Category: Blues/Jazz

Blue Star Radiation Play First Show in Syracuse at Westcott Theater

The debut show of Blue Star Radiation on November 18th at the newly renovated Westcott Theater in Syracuse New York, followed by Putnam Place in Saratoga Springs, Nectar’s in Burlington and Oxbow Brewing and Bend in Portland, Maine. The four night tour before the holidays makes it a fantastic voyage through New England.

photo by Jim Houle

Composition versus improvisation. moe., Kung Fu, The Breakfast, Lotus, Percy Hill, Ghosts of Jupiter, and Assembly of Dust all come from a heavy catalog of music that can be played differently any given night. Blue Star Radiation is a new band that glows off these concepts that includes Vinnie Amico on drums, Rob Derhak on bass, Tim Palmieri on guitar and Nate Wilson on B3 Hammond keys and flute.

photo by Jim Houle

It is appropriate that moe.’s ryhthm section of Rob and Vinnie started this mini run on a Thursday in Upstate, New York. After all, they have played in front a rowdier 220,000 down the thruway in Rome during Woodstock 99. There is a Danko/ Helm quality of the two when they are on a New York stage that radiates. The freshly renovated Westcott filled the old cinema to the back of the house with new premium seating alongside the left stage. moe.’s “The Pit” opened the inaugural performance and helped welcome everyone to a comfortable spot in the room to groove. Nate Wilson then plays his original “Eye of the Yellow Tiger.”

The new four piece also filled the first set with some back in black covers. The Black Crowes‘ “Wiser Time” and Santana’s “Black Magic Woman” created a sandstorm of surprises. The band also claimed they were playing ‘Set List Yahtzee’ with a malleable list of songs to pull from. Again, it was a Thursday night for the first of four shows, why stick to the plan?

The second set unfolded with some some chilling viking rock. Nate Wilson’s keys and vocals took Led Zeppelin’s “No Quarter” to warn the frosty November crowd that snow falls hard and don’t you know, the winds of Thor are blowing cold. (Led Zeppelin did play in Syracuse at the War Memorial in November of 1969.) What a song to cover ahead of the partial lunar eclipse that night for the blood moon that hasn’t been seen since the 1440’s. One of the first snows of the year did arrive just as the eclipse unfolded at 4 AM giving way to Thor.

The band did give a lighter nod to the Syracuse, New York suburb of Liverpool by covering “She Came in Through the Bathroom Window” by the Beatles. Tim Palmieri took lead on this as he has on many Sunday Beatles acoustic sets he’s been known to do in New Haven, CT. The band encored with the moe. classic “Opium,” no quarter notes in these lyrics, It’s eight AM not a quarter past three, flowers and fog won’t you rescue me.

poster by Matt Leunig

Rob Derhark simply thanked the crowd for letting them do their thing and have a week of music to just simply cut loose to. Tim Palmieri helped raise a glass and get the Westcott crowd to cheers to moe. guitarist Chuck Garvey. The simplicity of appreciation to play music that is essentially improvisational and unplanned transcends after the show is over.

Blue Star Radiation – The Westcott Theater, Syracuse, NY – November 18, 2021

Set 1: The Pit, Eye of the Yellow Tiger, Wiser Time, Blue Jeans Pizza, Dance Hall Days, Black Magic Woman

Set 2: Locomotive Breath, Mar De Ma, All in Stride, She Came in Through the Bathroom Window, Sign, No Quarter, Bloody Well Right

Encore: Toast to Chuck, Opium

photos by Jim Houle

November 22, 2021
Dead and Friends Dazzle In Rochester: November 20, 1970

The Grateful Dead’s first ever show in Rochester saw them bring a few friends along for the ride. Members of Jefferson Airplane joined them to cap off a mesmerizing night of music at The Palestra at University of Rochester. The late night gig allowed their fellow Californians, who played earlier that night at the War Memorial, a chance to get in on the fun. Jorma Kaukonen, and later Jack Casady, took full advantage, adding their unique styles to the psychedelic stew that serves as the second set. And the first one is essentially an entire Grateful Dead show crammed into a singular set, featuring more than 20 songs. All of this adds up to a simply unreachable bar for all future Dead shows in Rochester to reach.

