NYS Music 202​1

Category: News Desk

  • Quintocracy Begins Residence At Troy Savings Bank Music Hall

    Capital Region based quintet Quintocracy has begun their new residency at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall. Their first project with the Hall is a series of four concerts featuring women composers. All performances will be broadcast live from the Music Hall stage.

    Quintocracy

    Coming together in 2019, Quintocracy was created with the goal of showing the beauty of chamber music to the masses. The group prides themselves on there unique live shows in which they instill a sense of community through their funny audience interactions. Members of Quintocracy have preformed at a wide array of New York based concert halls from the likes of Carnegie Hall to Lincoln Center. Quintocracy consists of Melanie Chirignan (Flute), Kelly Lockwood (Oboe), Michael Dee (Clarinet), Kathryn Svatek (Horn), and William Safford (Basoon).

    The Troy Saving Bank Music Hall is a historic classic music hall located in the heart of Downtown Troy. The Hall of built out of what used to be a banking office, hence The Hall’s name, and has since been host to hundreds of music acts from around the world. Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic The Hall has pivoted to offering several online concert performances, postposing all live shows until further notice.

    Schedule for Future Quintocracy Shows

    Part 2: Music for Flute and Guitar Sunday, February 14, 2021, at 3 PM, click here for the sign-up link
    Part 3: Music for Flute, Cello, and Piano Sunday, March 14, 2021, at 3 PM, click here for the sign-up link

    Part 4: Music by Katherine Hoover for woodwinds Sunday, April 18, 2021, 3 PM, click here for the sign-up link

  • LonCon to be held at Arrowhead Ranch, feat. Mihali, Aqueous, Baked Shrimp and more

    The music is starting to return… LonCon, a two-day music event to be held in the Southern Tier of New York’s scenic Catskills will feature national touring acts at the legendary Arrowhead Ranch over August 27-28, 2021.

    loncon

    Arrowhead Ranch and ElmThree Productions, in association with hosts, Baked Shrimp, will bring artists including Mihali and Aqueous, as well as two Baked Shrimp sets and other rising regional acts to LonCon.

    In 1991, music producer Bill Graham brought a vision to Arrowhead Ranch, making the summer of 199 legendary, with acts including Phish, The Band, Richie Havens, Billy Preston, Hot Tuna, Blues Traveler, Widespread Panic, and many more. 30 years later, LonCon will hold its inaugural weekend at the historic venue over Friday August 27 and Saturday August 28, 2021.

    “The event is going to be so humbling to all three of us in Baked Shrimp. Being younger and going to outdoor music concerts in the mountains has been something we’ve all been doing for much of our lives, and we’ve always dreamed that one day Baked Shrimp would do something similar and keep it going for years to come. Now that we can finally announce that we’re helping put together what will be a beautiful two-day event at such a historic venue, it’s really a dream come true. The lineup is also filled with artists who we have looked up to over the years, so we are unbelievably excited to share the stage with them.”

    Jared Cowen, Baked Shrimp

    Cowen also shared his thoughts on putting the event together in honor of Lon Conscious.

    “The Live for Lon stream was so humbling in it’s own way. Where we’re at in the world is something no one could really prepare for. When Lon left us, we had to think of a way despite these hectic times to honor his incredible legacy and spirit. The stream was the best way we could have thought to do this. The night had a true sense of community, like we were all together, Baked Shrimp, our fans, family, friends, and so many of Lon’s hundreds of friends who he meant so much to. The performers were incredible, and we were able to raise over $2,700 for a really great cause, the White Light Foundation. The stream was our way to honor Lon, to reminisce, to laugh, to cry, and everything in-between. LonCon is our way to continue the Lon Gellman legacy. LonCon is how we will make sure Lon is always remembered, and we’re brainstorming things to include over the course of the two days and hopefully make traditions.”

    Jared Cowen, Baked Shrimp

    Health and safety are the number one priority for attendees at LonCon. Promoters are dedicated to ensuring all proper COVID-19 restrictions in New York State that are in place at the time of the event are followed.

  • Westcott Community Center and Joe Driscoll Announce their Vantastic Fundraiser

    Westcott Community Center announced a fundraiser for a new van that they call the Vantastic Fundraiser. The fundraiser is being put on by Joe Driscoll and will host a variety of performances via Facebook live on February 11, 2021 from 7 pm to 9 pm EST. 

