NYS Music 202​0

Category: News

  • Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony to Be Televised

    Because of the threat of the COVID-19, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is replacing its 35th annual Induction Ceremony with an HBO special honoring the inductees. The special will air on November 7, 2020 at 8PM EST on HBO and HBO Max.

    rock hall of fame
    Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

    This year, the 35th Induction Ceremony was supposed to take place on May 2 in Cleveland and make history by being the first Induction broadcast live. To ensure the safety of their fans and inductees, however, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will instead create a special program to give the Inductees their earned respect. The show will tell “the stories of their incredible contributions to music and impact on a generation of artists that followed them,” says Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation Chairman John Sykes. It will include archived content, acceptance speeches, interviews, and more. Next year, the 36th Induction Ceremony will be moved to the fall and return to Cleveland. After that, the Ceremony will take place every other year in Cleveland. 

    Even though they can’t have a proper Ceremony, the Rock & Roll Hall of fame is still giving fans ways to honor the Inductees. Their museum is back open and safely following all recommended guidelines from Ohio Governor DeWine, the CDC, public health officials, and infectious disease experts. Advance tickets must be purchased online and the museum requires temperature checks, masks, social distancing, limited capacity, and other safety precautions to ensure the health of their visitors. Early hours are available for at-risk guests, some essential workers, and Rock Hall members. The museum will open a 2020 Inductee Exhibit on August 14. If you can’t make it in person, you can still listen to the Inductees’ curated playlists on Spotify. 

    The exclusive Induction Ceremony will air on HBO and HBO Max on Saturday, November 7 at 8.

  • Jazz on Jay Kicks off Their Summer Series in Downtown Schenectady

    Jazz on Jay is once again underway in the Electric City with the return of the free lunchtime concert series, hosted on the corners of historic Jay and State Streets in Downtown Schenectady, performances occur Thursdays until September 17 from noon to 1:30 p.m. est.

    Jazz enthusiasts will get to enjoy singers and instrumentalists from across the region. Kicking things off with a mesmerizing performance last week was Capital Region Thomas Edison Music Awards nominee Keith Pray Ortet. This week’s performers, the piano trio Trifecta Jazz, are set to dazzle with originals and cover arrangements.

    Despite seeing an increasing number of events in the area cancelled this summer – such as Music Haven’s events in Central Park, Summer Night and the Freedom Park Concert Series in Scotia – event organizers knew there was a way to Jazz to the streets of Schenectady once again. Salvatore Prizio, Concert and Events Manager for Proctors Collaborative, gave this statement:

    “Safety is always the top priority when considering any sort of performance, especially a public one. Our team has had several meetings to discuss the safest and most practical ways of presenting a public performance to the community. Additionally, we wanted to be able to once again provide performance opportunities to local musicians again.”

    Along with following the mandatory six feet social distancing rules organizers stated that chairs will not be provided, masks are mandatory and attendees are encouraged to stay home if they, or anyone in their home, feel sick.

    Jazz on Jay 2020 Lineup

    July 16 – Trifecta

    July 23 – Jeanine Ouderkirk Quartet

    July 30 – The Ragtime Windjammers

    Aug. 6 – Art D’echo Trio

    Aug. 13 – Tyler Giroux Trio

    Aug. 20 – Brad Monkell Quintet

    Aug. 27 – Colleen Pratt & Friends

    Sept. 3 – Bob Gluck 3 plays Pat Metheny

    Sept. 10 – Tim Olsen Quintet

    Sept. 17 – Tarik Shah Trio

  • Summer Camp Music Festival Postponed to 2021

    After the recent spike in Coronavirus cases, the Summer Camp Music Festival has decided to postpone their 20th anniversary concert to Memorial Day weekend 2021. 

    For the past 19 years, the Summer Camp Music Festival in Illinois has been held on Memorial Day weekend to kick off summer with a bang. Because of the Coronavirus pandemic, this year’s festival was postponed. Although organizers and staff hoped that it could take place later this summer, the festival has been pushed back to Memorial Day weekend 2021 as Illinois will not be in Phase 5 of the reopening process this August and therefore cannot safely hold the concert. Ian Goldbreg, founder of the Summer Camp music festival, states that the staff holds “the health and safety of you, our fans, and our dedicated staff as our number one concern.”

