NYS Music 202​1

Author: NYS Music Staff

  • Dave Hanlon Trio at the 443: Cookbook Fish Recipe interview

    Dave Hanlon brought his power jazz trio to the 443 Social Club & Lounge on Friday, December 3rd with Ron France on bass and Ed Vivenzio on keys in tow. The trio delivered a Blue Note style-esque performance of their take on classic funk jazz compositions. Twenty seven pieces were on the set list to be exact. All performed with the same on the spot fervor that all good jazz is created in.

    Dave Hanlon

    The group put their spin on greats by Thelonius Monk, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Steely Dan and a rock block of Joe Sample cuts. The trio did a classic two set & encore performance for the candle lit table crowd at 443. Without a doubt the 443 is Syracuse’s most intimate room for those looking to really listen to the notes coming off the bandstand. Dave Hanlon shared the 2005 and 2015 SAMMY awards with Phish drummer and Syracuse native Jon Fishman.

    Fishman was inducted as a lifetime achievement award recipient in 2015 and he naturally introduced Dave Hanlon into the Hall of Fame at The Dinosaur BBQ & Eastwood’s Palace Theater in 2005. A 13 year old Fishman once took lessons from Hanlon. Jon brought the sheet music Hanlon gave him at their first lesson to the induction ceremony. “Can you believe that? I flipped out.” Dave Hanlon still has various projects he dabbles with as we approach the end of this year. He took some time to talk with NYS music at Syracuse’s Blue Note style room, the 443, for a chat.


    Matthew Romano: Steve Gadd spoke of the Ridgecrest Inn in Rochester where he could watch legendary drummers perform up close. With the same as my proximity to you on the bandstand at 443 tonight. What were some memories of live music you attended in New York State that you can remember as an influence that started to instill a groove in you?

    Dave Hanlon: Mahavishnu Orchestra & Ravi Shankar at Syracuse University quad. Billy Cobham on drums absolutely blew me away in 1972. Wait not the quad… it was SkyTop field on SU Campus.

    MR: What about on the gigging side and educationally?

    DH: My first kit was from Stagnitta music and I used a trash can for the snare drum. I took a couple lessons at Stagnitta music but it was at Auburn Community College with Dick Howard were I took my first lessons. From there I went to Detroit to finish college and started playing out in bands. Not studying music, just gigging. Back to Syracuse I was part of a big regional band called DOVE. It was a great rock and roll experience. After that ended I went to New York City to study at the percussion center with Norman Grossman. There I met Jim Chapin for a few lessons. Chapin is notable for his independence jazz drumming book. So that combination was a huge influence. I’d take the train to New York for class during the day and then to Buddy Rich’s club at night. I’d sit and watch him play with his six piece band. Next I went to Los Angeles. It was big as I did a clinic with Louie Bellson who originated the double bass drums. At 28, I did a show at the Los Angeles Percussion school as a guest, not a student. I performed with him in front of 250 other drummers. It was the highest pressure situation I’ve ever found myself in but a dream come true.

    Dave Hanlon

    When I came back to Syracuse I formed my first solo funky five piece jazz band. In 1976 we got a 13 month residency at the “Spirit of 35” on Carrier Circle where Joeys is now. It helped really give us time to hone our skills balls out ya know? All instrumental. We even had Edgar Winter come sit and play a whole set with us after a show he had in Syracuse. The promoters brought him to hear us. It was well before cell phones and the word still got out so it went to the standing room only in 15 minutes. It was definitely the most memorable moment there.

    In 1977 I joined the band CRAC and their original album All For You was re released in 2020 by King Underground Record Company out of England on Vinyl. From there I recorded with Duke Jupiter out of Rochester on two of their albums on Mercury Records. Duke Jupiter made its way in to Rochester music hall of fame in 2014. In the 1980’s I formed the first cookbook band which was all instrumental that had a year long residency at the Lost Horizon. Ava Andrews joined me on vocals for the next version of the cook book and she remained an original member with me for 34 years. Funky Jazz Band formed in 2016 as fresh five instrumental. The trio out of it works well for a lot of other style rooms. Diana Jacobs Band out of Auburn I collaborated with in 2018 that has a full horn section, we just released “Love Each Other, Love Our World” the day after Thanksgiving this year. The CD just made its way to Soundgarden with streaming options available soon.

    Dave Hanlon

    MR: What great studio sessions have you recorded on?

    DH: I love being a part of Studio Jams with producer Tom Emmi in Philadelphia. The concept is to get different musicians together completely unprepared, roll the tape and see what they come up with. We might pick a song from another artist and put our own stamp on it. It’s educational and entertaining. I’ve done 15 of them. They do it all over the country. I was able to do Herbie Hancock’s Watermelon Man at Sub Cat Studios in Syracuse that got over 2 million views and counting. Everyone donates their time to simply give back to the music. It’s a really beautiful thing. He arranged a series for fallen artists titled “Lest We Forget” as well so that their musical groove can live on.


    MR: What is your angle over time on dealing with the composition & improvisation world that we dabble in daily. Those moments that can’t be recreated concept ya know?

    DH: The creative process is key especially for jazz musicians who are supposed to be free to create. The preparations for studio jams are like night and day. You just go for it and you don’t even know it’s coming. You’re in the moment. But Lest we forget that also takes a lot of preparation because you got to know that tune the best you can on behalf of that fallen artist. Always different, you know what I mean?