    Vantastic Fundraiser

    The Westcott Community Center is a non-profit organization based in Syracuse, New York. Their mission statement is “Investing in their community by offering essential services and engaging programming to embrace the diverse needs of all.” The center is open 9am-4:30pm Monday through Friday for various programs and activities seven days a week.

    Westcott Community Center provides over 5,000 rides every year to older adults on Syracuse’s East Side and access to services necessary to lead full and healthy lives. People are dependent on “Westcott Community Center’s United We Ride Transportation Program” which makes it so they have access to  medical appointments, pharmacies, grocery stores, banks, and the Westcott Community Center congregate meals and Basic Needs Pantry services. All this would not all be possible without reliable transportation.

    Unfortunately, it has come time for the Westcott Community Center’s 14-passenger van, which was purchased in 2003, to be replaced. The new van will cost $45,000 in total. The online music event is an attempt to help the organization raise funds to purchase a new van. The fundraiser throughout their #WestcottCCRides initiative first kicked off August 15, 2020.

    Vantastic Fundraiser

    The Vantastic Fundraiser will host performances from Joe Driscoll, William Nicholson, Billy Harrison, Jess Novak, Steve Scuteri, Riley Mahan, Larry Hoyt, Major Player, Benjamin Ellis, Colin Aberdeen, and Chris Chiesa. It can be viewed on Facebook live on both Joe Driscoll’s and Westcott Community Center’s pages on February 11, 2021 from 7 pm to 9 pm EST. Although the event is technically free, any donations to support the van would be greatly appreciated. 

    For more information on the Westcott Community Center visit their website.

  • Celebrate Valentine’s Day Weekend with Albany Symphony and Composer Tyson Davis

    Composer Tyson Davis’ commissioned orchestral work, Distances, will be Performed by the Albany Symphony on its Valentine’s Weekend “Romantic Brahms” Concert on February 13, 7:30 pm EST.

    Tyson Davis
    20-year-old Composer, Tyson Davis.

    The Albany Symphony will be performing the orchestral work titled Distances by Tyson Davis. This 20-year-old composer has been writing music since age eight and currently attends the Juilliard School of Music. Tyson Davis has composed many pieces for small ensembles and solo instruments. As a child, Davis created works as he learned the piano. The instrument awoke the creativity within him, and he knew that music would be his one and only passionate path. His love for he process of seeing things grow propelled him into the world of composition. 

    In addition to Distances, music by composers Sir William Walton and Johannes Brahms will be performed by the Albany Symphony. The event will be streamed live from Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs. There will be a pre-concert talk at 7:00 pm and a post-concert question and answer session with the artists for season subscribers.

    “I am so excited to share this program with our community, featuring three extraordinary composers just starting out on their glorious careers. We are very proud to introduce Tyson Davis and his wonderful new work. He is an immensely gifted composer. In addition, we are thrilled to present a virtually unknown major early work by Johannes Brahms, the original version of his First Serenade, in a version that simply may never have been played or heard before!  And Walton’s wildly charming, witty, surreal narrated work, “Facade,” is one of my very favorite works from the early 20th Century,“ said Music Director David Alan Miller. 

    Tyson Davis
    Composer Tyson Davis

    The Albany Symphony was founded in 1930 and is now highly acclaimed with many ASCAP and Grammy awards. David Miller, the director for 27 seasons, fostered a community of diverse musical compositions. With numerous education programs, the Albany Symphony empowers youth to tackle issues of diversity and self-expression through songwriting, improvisation, and teamwork.

    The 2020-2021 season continues through the American Music Festival in June. Concerts will be live and virtual, with the ability to purchase access online or by calling the Albany Symphony Box Office at 518-694-3300. Subscribers are also invited to attend a pre-concert chat and a post-concert, real-time “talk-back” session with guest composers, soloists, and Maestro Miller.

  • PEAK Announces Parts 3 and 4 of their ‘Live From The Studio’ Series

    PEAK announces parts 3 and 4 of their ‘Live From The Studio’ series. The series features full sets from the band and will be free and open to the public. 

