Hailing from Verona, NY, Fritz’s Polka Band has released their 20th recording, The Hands of Time, on October 1, 2021. Recorded at SubCat Studios in Syracuse, the new album features 11 original tunes features appearances by Utica blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa and drummer Deen Castronovo, and a cover of Jimi Hendrix’s “All Along the Watchtower.”
Fritz’s Polka Band (FPB) was formed in 1978 by lead accordionist, the late Fred Scherz Sr. and his eight-year old son, Fritz, for whom the band was named. Despite Fred’s death in November 2009, Fritz’s Polka Band has vowed to carry on his legacy, playing everything from modern-style polka to country, rock and even blues.
Performing an eclectic mix of musical styles, Fritz’s Polka Band is not an oom-pa-pa band or a stereotypical “polka” band, but rather broke the stereotype regarding Polka music, performing at Woodstock ’99, and was inducted into the Syracuse Area Music Hall of Fame in 2010.
The first ever gig for Fritz’s Polka Band on October 14, 1978, at Beck’s Grove in Rome, NY. Via FSB Facebook page.
Songs on the album fit the mold of a Polka band, with titles “Chicken Wing Breakdown,” “Hey!,” “Come Home Safe” and “Oktoberfest Is Here Again.” Notably, the late Fred Scherz Sr. is featured, alongside Joey Miskulin, on “Tommy’s Lendler.” Fritz told the Utica Observer-Dispatch “One special guest I’m extra excited about is my son, Freddy, who’s just 7 years old. He played so nicely on a Swiss tune that his grandpa – my Dad – Fred wrote!”
I’m so thrilled this recording has finally been released. My band has been playing some of the tunes that appear on this album at gigs and they’ve really been going over quite well with the various audiences we’ve played for. I think the fact that the styles of songs on this album being so eclectic is a good thing, because there’s basically a tune for every mood someone might have.
If you’re in the mood for a festive, party-type song, then a song like “Oktoberfest Is Here Again” will fill that need. If you’re saddened by the loss of a loved one or close friend, then a tune like “The Hands Of Time” and/or a ballad like “I Know I Should” will resonate with you. The special guests on this album really made it extra special, too! Whether folks choose to buy the CD at a gig, via mail order and/or download, I hope they enjoy it as much as my band enjoyed recording it!”
Fritz Scherz
FSB appears on the DVD of “The Manchurian Candidate” (2004) and had two songs – “Grandparent’s Polka” and “Here Is Fritz’s Polka Band” – included in two episodes of “Breaking Bad.” The group was nominated for a Syracuse Area Music Award (SAMMYs) for their 19th album, Hey, and in autumn 2019 were nominated for Band of the Year as well as New, Original Polka Song by the Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame. Additionally, Fritz Scherz was nominated for Musician of the Year and Button-Box: Artist or Duo awards.
You can find more info on Fritz’s Polka Band on their website and order The Hands of Time at various on-line outlets here.
Saturday Night Live returned this week with rapper Young Thug as the musical guest. Young Thug’s highly anticipated new album Punk was released in the early morning hours on Friday. Actor Rami Malek hosted the episode; Malek stars in the latest James Bond film, No Time to Die.
Photo via NBC
The episode’s cold open featured a “Message from the NFL.” Colin Jost performed as Roger Goodell, addressing coach Jon Gruden’s offensive and racist emails. The skit played on the NFL’s history of scandals. As a press conference passes through coaches like game-show contestants (they all resign, most in Twitter scandals), the joke settles in.
Malek’s opening monologue skewered his lack of comedy experience; after all, he usually plays villains. In fact, according to Malek, villains are misunderstood. Was the shark in Jaws not just hungry, after all? Malek’s self-aware humor and strong stage presence shone through. He was high-energy and charming.
Young Thug took the stage for his first televised performance since Punk’s release. Wearing a tinseled, pink leopard-print jacket, he opened with the album’s lead single “Tick Tock.” From his outfit to his energy with the band, he brought his traditional in-your-face swagger to the performance. “Tick Tock” especially benefits from a live band and drummer, elevating the laid-back trap song to a throttling punk banger. Iconic Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker jumped on the kit to support the song.