    DH: The trio and five piece funky jazz band are also examples. There’s the head, bridge and the solo section of the tune. For the most part for consistency you want to stay in the groove for the song but when solo times open up your creative freedom kicks in. Staying in the context of the song can help you work on your creativity. One of things drummers have at their command, I’f they have that command… is dynamics. We don’t have that many notes to deal with. Dynamics give us a much greater vocabulary. My approach to music is to become the best as I can be in my sense of dynamics within the context of music and the song. It creates tremendous tension and release. When you go to a concert there’s dynamics that people don’t realize they respond to.

    When there’s a solo section and the whole band just brings it down from this really loud piece to almost silence. Whats the response? The audience loves it. The effect musically is very powerful

    Dave Hanlon
    Dave Hanlon

    MR: It is powerful. That Jon Fishman Radio City show I sent you from October has a moment like that during “In Rounds”. You’ve got this five piece playing a song for the first time in their third ever live set in Rockefeller.  Everyone’s bouncing off ideas. Ya know?  27 minutes into it the funky groove turns to air on Radio City’s great proscenium arch, before falling back to bring it home. 

    DH: Yea that was a beautiful concert. That’s the beauty of when musicians are listening really to each other and not themselves. That won’t happen otherwise. I wasn’t aware of that percussionist. He was excellent. That was my first time seeing Jon perform with a percussionist and they played off each other remarkably well. 

    MR: Steve Gadd played with Cyro Baptista on Paul Simon’s Rhythm of the Saints and was unfamiliar with Phish. I’ve seen Jon perform live with percussionist Gionavvi Hidalgo for a cover of Little Feats Waiting for Columbus album on Halloween in Atlantic City. He has a great live version of Surrender to Air from the Academy in New York City with Oteil Burbridge and Sun Ra Orkestra  

    DH: It was great to be able to reunite with him at Studio jams of all places after 37 years in August of 2015. We spent the afternoon while he had time in between shows in Philadelphia. We just did five songs off the cuff with three other guys. Its Your Thing (Isley Brothers), Hottentot (MMW with Scofield), Freeway Jam (Jeff Beck), Ode to Billy Joe (Bobby Gentry) and Cantaloupe Woman (Grant Green). Yea we had those lessons but this was our first time playing together. It was just like being with an old friend. It was really cool. Jon’s a down home guy, there’s no air to him. He’s just a cat that wants to play. He also happens to be in one of the most popular bands in the world.

    It was great to see Fish at a Charlie Bertini’s Apple Jazz Band gig. I played at Little York Pavilion in Preble, New York. That ensemble played the Southern tier for thirty years.

    Dave Hanlon

    Dave Hanlon Trio (Ron France-bass & Ed Vivenzio- keys) The 443 Social Club and Lounge, December 3 2021

    Set 1: Cold Duck (Eddie Harris & Les McCann), Ruby (Ray Charles), Chain Reaction (Diana Ross), Fe Fi Fo (Wayne Shorter), 7 Steps/ Song Father ( Miles Davis), Carmel (Joe Sample), Randy Uptown, Round Midnite (Thelonius Monk), Sermonized (Joe Sample), Blue Bossa (Joe Henderson), Human Nature (Micheal Jackson), A Child is Born (Thad Jones & Mel Lewis Orchestra), Spain (Chick Corea)

    Set 2: Maputo (Bob James & David Sanborn), Ricky Don’t Lose that Number (Steely Dan), Hippies on the corner (Joe Sample), Bottswanna Bossa (David Benoit), Aja (Steely Dan with Steve Gadd), Watermelon Man (Herbie Hancock), Christmastime is here (Vince Guaraldi), Spellbound (Joe Sample), Girl From Ipanema (Stan Getz and Joeao GIlberto), Jellybeans & Chocolate (David Benoit), Pointciena (Ahmad Jamal), If you want me to stay (Sly Stone), Sudden Samba (Neil Larsen)

    Encore: Freedom @ Midnite (David Benoit)

    Dave Hanlon Drum Kit


  • Vanessa Collier Storytellers Gig at the 443 Social Club

    Vanessa Collier was an absolute stand out at the 2021 New York State Blues Festival grand return to the State fairgrounds this past June. She treated Syracuse’s most intimate venue, the 443 Social Club & Lounge to a blue note-esque performance on Thursday December 2nd. Club owner Julie B Leone told NYS music that it was their fastest show to sell out in under 24 hours.

    Vanessa Collier
    Photo by Steve Moore

    Vanessa Collier gave a two set and encore performance to match everyone’s delight at the 443. Vanessa serves up three courses of art as she is a saxophonist, vocalist, and songwriter. She whipped up table side sax solos at the 443 while taking a stroll through the crowd. The 443 social club creates an ambience much like the “storytellers” series that many artists have been a part of. Vanessa told the crowd about her various family influences on certain numbers. She had Syracuse’s Byron Cage on drums and William Gorman on keys. Andrew Cane from San Diego on bass and Shemekia Copeland’s guitarist Arthur Neilson from Brooklyn.

    Vanessa Collier
    Photo by Steve Moore

    Her four album names should help give some insight on the kind of grooves they laid down at 443, Heart Soul & Saxophone, Meeting my Shadow, Honey Up, and Heart on the Line. She kept the spontaneity in the show vibrant by switching to steel guitar for a cover of Bonnie Raitt’s “Blender Blues”.

