s Last Chance, his first full-length album since his 2014 debut Early Riser. The collection, which featured Nai Palm, Thundercat, and Taylor’s legendary father Bobby McFerrin, earned praise from Pitchfork who hailed it as “an album built for slow weekend mornings spent in bed with a loved one.” Love’s Last Chance is McFerrin’s first album with his own voice on it. “Over the years, I’d learned how to convey myself well through my instrumentals,” says McFerrin. “But singing brings me closer than ever to being able to share everything that’s going on inside of me.”
World renowned jazz/funk saxophonist Karl Denson is set to bring his 7-piece Tiny Universe to the historic White Eagle Hall in Jersey City on Wednesday, July 31. Tickets are available here via Eventbrite.
Karl Denson is a founding member of the seminal funk band, The Greyboy Allstars, as well as the touring saxophonist with The Rolling Stones. The spirit and energy of KDTU is hard to contain as it’s stacked with top talent including Greyboy Allstars members Zak Najor on drums, bassist Chris Stillwell, and Crush Effects keyboardist David Veith. Rounding out the touring lineup are also guitarist DJ Williams, trumpeter Chris Littlefield, and lap steel/slide guitarist Seth Freeman.
With unparalleled chops and an eclectic mix of musical influence from Prince to the White Stripes (covers of both can be heard on tour), it’s no wonder Denson has been sought to record with acts such as Lenny Kravitz and Slightly Stoopid.
Touring in support of the recent release Gnomes and Badgers (out now via Seven Spheres Records), KDTU is making their way across the country all the way through the fall. For more ticket information and tour dates, visit Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe.
“We’re having sooooooo much friggin’ fun on this little run of shows!” quipped Marco Benevento in an Instagram post on the afternoon of May 3. Later that night, the sentiment became overtly obvious as Benevento and Co. brought their colorfully energetic mix of pop and rock to Jersey City. White Eagle Hall, an historic venue is situated in the Village neighborhood of downtown Jersey City, welcomed every note as if it knew Marco came home to play.
Providing a short opening set was New York City native Andrew Fox, a solo singer/producer with a small assembly of toys and knobs but a large sweeping psychedelic soul. Warming up the Jersey crowd with a selection of songs from his recently debuted EP Shock by Shock, Fox sang passionately over a mix of deep bumping bass and sinking synthesizer leads. The live performance of these tracks varies slightly as Fox mixes, filters, and plays keys. A stand out was the funky “John / Candy,” featuring a pop laced guitar riff and chopping snare claps.
In a nod to the oh so obvious theme of welcoming that encompasses Benevento and crew, Fox mentioned that the two had in fact only first met in person just prior to the show. It was just a few weeks ago that Benevento reached out to Fox via the internet and asked him to tag along for a few shows. This speaks volumes to Marco’s openness to opportunity and appreciation.
After a short break, the headliners appeared to an uproarious applause and took a moment to settle in before jumping right into “Free Us All.” Immediately, the rainbow lights began to blanket the room as the crowd swayed in delight. The trio continued on through a mix of old tunes like “All The Other Dreams,” “Greenpoint,” and “Dropkick.” Still, there was room for a new song debut and announcement that a to-be-titled album is on the way, due out in September.
Dressed in silver sequin jackets and white tees reading “We’re using time for fun” (a song committed to tape on 2007’s Live At Tonic) the trio of Benevento, David Butler and Karina Rykman held on to their smiles as much they did the groove for 2 hours straight. There is an incredible enthusiasm in this group that creates an energy so palpable it’s hard to not participate in the celebration. Marco takes every opportunity available to thank the audience, thank his bandmates, and relish in the feel-good momentum that makes their performances uniquely positive.
The mid-section of the set brought more from the recent The Story of Fred Short record with the zany “I Can’t See The Light,” a soaring “Stay In Line,” and the bouncy “Walking With Tyrone.” Benevento jumped back and forth between center stage to dance around and sing and then again to his piano rig just in time to walk up and down a solo.
Just after Rykman removed her jacket, but not the smile, Benevento made banter by recalling a previous show where the crowd roared for 10 minutes when he announced the bassist by name. The audience took this obvious cue and cheered ever more loudly as Marco clapped and yelled “KARINAAA” into the mic. It was a cheerful moment that shined a happily embarrassing spotlight on the youngest band member just before she took a distortedly delayed bass solo. This paved the way for the crowd-pleasing cover of the Butthole Surfers 90’s hit “Pepper,” led by Rykman on vocals.