The show starts off innocently enough with a leisurely run through of “Cold Rain And Snow” whose ending is unfortunately cut off in the recording. “Me And My Uncle” then picks things up a bit, sung ably as always by guitarist Bob Weir. An attuned Pigpen even adds some inspired fills on the organ as the song progresses. This paves the way for him to take center stage and lead the band through a blues cover of “Next Time You See Me” that has the Palestra now fully engaged. Things then get decidedly more psychedelic, starting with a “China Cat Sunflower” that’s accentuated with an early, effortless guitar solo from Jerry Garcia that hits home. A rapid, near chaotic, jam then transpires before a silky smooth landing into “I Know You Rider” as the Dead show off one of their signature song pairings to the Rochester crowd’s delight.

The Dead follow this up with a smoking take of “Sugar Magnolia,” a still relatively new song in their live repertoire at the time. Another furious Garcia solo and the drumming duo of Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart fuel this one. The pace then slows back down again with the folksy pairing of “Friend Of The Devil” and “Mama Tried,” led by Garcia and Weir on vocals, respectively. An interesting little percussive jam then introduces “Good Lovin’” and the Dead are off and running again. Their cover of The Rascals’ hit song immediately goes deep, as the percussive vibe returns in a big way with a near immediate drum solo that doesn’t let up for several moments. It’s essentially the “Drums” portion of the show thrown right in the middle of “Good Lovin’.” Garcia eventually leads the rest of the band back into the fray and then he takes his turn exploring every aspect of the song in a jam that stretches out well past 20 minutes – a Type II “Good Lovin’” if there ever was one.

The Palestra at University of Rochester

A rowdy “Cumberland Blues” follows this, with the Palestra crowd clapping along joyously before an emotional and well harmonized “Candyman” that settles things back down once more. The first ever performance of “Truckin’” in Upstate New York comes next, as the Dead show off another new tune that will go on to become a classic. Although it doesn’t beget much of an extended jam, there’s some fun musical interplay between Garcia and Pigpen before another manic drum-heavy section that signals the beginning of “The Other One.” However, after an extended opening sequence, it’s a shortened “Other One” as the band quickly shifts gears and jumps into “Saint Stephen” after just one verse. Before “Stephen” is even finished, a noticeable “Not Fade Away”-like drum beat picks up, so it’s no surprise that they launch into that next. This kickstarts a truly vintage “Not Fade Away” > “Goin’ Down The Road Feeling Bad” > “Not Fade Away” sequence that has both the Dead and the Rochester crowd fully engaged.

As if that weren’t enough already, the set goes on afterwards as a bluesy shuffle starts up, clearing the path for Pigpen, with harmonica in tow, to take center stage once more for “King Bee.” The marathon set then finally comes to a close with a rousing “Casey Jones.” The Dead are then able to get their comrades from Jefferson Airplane out for a second set that’s short on songs but long on blues-infused psychedelic improv. It begins with a cover of “All Over Now,” a song popularized by The Rolling Stones. Jorma Kaukonen, who plays the entire set, steps right up and delivers a jaw dropping guitar solo with what sounds like Garcia on the pedal steel guitar and Weir belting out the vocals. A fun, short little “tuning” jam takes place afterwards before they jump into another cover, this time a ripping take Chuck Berry’s “Around & Around.”

Then the band just jams out for a while, with Koukanen and Garcia playfully trading guitar riffs back and forth. The rhythm section is locked in and it makes for one of the more enjoyable portions of this show as the West Coast-based musicians deliver their brand of psychedelic rock to an eager East Coast auditorium. It’s also probably one of the reasons that this sit-in has been dubbed one of the ten best ever with The Grateful Dead, per Rolling Stone.

As the jam progresses, Jack Casady joins in on bass as the music begins to take some structure. The group then goes through two verses of “Darling Corey,” a traditional song that Pete Seeger, among others, have recorded. This is just quick thought though, as the structure quickly devolves and soon dies out completely. After some extended tuning, the ensemble launches into another extended jam, now with dueling basses to go along with three guitars. They bounce and move from one loose melody to another, never stopping for too long. At one point, a jam reminiscent of a souped up “Cumberland Blues” seems to take place. “Uncle John’s Band” then closes out a lengthy night of Grateful Dead in Rochester, highlighted by a monumental sit-in from members of Jefferson Airplane.