    Vanessa credited stories like To Kill a Mockingbird and The Greek Myth of Icarus to the crowd as an inspiration before performing her original “Icarus” off her Honey Up Album…

    It’s a song about little Icarus when he is just dreaming of taking that flight and its sort of a song to everybody to chase your dreams and never let anybody tell you that you can’t do something

    Vanessa Collier


    Vanessa took some time after the gig to post up at one of the 443 social club tables for a talk with NYS Music about music & her history,

    Matthew Romano: Is there a memory of a show you’ve played or attended in New York state that sticks out as a meaningful experience? J.V Collier told me he used to go to where Jaco Pastorius slept in Central Park for inspiration.

    Vanessa Collier: For sure, that’s a great question. I remember it being special because it was my very first gig opening for Bruce Katz at The Falcon in Marlboro, New York. Things come full circle. It was my first time seeing his guitar player Chris Vitarello and now I’ve played with him a bunch in my band. So we keep it going, it’s connected.

    MR: It is connected. Bruce Katz used to play with Gregg Allman at our Blues Festivals like you did this year. I couldn’t help but notice a song you played tonight titled “If Only” The sentiment seemed very familiar with the “when I get this..then that will bring happiness” concept that a lot of people fall to. The sax solo at the end had a Leroi Moore like tone too. Would you mind talking about that tune?

    VC: Sure, my whole thought process behind the new record was to try and write story songs. Some of them are based on true things, some are not. This one is close to me. I’ve had a person in my life who’s constantly unhappy and nothing is ever enough ya know what i mean? It was inspired by this person and just a reminder to always live life to the fullest and to live with what you got to find a way to be happy.

    MR: I know exactly what you mean. With this on the go lifestyle all you have is the moment. Hard to sacrifice that time to be unhappy.

    VC: Amen.

    MR: My third and final question here at 443 is about two books that we have in common, Questlove’s Creative Quest and The Devil’s Horn: The Story of the Saxophone from noisy novelty to king of cool. What’s cool that sticks out to you from those two great reads?

    VC: That’s killer. I respect Quest’s love and knowledge for the music. It’s not a surface level thing with him. It’s all life. He knows every groove from every single song he’s heard. From a DJ perspective and then a drummer angle is great. I know I was gonna re read it again when i get into a new record.
    The thing I love about the devil’s horn is that I didn’t know Adolphe Sax’s story as much. Ya know that he almost died so many times and they murdered his assistant thinking it was him. To me what I loved is that the saxophone has this history of challenge and yet it still brings out something beautiful. I love that the inventor of the sax was that way too . He went through a lot of struggle to create this beautiful instrument.

    MR: I love how the saxophone survived the Vatican when they tried to outlaw it because of its effects. What’s the oldest room you’ve ever played in?

    VC: We’ve played a lot of converted churches that are now venues. So those are always awesome with just the acoustics in the room alone.

    MR: There is two floor opera house near here that is an old theater church now used for music & art in Syracuse’s Little Italy you should play next.

    VC: Yes, please.(laughter)

    Gallery by 443 Patron Steve Moore:

    Vanessa Collier
    Vanessa Collier
    Vanessa Collier
    Vanessa Collier
    Vanessa Collier
    Vanessa Collier


  • Gregg Allman eats an Orange

    Happy Birthday Gregg Allman! The road for the Allman Brothers Band certainly does go on forever. Some of its trails were carved by two of their managers who graduated from Syracuse University. They made residency history at the Fillmore East and The Beacon Theater in Manhattan during their time.

    The band evolved with a changing cast at Syracuse University’s Manley Field House over the years as well. The Allman Brothers Band even took on a summer-like residency at the New York State Fairgrounds & ballparks every August.

    Gregg Allman

    The musical concept Gregg Allman and his brother Duane ‘Skydog’ Allman founded in Florida has had Syracuse ties since 1970. During an Allman Brothers Band gig that year on Collins Avenue in Miami, while noticing Eric Clapton in the crowd, Duane told his brother Gregg, “Bay brah, dig who the fuck is sitting over there” to which Gregg replied “Man, I saw him two songs ago.”

    Gregg Allman
    Duane Allman & Eric Clapton Syracuse 1970

    Clapton recruited Duane Allman to play in the studio on Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs. Duane only performed the legendary work live in Tampa, Florida on December 1, 1970 and the last time at The Onondaga County War Memorial in Syracuse on December 2, 1970. Elton John got to see it as he opened the show that night last minute when the dates changed. Less than a year later, Duane gave up his ghost in the band and Gregg took his brother’s angel spirit on the road with him forever.

    Gregg Allman

    In March of 1987, many moons before their infamous residencies at the Beacon Theatre, Gregg Allman brought his solo band to Syracuse. The I’m No Angel tour had a stop at North Syracuse’s USA Sams Rock club. My father, Mark Romano was running the infamous Ground Round chain restaurants that year. As he was ready to close shop one night, much to his surprise, Gregg Allman was posted up at his bar. Gregg’s crew was in transit at the hotel next door on 7th North Street with only their tour bus as means of transportation.

    Gregg Allman

    After some spirits and laughter, Allman asked Romano if he would be able to drive them in his Buick to other establishments that were open. They went to the legendary Crossroads bar on 7th north street to shoot pool & enjoy some conversation. They certainly talked good music as Romano’s father Frank Romano’s cousin played piano with Frank Sinatra in the seventies. As the closing hour approached, Gregg insisted they go to the club where he was performing the next evening.

