NYS Music 202​1

Category: News

  • John Oates and Saxsquatch Team Up To Reimagine “Maneater”

    John Oates, one half of the iconic New York based duo Hall & Oates, has teamed up with viral sax player Saxsquatch to reimagine the chart-topping hit “Maneater” as an electro-jazz fusion.

    John Oates Maneater

    The song was accompanied by a video released on Monstercat which see’s both artist revisit their hometowns of Nashville, Tennessee and deep with in a rainforest. The video then quickly pivots to an animated psychedelic experience, interlacing live action footage and animation throughout. “Maneater” was released in preparation for Oates Song Fest 7908, a charity livestream benefitting Feeding America hosted by John Oates and Saxsquatch.

    I like music that gets people’s big feet tapping along. It’s been a tough year for everyone. We could all use music and stories that help us dance and feel less alone. I know a lot about feeling alone

    Saxsquatch, Musican

    John Oates is not only just a part of Hall & Oates, but a well accomplished artist on his own. He is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, The American Songwriters Hall of Fame, recipient of the prestigious BMI Icon Award as well as numerous American Music, MTV awards, and multiple Grammy nominations. Since forming his legendary pop duo with Daryl Hall in the early 1970s, they have gone on to record 21 albums, which have sold over 80 million units, making them the most successful duo in rock history. 

    Saxsquatch is one of the biggest live streaming musicians in the US, with 300k weekly views, and Facebook’s #1 recurring music show, ‘Live From the Woods’. His usual blend of saxophone, electronic music, and Bigfoot folklore has catapulted him to viral fame, earning 1.5M followers and recognition from instrumentalists around the world.

  • Bike Tour Fundraiser to Support Watertown’s Stage Notes

    With venues and small businesses facing financial strain due to the COVID-19 pandemic, innovative ideas have been keeping the lights. One such idea comes from lighting designer and electrician Chris Stowell, who has announced plans for an East Coast bike tour to help raise money for Stage Notes theatre company in Watertown, NY.

    Stage Notes

    An original member of Stage Notes, Stowell’s appreciation for theatre turned into a profession. Founded in 2009 and a staple of Watertown, Stage Notes has produced fourteen musicals and donated $50,000 to local organizations. Knowing what they have done for the community, it was an easy decision for Stowell to do the tour down the East Coast to ensure that Stage Notes can continue to harbor young thespians.

    The bike tour was something Stowell had always wanted to do but Stage Notes gave him a reason and a purpose to do it. With so many theatres losing money due to the pandemic, he realized this would be a perfect opportunity to raise money. The local theatre company provides an enriching, non-competitive environment in which students can further develop an appreciation for musical theatre. 

    Stage Notes

    The fundraiser bike tour will run for 3,000 miles and kicks off on April 1, 2021. Stowell will be taking donations for the theatre company and is happy to accept any amount. For every $1 donated Stowell will let the person give him a song recommendation for him to add to his playlist. He’ll be listening to this playlist throughout the tour. People who donate $5 can send him 6 songs. 

    Stage Notes Chris stowell
    Chris Stowell

    People can follow Chris Stowell’s tour and donate here on his website or follow his other socials on Instagram and Twitter at chrisonbiketour. People can also make donations directly to Stage Notes on their website and get more information on their past performances.

  • Pigeons Playing Ping Pong Announce Five Summer Dates, Starting in Lafayette, NY

    Pigeons Playing Ping Pong announces a five show summer tour running through both June and July across multiple states. The tour will start on June 18, 2021 in New York and end on July 16, 2021 in New Hampshire. 

    Pigeons Playing Ping Pong are a funk band from Baltimore, Maryland that started back in 2009. The lineup is currently made up of Greg Ormont on vocals and guitar, Jeremy Schon on guitar and vocals, Ben Carrey on bass and vocals and Alex Petropulos on drums. They released their first album back in 2010 titled Funk E P. They currently have five studio albums with their most recent album titled Presto was released in 2020.