    Despite this setback, plans for next year’s festival are already in the works. While some artists are “still working out details,” the majority of this summer’s lineup has confirmed that they will perform at the 20th anniversary festival in 2021. Additionally, all tickets for this year’s festival will roll over and be good for 2021. If you cannot make it next year, refunds will be available starting on July 13 and ending on July 30, 2020. 

    summer camp fest

    Although it has been a very difficult decision, Goldberg comments: “I felt I was acting in the best interest of the many people who dedicate their lives to this event every year, knowing all along I would never put those lives in jeopardy if the situation did not prove to allow for a safe event.” The festival is great for all music fans, with crowd favorites moe. and Umphrey’s McGee headlining. The 2020 lineup was supposed to include other artists like Ween, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Billy Strings, Rezz, STS9, Tipper, and more. 

    Fans of the festival wait for it to come back “even bigger and better” on May 28-30, 2021. Until then, check out NYSMusic’s coverage of the festival’s recent years: 2019, 2018, and 2017.

  • Jazz At Chandlerville Series Announces Summer Line-up

    Jazz at Chandlerville Series announced their July and August line-up. The series will take place at the Thin Man Brewery and Tappo Pizza in Buffalo, NY. The event will take place in the outdoor seating and happen every Thursday this summer from 6PM to 8:30PM.

    The outside seating at Thin Man Brewery and Tappo Pizza. Photo provided by Jazz At Chandlerville Series announcement.

    One of the main concerns for people with an event like this is how social distancing can happen while the coronavirus pandemic rages on? During the series’s opening performance they had tables spread out six feet apart with a good amount of seating available. There was a location for the band across the street – more than the twelve feet requirement. People must also wear a mask when not seated. With these measures implemented the hope is to keep a safe environment for everyone involved. 

    The opening performance was by the Ed Croft Trio featuring Ed Croft on bass, Nelson Rivera on saxophone, and Joe Goretti on drums. This season of performers include DeeAnn Dimeo, Alex McArthur, Paradigm Shift from Rochester, Phil DiRe and Speedy Parker, Will Holton, The TRUTH, and Carina and the Six String Preacher. DeeAnn Dimeo, will start off on July 16 and Carina and the Six String Preacher will wrap up the series on August 27.

    The series is being hosted by JazzBuffalo and is sponsored by Thin Man Brewery and Tappo Pizza. The event is located at 166 Chandler Street Buffalo, NY. The performances are free but JazzBuffalo is accepting donations for their Keep Local Jazz Alive Fund. The fund will help cover the costs of the free summer outdoor live jazz presented during the COVID-19 pandemic. JazzBuffalo asks that people please donate a suggested amount of $3-$5 per person, if they can, to help us make local live jazz possible. Donations can be made via  PayPal: paypal.me/jazzbuffalo or Venmo: @Jazz249.

    Form more information on the Jazz At Chandlerville Series and more information on their performers visit their website.

    Full Line-up listed bellow: 

    July 16 – DeeAnn Dimeo

    July 23 – Alex McArthur

    July 30 – Paradigm Shift from Rochester

    August 6 – Phil DiRe and Speedy Parker

    August 13 – Will Holton

    August 20 – The TRUTH

    August 27 – Carina and the Six String Preacher

  • JamCast Network Announces kNOw Justice! kNOw Peace!

    The JamCast Network announces the kNOw Justice! kNOw Peace! Live-Stream for Equality. The live-stream fundraiser will feature music & cultural education. It will center around the racial equality and justice movement and take place at 4PM on July 18. 

    The live-stream is being hosted by Alan Evans, Laranah Phipps-Ray, and Greg Knight. The event will feature content, statements, & performances from Doom Flamingo, Zion I, Ghost-Note, Mark Lettieri, Angelo Moore, JC aka Tripple Threat, Cosmik Krewe & Friends (Featuring Micheal Ray’s performances with Barenaked Ladies, Sun Ra Arkestra, Instant Funk, & More), Alric Carter and Isaac Teel of TAUK, Nick Cassarino of Nth Power & Erin Boyd of Phantom Vanity, Joslyn & The Sweet Compression, The Sweet Life, Wil Blades, Zach Brock, The A-Beez, Camryn Jackson, Rob Dixon & Trilogy, Brickdrop, After Funk, & More to be announced. 

    There will also be educational speakers, interviews, & panels at the live-stream. Some of the people on the docket include Kim Dawson, Nahbi Reality (Wu-Tang Clan Affiliate), Delia McGee (Founder of TakeBlaction), with many more to be announced.

    The JamCast Network has teamed up with TakeBlaction which is a fully decentralized & volunteer-based initiative. The partnership is fundraising for Social Justice Matters, America Scores NY, The Emma Bowen Foundation, & more with the live-stream. Every dollar raised from this stream is being donated and dispersed throughout these organizations.