    Romano backtracked from the North Syracuse club to their hotel on 7th North in the early morning hours to drop them for the night. After all, he had to open the restaurant the next day. While feeling a little bedraggled, he saw Gregg return in true southern gentleman fashion. He brought Romano various records and tapes of music they discussed the night before on the town and passes to his show that evening.

    I started 2009 in NYC at Gramercy Theater seeing Gregg’s solo band perform there New Years Day and during Daytona Beach Bike Week that Spring. I was able to share the tale with Allman at the Turning Stone Casino after a solo band performance in 2009 as well. The same southern hospitality he showed my father was reciprocated as Gregg and I played some blackjack and talked blues music.

    Allman joined Dave Matthews Band on stage at Madison Square Garden in April of 2009 for the Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King tour opening show. When Gregg headlined the 2011 New York State Blues fest in Syracuse, he spoke with Syracuse New Times writer and musician Jess Novak.

    Jess’s question “What is it about blues music and these older songs that draws you to them? Gregg replied, “It’s kind of an outlet, ya know? If you got a little taste of the blues or something hanging on from way back, it’s like a release. It damn sure works too.” Novak found herself performing at Jones Beach with Devon Allman where Jason Isbell played prior and Gregg closed the show, an experience Novak described as “completely insane”

    Devon Allman & Oteil Burbridge , Peach Festival 2021

    Gregg’s sax player Jay Collins performs regularly at Syracuse’s Salt City Waltz every year. In 2012 Gregg released his New York Times best selling book My Cross to Bear from a loungey first person account. Don’t forget a 16-year old Cameron Crowe joined Gregg and the band on the road in the summer of 1973 to write a Rolling Stone cover story on the group.

    Devon Allman is currently on tour with the young blood of his dad, ABB original bassist Berry Oakley and Dickey Betts kin. The Allman-Betts band is currently on their Allman Family Revival tour with a special birthday show for his father at New York City’s legendary Beacon Theatre on December 8 with guests like Eric Gales, Robert Randolph. and G Love.

    The Allman Brothers Band started The Peach Music Festival at Montage Mountain Ski resort in Scranton, PA in 2012. Allman-Betts band returned to the Peach stage this year collaborating with longtime ABB bassist Oteil Burbridge. Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes performed “Why Does Love Got to be so Sad?” at the 2020 Love Rocks NYC benefit at The Beacon Theatre on the infamous March 12th start date of the pandemic.

    Soul Survivor of the original ABB, Jamoie Jameson, grooved on his drum kit at the Peach Festival’s Mushroom Stage this year as well. When I spoke with Devon Allman briefly at the Peach and told him the tale of our pops he replied with a smile “Ah man, that sounds just like him.”

    Gregg Allman

    The life and legacy of Gregg Allman can best be summed up in his autobiography, My Cross to Bear: Music is my life’s blood. I love music, I love to play good music, and I love to play music for people who appreciate it. And when its all said and done, I’ll go to my grave and my brother will greet me saying, “Nice work, little brother—you did right”

  • Pavement to play four nights at Kings Theatre in Brooklyn

    Kings Theatre in Brooklyn will welcome indie-rock legends Pavement to Brooklyn for four back-to-back shows from September 30 – October 3, 2022. The shows are part of a World Tour for Pavement, which brings the Stockton, CA group to Europe in June and once again in October-November, with North American dates in between.

    pavement
    Pavement publicity photos

    Pavement began in 1989 and features lead singer/guitarist, Stephen Malkmus, vocalist/guitarist Scott Kannberg, bassist Mark Ibold, drummer Steve West and percussionist/vocalist Bob Nastanovich. They’re best known for songs “Harness Your Hopes,” “Summer Babe” and “Here,” and cite Sonic Youth, Bob Dylan and The Velvet Underground as influences. The group are also highly influential themselves and have been cited as an influence by artists such as Beabadoobee, Elliot Smith, Trey Anastasio of Phish and Death Cab for Cutie.

    Widely renowned as one of the most popular and influential bands to come out of the American underground in the last three decades, Pavement disbanded in 1999, and reunited in 2010 with four sold out benefit shows in Central Park. This was in addition to top billing of festivals including Coachella, Reading & Leeds, Primavera Sound and Pitchfork Festival. 

    Shows are all at 8:00pm with doors at 6:30pm. Tickets for all four nights are on sale now here. 

    As public health conditions and the State’s guidance for performing arts and live entertainment change, Kings Theatre will remain flexible and adapt to applicable health protocols, such as face coverings, health screening, enhanced air filtration and ventilation, and rigorous cleaning and disinfection. All patrons 12 and older are required to show proof they have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine authorized for emergency use by the FDA or WHO. Patrons are required to present an ID matching the name on their vaccination documentation. Acceptable methods for providing proof of COVID-19 vaccination are: Excelsior Pass, NYC COVID Safe App, CDC Vaccination Card or NYC Vaccination Record.

    Children under the age of 12 who are not yet able to be vaccinated may attend performances when accompanied by a vaccinated adult. All patrons are required to wear acceptable face coverings at all times inside the venue, except when actively consuming food or beverages. Acceptable face coverings do not include bandanas, gaiters, or any face mask with a vent. Venue management reserves discretion over determining whether a face covering is acceptable. Three-ply face coverings will be made available for patrons that do not arrive at the venue with an acceptable face covering..

