Category: Genres

Live at MLK! in Rochester Returns With Trombone Shorty and Gov’t Mule

Live at MLK! is closing up their summer concert season in Rochester with big-name performances by Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue and Gov’t Mule.

The show will be held on September 4 at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park at Manhattan Square. Along with the killer performances, there will be a craft beer garden complete with IPAs, ciders, and seltzers, a “bubbly bar” with prosecco and mimosas, and a VIP Ultra Lounge. The extensive VIP perks include access to a private lounge area, preferred entry, full cash bar, private A/C restrooms, front stage access, chair massage, complimentary chips and salsa (and private food vendor access) courtesy of Bay Vista Tacqueria, and a commemorative lanyard.

Photo Courtesy of RochesterFirst

Trombone Shorty (born Troy Andrews) is an American musician, producer, actor and philanthropist from New Orleans, Louisiana. He is best known as a trombone and trumpet player but also plays drums, organ, and tuba. He has worked with some of the biggest names in rock, pop, jazz, funk, and hip hop. Andrews began playing trombone at age four, and since 2009 has toured with his own band, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue.

Trombone Shorty

Gov’t Mule is an American Southern rock jam band, formed in 1994 as a side project of The Allman Brothers Band by guitarist Warren Haynes and bassist Allen Woody. The band released their debut album, Gov’t Mule, in 1995, and have since released an additional nine studio albums, plus numerous EPs and live releases. Gov’t Mule has become a staple act at music festivals across North America, with both its members and frequent guests boasting members from other notable bands, adding various funk and blues rock elements to the band’s sound.

Gov’t Mule

Organizers Rochester Events is thrilled to bring these beloved artists to the Live At MLK! series.

To get both of these groups on stage is going to be a night full of music magic. There is no better way to celebrate the return of live music than with rock legends and a jazz phenom!
Jeff Springut, CEO/Producer, Rochester Events

Presale starts 7/14 and tickets go on sale to the general public this Friday (7/16) at 12PM ET. Tickets must be purchased online in advance on RochesterEvents.com. Pricing is $99.50 for VIP, $59.50 for GA advance, and $66 day of show (if available, fees apply). Shows are rain or shine with no refunds.

Patrons may bring blankets and one sealed bottle of water into the park. Lawn chairs, bicycles, skateboards, in-line skates and pets will not be allowed in. Parking is available at nearby parking garages including the Midtown Parking Garage; 110 S. Clinton Avenue, Washington Square Garage, 111 Woodbury Blvd.; the Court Street Garage, 194 Court St. and at the East End Garage, 475 E. Main St. Parking will also be available at The Strong Museum, 1 Manhattan Square.

July 12, 2021
The American Classical Orchestra Announces 2021-2022 Season

New York City’s American Classical Orchestra (ACO) has announced its 2021-2022 season of all-live performances, beginning with a full orchestra Reunion program of Baroque music in Damrosch Park on September 22.

Founded in 1984 as the Orchestra of the Old Fairfield Academy, the ensemble was renamed American Classical Orchestra in 1999. ACO settled in New York City as a permanent home in 2005. It is now the city’s only full-scale orchestra dedicated solely to performing 17^th, 18^th, and 19^th-century music on true-to-period instruments.

Reunion is the title of the 2021 season’s opening event, marking the joyous reunion of the ACO’s musicians, audience, and patrons after over 17 months without concerts. The program presents a selection of popular Baroque music at the newly renovated bandshell of Lincoln Center’s Damrosch Park. The rest of the season’s concerts follow suit with meaningful titles, “Restore,” “Revisit,” “Remember” and “Renew” to commemorate the challenges of the past two years as life returns to normalcy.

Our reuniting onstage should reveal artists who have further honed their craft and intensified their passion for music. We chose timeless masterpieces as a way to celebrate our return to live performance through much-loved works that continue to comfort even after difficult times, to showcase our talented members and soloists, and also to underscore the soothing balm that great music provides to musicians and audiences alike.
Thomas Crawford (ACO’s Artistic Director and Founder)

This season also includes the Orchestra’s new collaboration with public media producer WNET, featuring a filmed performance of Prokofiev’s symphonic children’s tale, Peter and the Wolf. As a part of ACO’s “Classical Music for Kids” program, the film aims to enrich the cultural life of children by introducing them to classical music history at a young age. American Classical Orchestra’s performance of Peter and the Wolf will be available to watch for free on the PBS LearningMedia platform beginning this fall.