    PEAK part 3 and 4

    PEAK is a Brooklyn based band that formed in 2016 with frontman and guitarist, Jeremy Hilliard, who originally went under the name before members Kito Bovenschulte (Particle) on drums, Josh T. Carter (Hayley Jane and The Primates) on bass, and newcomer-extraordinaire Johnny Young on keys joined in 2019. PEAK released their critically acclaimed debut album Electric Bouquet, produced by Dave Brandwein (Turkuaz) in 2018. The band has spent a decent amount of 2020  writing, rehearsing and recording an album in their Brooklyn studio, with hints of their sophomore album being in the works. 

    The first of PEAK’s ‘Live From The Studio Series’ started back on November 14, 2020. The second session took place on December 5, 2020. Both sessions were available on their YouTube Channel and on Jamcast. Each of the performances was a little over an hour in length and featured lots of original music from fan favorites to some straight jams. 

    The third session will take place on February 27, at 8 pm. The fourth session will take place on March 20, at 8 pm. The sets will be streamed live and for free on PEAK’s YouTube Channel and their Facebook.

    They will be accepting donations though to their virtual tip jar through Venmo @jeremy-hilliard1. People can also support the band and their efforts by visiting their Bandcamp page and checking out their audio releases. Head to their online store and pick out some PEAK merch, including new pins and T-shirts designed by the formidable Dave Vertino. 

    The shows are being supported by MKDevo, Michelle Young, and Matt Calabrese who are going to be bringing the audience a pro-shot video, multitrack audio, and light shows. 

    For more information on PEAK and their upcoming parts 3 and 4 of their ‘Live From The Studio’ series visit their website.

  • Judy Collins to Recreate 1964 Town Hall show

    Judy Collins will perform at The Town Hall in New York City, on Friday, February 12. She is recreating her debut 1964 show from the very same stage, featuring music by Bob Dylan, Tom Paxton, and Billy Ed Wheeler, among others.

    judy collins

    Collins, an award-winning singer-songwriter is known for her versions of traditional and contemporary folk standards, as well as her own poetically poignant original compositions. Her rendition of Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now” from her 1967 album, Wildflowers, has been entered into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Judy’s intimate version of “Send in the Clowns” won “Song of the Year” at the 1975 Grammy Awards, and she has garnered multiple top-ten hits and platinum-selling albums.

    Judy began her music career at 13 as a piano prodigy, but hard luck tales of folk revival music by artists such as Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger drew her away from a life as a concert pianist. This path led her towards a lifelong love affair with the guitar and pursuit of emotional truth in lyrics.

    Recently, Collins released the 2020 album Winter Stories, featuring critically-acclaimed Norwegian folk artist Jonas Fjeld, and masterful Americana band Chatham County Line. Collins was fêted by contemporary and classic artists, among them Rufus Wainwright, Shawn Colvin, Dolly Parton, Joan Baez, and Leonard Cohen, on the album Born to the Breed: A Tribute to Judy Collins.

    Speaking about her concert performance on February 12 at The Town Hall, Collins said:

    It was such a tumultuous time in the world. The Vietnam War was just rolling along, breaking into thunder and lightning and anxiety and pain. People were burning their draft boards cards, trying to get to Canada and facing up to going to Vietnam where many of them would die. Making this album and concert at The Town Hall – my very first solo appearance at one of the great concert stages in New York – was a relief and joyous event. It feels right to go back to the material and time period now with the knowledge and life lessons learned in 2020.

    Judy Collins, recalling her debut performance at The Town Hall

    Tickets are $40 and on sale now via Judy’s website.

  • Tom Kitt to Lead Virtual Masterclass at New York Youth Symphony

    The New York Youth Symphony is excited to announce Tom Kitt as the lead for a new Virtual Masterclass, taking place on February 23rd from 6 to 8:30 pm. Tom is a professional composer, arranger and orchestrater for Broadway plays such as Next to Normal and Then/If. The masterclass will feature songs written and composed by the NYYS Musical Theater Songwriting students, as performed by students from Harlem School of the Arts and the New York Film Academy

    Led by Director Anna K. Jacobs, the NYYS MTS program invites musical theater lovers to tune in live on Zoom or YouTube Live, to see Mr. Kitt share constructive feedback with students, as well as insights into his own creative and professional journey.

