NYS Music 202​0

Author: Jessica Sherman

  • The Linda ‘Opens For Take Out’ Reviving the Capital Region Music Scene

    Albany’s revolutionary The Linda: WAMC’s Performing Arts Studio is once more changing the game. In an announcement today, The Linda has announced the launching of brand new virtual programming being dubbed ‘The Linda: Open for Take-Out Virtual Concert Series.’ Produced in collaboration with Troy’s video production company Chromoscope Pictures, the virtual concerts will take place Monday nights at 8 p.m. ET on The Linda’s Youtube channel and will be ticketed just like their regular shows.

    “We realize that the impacts of COVID-19 have been dire for working musicians and the music industry as a whole. The goal of this series is to restart the local music economy by bringing a wide array of eclectic and diverse, local and regional musicians back to the stage in a safe environment and to provide fans with a professionally produced concert delivered directly to the safety and comfort of their homes”

    First up in the series will be indie band Motorbike from Saratoga Springs on July 13 at 8 p.m. Their debut LP Victory Lap was released January 2019 delivering to fans and heartfelt hooks from the alternative rockers. Scheduled for July 20 is Girl Blue, a indie pop songstress from Long Island whose debut single “Fire Under Water” racked up over 2 million streaming plays. Canadian neosoul artist The Age will round out the initial lineup with a show on July 27.

    Upon purchasing a stream, you will be sent a private YouTube link for each performance. For more information and updates regarding the series visit The Linda’s website or their social media pages.

    Check out this stream and more through our series NY Stream and Support, where you’ll discover artists around the Empire State streaming nightly, and ways to support musicians and charitable groups close to home!

  • Opera Saratoga Keeping the Love of Opera Alive with New Series

    Opera Saratoga has launched a new series of online programming called OPERA SARATOGA: CONNECT!. This comes in response to the recent limitations placed on many in the music industry from the Coronavirus Pandemic. Moving away from the standard path of releasing archived material that many other organizations have taken, Opera Saratoga has developed six new programs including Daily, Kids, Symposia, Classes, Trivia and Mentorship.

    Opera Saratoga’s Artistic and General Director Lawrence Edelson explained: “We have decided to launch programs for our audiences that have been created specifically for the way people engage online producing a combination of newly created video performances for social media, as well as new opportunities to enjoy and learn about opera that are more interactive. Opera Saratoga has always focused on building community. OPERA SARATOGA: CONNECT! was designed to allow us to do just that – connect digitally with our community. Each element of this initiative allows audiences to enjoy opera, classical vocal music, and musical theater in a different way, from short videos released every day throughout the summer featuring members of our Festival Artist program, to interactive trivia games, classes, and symposia, featuring guests from around the globe.”

    Programming will be a combination of free and a few paid activities to which there are scholarships available for those experiencing financial hardships during the pandemic. This will provide a wide opportunity for many to experience opera classical vocal music, and musical theater in many different ways right from your home. Complete details about each of the six programs as part of OPERA SARATOGA: CONNECT! may be found online. 

    For over 50 years Opera Saratoga, formerly known as Lake George Opera, has been a pillar in the upstate community for world class opera. Not only do they perform for more than 25,000 people at the annual Summer Festival but also have become the launching point for emerging operatic artists. They utilize not only their own stage but also the cultural, historic and natural resources of the surrounding Saratoga Springs, the Lower Adirondack and New York State Capital areas to bring unique and innovative opportunities to the public.  

    Check out below their newest opera ‘The Selfish Giant’ based on the classic children’s story by Oscar Wilde. This was produced remotely after the start of COVID-19 in partnership  with the New York City based company American Lyric Theater.

  • Adirondack Theatre Festival & Bloomington Playwrights Project Bring “In the Box” Virtual Experiences

    Adirondack Theatre Festival (ATF) & Bloomington Playwrights Project (BPP) have announced a brand new interactive virtual experience named ‘In The Box Entertainment’.  Beginning this September and running through February 2021, these from-your-couch experiences will include a cruise, hands-on-insane magic shows, a holiday talent show with live voting, an interactive hunt for a criminal, a film festival, and a “wine and canvas” night gone wrong. 

    Chad Rabinovitz, the Producing Artistic Director for ATF and BPP will create and direct the entire series. Also on the stellar team is; playwright Hank Greene (Knights of the Sales Office) and Jeffrey Small as the consulting producer. From Saratoga Springs, Mills Entertainment will ensure that these online experiences perform at high levels, taking Zoom from ‘a video chat to an interactive television experience’.

    “Our goal from the start was to create entertainment that isn’t a consolation prize for not having live theatre, but instead to develop an iteration of live theatre that benefits specifically from being digital.  We’re not putting our art form on Zoom, we’re creating an art form for Zoom,” states Chad Rabinovitz. 

    Shows will be live ticketed performances experienced within the comforts of your home.  Rounding out the unique experience will be a themed box mailed to the ticket holder prior to the show of their choosing.

    More information and ticketing can be found at the BPP, ATF or at www.intheboxentertainment.com.  Tickets may also be purchased by calling the Wood Theater Box Office at (518) 480-4878.