Peter and the Wolf (Art Credit: James Mayhew)

American Classical Orchestra offers subscription packages for their upcoming season that are on sale now. Tickets for individual performances will go on sale later this summer. For more information, visit aconyc.org. Visit lincolncenter.org for ACO programs hosted by Lincoln Center.

Read the full 2021-2022 American Classical Orchestra schedule below:

Reunion – Wednesday, September 22 at 7 pm, Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center:

Rachell Ellen Wong, violin

Part of the Restart Stages at Lincoln Center

Vivaldi: Violin Concerto in G Minor, Op. 8, No. 2, RV 315, “L’Estate” (Summer from The Four Seasons)

Handel: Music for the Royal Fireworks and excerpts from Water Music

Restore – Tuesday, December 14 at 8 pm, Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center:

All-Mozart Program:

    Symphony No. 29 in A Major, K. 201

Concerto for Flute, Harp, and Orchestra in C Major, K. 299

    Sinfonia Concertante for Violin and Viola in E-flat Major, K. 364 (320d)

Revisit – Thursday, February 3 at 7 pm, Harlem Parish, 258 W 118th St.:

Karen Dekker and Chloe Fedor, Baroque violin

Maureen Murchie, viola

Arnie Tanimoto, viola da gamba and cello

Charles Weaver, theorbo and Baroque guitar

Guadalupe Peraza, mezzo soprano

Thomas Crawford, harpsichord

Juan Arañés: Chacona a la vida bona

Nicola Francesco Haym: Ciaccona in E Major

Barbara Strozzi: L’Eraclito amoroso

Marin Marais: Chaconne in A Major, from Pièces de Viole, Book 4

Santiago de Murcia: Marionas

Arcangelo Corelli: Trio Sonata, Op. 2, No. 12

Johann Sebastian Bach: Chaconne from Partita for Solo Violin, BWV 1004

François Couperin: La Favorite

Claudio Monteverdi: Lamento della Ninfa

Henry Purcell: Chaconne from King Arthur

Remember – Saturday, February 26 at 8 pm, Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center:

Mozart: Requiem in D Minor, K. 626

Crawford: Elegy for Strings (World Premiere) In Memoriam Judson Griffin

Renew – Tuesday, April 5 at 8 pm, Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center :

All J.S. Bach Program

    Easter Oratorio, BWV 249

    Mass in G Minor, BWV 235

    Overture to Orchestral Suite No. 4 in D Major, BWV 1069

Digital Production of Peter and the Wolf on PBS LearningMedia (Planned for Fall 2021)

July 12, 2021
Baked Shrimp and Glass Pony Prep For LonCon
On a steamy Friday night, Lark Hall played host to two of the fastest rising jam bands in New York, Long Island’s Baked Shrimp, and Albany’s own Glass Pony, as a warm up to the former’s LonCon Fest.

For the opening set of the night, Glass Pony tore in with “Maximus” that segued incredibly into Oasis’ “Morning Glory,” but so smooth you wondered ‘is this a new song inspired by the 90s, or are they deep in a 90s cover?’ Sure enough, as guitarist/singer Eddie Hotaling belted out the lyrics, you knew the story. After the high energy and upbeat lyrics of “Something Good,” bassist Jeff Picarazzi sang lead on Leo Sayer’s “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing.” With a new album coming down the road, and a crowd that was getting down from start to finish, Glass Pony has a lot more music in store.

Setlist: Maximus > Morning Glory, North Bound (unfinished) -> Something Good, Check it Again, You Make Me Feel Like Dancing -> Daydream (unfinished) > House on the Hill, Doppler, Bottom of the Ocean

Baked Shrimp, a jam power trio from Long Island put on a prog/funk clinic. For their entire 90 minute set the band moved seamlessly through complicated chord progressions and never lost a beat or the attention of the crowd. The young trio has great potential in their three members, bassist Scott Reill, guitarist/singer Jared Cowen, and drummer Jager Soss, a doppelganger for Andy Frasco. Their festival LonCon will be held in Parksville, NY over August 27-28. Find out more details on the festival here.