    Tom Kitt

    Tom Kitt has had a remarkable career in musical theater. His numerous accolades include Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2010, as well as two Tony Awards for Best Score and Best Orchestrations for Next to Normal. Tom’s most recent projects include The Visitor at the Public Theater and Flying Over Sunset at Lincoln Center Theater. Currently, Tom is a recording artist at Sony Masterworks and has begun recording his debut album, since Summer 2020.

    Tom Kitt has carved out an astonishing, singular career as a theater artist. He is deeply admired by the aspiring young composer-lyricists in our MTS program, which is why we are so thrilled to have him leading a masterclass this season.

    Anna K. Jacobs, Director

    The New York Youth Symphony is the most awarded youth program of its kind in the nation, recognized for its innovative educational programs for talented young musicians.  Founded in 1963 as an orchestra to showcase the metropolitan area’s most gifted musicians ages 12-22, its activities have since grown to encompass programs in jazz, chamber music, conducting, composition, and musical theater songwriting, with performances at world class venues including Carnegie Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and the Public Theater. Through its commissioning program, First Music, the NYYS has commissioned over 165 works from young composers since 1984.

    Registration for the Zoom webinar will open February 16.

  • Arlene’s Grocery to Livestream Benefit Concert on February 9

    Arlene’s Grocery, located on the Lower East Side, has seen many young and well known acts get their start, including Arcade Fire, Lady Gaga, Lana Del Rey and Jim Carrey. You may also recognize Arlene’s Grocery from the #SaveOurStages movement, where now Senate Majority Leader, Senator Chuck Schumer, was seen on the street showing his support for the venue.

    Due to the unfortunate circumstances that COVID-19 has left indie music venues in, without the support of live music crowds, Arlene’s Grocery is in need of funds to remain open.

    Fortunately, up and coming indie R&B/Hip-Hop artist, Versa the Band, is putting on a livestream concert benefit on February 9 at 7 PM EST to raise money for the venue. Tickets are $10 with all proceeds going to Arlene’s Grocery.

    arlene's grocery

    Arlene’s Grocery was indeed a grocery, and opened its doors in 1995 in the, then treacherous, Lower East Side. The venue’s history begins with upcoming bands that flocked to the neighborhood to experience sounds emanating from the 150-capacity room, which played host to garage rock, punk, and bohemian newcomers, including Jeff Buckley. In the late 1990s, the club branched out into the butcher shop next door and became two rooms under one roof.

    As the neighborhood gentrified around them, the Lower East Side became the hub of NYC rock. The club hired a Live Rock n’ Roll Karaoke band who became an instant hit in the city, attracting New Yorkers and tourists from all over the globe to catch a glimpse of celebrities, such as Moby, belting out AC/DC. As a handful of live music clubs pop up (and down) around the area, Arlene’s holds fast to its intention of nurturing unsigned bands; its attention to the highest quality sound; and remaining an institution in the NYC rock scene.

    Originating from Long Island, New York, Versa the Band got its start in 2019 and made it a priority to create music that was genreless; a discography for anyone to listen to, not defined in any one box. The band — which isn’t much of a band at all — describes itself as a “Music Collective” of artists who come together to collaborate with founder Ethan Felizzari.

    arlene's grocery versa the band

    Versa the Band blends alternative and hip hop with traditional pop, elements of jazz, soft rock & more. Influences include artists like Bon Iver, James Blake, Rosalía, and soul legend Sam Cooke. Sharing why this live stream benefit is important to them, and what viewers can expect from their performance, Ethan Felizzari of Versa the Band said:

    This event means the world to me. Arlene’s Grocery is by far my favorite independent music venue. It’s everything NYC underground is about. To perform here and headline our very own event all in benefit for the classic venue is just insane. The fact that we get to help out a small business during this difficult time. That’s always been so important to me coming from a family of entrepreneurs. It all starts with small business and indie venues are often forgotten. 

    The Livestream is going to be unlike any other VTB performance. I am honored to be performing with three other amazing artists who are just going to elevate this thing to a whole new level. We’ll be performing a bunch of originals and some crazy covers. Harry Styles. Ariana Grande. It’s gonna be nuts I can’t wait.

    Ethan Felizzari of Versa the Band

    Get tickets to the Tuesday, February 9 livestream, 7pm, HERE.