     In The Box Entertainment Lineup:

    Sep. 10-12 – Magic in a Box: Remote Control with Max Major A Virtual Mind Reading Experiment

    Sep. 15-19 – Magic in a Box: Glitches in Reality with Simon Coronel

    Oct. 15-18 – Film Festival in a Box: 5th Annual Adirondack Film Festival

    Nov. 3-14 – Cruise In a Box: Living Room Cruise Lines

    Dec .10 – Bloomington, IN – Talent in a Box: Holiday Family Talent Show

    Dec. 17 – Glens Falls, NY – Talent in a Box: Holiday Family Talent Show

    Jan. 12-23 – Mystery in a Box: Manhunt

    Feb. 9 -20 – Paint in a Box: Painting for One

  • A new virtual age for the Village Vanguard begins

    New York City’s legendary Village Vanguard invites you to join them Saturdays starting June 13 at 7 p.m. EDT for a 75 minute live streaming concert. A matinee will follow the next day at 2 p.m. EDT. Admission for each performance will be $7.

    First up on the lineup will be The Billy Hart Quartet featuring  drummer Billy Hart joined by a phenomenal group of artists including tenor saxophonist Mark Turner, pianist Ethan Iverson and bassist Ben Street. 

    After closing its doors on March 16 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, just three weeks after the club’s 85th birthday, many were left wondering how indefinite the closure would be. Virtual concerts have become the revival answer for many and now The Vanguard is back with four weekends currently slated with performances. Please continue to check the website and follow the club on Instagram @vanguardjazz and Facebook for updates on upcoming shows. 

    Village Vanguard

    Livestream schedule:

    June 13-14 – Billy Hart Quartet featuring Mark Turner, Ethan Iverson and Ben Street

    June 20 – 21 –  Vijay Iyer Trio featuring Nick Dunston and Jeremy Dutton   

    June 27 – 28 – Joe Martin Quartet featuring Mark Turner, Kevin Hays and Nasheet Waits

    July 4 – 5 – Joe Lovano Trio Fascination featuring Ben Street and Andrew Cyrille

  • Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance Raises the Bar

    With a successful phase one of their crowdfunding campaign reached, Grammy winning pianist/composer Arturo O’Farrill and nonprofit the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance (ALJA), have announced that they will be raising the bar by setting the goal to $100,000 for phase two. 

    The $30,000 was able to provide 100 artists with grants. These grants are all part of the ALJA Emergency Artist Fund initiative in response to the economic hardships faced by New York and New Jersey artists after the start of the Coronavirus Pandemic. 

    Arturo O'Farrill and nonprofit the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance (ALJA

    Open to all residents of New York and New Jersey, the fund prioritizes the Afro Latin and Latin Jazz communities in both states. All donations go 100% to providing monetary relief for a community who were hit hard since the pandemic started. Donations can be here. 

    Marietta Ulacia, Executive Director of Afro Latin Jazz Alliance gave this statement; “It’s during challenging times like the ones we are now living in that our community excels in its strength, compassion, and ability to come together for the benefit of all. Today, with the current crisis created by COVID-19, we ask for your generous support to help our community of musicians, teaching artists, and the artistic community at large. No amount is too small. Your donation will make a difference!”

    Arturo O'Farrill and nonprofit the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance (ALJA

    In addition to ongoing fundraising, ALJA was also excited to announce a partnership with the New York City venue Birdland that will bring a new online audience engagement including an exclusive weekly concert featuring Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra. “Virtual Birdland” brings 18 artists together, performing from the comfort of their own homes. More information and a complete schedule can be found on Birdland’s website.

    With over 40 years of jazz training and experience, Mexico native Arturo O’Farrill has long played a role in promoting the important musical traditions of Afro Latin Jazz. He founded the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra in 2002 bringing the sound global. The non-profit Afro Latin Jazz Alliance (ALJA) followed five years later in 2007 to efforts to use performance and education programs  to promote Afro Latin Jazz. 

  • Flyday Music Festival postpone until September

    The 4th Annual Flyday Music Festival will postpone until September, and once again return to the Blackthorne Resort in the Northern Catskill Mountains. Taking place over the course of three days from September 10 – 13, this year festival attendees can expect music from all different types of genres including rock, jam bands, soul, R&B and so much more. 

    With over twenty acts already scheduled to perform headliners include Lespecial, returning favorites The Magnetic Pull, Hartley’s Encore, plus first-timers Consider The Source, Schleigho, Now vs Now led by Jason Lindner (keyboardist on David Bowie’s final album Blackstar as well as a member of Meshell Ndegeocello’s touring band), Jonathan Scales Fourchestra, Expansion Project, Space Junk Is Forever, Muscle Tough, Cats Under Stars featuring Adam Czolowski, Acoustic Trauma, bassist Nigel Felony (of Floodwood), The Mark Basil Band, Level:Memory and K-Weef.

    Sun Colored Chair is set to host the first annual Flyday Open MicNight on Thursday in the Phoenix  Pub at Blackthorne Resort, in addition to being part of the festival lineup. Other acts are set to be added to the lineup via the website at later dates.