Other sketches included Bowen Yang as a vogueing, glittery spider, and a sketch where Malek competes with Pete Davidson and guest Daniel Craig in a Prince biopic. The latter plays on the late auteur’s iconic guitar licks, hollers, and thrusts. Weekend Update segment featured standout turns from Kenan Thompson and Mikey Day as an erring hypnotist and his subject.
Young Thug returned for his second track accompanied by protege Gunna and FUN! Frontman Nate Reuss. They debuted their collaboration from Punk, the syrupy love song “Love You More.” Though Travis Barker again stood out on drums, the song felt lackluster. On top of that, the performer’s energies didn’t match; while Ruess worked too hard to hype the crowd, Gunna never moved from his perch on a bright red grand piano. Though Thug’s voice sounded smooth as ever, his sweeping new project has stronger tracks.
Henry Rollins has lived many lives to say the least. His “Good To See You” 2022 Tour will recount the events of his life in the brief pre-COVID-19 period since the last tour as well as the reality of living through a pandemic. It’s been an interesting time to say the least and he’s got some great stories to tell.
Lived many lives is completely an understatement. You may have seen his face in perhaps his own show, The Henry Rollins show which aired in 2006-2007. Or maybe his featuring on shows like Portlandia, Dreamland, or Sons of Anarchy. Or maybe you’ve heard him on TV shows like American Dad, Legend of Korra, or Adventure. Or maybe you heard his music from Black Flag or Rollins Band. It’s also possible you’ve read one of his many books that won a GRAMMY or heard his spoken word. Whatever the case may be, Henry is a well versed man.
Punk Rock icon. Spoken word poet. Actor. DJ. Is there anything this guy can’t do?
Entertainment Weekly
Rollins likes to keep his schedule packed. Perhaps this is how his autobiography won a GRAMMY because he’s just all around an interesting guy. On top of a relentless schedule full of work, with gigs as an actor, author, DJ, voice-over artist and TV show host he likes to travel too. After touring the globe with Rollins Band and Black Flag, he’s traveled alone to places such as Nepal, Sri Lanka, Siberia, North Korea, South Sudan and Iran.
Henry Rollins 2022 World Tour Dates
1/9/22 Berlin, DE Huxleys Neue Welt 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS
1/10/22 Hamburg, DE Friedrich-Ebert-Halle 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS
1/11/22 Copenhagen, DK Studie 2, DR House 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS
1/12/22 Stockholm, SE Gota Lejon 7:30 PM BUY TICKETS
1/13/22 Oslo, NO Kulturkirken Jakob 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS
1/15/22 Helsinki, FI Kultuuritalo 7:00 PM BUY TICKETS
On Saturday, October 23, Ithaca’s Hangar Theater will host a fall day to remember. Broadway Jazz Star Julie Benko will headline the day’s festivities. She was awarded the Gold Metal and Johnny Mercer award at the 2017 American Tradition vocal Competition as well as the Wilde Award for best leading actress in a musical as Girl in Once. Julie Benko said “I think this is for everyone to enjoy ,it draws from the entertainment of the Broadway world, the vibrancy of the hot jazz tradition and the emotional vulnerability of theater.
The music will be handled by accompanist Jeff Theiss, with a very appropriate October vibe as Jeff was the musical director for the romantic story of “Ghost the Musical” at The Merry-go Round Playhouse on Owasco Lake. Julie’s voice, who has been part of the 85th Academy Awards and the 70th Academy Award ceremonies, will carry soft across Cayuga Lake next Saturday evening. She just welcomed a new cat into her family named Thelonius Monk. Musical chameleon Benko said “I want the listener to know exactly where they are and feel like they have been dropped in the middle of a scene”.
The scene at The Hangar Theater on October 23 will be fitting for you to win best costume by dressing as your favorite musical character. On July 11, 1975, the Hangar Theatre opened with Man of La Mancha, thanks to more than a decade’s effort by impassioned citizens in Ithaca. So this week put the same craft in planning your Saturday nights look. You will have chances to win many getaway evenings at Williams Henry Miller Inn, Firelight Camps, and Cayuga Lake Cottage. You can board the Cayuga Lake Boat Cruise. A pair of tickets to a show at The Hangar and State Theater will also be experienced in “Gorges” Ithaca and more.