    Pavement 2022 Tour Dates

    06-02 Barcelona, Spain – Primavera Sound
    06-10 Porto, Portugal – NOS Primavera Sound
    09-07 San Diego, CA – Balboa Theatre
    09-09 Los Angeles, CA – Orpheum Theatre
    09-10 Los Angeles, CA – Orpheum Theatre
    09-12 San Francisco, CA – The Masonic
    09-13 San Francisco, CA – The Masonic
    09-14 San Francisco, CA – The Masonic
    09-16 Troutdale, OR – Edgefield Amphitheatre
    09-17 Seattle, WA – The Paramount Theatre
    09-19 Denver, CO – Paramount Theatre
    09-20 Kansas City, MO – Uptown Theater
    09-21 St. Paul, MN – The Palace Theatre
    09-22 Chicago, IL – Chicago Theatre
    09-24 Detroit, MI – Masonic Cathedral Theatre
    09-26 Toronto, Ontario – Massey Hall
    09-28 Boston, MA – Boch Center Wang Theatre
    09-30 Brooklyn, NY – Kings Theatre
    10-01 Brooklyn, NY – Kings Theatre
    10-02 Brooklyn, NY – Kings Theatre
    10-03 Brooklyn, NY – Kings Theatre
    10-05 Philadelphia, PA – The Met
    10-06 Washington, DC – Warner Theatre
    10-08 Atlanta, GA – The Eastern
    10-09 Atlanta, GA – The Eastern
    10-11 Austin, TX – ACL Live at the Moody Theater
    10-17 Leeds, England – O2 Academy Leeds
    10-18 Glasgow, Scotland – Barrowland Ballroom
    10-19 Edinburgh, Scotland – Usher Hall
    10-20 Manchester, England – O2 Apollo
    10-22 London, England – Roundhouse
    10-23 London, England – Roundhouse
    10-24 London, England – Roundhouse
    10-25 London, England – Roundhouse
    10-27 Paris, France – Le Grand Rex
    10-29 Copenhagen, Denmark – Vega
    10-30 Oslo, Norway – Sentrum Scene
    10-31 Stockholm, Sweden – Cirkus
    11-02 Aarhus, Denmark – VoxHall
    11-04 Bremen, Germany – Pier 2
    11-05 Berlin, Germany – Tempodrom
    11-07 Brussels, Belgium – Cirque Royal
    11-08 Amsterdam, Netherlands – Royal Carré Theater
    11-10 Dublin, Ireland – Vicar Street

  • Proctors to host ESYO Holiday Spectacular with special guest Madison Vandenburg

    The Empire State Youth Orchestra (ESYO), known regionally and nationally for engaging young musicians from Upstate New York and western Massachusetts in the joyful pursuit of musical excellence, has announced its 2021 Holiday Spectacular, Sleigh Ride, with special guest Madison Vandenburg.

    The family-friendly holiday concert is scheduled for Sunday, December 19, at 3pm at Proctors in Schenectady, featuring a sleigh full of talent, including ESYO’s flagship ensemble Symphony Orchestra. They will be conducted by former ESYO Music Director Helen Cha-Pyo, the newly formed ESYO Chamber Orchestra, and the ESYO Youth Jazz Orchestra. Joining ESYO for this one night only performance is 2019 American Idol finalist Madison VanDenburg, who returns home for the holidays to premiere the orchestral version of her new single, “The Light of Christmas.”

    The concert program weaves together a seasonal story by Children’s Moonbeam Book award-winning author Vicki Addesso Dodd with sparkling holiday favorites, Christmas carols, and inspired Symphonic classics.. After finding themselves aboard Santa’s sleigh, audiences travel the world seeing the holidays through the eyes of a child and the sounds of music.

    Accompanying each scene is music like Leroy Anderson’s iconic Christmas jingle “Sleigh Ride,” Waldteufel’s “Skaters Waltz,” “Troika” by Prokofiev, and a jazzy arrangement of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” Also featured on the program is the famed holiday classic “(There is No Place Like) Home for the Holidays” by Glenville-native Robert Allen. Exhausted from their sleigh ride, the children fall asleep and wake up on Christmas morning to hear the orchestral premiere of Madison VanDenburg’s new hit single.  In the finale, the audience is invited to join VanDenburg for a traditional carol sing-along. 

    Music is the best accompaniment to the holidays. The pandemic has challenged us all and kept many from seeing their families during the holiday season. We believe that our musicians and our community could use a magical sleigh ride and sparkling music to reignite the light and love of the holidays.

    Rebecca Calos, Empire State Youth Orchestra’s Executive Director

    Written by multi-platinum songwriters Kenny Lamb (NSYNC, Justin Timberlake, Rhett Akins) and Anthony Little (Tina Turner, Backstreet Boys, and Reba), VanDenburg immediately connected with the song. “It’s not just a Christmas song. It is also about hope and togetherness and seeing the world from a place of love,” said VanDenburg. ”Music has always been a powerful way of helping people through tough times, and after the last year and a half, I think we all need to be reminded of the light that Christmas brings and that there will be good times ahead.”

    After performing at the Schenectady Tree Lighting and Holiday Parade, Madison VanDenburg will tour the U.S. with her holiday hit before returning home to unwrap a new orchestral arrangement with her hometown youth orchestra and illuminate Downtown Schenectady. With support from local recording engineer Dan Czernicki at Classical Recording Service, videographer Griffin Bengraff, and LIVE Sound Inc, Sleigh Ride will stream online in ESYO’s Virtual Concert Hall on Christmas Day.  