    The tour will start in Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards in Lafayette, New York and will host shows on both June 18 and 19. The band will make it’s next stop on June 26 for a show at Westville Music Bowl in New Haven, Connecticut. They will move on with the tour and on July 10th they will stop at Devils Backbone Brewing Company in Roseland, Virginia. The five show tour will wrap up on July 16 in Northlands in Swanzey, New Hampshire. 

    Pigeons Playing Ping Pong Livel (L-R): Jeremy Schon (Guitar), Alex Petropulos (Drums) “Scrambled Greg” Ormont (Vocals/Guitar), Ben Carrey (Bass). Photo: Kendall McCargo

    All the events will require attendees to be seated in socially distant pods. All shows will adhere to all state and local guidelines regarding masks and social distancing. They will be one of the first few bands to perform at the recently constructed Westville Music Bowl which is the fourth stop on their tour which was formerly home of the Pilot Pen Tennis Tournament. Their last stop on the tour at Northlands (Formerly Drive-In Live) in Swanzey was originally a drive-in theatre. The owners transformed the scenic, mountainside location into a thriving, pod-style concert field. Northlands also expanded the operation, promising “food trucks, beer and wine, improved sound and lights, and much more…”.

    An artist pre-sale will commence on Wednesday, March 17th at 12 PM ET, followed by a public on sale on Friday, March 19th at 12 PM ET here.

    With live music being halted for so long due to COVID-19, the news of live summer tours taking place this summer is exciting and gives hope that soon regular live music can become a reality again. For more information on Pigeons Playing Ping Pong and their upcoming summer tour visit their website.

  • The Apollo Theater Returns With Spring Events

    The legendary Apollo Theater revealed its Spring 2021 programming and virtual events which includes the return of their highly favored programs.

    The Apollo Theater

    On Saturday March 20 and Sunday March 21 the Apollo Theater presents the fifth bi-annual WOW (Women Of the World) festival in collaboration with the WOW Foundation. The theme for this year’s festival is “Black Women Transcending” and will consist of panels, workshops, performances and speakers. Some of the famous participants are awarding-winning actress Aunjanue Ellis, writer and activist Nikki Giovanni, co-host of The Talk and writer Elaine Welteroth and more. WOW: Teen Summit is also a part of the agenda focusing gender politics and its impacts on girls and women of color globally.

    The Apollo Theater located in Harlem is a staple in Black entertainment and for the Black community. It was one of the first and few non segregated theaters that provided opportunities for Black performers in the 1930s. Their renowned contest Amateur Night began in 1934 where many legends and notorious artists began and launched their careers.

    Some of the legends who began or performed at The Apollo are Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Gladys Knight and more. The Apollo is built on the foundation of music including genres like jazz, gospel, hip-hop, R&B, soul and more. However, its programming extends to different art forms such as dance, theater, and spoken word.

    The Apollo is a non-profit presenter of different art forms and commissioner as they produce festivals, musical and dance works through initiatives dedicated to projecting the African American narrative. In 2019 they announced their first Master Artist-in-Residence with Ta-Naheisi Coates with a theatrical adaptation of his novel Between the World and Me. They are involved in many multidisciplinary collaborations with various organizations, some of which are featured in their programming for this Spring. 

    More events are taking place for the spring programming. The Apollo Comedy Club: A Look Back on Laughter on April 2, celebrates the past comedic talents at the theater, features new upcoming comedians and is presented in partnership with Def Jam producer Bob Sumner. On April 3 Roc Nation’s sibling band Infinity Song performs for Apollo Music Cafe.The Apollo Education Career Panel called Cinematography – Shifting the Looking Glass takes place on April 20.

    Another Apollo Education Career Panel, FootPrint- Design and Creativity in Sneaker Culture, happens on May 6. Finally, on May 20 Apollo Film Presents: ImageNation’s Cocktails & Sol Cinema is a collaboration with Harlem based company ImageNation, screening of Pan-African films with a reception consisting of a live performance or DJ and followed by a talkback.