View this and more Grateful Dead shows from across the years in New York State with our interactive map below!

Grateful Dead The Palestra at University of Rochester – Rochester, NY 11/20/70

Set 1: Cold Rain And Snow , Me And My Uncle, Next Time You See Me, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Sugar Magnolia, Friend Of The Devil, Mama Tried, Good Lovin’ > Drums > Good Lovin’, Cumberland Blues, Candyman, Truckin’ > The Other One > Saint Stephen > Not Fade Away > Goin’ Down The Road Feeling Bad > Not Fade Away > I’m A King Bee, Casey Jones

Set 2: It’s All Over Now, Instrumental > Spring Song Tuning > Around And Around, Jam > Darling Corey > Jam > Tuning > Space Jam, Uncle John’s Band

November 20, 2021
Dirty Dozen Brass Band Cissy Strut back to The Blue Note

The Dirty Dozen Brass band from New Orleans just finished up a four night residency at Blue Note on Sunday November 14. Fellow Orleans Cats Ivan Neville and Tony Hall of Dumpstaphunk checked out the brass band at the Note on Thursday before their two night sold out run at Madison Square Garden with Dave Matthews Band.

Photo by Dino Perrucci

You never know who will stop in to New York City’s infamous Blue Note Jazz Club in Manhattan. Since the clubs history in 1981 it wasn’t uncommon to have Stevie Wonder appear on the Greenwich Village stage room that seats 250. Isaiah Sharkey and Cory Henry helped kick some funky neo soul beats from the club so far this year. During their Fall 2021 residency lasting over thirty days with Robert Glasper the club welcomed Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle to the Note.

Photo by Dino Perrucci

The Dirty Dozen Brass Band helped keep the New Orleans groove in the village vibrant during their four night stay. The brass section consists of Kirk Joseph on jazz sousaphone, Roger Lewis on Baritone Sax, Calvin Johnson on tenor saxophone, Timothy Norris on Trombone and Gregory Davis on Trumpet and vocals. Guitarist Takeshi Shimura and on Drums Julian Addison. Sitting in during the residency were Dave Mullen & Rick Frank on horns.

Gregory Davis gave the club a bit of an angle on the bands influences that helped get every one up from their tables. Davis told the sold out Blue Note crowd,

One of our influences was James Brown. James always played music that people would dance to. So Get on Up! James would want to see you shake your tail feather.

Photo by Dino Perrucci

To keep James spirit strutting down West 3rd street the dozen laid down a “Super Bad” jam that everybody on the Note stage stretched out on. Improvisation on a classic funk cut at its finest.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbUcEt8dRSU

Davis also got to the crowd to partake vocally by turning their seats in to funk doctor chairs. “You know when your at the Doctor and he gets you to say Ahh?” “Do it just like that” The procedure worked as the crowd gave way in unison to their “Ahhs” that helped launch the band in to the classic New Orleans funk composition “Cissy Strut”

The world renowned New Orleans groove that was in Manhattan this past weekend from the Garden to The Blue Note was a vibe. It carved out some trenches from the Mississippi to the Hudson River, It created another musical niche with the other great Blue Note locations in Tokyo and Nagoya, Japan, Milan, Italy, Waikiki, Hawaii, Napa California, Beijing, China and Sao Paulo & Rio De Janeiro Brazil. When asked about performing at the Blue Note Tokyo legendary artist Steve Gadd told NYS Music the secret to playing any great gig.

I mean you always go off the audience. When you get it musically to a level where everyone on the bandstand is having fun and can hear each other and you can trust the audience is hearing it the way you are it gets to a spiritual level. In Japan or wherever you are, that’s the goal.

November 18, 2021
Ana Popovic and Electric Church at Homer Center for the Arts

This fall, Ana Popovic celebrates 20 years on the road. The Serbian blues artist from Belgrade went from a careeer as a graphic designer to a world touring musician. Having just played Homer Center for the Arts on Sunday October 24, much like Eric Gales the week prior, she paid homage to the Jimi Hendrix “electric church” style energy of the Center.