The show will be held on the heated outdoor stage for one more Saturday night October 23rd 2021. Arrive by 3PM to begin with drinks and hors d’oeuvres. 3:30 will be the Hangar news welcome. Julie Benko will perform songs from beloved musicals, classic and contemporary performances from 4:00 to 4:40. By 5 PM the evening’s best musical costume winner shall be crowned and Summer 2022 special announcements.
Hangar artistic director Shirley Serotsky said “We hope to have your support in increasing access to arts education programming for all young people, allowing them the opportunity to express their most authentic and joyful selves through theatre, storytelling and movement. The funds we raise will help enhance the experiences of young artists and their ability to pursue their best paths”
Get tickets to the event on Saturday October 23rd at the Hangar Theater, starting at 3 PM, here
Béla Fleck has announced the My Bluegrass Heart album celebration show at Carnegie Hall in NYC. The show will take place on January 9, 2022 and will feature big names in Chris Thile and Billy Strings, Jerry Douglas, and many more.
My Bluegrass Heart is the third album in Béla Fleck’s trilogy that began with 1988’s Drive and continued in 1999 with The Bluegrass Sessions. Produced and written by Fleck, My Bluegrass Heart continues the tradition of sharing music between generations. The album debuted at number one on the Bluegrass Album Chart and number three on the American / Folk Album Chart.
Béla Fleck who was born and raised in New York City spoke on the upcoming concert saying, “Calling something the ‘concert of a lifetime’ sure sounds like hype, and in many cases it would be. But not this time! At least for my world and my music, this is an unprecedented opportunity to bring some of the brightest instrumental lights in bluegrass—or any other music for that matter—to the incredible Carnegie Hall stage.”
The show will feature artists like Chris Thile and Billy Strings, the legendary Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, Edgar Meyer and Stuart Duncan, as well as members of the next wave of virtuoso players, Sierra Hull, Molly Tuttle and Michael Cleveland.
The show is part of the Béla Fleck: My Bluegrass Heart Tour. Tickets are on sale now for the show and can be purchased here.
For more information on Béla Fleck and his new album My Bluegrass Heart celebration show at Carnegie Hall, visit his website.
Full Béla Fleck: My Bluegrass Heart Tour Lineup bellow:
11.27 Grand Rapids, MI // DeVos Performance Hall
11.28 Fort Wayne, IN // Clyde Theatre
11.29 Milwaukee, WI // Riverside Theater
12.01 St. Louis, MO // The Sheldon Concert Hall
12.02 Des Moines, IA // Hoyt Sherman Place
12.03 Salina, KS // The Stiefel Theatre
12.04 Denver, CO // Paramount Theatre*
12.05 Jackson, WY // Center For The Arts
12.07 Portland, OR // Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
12.08 Seattle, WA // Paramount Theatre*
12.09 Eugene, OR // Jaqua Concert Hall – 2 shows!
12.10 Redding, CA // The Cascade Theatre*
12.11 Reno, NV // Silver Legacy Resort Casino
12.12 Berkeley, CA // The UC Theatre
12.13 Carmel, CA // Sunset Cultural Center
12.14 Costa Mesa, CA // Segerstrom Center for the Arts
12.16 San Diego, CA // Balboa Theatre
12.17 Los Angeles, CA // Theater at the ACE Hotel
12.18 Tempe, AZ // Tempe Center for the Arts
12.19 Tucson, AZ // Fox Tucson Theatre
1.7.22 Ryman Auditorium // Nashville, TN – SOLD OUT
1.9.22 Carnegie Hall, NYC
Featuring Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer, & Bryan Sutton
* = Béla Fleck, Sam Bush, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer, Bryan Sutton
Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh is making up for lost time from last year with an essential October residency at the legendary Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY. Three different Phil & Friends lineups will perform over three different three-day spans throughout the month, with the nine-night run coming to a close on Halloween. Each lineup brings a little something different to the table, with friends both old and new joining the fray.
The first three-night run is slated for October 11-13 and is set to play host to The Phil Lesh Quintet, aka The Q, the longest running version of Phil & Friends to date. It features longtime friends John Molo on drums and Rob Barraco on keys as well as the guitar stylings of Warren Haynes and Jimmy Herring.