    Tickets and more information regarding these events are available on The Apollo Theater’s website.

  • Live Jazz is Making a Comeback at The Terrace at Delaware Park

    The pandemic has caused an immense amount of hardships that swept over the world. Both individual livelihood and business establishments alike have had to deal with these dilemmas. The Terrace at Delaware Park has had to delve into its own resourcefulness to ride out this past year. 

    The Terrace
    The Terrace at Delaware Park

    Located at the historic Marcy Casino building at Delaware Park and Hoyt Lake, The Terrace has experienced various closings and reopening since March 2020. The establishment in Buffalo has altered seating arrangements and event rooms in order to meet COVID-19 regulations. 

    This March, JazzBuffalo is partnering with The Terrace again to help out during this tough time. Jazz events are set to accompany dinner and brunch. Last week Saranaide and Banjo Juice Trio performed outstandingly at The Terrace. Two more performances are set to take place from Mary Ramsey and Inga Yanoski and Carina & The Six String Preacher.  

    A Celtic Brunch with Mary Ramsey & Inga Yanoski

    The Terrace

    Sunday, March 21 @ 11:30 am – 3:00 pm at The Terrace at Delaware Park

    Come to the Pan-Am Room for a St. Patty’s Day Brunch! JazzBuffalo is partnering with The Terrace to bring “A Celtic Brunch.” This event will feature Mary Ramsey, a lead singer, and violist for the 10,000 Maniacs, as well as violinist Inga Yanoski. Inga has toured with 10,000 Maniacs, is a member of the band The Bards, and performs with the BPO. Music performances will be held from 12 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. The cost is $10 per person plus food and beverage purchase.

    Dinner Jazz with Carina & The Six String Preacher

    The Terrace

    Friday, March 26 @ 6:30 pm – 10:00 pm at The Terrace at Delaware Park

    On this date, The Terrace is conducting dinner jazz at this scenic location. Look to reserve a table for dinner overlooking Hoyt Lake and Delaware Park. Carina & The Six String Preacher blend jazz, Latin, and pop to create their signature sound. The cost is $10 per person plus a dinner bill with a $25 minimum.

    Call The Terrace at 716-886-0089 or visit them online to make reservations.

  • The LEGO Group Announces Search for a Kid Creative Director

    The LEGO Group has announced it’s search for a Kid Creative Director for its new Kids Creative Studio. The Kids Creative Studio will be a platform for kids to show their art, their LEGO bricks creations, producing their own music videos expressing their personal style. The Kid Creative Director would join the creative team in the Kids Creative Studio. It would be led by kids and focused on showcasing and inspiring kids across the globe. This position would be great for a child who might have a passion for music and LEGO.

    LEGO

    The role of Kid Creative Director is open to children aged 7-17. The child chosen will also get $10,000 to use towards their creative and educational endeavors. The child who wins the Kid Creative Director will join a team of well-known kid creators who make up the Kids Creative Studio, along with creative professionals from the LEGO Group and Universal Music Group.  Using LEGO VIDIYO™ and other creative tools, the studio will produce music videos, engaging content and a commercial that will launch this summer.

    The Kids Creative Studio was inspired by LEGO VIDIYO which is a platform on LEGO’s websites which gives playful and innovative music video maker experience to kids where they can design and celebrate kids creativity and passion for music.

    Amanda Madore who is the senior brand relations manager at LEGO Systems, Inc wrote in the press release saying, “We’re thrilled to be able to empower kids to keep doing what they’ve been doing the last year and truly honor this creativity. We’ve seen the ways kids are reimagining play and the innovative ways they interact with their peers. We believe now is the perfect time to celebrate this creativity by turning over the creative reins to them, recognizing and rewarding kids for being the true creative superstars they are.”

    Parents of kids ages 7-17 can apply by submitting a video of their child showing off their creative skills. Creative submissions are open to interpretation and the imagination of the individual but a parent or guardian must submit approval for the application. Submissions will be accepted from March 12 at 8am ET through April 19.