  • Persecuted Women of Ghanaian “Witch Camps” Release Field Recordings

    Six Degree Records has announced a new Witch Camps album, titled I’ve Forgotten Now Who I Used to Be, due for release on March 12th. The album is a collection of exceptional field recordings captured at Ghana’s “witch camps,” the isolated locations where women accused of witchcraft banded together to form a community. Premiered by the release of “Hatred Drove Me From My Home,” the album consists of a vocal/instrumental look into the lives and culture of women accused of witchcraft, held in the camps.

    Belief in witchcraft is sometimes also used as simple scapegoating for the arrival of bad luck such as foul weather or illness. More commonly, it is a justification for pre-existing hate and prejudice. A member of my own family was driven out of her village in Malawi as a child after she was accused of being a witch due to having a white father— a fate that could have been my own if our places of birth were simply swapped.

    Umuhoza Delli on persecution of women in Ghana

    GRAMMY Award-winning producer and author Ian Brennan is taking the lead in producing this project alongside his wife, Italian-Rwandan film maker, author and photographer, Marilena Umuhoza Delli. The couple has dedicated their lives to providing a platform for marginalized and underrepresented voices. This project just another important opportunity to give a platform to those who need it.

    Witch camp
    Photo Credit: Marilena Umuhoza Delli

    Consisting of 20 songs with beautiful vocals in regional dialect, and instruments created from the immediate environment, I’ve Forgotten Now Who I Used To Be is now available for preorder on Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. Listening to the preview alone, it’s incredible to see what these talented women were able to create with objects like corn-husks, tree limbs, tin cans, teapots, and a balloon leftover from a political rally.

    Six Degrees Records has shared “Love, Please” the second song to be released from I’ve Forgotten Now Who I Used to Be which arrives via Six Degrees Records on March 12.

  • Woodstock 50 Wins Damages from Main Investor who Pulled Funding After Safety Concerns in Lawsuit

    Woodstock 50 organizers won damages in a settlement from their main investor who pulled funding for the festival due to safety concerns in a lawsuit. The festival was officially cancelled back in July of 2019 after months of turmoil in its feasibility, especially after the main investor withdrew. 

    Woodstock 50

    Dentsu, a Japanese-owned advertising firm, was the main investor in the festival. They breached their contract in April of 2019 when they pulled their investment. Dentsu ended up settling their lawsuit with the Woodstock 50 organizers according to court documents obtained by Billboard on January 31, 2021. The documents showed the damages that were awarded to Woodstock 50 in October were “significantly less than what [Woodstock 50] purported to spend on attorneys’ fees.” It’s unclear exactly how much was won in the settlement. The lawsuit also accused Dentsu of tortious interference, defamation, business disparagement and conspiracy on top of breaching the contract they signed when pulling out of the investment. 

    The original dates for the festival were scheduled for August 16-18, 2019 in Watkins Glen, New York. The organizers of the festival had originally hoped for 150,000 people to attend but Watkins Glen’s capacity was reduced to 75,000 people. Dentsu withdrew $18 million of the $49 million they had already agreed to pay and pulled out over concerns with Woodstock 50’s issues behind the scenes, health/safety concerns and disputes about the capacity of the festivities. The headliners included big names like Jay-Z, Miley Cyrus, Santana, The Lumineers, Dead & Company, John Fogerty, Chance the Rapper, The Raconteurs, Janelle Monae, Halsey and Imagine Dragons. All of the performers were paid in advance a sum of $30 million according to Syracuse.com.

    Woodstock 50 festival ended up entirely losing it’s site at Watkins Glen after they missed their final payment of $150,000. They then attempted a pile of different things to save the festival. They tried to move the festival to Vernon Downs, but the Town of Vernon denied the festival’s requests multiple times due to safety concerns and incomplete permit applications. The organizers then tried one last attempt to have the festival in Maryland but that also ended up falling through.

    One of the main concerns with Woodstock 50 across the board seemed to be with it’s lack of realistic safety guidelines and plans. Co-founder of Woodstock 50 Michael Lang accused Dentsu of sabotaging the Woodstock anniversary event and spreading misinformation to prevent them from holding it at a different site. It’s unclear how much of the events’ misfortunate cancellation was due to Dentsu sabotaging it and how much might be due to poor organizational skills from it’s organizers. Hopefully it will serve as a warning to future event organizers to vet their investors and to address safety concerns early on in the process of putting together a festival.