The second run is scheduled for the following week, October 18 – 20. This one will see Stuart Bogie and Amy Helm join Phil on the first and last night of the run, with Eric D. Johnson, Josh Kaufman, Elliot Peck and Phil’s son Grahame set to play on the 19th. This run will also feature Joe Russo on drums and Benmont Tench on keys.
Lastly, a three-night run leading up to Halloween is set to play host to a plethora of musical stars. This includes Nicki Bluhm, Larry Campbell, Grahame Lesh, M.C. Taylor of Hiss Messenger Service, Teresa Williams and various members of Dawes.
Start making those October plans now. Tickets can be purchased here. All patrons 12 and over must show proof of either full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours of entry.
Check out all setlists from the run so far below.
Friday, October 11
Set 1: Mason’s Children, Doin’ That Rag, The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys > So What > The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys, She Said She Said, Night of 1000 Stars
Set 2: Shakedown Street, Viola Lee Blues, New Speedway Boogie, Broken Arrow, Cryptical Envelopment > Wharf Rat > The Other One, I Know You Rider
Encore: The Real Thing
Saturday, October 12
Set 1: St. Stephen > The Eleven > Eyes of the World > Mountains of the Moon, Acadian Driftwood, The Wayfaring Stranger > Angel Band
Set 2: Uncle John’s Band > No More Do I, Bird Song, The Wheel > Terrapin Station > Morning Dew, Donor Rap
Encore: Sunshine of Your Love
Sunday, October 13
Set 1: Celebration, Not Fade Away, China Cat Sunflower, New Potato Caboose, Help on the Way > Slipknot! > Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds
Set 2: Scarlet Begonias > Fire on the Mountain > Scarlet Begonias, Unbroken Chain, Dark Star > So What, The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys, Dark Star > I Am the Walrus > Dark Star, Wharf Rat, Stella Blue > Franklin’s Tower, Donor Rap
The 2022 Hudson Jazz Festival has announced dates and themes for its 2022 celebration. The festivities will take place across two weekends on February 10-13 & 17-20, 2022 at Hudson Hall in Hudson, 45 minutes south of Albany.
The Hudson Jazz Festival aims to give a voice to artists as they respond to transformative events in our nation’s history. This year’s festival will focus on Black History Month and will be using Lift Every Voice as its theme. Held over two weekends in February which is Black History Month the festivities will feature performances, art, film, spoken word and community events. The festival hopes to honor the spirit of the unofficial Black national anthem Lift Every Voice through its celebration creating a joyous and optimistic new era of hope for equity, diversity, and inclusion.
The festival will feature six performances that include some exceptional talents. The big names include Jazzmeia Horn who is a multi-GRAMMY-nominated singer and The Baylor Project who are a multi-GRAMMY-nominated duo, GRAMMY-nominated saxophonist/composer Jimmy Greene and his quartet, and spoken-word artist, activist and TONY-nominated actor Daniel J. Watts. Some of the rising stars who may not be as well known in the line up are vocalist Alexis Morrast and acclaimed vibraphonist Warren Wolf.
Tickets to the 2022 Hudson Jazz Festival start at $25. People who are 25 and under may pre-purchase single tickets for $15 each using the discount code UNDER25. Tickets are currently on sale for members of the Hudson Hall with sales to the public opening up Friday, October 15, 2021.
For more information on the 2022 Hudson Jazz Festival and on Hudson Hall visit their website.
Coldplay and Amazon Music have teamed up for the ultimate debut two-day event in the heart of New York City. The audience will hear Music of the Spheres in a whole new light inside “The Atmospheres” – an intergalactic audio-visual experience at Vanderbilt Hall in Grand Central Terminal.
The audience will be inside the custom-built installation perfect for Coldplay’s new album, Music of the Spheres, that will be officially released October 15th which features The Spheres, the distant solar system that where each of the twelve tracks is twinned with a different planet.
“The Atmospheres” will find a worldwide audience, coming to New York as well as London, Tokyo, and Berlin. These big cities will bring you to redesigned exhibits of the alien worlds Coldplay has created.
“The Atmospheres” has also created interactive features for their fans where they can create their own alien language messages and snap selfies in an augmented reality photobooth. The jaw dropping environment will be soundtracked with the highlight album People of the Pride, mixed in Dolby Atmos to better exhibit the exclusive 360 visuals.