    Originally scheduled in May, the spring festival was moved to September in response to the COVID-19. As of now tickets sales are set at 250 this time to allow for 6 feet of social distancing. Additional ticket sales will happen at the door if  there is a lift in the gathering bans. Tickets are available for purchase here. 

  • The Apollo Theater Invites Us To “Stay (In) Together”

    The Apollo Theater and Gibson have partnered together to bring music fans “Let’s Stay (In) Together: A Benefit To Support The Apollo”, a live streaming benefit concert. Airing June 4 at 7:30 PM ET, the concert will be free for views made possible through Apollo’s media partner Tidal. Originally planned for June 2,  The Apollo decided to postpone the show and stand with others in the music industry to observe Blackout Tuesday. 

    This special event will feature performances by “Captain” Kirk Douglas of The Roots, Kool & The Gang, Gary Clark Jr, Robert Randolph, Ray Chew and many more artists. Not only will the artists perform songs from legends like B.B. King, Patti LaBelle and Stevie Wonder, the Apollo’s 86 year contribution to the arts and culture will be highlighted. Viewers will also witness poems and performances dedicated to the memory of those whose lives have been lost due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. 

    Proceeds are set to benefit an emergency relief fund to financially support the theater now and into the future once it had to cancel live events through the month of June due to the coronavirus pandemic. Portions of the funds will also be used for micro grants to support local merchants and businesses in the 125th Street neighborhood that Apollo Theater calls home. 

    By partnering with Gibson through the Gibson Gives foundation, this marks the beginning of a new partnership that in the future will include brand new show programming, music preservation, music education initiatives, and support established and emerging talent.

    “Music has the incredible power to connect, transform and heal. We hope you will support the legendary Apollo Theater and join us for a special event featuring music that lifts our spirits, shapes our lives, and continues to unite us all.”

  • Trampoline Jetstream create Debut EP amid Social Distancing

    For years Utica’s own alternative rockers Trampoline Jetstream have played shows without recording a single track. Now even with measures in place that prevented them from being together they have produced their debut EP For Days On End.

    The first single off the EP, “Patience,” shows off futuristic dreamy bedroom pop sounds backed by heavy bass that produces a psychedelic image.  Urging listeners to take their time in ‘deciding their own fate’ and showing yourself patience in a time of drastic change and uncertainty, “Patience” is a track you can put on and forget about now. 

    For Days On End was long awaited from a band that has seen some trouble since they first decided to start recording their debut album in 2018. Plans were all brought to a screeching halt when lead singer Nick Vanderwood sustained vocal injuries that lasted over a year. 

    Recorded completely separately due to social distancing measures implemented during the pandemic, the debut EP will consist of three songs that did not make the debut album. The band has plans to release a full debut album hopefully in the fall according the press release. ‘For Days On End’ is available for streaming on all platforms. 

  • Young Thieves Drop ‘Darker Dreams’ EP

    NYC based electro-indie/pop quartet Young Thieves released their new EP ‘Darker Dreams.’

    Produced by Matt Squire, (Panic! at the Disco, Ariana Grande, Katy Perry) the pop anthem tracks provide the perfect backdrop for powerhouse vocals to reside with synth laden songs. 

    Young Thieves are new to the scene, but continue to rise with the help of all four bandmates; Alexandra Amor (vocals/songwriting), Dmitry Libman (guitar/keyboards/production), Andrew Lynch (guitar/keyboards) and Johnny Coryn (drums).

  • Julia Gargano’s Road Ends on American Idol

    As “American Idol” on ABC came to an end on Sunday, May 17, many were disappointed to find out that Julia Gargano would not be advancing to the top five. 

    Gargano, a 22-year-old graduate of the College of Saint Rose in Albany, gave her all in a top seven socially distant group performance of The Beatles’ “Come Together” but it was not enough for her to advance onto the final five. 

    Hailing from Staten Island, Gargano came a long way from her first audition where she performed an original song called ‘Growing Pains’, stunning the judges from the very beginning. She continued to wow spectacular performances such as with Pink’s “Glitter in the Air” and Adele’s “Sweetest Devotion.”

    Despite having not made it on to the top five, Gargano still felt grateful for the experience Idol has given her. “I love you guys. Thank you so much,” she said, while rocking a silver dress at home for the finale.

    Much of the 18th season of “American Idol” took place virtually from the residences of the singers’ homes due to social distancing protocols in place because of the coronavirus outbreak. Technical difficulties initially caused a bit of confusion as the top five were announced but the show continued on. 

    In the top five were piano teacher Jonny Webb, college student Francisco Martin, construction worker Dillon James, Nepalese singer – songwriter Dibesh Pokharel (stage name: Arthur Gunn) and Samantha Diaz (stage name: Just Sam), a 21-year-old subway singer from Harlem. 

    Each finalist performed two songs and viewers voted live for their favorites. New York still saw a victory when Ryan Seacrest announced that Just Sam was the Season 18 winner of ‘American Idol’ on ABC.