And filled with energy she did, having been a performer and on the board of the Experience Hendrix European tour for the past 6 years.

Photo by Michael Roud

Needless to say, there is an immediate vibe when artists channel these blues sounds inside the 150 year old Baptist church turned music venue, especially on a Sunday. The band came in hot to Homer after a sold out two night run at Buffalo’s Tralf Music Hall. They call me the voodoo woman and I know the reason why…

Ana Popovic Band Homer Center for the Arts 10/24/21

Popovic’s band includes the brass section of Evan Knight on Saxophone and Pete Clagget on trumpet, plus Buthel Burns holding down backing vocals and bass. Special guest drummer for this tour was Christopher R Coleman of Beck’s band, who has been playing drums since he was 2 years old, sitting on his uncle’s knee in church. He traveled with his father and uncles who performed together in a gospel ensemble.

Coleman told NYS Music he felt right at home behind his kit at The Homer Center for the Arts. The two piece horn section & keyboards supplied the fuel to the bands groove on stage. The brass even made their way down the Homer Center aisles to join the crowd as part of the encore tune “Tribe.”

“Ana’s Shuffle” opened the performance, and the group plugged into the electric church spirits immediately for a cover of “Can’t You See What You’re Doing to Me?,” by legendary blues man Albert King. All musicians on stage were of high quality caliber, each carefully listening and letting everyone breathe properly during their solos. Chris Coleman had a full three minute drum crescendo blast off to the second floor.

Ana Popovic and company paid homage to The Rolling Stones, currently on a national tour of America. Ana stepped out front like Mick Jagger for a cover of “Rain Fall Down” off their Bigger Bang album. Chris Coleman really showed why he backs Beck, one of the funkiest front men currently on tour like Jagger.

Rolling Stones Cover

To keep the evening’s funk alive, they launched into Steely Dan’s “Night by Night.” The song title’s iconic lyrics mirrored off the stage: “Well I don’t really care, If it’s wrong or if it’s right, But until my ship comes in, I’ll live night by night.” Sunday night at the Center heated up during the 16-song set that had certain cuts off Ana’s 10 original studio albums.

Steely Dan Cover

“Lasting Kind of Love” and “I Like It on Top” from her 2018 album really set a fire to the setlist. Burns held down the bottom end on bass and soul backing vocals. Legendary producer Keb’ Mo’s funk driven influence was a stand out on these originals tracks live in concert. Ana jives on the tune “I like it on top every day of the week…I like it on top walking down the street.“

Photo by Out Loud Pictures

The band came full circle with the crowd by sending the brass to tune them up during the encore, a New Orleans style horn march back to the stage “When the Saints Go Marching In.” Popovic closed the night with a howling steel slide solo that sent the masses out wanting to change the world. ‘Funky Love’ is this band’s message, loud and clear. Following the show, Ana told NYS music as she enjoyed a glass of red wine after the gig “Yea the energy in here was incredible.” Watch the soulful finale in Homer below.

Ana Popovic – Center for the Arts, Homer, NY – Sunday, October 24, 2021

Setlist: Homer New York Intro Jam–>Anas Shuffle. Can you Stand the Heat, Object of Obsession, I’m Gonna Love You Tonight, Train, New Coat of Paint*, Can’t You See what You’re Doing To Me**, Rain Fell Down***, Last Thing I Do, Fencewalk****, Brand New Man, I Like It on Top, Lasting Kind of Love, You Can Count Me In
Encore: Tribe

*Albert King Cover
**Tom Waits Cover
***Rolling Stones Cover
***Steely Dan Cover
****Mandrill Cover

November 10, 2021
In Focus: Gary Clark Jr. at The Capitol Theatre
Hot off the heels of attending the 2021 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, where he paid tribute to Charley Patton, Gary Clark Jr. headed back out on the road with a stop at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY on Wednesday, November 3.

Gary Clark Jr.