As is with most musicians, this band and Benevento, especially as the songwriter, gets as much out of sharing in the music as they do playing it. This was evident through the entire set but was most clear when the trio “answered the call” to play “The Real Morning Party,” an infectious pop number that had the entire crowd gleefully singing along to the melodic hook. As the audience bounced up and down in enjoyment, it was hard to tell whether the ground was shaking because of the dancing or because of the powerful rhythm section and soulful jamming.
After one last thank you, the party was brought to a close with the aptly titled finale “At The Show.” Members of the audience were still humming the vocal melody as the three band mates took their final bow at center stage.
Marco Benevento tour continues on May 10 in Washington D.C. with Andrew Fox.
*Setlist was not written down and songs were being called out by Marco. The following list was provided by management:
Free Us All, All The Other Dreams, Solid Gold, Dropkick, Greenpoint, Send Me On A Rocket, Walking With Tyrone, Live a Certain Life, Stay In Line, I Can’t See The Light, Follow The Arrow, Pepper, Witches of Ulster, The Real Morning Party, Oh Baby Can’t You See, At The Show
Beginning tomorrow, keyboard maestro, Marco Benevento, will kick off a string of 10 summer tour dates with room for more to be added along the way. The experimental rock and jazz pianist will play two dates before hitting White Eagle Hall in Jersey City on Friday, May 3, where NYS Music will be there to catch the set in full review.
Armed with the rhythm section of Karina Rykman on bass, drummer David Butler, and a smile from ear to ear, every one of the trio’s gigs is a celebratory event. With appearances already booked at Mountain Jam and Levitate Music and Arts Festival, Benevento’s summer is sure to be as colorful as the stained striped suits he likes to wear on stage.
A taste of live Benevento
Ahead of the first release under his birth-name, New York City native Andrew Fox has been enlisted to bring his soulful psych-pop blend to both the Jersey City and Washington D.C. dates as the opening act. Be sure to check out Shock By Shock, on streaming platforms now.
Andrew Fox Debut Shock by ShockMarco Benevento
Tour Dates:
May 1 – Wilkes-Barre, PA – River Street Jazz Cafe May 2 – Ardmore, PA – The Ardmore Music Hall May 3 – Jersey City, NJ – White Eagle Hall w/ Andrew Fox May 4 – Greenfield, MA – Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center May 10 – Washington, DC – Pearl Street Warehouse w/ Andrew Fox May 11 – Harrisburg, PA – The Abbey (Free) June 13 – Bethel, NY – Mountain Jam June 26 – Brooklyn, NY – Industry City July 13 – Marshfield, MA – Levitate Music & Arts Festival August 7 – Big Indian, NY – Full Moon Resort
Phish bassist Mike Gordon brought his brand to Jersey City, NJ for a rocking St. Patrick’s Day’s show. The current lineup includes Gordon, guitarist Scott Murawski, drummer John Kimock, keyboardist Robert Walter (JJ Grey, Robert Walter’s 20th Congress) and percussionist Craig Myers.
Gordon’s band is nearing the end of a March tour that started in Atlanta, GA and moved up the East Coast. Upcoming dates include Buffalo, NY and Cambridge, Mass. The band will also play at Jazz Fest in April.
Jersey City’s White Eagle Hall was the venue for this rocking event. Originally built as a community center, this restored historic building is in the downtown area. On this night, White Eagle Hall was sold out and at capacity.
Set 1 began with the band entering to a roaring packed crowd. Mike showed off his matching illuminated bass with Murawski’s guitar. His funky, slappy bass playing transcended these songs, creating a rocking dance party. A cool multi-colored light show accompanied the music. The set ended with the high energy “Crazy Sometimes.” Set 2 picked up where set 1 left off. “Sweet Emotion” was the notable cover from the set. Elizabeth Nestlerode sat in with the band during the encore for “If You Want Me.” Nestlerode is a Broadway star in The Other Josh Cohen. The show ended on a high note with Jersey City anxious for more of the Mike Gordon Band.