    The primary source of streaming & donations will be on JamCast Network’s website. The live-stream will also be available on Facebook, Twitch, YouTube, JamCast Network, and Cash Or Trade Streams.

    For more information on the kNOw Justice! kNOw Peace! Live-Stream for Equality visit the JamCast Natwork’s website.

  • The Palace Theatre and Mirth Films to partner for “The Palace Sessions”

    The Palace Theatre announced The Palace Sessions in partnership with the City of Albany and Mirth Films. The Palace Sessions are a monthly live music streaming sessions hosting regional acts starting on July 15.

    Wurliday in front of The Palace Theatre. Photo by Frank Cavone.

    The Live Stream Sessions will host artists performing in unique spaces within the The Palace Theater. The series kicks off on Wednesday, July 15 with a live performance by Wurliday. Wurliday are a soul-funk R&B fusion band from Albany, NY. 

    “We are thrilled to be able to welcome live music back to the hallowed halls of the Palace Theatre,” noted Billy Piskutz, Executive Director of the Palace Performing Arts Center. “This historic building exists to entertain and create memories and after a nearly four-month absence due to COVID-19, it is a thrill to know that it will again. We hope that our patrons will enjoy these performances as much as we do!”  

    The concerts series will start on July 15, and then take place on August 19, September 16, and October 21. Performances will stream live on the Palace Theatre and Mirth Films YouTube Page. The shows will begin at 7PM on each day. So far Wurliday is the only artist announced for the series.

    “Summer in Albany is synonymous with music and entertainment and it is wonderful to have the Palace Theater hosting local musicians albeit in a different way this year,” said Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan. “I applaud the ingenuity of the Palace Theater, the Office of Cultural Affairs, and Mirth Films in bringing entertainment to people during COVID-19.  I continue to be impressed with how our community has risen to the challenge of keeping the arts alive during this time and look forward to tuning in to the Palace Sessions.”

    Donations can be made to benefit the Palace Performing Arts Center during the live stream. The Palace Performing Arts Center, Inc is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that owns and operates the historic Palace Theatre. Donations can be made here or directly through the Palace Theatre’s Text To Give program, by texting Palace2020 to 44321.

    For more information on The Palace Sessions visit The Palace Theatre’s website.

  • Caffe Lena Cancels Reopening

    Update: Based on the rise of new Covid-19 infections in the Saratoga Springs region, Caffe Lena have announced the halt of live audience concerts at their venue. This postponement comes just after the announcement of a series of live audience concerts that were to be held starting July 14. Programming will continue via livestreams. Once the infection has diminished Caffe Lena plans on reopening their doors to a live audience.

    See original announcement below.

    Saratoga’s Caffe Lena Set To Reopen During Phase 4

    Saratoga Springs‘ famous 60+ year old concert venue, Caffe Lena, begun preparations to reopen, as performance venues are given the green light during Phase 4 of New York’s reopening plan.

    In a press release Caffe Lena’s Executive Director Sarah Craig explains their plan:

    “We’re taking it in baby steps, starting with 25% capacity. Live performance venues were the first to shut down, and they’re the last to reopen. It’s essential for the future of music that we work out a way to open stages safely. Our goal is to meet and surpass the NYS Health Department guidelines.”

    The venue’s first regular concert would have taken place on July 14 with ensemble members from the New York City Ballet. Serving as an alternative opening night due to the cancellation of their Saratoga Performing Arts Center performance, the five musicians would have been able to play for 12 parties as well as hundreds that will be tuning in via an online stream. In compliance with social distancing, guidelines seating would have been in groups of two to four with no individual tickets being offered the time. The New York City Ballet will now be live-streamed event instead of being a live audience concert after the postponement.

    https://youtu.be/UCH4LeK8iY4

    When New York hit pause in March Caffe Lena was forced to close its doors to the public. Due to designation as an essential business for live broadcasting use, the seats remained empty but thousands watched via the venue’s Youtube channel, concerts taking place on Lena’s stage.

    “Recognizing that many of our patrons are not in a position to return to public gatherings, we’re becoming a kind of hybrid live-stream and live-audience venue,” explained Craig. “From now on, our headline concerts will be available in real time via Vimeo for a small fee, and our community programs and shows featuring local amateur talent will be streamed on YouTube for free.”

    Tickets and Information about Caffe Lena’s upcoming schedule are available on their website.