On night two of a three-night stand, Clark took the crowd on a musical journey traversing a soundscape from sojourns of simplicity through to explosions of sound. To support this pilgrimage, Gary enlisted King Zapata on guitar, Jon Deas on keyboards, Elijah Ford on bass, and J.J. Johnson on drums. Their prowess provided the infrastructure for Clark to explore the musical expanse.

The show opened with the potent “Bright Lights.” Clark is not afraid to update arrangements as “Fellin’ Like a Million” shifted to a beat-based groove while the falsettos in “I Walk Alone” articulated the emotional distress of the piece.

Gary Clark Jr.

Throughout the night the tall Texan would step forward and affix himself to a spot on the stage enabling the power and fury of his playing to radiate out to those in attendance. A well calibrated light show helped fine-tune the aura surrounding the stage which added an exponential element to the show.

Opening duties were delegated to hip hop rappers Blackillac. The duo, who had been taken under Clark’s wing years back, shared what they called “their version of the blues.” From the first beats you could sense the Austin musicians influence bestowed upon them. Moving from established tunes to freestyle and back, Blackillac achieved their goal to prepare everyone for the headliner.

Blackillac

To close out the two-hour show, Gary strapped on a Flying V guitar and launched into “Pearl Cadillac.” A lone spotlight illuminated the man and his guitar as the distinctive notes from the song extended to the rafters. Standing tall and proud, Clark thanked everyone and sent them off into the night as he faded into the darkness at the back of the stage.

Gary Clark Jr.
Blackillac
November 10, 2021
Salt City Waltzes to Del Lago Casino for The Band tribute Concert

The Del Lago Casino venue “The Vine” is bringing an infamous night from San Francisco’s Winterland Ballroom back to life. The famed concert of “The Last Waltz” will be recreating music by “The Band” at the Del Lago Casino on Saturday November 13th. The evening’s playbill includes over 40 performers as part of “The Salt City Waltz.” The 2021 edition promises to feature new faces and music added to the show. The production inside The Vine offers a glimpse into the 1970’s Winterland Ballroom. It will transport the concert goers to the same movie lens Martin Scorsese shot the original in.

Rick Danko of the Band

The classic house band will feature Los Blancos from Syracuse featuring Mark Tiffault on drums, Colin Aberdeen on Guitar, and Steve Winston on Bass. The addition to their core of Scott Ebner on Piano, Mark Westers on Guitar, and Bill Barry on Organ will help shape the Vine stage nicely.

It should make no difference that Colin Aberdeen of Los Blancos saw the legendary Rick Danko of “The Band” perform a special solo acoustic show at the Hotel Syracuse in the 1990’s. The guests at the original “Last Waltz” included Ringo Starr, Dr John, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Ronnie Wood, Van Morrison and Neil Young to name a few. The guests joining the Salt City Waltz are The Old Main, Brendon Gosson, George Rossi, John McConnell, Mike Mahwinney, Joe Altier, Pete McMahon, Rex Lyons, Carolyn Kelly, Andy Comstock, Bill Ali, Joe Whiting, Mike Frisina & Ben Sumner.

Jay Collins returns to Salt City Waltz

The Salt City Waltz Ensemble at the Vine in Del Lago will consist of Gary Frenay on Bass, Cathy Lamanna on Drums, Mark Hoffmann on Mandolin, Chris Eves on Guitar, Jonah Smith on Vocals/Piano and Liz Fiddle on naturally….fiddle. Guesting with them will be Central New York Songbirds Donna Colton, Joanna Jewett, Maureen Henesey and Steven Cali. As well as Opus Black String Ensemble, Ronnie Leigh and Bruce Gerow.

To make the performance sound full circle at the Vine please welcome the Levon Helm Studio Horns. Featuring Jay Collins on Tenor Saxophone, Erik Lawrence on Baritone/ Alto sax, Steve Bernstein on Trumpet. Special guest on trombone and tuba, from Bruce Springsteen E Street Band Clark Gayton will join the Waltz this year. As Levon Helm once said, “I love horns and the bigger the band, the better it sounds in my ear.”

Producer Stacey Waterman has curated all four editions of the Salt City Waltz; creating an atmosphere very much like that Thanksgiving night in 1976, right down to a chandelier. The idea behind this show is to celebrate the music of The Band and The Last Waltz. The musicians who assemble for this each year are the cream of the crop and leave the audience feeling thankful. You can purchase tickets to the event here.