    For tickets to Sleigh Ride, An ESYO Holiday Spectacular, call Proctors Box Office at (518) 346-6204 or buy online here for $25 – group rates apply for groups of 10 or more. This concert is made possible through a grant from Schenectady County Legislature’s County Initiative Program.

  • Keith Urban “The Speed of Now” North American Tour Begins June 2022, Stops at CMAC and UBS Arena

    Four-time Grammy Award winner Keith Urban has set Summer 2022 for the North American debut of his first world tour in four years, dubbed “The Speed of Now World Tour.” The shows will features three-time Grammy Award nominee Ingrid Andress, and are in addition to the 50 shows previously announced in Australia, Germany, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom. 

    keith urban

    Among the shows include an early tour stop in Canandaigua at CMAC, and a late October show at UBS Arena in Belmont Park.

    Every night is the first time we’ve played these songs for that audience, in that moment.  It’s why every show is different – spontaneous and unpredictable – even for us! After two years we’re finally gonna get the chance to play some of the new songs we haven’t done live before.  We’ll throw in a bunch of the songs that everyone comes to hear, a couple of which we’ll rework a bit, and it’s really gonna be tough to get us off the stage.

    Keith Urban

    Critics from around the globe have hailed Urban’s concerts as ones “not to be missed,” as unpredictable as they are explosive.  Combine his infectious showmanship, virtuoso guitar playing, effortless spontaneity with a fist-pumping, arena-ready arsenal of hits and “The Speed of Now World Tour”promises to be one of the concert events of Summer 2022. 

    I’ve always considered myself a live performer first, it’s what I’ve always done and it’s what my music needs to live and breathe.  Our shows are all about living in the moment.  They’re a totally interactive and immersive experience where everyone can participate in whatever way they want – sing, dance, do whatever.

    Keith Urban

    What lies at the heart of every great show are the songs. “Blue Ain’t Your Color,” “The Fighter,” “Somewhere In My Car,” “Wasted Time,” “Somebody Like You,” “Long Hot Summer,” his latest single “Wild Hearts” and his global smash “One Too Many” with Pink, many of which will be featured in a night of music from one of the touring world’s best.

    Tickets for all shows go on sale on December 10th at 10:00AM PT. For information on where to get tickets visit Keith Urban’s website.

    Tickets On Sale Nationally This Friday, December 10th at 10:00AM

    June 17                 Tampa                   MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre

    June 18                 West Palm Beach    iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre

    July 8                    Toronto                  Budweiser Stage

    July 9                    Toronto                  Budweiser Stage

    July 10                  Canandaigua          CMAC

    July 15                  Cleveland               Blossom Music Center

    July 16                  Cincinnati              Riverbend Music Center

    July 22                  Mansfield               Xfinity Center

    July 23                  Bangor                  Maine Savings Amphitheater

    July 24                  Gilford                   Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion

    July 29                  Holmdel                 PNC Bank Arts Center

    July 30                  Bristow                  Jiffy Lube Live

    July 31                  Camden                 BB&T Pavilion

    August 4                Jacksonville           Daily’s Place

    August 5                Jacksonville           Daily’s Place

    August 6                Orange Beach         The Wharf Amphitheater

    August 12              Charlotte               PNC Music Pavilion

    August 13              Raleigh                  Coastal Credit Union Music Park

    August 14              Virginia Beach        Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater

    August 18              Rogers                   Walmart AMP

    August 19              St. Louis                Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre

    August 20              Des Moines            Iowa State Fair

    August 26              Detroit                   DTE Energy Music Theatre

    August 27              Indianapolis           Ruoff Music Center

    August 28              Milwaukee             American Family Insurance Amphitheater

    September 1           Lake Tahoe            Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harveys

    September 3           Mountain View       Shoreline Amphitheatre

    September 8           Phoenix                 Footprint Center

    September 9           San Diego              North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre

    September 10         Los Angeles            The Forum

    September 15         Salt Lake City         USANA Amphitheatre

    September 16         Denver                   Ball Arena

    September 17         Wichita                  INTRUST Bank Arena

    September 22         Grand Rapids         Van Andel Arena

    September 23         Columbus              Nationwide Arena

    September 24         Chicago                 Hollywood Casino Amphitheater

    September 29         Kansas City            T-Mobile Center

    September 30         Oklahoma City       Paycom Center

    October 1               Ft. Worth               Dickies Arena

    October 6               Lexington               Rupp Arena

    October 7               Nashville                Bridgestone Arena

    October 8               Atlanta                  State Farm Arena

    October 13             Savannah              Enmarket Arena

    October 14             Knoxville                Thompson Boling Arena

    October 15             Charleston             Charleston Coliseum

    October 21             Uncasville              Mohegan Sun Arena

    October 22             Long Island            UBS Arena at Belmont Park

    November 3            Madison                 Alliant Energy Center

    November 4            Peoria                    Peoria Civic Center

    November 5            St. Paul                 Xcel Center

  • Dispatch and O.A.R. Announced 2022 Tour with Shows at SPAC, Artpark and Jones Beach

    Legendary rock groups Dispatch and O.A.R. will share the stage together in summer 2022, with a 37 date tour announced this past week. The two groups will make their way through New York in August 2022, with shows in Saratoga Springs (SPAC), Lewiston (Artpark) and Long Island (Jones Beach). The tour kicks off in June, and will find the two groups joined by special guests Robert Randolph Band (July 15-August 10) and G. Love (August 12-September 10).

    dispatch O.A.R.

