NYS Music 202​0

Category: Regions

  • PBS Airs Broadway Shows to Keep Theatre Alive

    As a part of their Broadway at Home series, PBS will be bringing theatre to people at home by broadcasting She Loves Me, Present Laughter, In the Heights: Chasing Broadway Dreams, Much Ado About Nothing, and The King and I on a weekly basis starting July 24 and ending August 21. 

    broadway PBS
    Photo by Joan Marcus.

    Since the Broadway shutdown was extended to 2021, many are still finding ways to keep theatre alive. Following the Disney Plus release of Hamilton, on Fridays this summer, PBS will broadcast some past Broadway favorites. She Loves Me will kick the series off on July 24 at 9PM ET. The musical features Tony award winner Laura Benanti and Tony nominee Zachary Levi. This 2016 revival of the 1963 show was the first ever Broadway show to be livestreamed. The next week, Noel Coward’s Present Laughter will air July 31 at 9PM ET. This comedy follows a self-obsessed actor as he deals with women who want him, crazed playwrights, twists, and his impending mid-life crisis. 

    On August 7 at 9, PBS will broadcast In the Heights: Chasing Broadway Dreams. The film documents the stories of composer and lyricist Lin-Manuel Miranda and the cast of In the Heights as they prepare for their opening night in 2008. It is about the difficulty of going out and achieving dreams when all odds are stacked against you. Although writing a show about a mainly Hispanic neighborhood in NYC may have been risky, it certainly paid off. In the Heights took home 4 Tonys, including Best Musical and Best Score of a Musical.  Its film adaptation will be released summer 2021.

    For the first time, PBS will show a Shakespeare in the Park show–Much Ado About Nothing from 2019. Danielle Brooks and Grantham Coleman star in this Shakespeare comedy directed by Tony winner Kenny Leon and choreographed by Tony nominee Camille A. Brown. Much Ado About Nothing will air on August 14 at 9. 

    Danielle Brooks and Grantham Coleman. Photo by Joan Marcus.

    PBS wraps the series up on August 21 at 9 with Rogers and Hammerstein’s The King and I. The 2015 revival of this 1951 classic won the Tony for Best Musical Revival. This production was recorded during its 2018 run and stars Tony award winners Ruthie Ann Miles and Kelli O’Hara, who won for this performance as Mrs. Anna in The King and I in 2015. 

    The shows will also be available for streaming on all station-branded PBS platforms, and all PBS station members will be able to watch the shows on Passport. Check your local PBS station for more information. 

  • 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

  • Adirondack Independence Music Festival Hosts “Drive-In Jam Out” Event

    Adirondack Independence Music Festival has announced the “Drive-In Jam Out” event to take place in Lake George at Charles R. Woods Commons on July 31 and August 1 and 2, 2020.

    Adirondack Independence Music Festival

    The “Drive-In Jam Out” event will follow like many or the drive-in festivals before them. People will be confined to and around their cars during the festival to keep social distancing a priority. The hope is to give that festival feeling to their audience while keeping everyone as safe as possible during the COVID-19 Pandemic. One of the cool features of this drive-in festival though is that it is a multiple day festival. Although the festival won’t be having their own campground they encourage participants to “make your room or camping reservations now!” via their Facebook Page announcement. They recommend “Holiday Inn Resort Lake George for the finest and closest accommodations” for people looking to reserve somewheres to stay for over the weekend. 

    Performers haven’t been announced yet but they plan to drop a major bomb on details of the festival on July 20. Hopefully it will include a lineup and ticket prices. The announcement is the first of many according to Adirondack Independence Music Festival’s Facebook Page. Some information that was already released was the location of the drive-in event. It will be taking place at Charles R. Wood Commons in Lake George, NY. 

    Adirondack Independence Music Festival is still currently scheduled to take place on September 5-6, 2020. On the announcement on their Facebook Page the festival replied to comments asking if the Labor day weekend festival was going to happen and said, “We will be doing these[Drive-In Jam Out events]  labor day weekend as well.” So it’s safe to guess the format of this event will most likely be followed in September. 

    For more information on the Adirondack Independence Music Festival and their “Drive-In Jam Out” Event visit their Facebook Page and Website.

  • Interview: Singer Songwriter duo Kelly and Kat talk new single and getting started in the Music Industry

    Sisters Kelly and Kat were in high school when they found a Facebook post that encouraged them to participate in the Disney and Kohl’s National Sing Your Frozen Heart Out Contest. To their success, the sisters won the contest and made an appearance during the American Music Awards. Life took them on a different direction, deciding from that day forward they would pursue a musical career as a singer songwriter duo. 

    kelly and kat

    The singer-songwriter duo perform at local bars in Long Island and continue to write songs on a daily basis. Their music comprises elements of rock, pop, and jazz accompanied with their soft vocals and smooth harmonies.