Levon Helm’s infamous studio barn in the Hudson Valley is still hosting their own live music. The music never stopped through his daughter Amy Helm and the list of other great acts to still turn the same wheel. Music also lives on at Bob Dylan’s Big Pink House that The Band famously recorded at in Woodstock as well.

The Power of Music just kinda kills all those ills. It cures everything and you’ve got more energy because of the music. And I’ve Never Seen it Fail. Its good for ya…real good for ya
Levon Helm

November 5, 2021
Samantha Fish Performs A Halloween Blues Spooktacular at The Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett
In support of her seventh studio album Faster (Rounder Records, 2021), Samantha Fish returned to The Stephen Talkhouse on the eastern end of Long Island for her first performance at the iconic venue in more than two years. Having released her first album in 2009, Samantha Fish is a blues and rock singer-songwriter and guitarist originally from Kansas City, Missouri, and current resident of New Orleans, Louisiana.

After briefly chatting with some fans of Ms. Fish who had arrived early and were waiting in line on this chilly autumn evening, the doors to the former boarding house built in 1834 opened and we were warmly greeted by the bar’s staff. Once inside, the prominent backdrop to the stage could not be missed. It was a large black and white tapestry of Stephen Taukus (“Talkhouse”) Pharaoh, a native American who was known for his daily, marathon-distance walks delivering mail from The Hamptons to New York City during the late-1800s. Featuring local artists and internationally-renowned performers since 1987, The Stephen Talkhouse was decorated in the spirit of Halloween, complete with a spooky playlist that eerily emanated from the “house” speakers, who according to one of the bartenders, was curated by Ms. Fish herself.

As 7:00 pm approached, several patrons eager for a great night of live music had already filtered inside, assuming coveted positions along the length of the bar, or at reserved table seating intimately arranged in front of the stage. A frequent touring partner and collaborator of Samantha Fish, Jonathan Long was the first to take the stage. Hailing from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Mr. Long is a virtuoso blues artist whose career launched in 1997, when he was named Guitar Center’s “King of the Blues.” Accompanied only by his Martin guitar, Long featured songs from his newest album, Parables of a Southern Man, released on Samantha Fish’s very own Wild Heart Records label in 2021. His electric set of blues compositions concluded with a “roof raising” rendition of Chris Thomas King’s “John Law Burned Down The Liquor Sto.’

After a short intermission, and while the theme music from the 1978 horror movie classic “Halloween” could be heard over the PA system (courtesy of Ms. Fish once again), Sarah Tomek (drums), Matt Wade (keyboardist) and Ron Johnson (bassist) took the stage. Within a few brief moments, Samantha Fish also appeared, clad in her signature look of “fire engine red” skintight pants, a black lace top and stiletto boots.

Samantha Fish’s 16-song set included 11 songs taken from 2021’s Faster, including the show opener “Loud,” which was followed by the guitar-driven “All Ice No Whiskey.” A song about empowerment, and the first single released from her new album, “Twisted Ambition” was up next. When she was not playing her white Gibson SG or another one of her axes from her impressive arsenal, Fish opted for her famed cigar box guitar, which she has been incorporating into her live sets since 2012. After performing “Hypnotic,” featuring Fish’s alluring vocals, the final quintet of songs included a generous mix of offerings from past albums, including those from Black Wind Howlin’ (2013), Wild Heart (2015) and Kill Or Be Kind (2019). Before exiting the stage for her encore, Fish and her band ripped through “Bulletproof,” the fan favorite with an infectious guitar riff, which left everyone in attendance wanting more.

If you have not yet been able to see Samantha Fish perform live, you still have the chance! She will be continuing her North American tour over the next couple of months, until it commences at the Macon City Auditorium in Georgia on New Year’s Eve. After that, Ms. Fish will be heading off to the United Kingdom in early-2022. You can get your tickets here.