    For more information visit the LEGO Kids Creative Studio website.

  • Albany Symphony Wins Second GRAMMY Award

    This past Sunday, the 63rd Annual GRAMMY Awards announced their winners which included the Albany Symphony. The ASO, conducted by David Alan Miller, won the Best Classical Instrumental Solo for Christopher Theofanidis‘ Concerto for Viola and Chamber Orchestra

    Albany Symphony Grammy

    The Concerto for Viola and Chamber Orchestra was originally written for Kim Kashkashian. She sent Theofanidis a collection of Navajo poems that were wildly different in character, but had in common a supernatural sense of nature and an extremely evocative vocabulary. Each of the four movements is serious in sentiment, in turns lyrical and dramatic. Theofanidis wrote this work during the tragedy and turmoil of 9/11, starting the piece before and finishing it afterward, and was influenced by being in midtown Manhattan that day.  

    Albany Symphony Grammy
    Portrait of Theofanidis

    This is the second GRAMMY win for the Albany Symphony. The first came in 2013 for John Corigliano’s Conjurer with world-famous percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie

    For a full list of winners of the 63 Annual GRAMMY Awards visit their website.

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

  • 63rd Annual GRAMMY Award Winners include Lady Gaga, Fiona Apple, Albany Symphony Orchestra and more New York Artists

    The 63rd Annual GRAMMY Awards announced winners on March 14, 2021, including many artists who hail from the state of New York, among them Fiona Apple, the Albany Symphony Orchestra, The Strokes, Nas, and many more. 

    GRAMMY

    This year’s GRAMMY Awards were hosted by Trevor Noah for the first time. It also hosted performances from Bad Bunny, Black Pumas, Cardi B, BTS, Brandi Carlile, DaBaby, Doja Cat, Billie Eilish, Mickey Guyton, HAIM, Brittany Howard, Miranda Lambert, Lil Baby, Dua Lipa, Tamika D. Mallory, Chris Martin, John Mayer, Megan Thee Stallion, Maren Morris, Post Malone, Roddy Ricch, Harry Styles, and Taylor Swift.

    Some of the most anticipated categories are in the General Field. The 63rd GRAMMY Awards Record Of The Year was won by Billie Eilish for “Everything I Wanted.” Album Of The Year was won by Tayor Swift for her album FOLKLORE. Song Of The Year was won by Dernst Emile II, H.E.R. & Tiara Thomas for “I Can’t Breathe.” Best New Artist was won by Megan Thee Stallion – watch her perform on Saturday Night Live earlier this season.

    New York had a couple of big wins in this year’s award show. Some of those big wins included Lady Gaga with Ariana Grande winning Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for Rain On Me. Fiona Apple won two Grammys, one for Best Rock Performance for “SHAMEIKA” and for Best Alternative Music Album for her album Fetch The Bolt Cutters. The Strokes won Best Rock Album for The New Abnormal.

    Nas won Best Rap Album for King’s Disease. Concerto for Viola and Chamber Orchestra by Richard O’Neill and David Alan Miller, conductor for the Albany Symphony Orchestra won the Best Classical Instrumental Solo for THEOFANIDIS. Song Of The Year honors went to Dernst Emile II, H.E.R. & Tiara Thomas, songwriters (H.E.R.) for “I Can’t Breathe.”

    For a full list of winners of the 63 Annual GRAMMY Awards visit their website.

    The 63rd GRAMMY Awards reviews recordings released between September 1, 2019, and August 31, 2020 which were eligible for this year’s nomination. There are 83 categories artists were nominated in, among them, Pop, Dance/ Electronic Music, Contemporary Instrumental Music, Rock, Alternative, R&B, Rap, Country, New Age, Jazz, Gospel/ Contemporary Christian Music, Latin, American Roots Music, Reggae, Global Music, Children’s, Spoken Word, Comedy, Musical Theater, Music For Visual Media, Composing/ Arranging, Package, Notes, Historical , Production, Non-Classical, Production, Immersive Audio, Production, Classical, Classical, Music Video/Film. Each of these categories has sub categories as well under the main Pop category like Best Pop Solo Performance, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album, and Best Pop Vocal Album. 