  • Roan Yellowthorn Covers Chris Cornell’s “Can’t Change Me”

    Indie pop rock duo Roan Yellowthorn have released a cover of Chris Cornell’s “Can’t Change Me” to benefit the Chris and Vicky Cornell foundation. 

    Roan Yellowthorn Chris Cornell
    Photo courtesy of roanyellowthorn.com

    This single is the second in the Blue Élan’s ‘We Are The Highway’ project series, which features Chris Cornell covers to benefit children across the globe who struggle with issues like homelessness, neglect, abuse, and poverty. The project seeks to uphold Chris Cornell’s legacy and show that music can create positive change. Blue Élan stresses that now it is more important than ever to help children in need, and co-founder of Blue Élan and friend of Cornell Kirk Pasich states that “We cannot think of a better musical way to do that than sharing the music of Chris Cornell, in his memory, and to help children.”

    Roan Yellowthorn is made up of Shawn Strack and Jackie McLean, daughter of Don McLean. Jackie McLean comments on covering “Cant Change Me,” saying: “When I hear [Cornell’s] words, I am struck by his depth of feeling. I am struck by the intensity of his emotion. I am struck by the strength of his presence.” 

    Much like Chris Cornell, Jackie McLean is an artist who is also known for putting deep feeling in her music. Their latest album Indigo “is an extremely sincere album” and was written as a way for McLean to process her feelings. All of Roan Yellowthorn’s music comes from the heart. 

    Roan Yellowthorn

    There are more songs to come in Blue Élan’s We Are The Highway project. The songs inspire people in difficult situations to survive and persevere despite their struggles, embodying the Chris and Vicky Cornell Foundation’s mission to help children who cannot help themselves. You can follow the official “We Are The Highway” playlist here.

  • NYC Indie Outfit Longwave release video for “It’s Not Impossible,” share Bowery Ballroom concert footage

    Acclaimed NYC indie rock band Longwave have teamed up with filmmaker Bill Moldt to debut a music video for their song, “It’s Not Impossible,” from their latest album If We Ever Live Forever.

    The idea was to create a unique experience by presenting a choose-your-own-adventure style video for the song. “It’s Not Impossible” is the band’s first debut single off an album in 10 years making the release of If We Ever Live Forever a big deal.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEvH1Y7Ybdg&feature=youtu.be

    The music video was constructed through a series of bi-weekly Instagram story posts, each depicting a possible scene painted in watercolor. Each post contained a video of the scene being created, a caption, and a question prompting the band’s Instagram followers to determine the direction of the next scene. The video used the “poll” feature on Instagram Stories to tally the audiences choices. The process left director Moldt with 10 scenes that were ultimately created and assembled into what become Longwave’s official music video for “It’s Not Impossible.”

    Additionally this week, Longwave have shared full concert video of their November 2018 performance at The Bowery Ballroom. The performance was filmed by Erik Braund at Braund Studios.

    Connect with Longwave on Facebook, Instagram, and stream their music on Spotify.

  • Consider The Source Announces Radiohead Themed Live Stream

    Consider The Source is putting on a free live Stream concert that will feature their Radiohead themed set. The live stream will take place on July 25 at 9PM EST on their Facebook or YouTube pages. 

    Consider The Source are self identified, “Sci-Fi Middle Eastern Prog-Rockers” that have been touring for the last 15 years. The trio formed back in 2004 and five studio albums, two live albums, and one compilation. The group hails from NYC and has dubbed their fans the “Sourcerors.”

    The trio have had their Radiohead set in the works for years. They created their Radiohead rearrangements a few years ago when they introduced the concept of recreating the classic radiohead sound at select festivals and venues. Now people will have the opportunity to experience this unique Radiohead performance from the comfort of their own homes. People may wonder if a trio can recreate the radiohead sound but they believes they have mastered the recreation. Radiohead is known for its sound that oozes of texture, tones and technology, all while supporting Thom Yorke’s vocals. Recreating this sound would prove impossible for most instrumental trios but they have managed to use their virtuosic abilities and cutting edge collection of gear to do so while also maintaining their own unique sound. 

    This live stream will be a real treat for Consider The Source, Radiohead, or music fans in general. The trio has two pro-shot music videos for “Paranoid Android” and “Reckoner” as a sneak peak of what people can expect during the live stream. The full show can be viewed on Saturday, July 25th at 9pm EST on the their Facebook or YouTube pages. 

    For more information on Consider The Source and the live stream event visit their website.