Setlist: Loud > All Ice No Whiskey > Twisted Ambition > Chills & Fever > Forever Together > Don’t Say You Love Me > Crowd Control > Better Be Lonely > Kill Or Be Kind > Watch It Die > Hypnotic > Black Wind Howlin’ > Dream Girl > Bulletproof

Encore: I Put A Spell On You (Screamin’ Jay Hawkins cover) > Bitch On The Run
November 4, 2021
Jazz Artist José James Releases Original Holiday Song “Christmas in New York”
José James has released “Christmas in New York” ahead of his first Christmas album, Merry Christmas from José James, due out on November 19. The original Christmas track follows the single release of “My Favorite Things” featuring acclaimed saxophonist Marcus Strickland.

James is a Minneapolis native who spent most of his career in New York, and was discovered by Gilles Peterson in London before his major label debut with Blue Note Records. He has produced and written 11 albums covering the best of jazz, pop, hip-hop and R&B. In 2017, José made his screen debut with a performing role in Fifty Shades Darker. He now lives in Amsterdam with Talia Billig, his partner and Grammy nominated songwriter.

Co-written by James’ Grammy-nominated partner Talia Billig, “Christmas in New York” features the all-star trio of Aaron Parks (piano), Ben Williams (bass) and Jharis Yokley (drums).

I wrote ‘Christmas in New York’ for people like myself who aren’t able to see their families another year. That kind of picture-perfect scene of people throwing snowballs and making a snowman in Central Park and Wollman Rink and that whole beautiful Manhattan Christmas… It was my dream as a kid, and then I got to live it. There’s a lot of love in that.
José James

Merry Christmas from José James, from Rainbow Blonde Records, celebrates the holiday season while honoring classic jazz and pop records of the 1950s. Combining the classic jazz-crooner elegance of Frank Sinatra and Nat “King” Cole with the earthy sophistication of soul legends Stevie Wonder and Donny Hathaway, the ten track album is an auditory holiday experience like no other.

A 13-date tour to support the album will launch at SF Jazz in San Francisco on November 27th and conclude at New York’s City Winery on December 14th.

Merry Christmas from José James Track Listing
1. Christmas in New York ****
2. This Christmas
3. The Christmas Song
4. I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm
5. The Christmas Waltz
6. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
7. Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!
8. Christmas Day ****
9. My Favorite Things (feat. Marcus Strickland)
10. White Christmas
  **** represents original recording
José James 2021 Tour Dates

November 27 – SF Jazz – San Francisco, CA
November 28 – SF Jazz – San Francisco, CA
November 30 – Jazz Alley – Seattle, WA
December 1 – Jazz Alley – Seattle, WA
December 2 – The Old Church – Portland, OR
December 4 – Kuumbwa – Santa Cruz
December 5 – Masonic Lodge – Los Angeles, CA
December 7– MIM – Phoenix, AZ
December 9 –The Lensic – Santa Fe,
December 11 – Dakota – Minneapolis, MN
December 12 – Dakota – Minneapolis, MN
December 13 – City Winery – Chicago, IL
December 14 – City Winery – New York, NY
November 1, 2021
Flushing Town Hall Announces 15 Years of NEA Jazz Masters Concerts Celebration

Flushing Town Hall announced 15 Years of NEA Jazz Masters concerts celebration on November 12, 2021 at 8 PM, in-person and virtual audiences. The celebration is being called NEA Jazz Masters: The Music of Thelonious Monk and Horace Silver.

Ellen Kodadek, Executive and Artistic Director at Flushing Town Hall spoke on the upcoming celebration saying, “We are elated to present this historic concert with such an incredible lineup of America’s most honored jazz musicians. It is sure to be a one-of-a-kind night to remember.”

The celebration of 15 Years of NEA Jazz Masters Concerts will host five distinguished NEA Jazz Masters: Jimmy Owens, Kenny Barron, Sheila Jordan, Billy Hart, and Donald Harrison. They will be joined by American bassist Kenny Davis and a special, surprise guest artist to perform live, all together on one stage for the first time.

The very first NEA Jazz Masters concert took place at Flushing Town Hall back on November 17, 2006. The performance featured three NEA Jazz Masters, Jimmy Heath (saxophone), Clark Terry (trumpet), and Dr. Billy Taylor (piano)—as well as the talented jazz veterans Earl May, Benny Powell, and Albert “Tootie” Heath, who was later awarded the NEA Jazz Masters title in 2021. Sadly, all but one—Albert “Tootie” Heath—have since passed on.