Setlist: The Manatee, Numpty, Synth, The Method -> Now’s Your Moment -> The Method, Four Corners to Every Side, Orpheus, Down the Drain
July 12, 2021
Sackets Harbor Announces Summer Concert Series

The Sackets Harbor Historical Society has released their schedule for the 2021 summer concert series. Located near Lake Ontario, Sackets Harbor’s theme represents anticipation for live concerts to come back.

The name of the concert series for 2021 is “Happy To Be Together Again.” This concert series is held every summer Sunday, 3:00 to 5:00 in the Grove at the Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site. There will be bands and musicians from musical genres of country, Latin, pop and dance, jazz, Broadway, blues and bluegrass.

Sackets Harbor Summer concert series

7/11 – Bryan Brundige and His Piggly Wigglies (Swing)
7/18 – Atlas (80’s Party)
7/25 – Jess Novak Band (Country Rock)
8/1 Son BoriKua (Caribbean)
8/8 – The Bad Husband’s Band (Vintage Rock)
8/15 – The Gibson Brothers (Bluegrass)
8/22 – Ruby Shooz (50’s – 60’s)
8/29 – Double Barrel Blues Band (Rock)
9/5 – Maria DeSantis Orchestra (Big Band)

July 12, 2021
Happy Birthday Lil’ Kim!

American rapper, songwriter, actress, model, and reality TV personality Lil’ Kim (Kimberly Denise Jones) celebrates her 47th birthday today. Happy birthday to an icon who changed the female rap game!

Lil’ Kim went through many hardships in her early life. She grew up in Brooklyn, NY, and during high school, she was kicked out of her father’s home and had to live on the streets. When she bet Biggie Smalls as a teenager, her life changed forever. He quickly became her mentor as well as her lover, and he got her into the Brooklyn-based rap group, Junior M.A.F.I.A. which jumpstarted her musical career. Lil’ Kim’s popularity heightened as a member of Junior M.A.F.I.A., and after their first album was released, she began working on her solo material.

A year before Biggie Small’s tragic death, she released her debut studio album, Hard Core, in 1996. Hard Core was certified double platinum and sold more than six million copies worldwide. The album’s debut was the most successful for a female rapper at that time. “No Time” was the leading single on the album, reaching the number one spot on the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks chart.

Her second and third albums, The Notorious K.I.M. (2000) and La Bella Mafia (2003) were also certified platinum. Soon after The Notorious K.I.M. was released, she worked with Christina Aguilera, Pink, and Mya to create the hit single, “Lady Marmalade” for the Moulin Rouge! film soundtrack. The track was number one on the Billboard charts for five weeks straight. This song was out of Lil’ Kim’s comfort zone, and it led her to gain admiration from other fanbases, excelling her rap/R&B career even further. “Lady Marmalade” also won Lil’ Kim her first Grammy award.

La Bella Mafia included collaborations with Missy Elliott and 50 Cent, and was produced with help from Timbaland and Kanye West. At the time of its release, Missy Elliott was the only other female rapper with three platinum albums.

In 2005, Lil’ Kim was sentenced to a year and a day in jail, along with a $50,000 fine for perjury and conspiracy for lying to a federal grand jury after getting herself into a sticky situation involving her rival, Foxy Brown. Her time in jail was spent writing new music, and her fourth studio album, The Naked Truth, was released when she was still behind bars. Since she had no way of promoting her album, it did not sell quite as well as her first three albums, however critics know this vulnerable and hard-hitting album as the best female rap album to exist. It was also the first female rap album to receive a 5 mic rating from The Source.

After serving her time, Lil’ Kim decided to break off from Atlantic Records to release her music independently. She made appearances on Dancing With the Stars and produced two mixtapes, Ms. G.O.A.T. (2008) and Black Friday (2011). More recently, in 2019, Lil’ Kim released 9, a full-length studio album. During the first week of its release, it charted on the hip hop/R&B and rap album sales. It features artists such as City Girls, Rick Ross, O.T. Genesis, and Rich the Kid.