  • Flushing Town Hall announce their Jazz-packed tribute for Women’s History Month

    Flushing Town Hall has announced their Jazz-packed tribute for Women’s History Month. The tribute will take place on March 26, 2021 7PM EST and is being called “Songbirds,” a virtual tribute to Minnie Riperton, Shirley Horn, and Joni Mitchell by the Mala Waldron Quartet. 

    Women's History Month

    Flushing Town Hall is known particularly for its long history of presenting strong jazz programming. It has been able to expand its audience across the globe through virtual programming since the COVID-19 pandemic closed its doors one year ago, like most music venues around the world. Although audiences are still not permitted into the venue, local performers are now slowly being able to return to the stage for live-streamed performances. The cultural nonprofit also has increased its collaboration with other performance venues to bring additional programming to its fans.

    The Mala Waldron Quartet features Mala Waldron who is a pianist and vocalist who has a unique technical alacrity and sensitivity that isn’t widely known. She is the daughter of Jazz Icon Mal Waldron. She has performed all over the world at prestigious music festivals including in Belgium, Russia, Belarus & China, Taiwan and Malaysia. Waldron has performed on some of NYC’s most prestigious stages, including the Iridium Jazz Club, the Blue Note, and the Jazz Standard, and at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage. The rest of the quartet is made up of Steve Salerno on guitar, Michael T.A. Thompson on drums and Gene Torres and bass. They will perform “Songbirds”—a beautiful journey into a not-so-distant past made popular by Minnie Riperton, Shirley Horn and Joni Mitchell. It will be filled with memorable music and songs. 

    The concert will be performed at Flushing Town Hall’s theatre and will be streamed live for audiences at home in celebration of  Women’s History Month. It will be available on the Flushing Town Hall’s YouTube channel. This performance is ticketed performance and requires a prior purchase of $5.00, plus a $1.00 convenience fee to view the performance online. Audience members can submit questions at any time during the performance for a live Q&A which will be moderated by Flushing Town Hall’s Jazz Producer Clyde Bullard after the show. 

    For more information on Flushing Town Hall tribute to Women’s History Month visit their website.

  • Wu Tang Clan To Issue Extremely Limited Photobook

    The lives and times of the Wu Tang Clan has been chronicled heavily (deservedly so) throughout their existence. Beginning with their own personal accounts in their music, to feature interviews, documentaries, tv series and now, an exclusive Wu Tang Clan photobook will share rare and never seen before images of the rap phenoms. With photography from the likes of; Danny Hastings, PROTIM PHOTO, Kyle Christie and Andy Cantillon, as well as friends and family of the Clan.

    Titled Wu Tang Clan: LEGACY, this large format photography book features more than 300 pages of images and comes encased in a 400-pound sculpted chamber.

    “From conception to the present day, this is the story of the undisputed greatest hip-hop group of all time being unveiled through rare and never before seen photos,” said John “Mook” Gibbons, CEO of Wu-Tang Clan Management, in an official statement. 

    According to the book’s official website, only 36 editions will be made available for purchase, and each comes signed, dated and numbered and with a certificate of authenticity. 

    Each book will be printed and bound in Italian leather and will come encased in a bronze-encrusted black steel chamber individually designed by sculptor Gethin Jones. The design was inspired by the bronze ritual bowls from the Zhou Dynasty, an ancient period considered the pinnacle of Chinese bronzeware crafting, and its first ruler was King Wu-Wang. This comes as no surprise as the Clan’s music — specifically RZA’s production – was heavily influenced by Asian martial arts, beliefs and overall culture. Even the 36 copies being produced serves as an ode to their first album tittle (36 Chambers) and the numerological significance of there being 36 chambers in a Shaolin Temple.

    For more information on how to purchase and own what is sure to be a rare collector’s item, click here. 

    Wu Tang Clan photobook