Coldplay fans will not be able to resist this two-day pop-up event, running from Friday, 15 October through Saturday, 16 October in London, New York, Tokyo, and Berlin. Dolby Atmos “The Atmospheres” will have their viewers perplexed and by exhibiting a new way of experiencing music in the most immersive way possible. Register for tickets here.
Orebolo, an acoustic trio featuring Goose members Rich Mitarotonda (vocals, guitar) Peter Anspach (vocals, guitar), Jeff Arevalo (upright bass) have announced a series of six winter tour dates.
In December, the trio will make stops in Upstate New York at Tarrytown Music Hall, and Homer Center for the Arts, as well as Spruce Peak Performing Arts in Stowe, followed by a three shows in Colorado in late January.
The group has built a faithful following nationwide, following a series of virtual festival appearances in 2020, and an acclaimed performance at Lockn’ Presents FRED The Festival in August 2021. Formed during the height of the initial COVID-19 surge, the members of Orebolo shared a home and found comfort in learning new covers and creatively exploring Goose’s deep catalog acoustically.
Starting this project was a source of relief for all of us, especially during such a crazy time. Our initial practice and recording space was inside our solarium – the vibe was really tranquil, and we wanted our listeners to share in that feeling. I’m stoked we have the opportunity to take this out on the road and perform in some incredible rooms.
Peter Anspach
Pre-sale tickets will be available Wednesday, October 13 at 10AM venue local time using the code ‘OREBOLO’. The general on-sale will follow on Friday, October 15 at 10AM venue local time. For more information, and to purchase tickets, visit orebolo.com.
A new archival release from the estate of Jerry Garcia highlights a series of Fall 1989 shows taking place in Hartford, CT and Uniondale, NY. Dubbed “The Long Island Sound,” the two shows recorded by John Cutler feature one set each night from Bob Weir and Rob Wasserman, along with two-set performances each night from Jerry Garcia Band.
cover art by Stanley Mouse
Released on Round Records, Fall 1989: The Long Island Sound features two complete performances with over five and a half hours of previously unreleased music from September 5th, 1989 at the Hartford Civic Center in Hartford, CT and September 6th, 1989 at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, NY.
Fall 1989: The Long Island Sound celebrates the storied East Coast 1989 run which featured acoustic duo Bob Weir and Rob Wasserman setting the stage for two nightly sets from the Jerry Garcia Band.
Recorded on a 2-track DAT and mastered by Joe Gastwirt, this collection contains audio with apparent, irremediable sonic imperfections (most notably the distortion on Jerry’s vocal during “Cats Under The Stars”) heard by all who experienced these performances in person or on tape. Despite the limitations in fidelity, the performances presented showcase timeless, transcendent and often blistering moments of pure magic.
The release features an album package including a liner note essay by Blair Jackson and archival memorabilia from the collection of Steve Parish. Pre-order the box set here.
September 5th, 1989 – Hartford Civic Center – Hartford, CT
Bob Weir & Rob Wasserman: Festival, Fever, K.C. Moan, Desolation Row, Looks Like Rain, The Winners, Victim or the Crime -> Wasserman Bass Improvisation no. 1 -> Throwing Stones
Jerry Garcia Band Set 1: Cats Under the Stars, They Love Each Other, Waiting for a Miracle, Run for the Roses, Like a Road, My Sisters and Brothers, Deal
Set 2: The Harder They Come, Mission in the Rain, Forever Young, Evangeline, Gomorrah, Don’t Let Go -> Lonesome and a Long Way From Home
September 6th, 1989 – Nassau Coliseum – Uniondale, NY
Bob Weir & Rob Wasserman: Walking Blues, City Girls -> Fever, Blackbird -> When I Paint My Masterpiece, Shade of Grey -> The Winners -> Easy to Slip -> Wasserman Bass Improvisation no. 2, Heaven Help The Fool
Jerry Garcia Band Set 1: How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You), Stop That Train, That’s What Love Will Make You Do, Mississippi Moon, I Second That Emotion, And It Stoned Me, Deal
Set 2: The Harder They Come, Dear Prudence, I Shall Be Released, Let It Rock, Evangeline, That Lucky Old Sun, Tangled Up in Blue