Lil’ Kim has earned her title of the Queen of Rap. Her aggressive lyrics have been transformative for the rap world as well as for inspiring all females to empower themselves and one another. Although she is now 47 years old, her career is far from over. She has said recently that she is continuing collaboration with artists such as Missy Elliott, City Girls, and Paris Hilton. The public can only imagine what epic content will come from her as she ages and gains knowledge and wisdom. Happy birthday to an incredibly important musician, Lil’ Kim!

July 11, 2021
NBT Bank Summer Concert Series in Norwich Kicks Off

It’s been almost two years since the last free Thursday concert of the NBT Bank Summer Concert Series was held at East Park in Norwich, but the long wait has come to an end. On Thursday, July 15th Asleep at the Wheel will throw the door open on what promises to be the best free summer concert series anywhere in upstate New York. With COVID-19, restrictions eased everyone can come to enjoy world-class musicians every Thursday until August 26th.

All the shows start at 7:00 P.M. The shows are rain or shine, so come prepared to enjoy yourself no matter the weather. If conditions make it unsafe for the artists to perform we will post an announcement on social media by noon on the day of the show about an alternate location.

Every week will be a summer highlight with the likes of Texas swing legends Asleep at the Wheel, New Orleans jazz ensemble Tuba Skinny and Blues Music Award Artist of the Year winner Shemekia Copeland among those on the bill.

The return of the popular concerts means the return of the equally popular vendors who sell food at the shows. Ray Brothers BBQ, Hubcaps Munchies, Nina’s Pizza, and Gilligan’s Ice Cream will all be on-site so come down early and make it a great summer’s evening. If you need a beverage or some table service food Park Place restaurant will have its popular beer garden open again this year also.

Directions to the Norwich Summer Concert series can be found here. The lineup for events include the following for the summer series

Thursday, July 15, 2021
Asleep at the Wheel

Thursday, July 22, 2021
The Garcia Project

Thursday, July 29, 2021
Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience

Thursday, August 5, 2021
Shinyribs

Thursday, August 12, 2021
Tuba Skinny

Thursday, August 19, 2021
Shemekia Copeland

Thursday, August 26, 2021
National Reserve

July 11, 2021
Timbre Coup Has ‘Sudden Urge’ To Release a New LP
Timbre Coup has long been an Albany band with a heavy following and an energetic fanbase. Ahead of their long awaited fourth studio album, Sudden Urge, the first in almost 10 years, Timbre Coup put on a release party at Putnam Place in Saratoga Springs on Friday, June 25.

With a full night ahead of them, the band started strong weaving heavy guitar riffs with blasting bass lines. The first set was comprised mostly of their new album, playing it almost in its entirety.

The second set brought back a lot of fan favorites, bringing back a slew of tunes from their album, Knuckles and Valleys. An incredible cover of “Give It To Me Baby” ended an incredible night. Not known for playing covers, this was a real treat.

Set 1: Verbal Kint, Running Always, Mustache, Sudden Urge, Z#, Loaftones, Chupacabra, Snoop Tiger, Watching You

Set 2: Mother Nature, July, HTRAB, January, May, February, March, Give It To Me Baby
July 10, 2021
Old Westbury Gardens “Music for a Sunday Afternoon” Concert Series Returns

Old Westbury Gardens on Long Island has announced the return of the “Music for a Sunday Afternoon“ Summer Concert Series, starting this Sunday, July 11.

The series features “Artist-in-Residence” cellist Suzanne Mueller, who will present four concerts, accompanied by a roster of seasoned performers spanning the genres of classical, jazz, and folk music.

Mueller (L) with pianist Elinor Abrams Zayas

My collaborators and I are really thrilled to be returning to our musical summer home again this year. It doesn’t feel like summer without these concerts. It’s especially meaningful to me because I had to sit out the 2019 season and most of the 2018 season due to medical issues that kept me homebound and unable to play. I was really looking forward to returning last year and was crushed when we had to cancel.
Suzanne Mueller

Mueller will perform with pianist Elinor Abrams Zayas, The McCarron Bros. Jazz Quartet, classical guitarist Christopher Gotzen-Berg and folk duo Hungrytown over the course of the four Sunday shows. Each performance will bring a different flavor to Mueller’s expert cello playing and blend many genres.