    Kelly and Kat’s new single “We Were” is a piano ballad that shows the discomfort in remembering the good times of a past relationship. Their previous singles like “One Day” describes the confidence in moving forward from a relationship while “Nobody Knows” explains the significance of learning to accept yourself. 

    Music has allowed the sisters to form a strong bond. Kelly and Kat share their thoughts on the impact it has had on their lives:

    I’m happy with our path and the way that everything turned out. We both knew we wanted to do music and we really love what we do. I love waking up every day and seeing this as a part of my life.

    -Kelly

    I’ve always wanted to make music that can be a support system for others. There is nothing more intimate than helping someone through music. 

    -Kat

    Check out NYSMusic’s coverage of Kelly and Kat’s release of their debut single “One Day” from 2019. 

  • 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

  • It seems Trey Anastasio is at Phish’s Barn Studio

    Today was unlike past pandemic-era Mondays for Phish fans, who were teased with a video of guitarist Trey Anastasio from what appears to be Phish’s Barn Studio in Vermont.

    The video, shared via Jambase, was taken by Trey’s daughter Eliza Anastasio and posted to her Instagram stories.

    Fittingly, Eliza used the original music of “2001” (née “Also Sprach Zarathrusta”) to demonstrate her dad’s new gear on stage.

    Could Phish have something in store of fans in terms of a live stream from The Barn? Given the Dinner and a Movie series each Tuesday night, it’s possible that live performances are on tap, akin to Goose‘s successful Bingo Tour.

  • Martin Scorcese to direct documentary on David Johansen of New York Dolls

    Oscar winning film director Martin Scorcese has announced plans for a documentary on David Johansen of New York Dolls fame. The film will explore Johansen’s teen years growing up in Greenwich Village, his alter ego Buster Poindexter, feature footage of Johansen’s recent performances at New York’s Café Carlyle.

    To be released on Showtime, the Queens-born/Little Italy-raised Scorcese will co-direct the film with David Tedeschi, who has previously worked with Scorcese on music documentaries No Direction Home and Shine a Light.

    The film plans to take an intimate biographical look at Johansen, looking at his upbringing on Staten Island and later his arrival in New York’s East Village in the late Sixties. While known best as lead singer of the New York Dolls, the documentary will also explore his time in the 80s as alter-ego Buster Poindexter and later the Harry Smiths.

    “I’ve known David Johansen for decades, and his music has been a touchstone ever since I listened to the Dolls when I was making Mean Streets. Then and now, David’s music captures the energy and excitement of New York City. I often see him perform, and over the years I’ve gotten to know the depth of his musical inspirations. After seeing his show last year at the Café Carlyle, I knew I had to film it because it was so extraordinary to see the evolution of his life and his musical talent in such an intimate setting. For me, the show captured the true emotional potential of a live musical experience.”

    Martin Scorcese

  • Flashback: Phish perform “Julius” on the Late Show with David Letterman

    On July 13, 1995, Phish was the musical guest on The Late Show with David Letterman. “Julius” was performed with support from The Late Show Band as well as Dave “The Truth” Grippo on saxophone. The second of nine performances at The Ed Sullivan Theater, Phish performed on Letterman over a span of 20 years to highlight upcoming shows and recent releases. Their Letterman performance would be their last show until late September that year.

    The band’s first performance included, at Dave’s supposed request, “Chalkdust Torture,” which was performed on the afternoon of the band’s first ever show at Madison Square Garden, December 30, 1994. Jerry Seinfeld was the first guest that night, which led to this iconic photo:

    phish letterman

    Other individual song performances on Letterman include “Character Zero” on March 5, 1997, “Birds of a Feather” on October 27, 1998, “Heavy Things” on May 15, 2000, “All of These Dreams” on December 19, 2002, a multi-song performance on the Ed Sullivan Theater marquee on June 21, 2004, and “The Line” on June 25, 2014.

    On June 21, 2004, the band memorably performed atop the Ed Sullivan Theater marquee to a crowd of hundreds dancing in the street on Broadway. Then in 2014, on the same night they performed “The Line,” they also treated a lucky group of fans to a set from the same stage where The Beatles made their American debut. Check out the setlist here.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dlYEGQbZbA

  • 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.