    Dispatch and O.A.R. each got their start in the mid-90s as indie rock groups with a jam/roots vibe, performing on the same lineups, occasionally mistaken for each other and after 25 years, finally collaborating together.

    For the first three or four years of our career, we’d often see each other kind of weaving in and out of each other’s storylines. Then we didn’t see each other for a long time but there was always this idea that we eventually would get together. I think it was just a matter of everyone figuring out how their own individual lives fit with the band, and so the planets just kind of aligned.

    Chadwick Stokes, co-founder of Dispatch, as told to American Songwriter.

    Tickets for the tour will be on sale at Noon on December 6, with public on-sale starting December 10 at Noon. For tickets or more information, click here.

    dispatch O.A.R.


    Dispatch & O.A.R. 2022 Tour

    7/15 – Mesa, AZ – Mesa Amphitheatre

    7/16 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Palladium

    7/17 – San Diego, CA – Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre

    7/19 – Paso Robles, CA – Vina Robles Amphitheatre

    7/20 – Rohnert Park, CA – SOMO Village Event Center

    7/22 – Bend, OR – Les Schwab Amphitheater

    7/23 – Redmond, WA – Marymoor Park

    7/24 – Bonner, MT – KettleHouse Amphitheater

    7/28 – Nampa, ID – Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater

    7/29 – Salt Lake City, UT – Venue TBD

    7/30 – Denver, CO – Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre

    8/5 – Atlanta, GA – Coca-Cola Roxy

    8/6 – Nashville, TN – Ascend Amphitheater

    8/7 – Columbus, OH – EXPRESS LIVE!

    8/9 – Indianapolis, IN – TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park

    8/10 – St. Louis, MO – St. Louis Music Park

    8/12 – Cleveland, OH – Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica

    8/13 – Highland Park, IL – Ravinia Festival *on-sale spring 2022

    8/14 – Sterling Heights, MI – Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre Freedom Hill

    8/15 – Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE

    8/18 – Philadelphia, PA – TD Pavilion at the Mann

    8/19 – Gilford, NH – Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion

    8/20 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center

    8/21 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Saratoga Performing Arts Center

    8/23 – Lewiston, NY – Artpark

    8/25 – Bridgeport, CT – Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater

    8/26 – Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion

    8/27 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater

    8/28 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center

    8/30 – Asheville, NC – Salvage Station

    8/31 – Charlotte, NC – Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre

    9/2 – Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater

    9/3 – Wilmington, NC – Live Oak Bank Pavilion at Riverfront Park

    9/4 – St. Augustine, FL – St. Augustine Amphitheatre

    9/8 – Austin, TX – ACL Live at The Moody Theater

    9/9 – Houston, TX – The Lawn at White Oak Music Hall

    9/10 – Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory

  • Iron Maiden Return to North America with Updated “Legacy of the Beast” tour, Perform at Belmont Park in October 2022

    Iron Maiden returns to North American in 2022, bringing “The Legacy Of The Beast World Tour” to even more cities, making stops where they have not performed in for many years. Already seen by almost 2,000,000 people across the globe, the tour is hailed by fans and media alike as the most extravagant and visually spectacular performance of the band’s career to date, in addition to a decades-spanning set list of fan favorites.

    The 2022 tour includes a stop at the new UBS Arena at Belmont Park, located on the border of Queens and Nassau Counties, on October 19. The show will also include some songs from their new studio album Senjutsu, being played live for the first time.

    Special guests on Iron Maiden’s 2022 dates will feature Trivium on all dates between El Paso and Spokane, and Within Temptation on all dates from Sioux Falls to Tampa, including at Belmont Park.

    We’re really looking forward to our return to North America so we can bring The Legacy Of The Beast show to places we didn’t get to in 2019 and to other cities we’ve not played for many years. I’m really excited about the new additions and changes to the stage production and we can’t wait for everyone to see what we’ve got planned. The whole band has really enjoyed the Legacy Tour and now we just can’t wait get back out on the road to play live, have fun and see everyone again!”

    Iron Maiden vocalist Bruce Dickinson

    The Legacy Of The Beast Tour production and set list is inspired by Maiden’s award-winning free to play mobile game of the same name which is available on iOS and Android platforms at www.ironmaiden.com/play

    Next summer we will finally get to play the huge European stadium tour for The Legacy Of The Beast, and the new show will be even more spectacular so after our visit to Rock in Rio early September 2022 we decided to take it back to our fans in North America too, but in cities or venues we didn’t play in 2019, including some we haven’t visited in many years like El Paso, Spokane, Sioux Falls, Columbus, Hamilton, Ottawa and Greensboro.

    Iron Maiden manager Rod Smallwood

    The $1.1 billion multi-purpose, state of the art arena will host more than 150 major events annually while delivering an unmatched live entertainment experience including clear sightlines and premier acoustics. UBS Arena is designed to hold up to 19,000 people for concerts and audiences up to 17,000 for NHL games. In an effort to build a greener future, UBS Arena intends on being carbon neutral for operations before 2024, which will make it the first arena to do so on the eastern United States seaboard.