Each “Music for a Sunday Afternoon” performance will begin at 3PM on the lawn at the Orchard Hill Barn (or inside the Barn in case of inclement weather or extreme heat). Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets and should also be aware that COVID-19 protocols are in effect and will be enforced on the dates of the concerts. The Old Westbury Gardens are a scenic and beloved venue for both audiences and performers alike.

Old Westbury Gardens, photo via their website

Whether outdoors in a bucolic setting, or indoors, in the event of inclement weather, it has been a special time playing in such a beautiful setting, with very appreciative audiences in attendance. There’s something transformative about playing in Nature, listening to birds singing along with the music, and being surrounded by beautiful gardens and plantings. It puts all involved, performers and audience, into a peaceful state of being.
Elinor Abrams Zayas

More information about “Music on a Sunday Afternoon” can be found on Old Westbury Garden’s website. The full schedule is listed below.

Performance Schedule:
1. July 11 (3PM): CROSS ISLAND—Suzanne Mueller, cellist; Elinor Abrams Zayas, pianist
2. July 18 (3PM): The McCarron Bros. Jazz Quartet with Suzanne Mueller, Cello—Paul Carlon, saxophone; Mark McCarron, guitar; Trifon Dimitrov, bass; Arei Sekiguchi, drums; and Suzanne Mueller, cellist
3. July 25 (3PM): Gotzen-Berg and Mueller—Christopher Gotzen-Berg, guitarist; Suzanne Mueller, cellist (debut performance as a duo)
4. August 1 (3PM): Hungrytown with Suzanne Mueller, Cello—with husband and wife folk duo, Rebecca Hall and Ken Anderson, accompanied by Suzanne Mueller, cellist

July 10, 2021
In Focus: Soule Monde and Victory Soul Orchestra at Alive at 5
For the second week of the City of Albany’s Alive at 5 concert series, funk was on the lineup and Soule Monde and company delivered. Moving to the rain location at the boat lunch under 787, the night started on time with Victory Soul Orchestra, who have been on the rise over the last year with memorable streams and now, live performances.

Headlining Alive at 5 tonight was Soule Monde, featuring Russ Lawton and Ray Paczkowski from Trey Anastasio Band. The drums and keys duo sounds more like a full band and got the ample crowd up and moving. Deep funky Afrobeat influenced rhythms framed much of the performance, one that paused for 15 minutes following the song seen below, and then continued until the 8pm curfew.

Alive at 5 returns next week with Amy Helm headlining, and The Sea The Sea opening the night.
July 9, 2021
Fitz and The Tantrums Bring the Heat to Buffalo
Multi-platinum artists Fitz and The Tantrums made a summer tour stop at Artpark in Lewiston on July 6.

Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

Alternative band Colony House kicked off the night in an upbeat fashion. The opening act consisted of Caleb Chapman, Will Chapman, Scott Mills, and Parke Cottrell. Popular singles “Silhouettes” and “You Know It” brought the energy to everyone at Artpark.

Fitz and the Tantrums later took the stage and steamrolled the crowd instantly. Their liveliness and distinct stage presence made everyone get up on their feet. They opened their set with the throwback song “Don’t Gotta Work It Out” from their 2010 album.

Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

The LA-based band is composed of Michael “Fitz” Fitzpatrick (vocals), Noelle Scaggs (vocals), James King (saxophone, flute), Jeremy Ruzumna (keyboards), Joseph Karnes (bass), and John Wicks (drums, percussion). This dynamic group is able to match each other’s intensity on the stage while also keeping the crowd engaged.

The band played songs from their recently released, fourth full length album ALL THE FEELS. This included their well-known hits “123456” and “I Just Wanna Shine.” Additionally, other songs that proved to be crowd favorites were “Out of My League,” and “Fool.” Throughout the night Fitz shared how excited he was to be back singing with a crowd again. Everyone from those on stage, to the crew, to the folks on the lawn, were absorbed in this feeling so many have missed. As Fitz has said, “It’s great to be back!”

Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

With a roaring crowd, Fitz and the Tantrums performed their RIAA-certified 2x Platinum single “HandClap” for the encore. After, they finished off the performance with songs “All the Feels” and “The Walker.” Many left the show dancing down the streets as everyone was ready for more.

Artpark has much more in store for the rest of the summer with Lettuce performing on July 14 and a Bright Eyes show on July 27.
July 9, 2021

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