This year’s NEA Jazz Masters concert is taking place on November 12, 2021 at 8 PM, in-person and virtual audiences at Flushing Town Hall. In-person tickets are $45/$35 Members/$20 Students. Those unable to attend in person can still join the livestream and tune in virtually. Virtual tickets are $15/$10 Members. Tickets can be purchased online here or by calling (718) 463-7700 x222.

For more information on NEA Jazz Masters concert or on Flushing Town Hall in general visit their website.

October 25, 2021
A Stormy Monday Blues Sermon with Eric Gales Band at Homer Center for the Arts

Eric Gales brought his incredible five-piece touring band to the Homer Center for the Arts on Monday, October 18, 2021. Gales starts his shows in a similar manner on the microphone by himself discussing the hardships he and all of us have taken on over our lifetime. Eric told the crowd, “If you haven’t cried the blues the past 18 months then god forgot to pass you out a soul.”

Photo by Out Loud Pictures, LaDonna Gales, Eric Gales, Nick Hayes

From this angle, Eric began his performance on the acoustic guitar talking about the same blues that his grandfather had. His grandfather used to play with Howling Wolf and Muddy Waters. Gales said he wanted to spread the spirit and the inspiration his grandfather instilled in him. During the fitting titled “Grandaddy Blues,” the rest of the band appeared behind him on stage following suit to the groove. On percussion and backing vocals was his wife, LaDonna Gales, Nick Hayes on drums, and on bass from Brooklyn, Nil Jones.

Photo by Out Loud Pictures, Eric Gales band

Eric made sure the microphones and sound were on point chuckling at the familiarity of its resonance in an old church. Gales is no stranger to Jimi Hendrix’s electric church. Eric was part of the cast touring with Jimi’s bassist Billy Cox, the jellyfish Buddy Miles on drums, and Stevie Rays’ Chris Layton for the “Experience Hendrix Tour.” Robert Ranndolph was there too,

He even educated the crowd that Jimi played a right handed guitar but strung it left handed. For clarification, Gales and bassist Nil Jones were playing completely upside down and backwards.
So naturally as a salute they played Gales original “Southpaw Serenade.”

In between songs, Gales inner tales were serenading the crowd to a wide range of stories. From his funk playing days in Minnesota that caught the eye and ear of the legendary Prince to his overall approach on life. Eric told the crowd “I believe laughter and music are the best forms of communication and medication.” Gales took one four-minute break the whole night, while Jones helped rattle the brick inside Homer for a bass solo.

Gales returned to the stage fired up saying, “I’m getting tuned up I feel a sermon coming on, it’s been far too long.” At the end of a two and half hour performance, Eric treated the crowd to a bouncy funked up version of “Voodoo Child” that led to a blended jam of Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir” and AC/DC’s “Back in Black” to remind the audience it is still Rocktober. Tony Hall told NYS Music after seeing Gales footage, “Hes a bad mother fucker”

Jimi Hendrix once said “When I get up on stage -well, that’s my whole life. That’s my religion. My music is electric church music.” Robert Cray looked to the ceiling at the Homer Center for the Arts last month during his performance and said “Jimi Can you hear me?” Eric Gales and his band channeled the same energy on a stormy Monday to start the week at the electric church in Homer.

Ana Popovic crushed the European leg of Experience Hendrix and The Center this year. Samantha Fish killed at the center Wednesday November 3rd. Mississippi’s Christone “Kingfish” Ingram took the Delta Roads from Mississippi to Homer, New York the night before Samantha. They are all blues disciples.

NYS Music loved that Eric started the week in Homer to only link up with Gary Clark Jr On “When my Train Pulls in” down the road in Greensboro. Flotations groovy I said a jelly fish will tell ya that. NYS Music agrees with Santana on Gales…its all a piece of the blues disciples history. Tony Hall and Arsenio Hall said it best “Yea he’s bad”

Photos by Out Loud Pictures:

October 23, 2021