    Verified Fan presale begins Wednesday, December 8 at 10am, as well as an exclusive pre-sale for Iron Maiden fan club members beginning Tuesday, December 7 at 10am. All presales end Thursday, December 9th at 10pm. Any remaining tickets will go on sale on December 10th at 10am.

    Iron Maiden North American Tour Dates

    SEPT 11 EL PASO, TX DON HASKINS CENTER
    SEPT 13 AUSTIN, TX MOODY CENTER
    SEPT 15 TULSA, OK BOK CENTER
    SEPT 17 DENVER, CO BALL ARENA
    SEPT 19 SALT LAKE CITY, UT USANA AMPHITHEATRE
    SEPT 21 ANAHEIM, CA HONDA CENTER
    SEPT 25 CHULA VISTA, CA NORTH ISLAND CREDIT UNION AMPHITHEATRE
    SEPT 27 CONCORD, CA CONCORD PAVILION
    SEPT 29 SEATTLE, WA CLIMATE PLEDGE ARENA
    SEPT 30 SPOKANE, WA SPOKANE ARENA
    OCT 03 SIOUX FALLS, SD DENNY SANFORD PREMIER CENTER
    OCT 05 CHICAGO, IL UNITED CENTER
    OCT 07 COLUMBUS, OH NATIONWIDE ARENA
    OCT 09 DETROIT, MI LITTLE CAESARS ARENA
    OCT 11 TORONTO, ON SCOTIABANK CENTRE
    OCT 12 HAMILTON, ON FIRSTONTARIO CENTRE
    OCT 15 OTTAWA, ON CANADIAN TIRE CENTRE
    OCT 17 WORCESTER, MA DCU CENTER
    OCT 19 BELMONT PARK, NY UBS ARENA
    OCT 21 NEWARK, NJ PRUDENTIAL CENTER
    OCT 23 WASHINGTON, DC CAPITAL ONE ARENA
    OCT 25 GREENSBORO, NC GREENSBORO COLISEUM
    OCT 27 TAMPA, FL AMALIE ARENA

  • New York State Blues Festival Announces 2022 Dates, Celebrating 30 Years

    The New York State Blues Festival will celebrate its 30th Anniversary over June 16-18, 2022 at Chevy Court inside the New York State Fairgrounds. Once again, the three-day event will be packed with local, regional, and national acts on stage, with plenty of room for dancing throughout the grounds. As always, admission is free.

    New York Blues Festival

    The festival first began in mid-summer 1992 as the Central New York Blues Festival featuring talented local musicians in downtown Syracuse’s Armory Square, as well as live music inside the historic Hotel Syracuse. Looking ahead to 2022, this popular festival will acknowledge its history while looking ahead to future growth at its new location.

    The New York State Blues Festival is one of the largest free blues events in the Northeast. This annual three-day musical celebration, showcases a collection of regional and national artists from multiple genres, all with roots steeped in tradition and vision, and arranges them for a continuous river of music.

    The mission of the NYS Blues Festival is to preserve, protect and promote blues music and culture. The Syracuse festival entertains while educating on the role of the blues in the development of popular music in the US and around the world.

    Visit the New York state Blues Festival’s website at nysbluesfest.com and stay tuned for updates!

  • Foo Fighters 2022 Tour will stop at SPAC, Citi Field

    Newly inducted Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Foo Fighters will be giving the people a lot more of what they want in 2022 with an 18 show tour of amphitheaters, stadiums and festivals across North America. The tour kicks off in May in Burgettstown, PA, with Empire State shows at Citi Field in Queens on July 17 and two nights later at Saratoga Performing Arts Center.

    foo fighters

    The 2022 dates will mark Foo Fighters’ most extensive North American run since the February release of the band’s 10th album, Medicine at Midnight hailed as “brighter and more optimistic than anything they’ve ever done” (Rolling Stone)” and “one of Foo Fighters’ best albums of this century” (Wall Street Journal). 

    Foo Fighters 2022 North American Tour

    5/14 – The Pavilion at Star Lake – Burgettstown, PA

    5/20 – Coastal Credit Union Music Park – Raleigh, NC

    5/24 – PNC Music Pavilion – Charlotte, NC

    7/17– Citi Field – New York, NY 

    7/19 – Saratoga Performing Arts Center – Saratoga Springs, NY

    7/22 – Rogers Centre – Toronto, ON

    7/24 – Lincoln Financial Field – Philadelphia, PA

    7/27 – Maine Savings Amphitheater – Bangor, ME

    7/29 – Osheaga Festival – Montreal, QC

    8/1 – Ruoff Music Center – Noblesville, IN

    8/3 – Huntington Bank Stadium – Minneapolis, MN

    8/6 – Empower Field at Mile High – Denver, CO

    8/8 – USANA Amphitheater – Salt Lake City, UT

    8/10 – Big Sky Events Arena – Big Sky, MT 

    8/13 – T-Mobile Park – Seattle, WA 

    8/18 – Banc of California Stadium – Los Angeles, CA 

    8/20 – Banc of California Stadium – Los Angeles, CA

    Citi cardmembers will have access to purchase presale tickets beginning Tuesday, November 30 at 12 p.m. ET until Thursday, December 2 at 10 p.m. local time through Citi Entertainment. For complete presale details visit www.citientertainment.com.

    For further information on Foo Fighters’ 27th anniversary tour, including special guests to be announced soon, keep an eye on foofighters.com.

    Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, December 3rd at 10 a.m.