NYS Music 202​1

Category: Long Island

  • 20 Years Later: TAB’s ‘Octet’ formation Rolls through Jones Beach and SPAC

    2001 was a formative year for the relatively new Trey Anastasio Band (TAB). Since sprouting roots a few years earlier, the band had already grown from a three-piece to a six-piece ensemble. Co-founders Tony Markellis (bass) and Russ Lawton (drums), along with Trey, were supplemented with the addition of a horn section consisting of Dave Grippo (saxophone), Jennifer Hartswick (trumpet) and Andy Moroz (trombone) for a short tour earlier in the year.

    Come summer, the TAB outfit would add two more full-time members, rounding into an official octet. Another Giant Country Horn, Russel Remington (saxophone/flute) was added to the fray along with Ray Paczkowski, who still mans the keyboards for the band today. The addition of Paczkowski and a keyboard rig to the lineup was a clear game changer, bringing an extra layer of sound and funk that would seem irreplaceable today. Summer of 2001 would be the first time the TAB ‘Octet’ would hit the road, one that included a pair of choice NY gigs that helped close out the tour.

    TAB 2001

    August 3, 2001 Jones Beach

    Trey wastes no time getting this show up and running, with the wah pedal at the ready for a bouncy “Burlap Sack and Pumps” opener. It also features an extended saxophone solo from Dave “The Truth” Grippo that helps fuel the high intensity start. The crux of the first set is a 20-minute “Last Tube” that gets smoothed out nicely after some early feedback issues. Everyone gets a turn to solo on this one in a jam that slowly but steadily picks up steam throughout. Jennifer Hartswick’s enchanting harmonies shine through on “Flock of Words” before “Cayman Review,” a song that debuted only weeks ago, picks things back up. This early version is played a step or two slower than its contemporary one, but the funk is still very much evident, showing why it’s remained a staple of TAB setlists. A spirited “Moesha” later caps off a first set that, with the exception of “Words,” never comes to a full stop.

    TAB 2001

    Much like “Last Tube” in the first, TAB’s second set at Jones Beach is heavily influenced by one song. “Money, Love and Change,” another new to TAB song only debuted a handful of shows ago, opens the set and doesn’t let up until well after 25 minutes later. The opening composed section sounds a little shaky as one would expect for a new song, but soon another Tony Markellis-led groove heaps fuel onto the improvisational fire and the jam is off and running. After a brief Trey/Ray duel on guitar and keys, the main theme re-emerges briefly but instead of coming to a close, the horn section leads a direct charge into “Plasma,” cementing a powerhouse start to this set. Newcomer Russ Remington shines when given the chance to lead the way on flute for a little while. Afterwards, Trey makes note of the venue’s new upper level of seats that wasn’t there the last time her played Jones Beach before launching into a scorching “Mr. Completely.”

    sticker via PhanArt

    After closing the second set with “Sand,” the tangible Phish vibe only grew stronger as bassist Mike Gordon came out and joined Trey for a three-song acoustic encore. With Phish still in the midst of their first self-imposed hiatus at this time, this helped to quell any unfounded rumors of the band’s early demise. The “internationally acclaimed movie director” (Gordon had recently released Outside Out) showed off his versatility and joined Trey on acoustic guitar for “Back on the Train” before switching back to bass and closing out the evening with a “Bathtub Gin” that had large swaths of the Jones Beach crown clapping and/or singing along at various points.

    Take a listen to the full show here.

    Trey Anastasio Band – Jones Beach Amphitheater – Wantagh, NY 8/3/01

    Set 1: Burlap Sack and Pumps, Acting the Devil, Last Tube, Flock of Words, Cayman Review, Sidewalks of San Francisco, Moesha

    Set 2: Money, Love and Change -> Plasma, Mr. Completely, At the Gazebo, Sand

    Encore: Mountains in the Mist, Back on the Train, Bathtub Gin

    Mike Gordon sat in for entire encore.

    TAB 2001

    August 5, 2001 SPAC

    After a quick dip into Massachusetts on August 4 for a gig at the Tweeter Center, TAB was back in NY two days later for the tour closer, this time Upstate and visiting another old friend, SPAC. With this still very much being the “early days,” a lot of the song pairings and sequences that were seen in Jones Beach would reappear here as the band’s musical repertoire was nowhere near where it is today. But much like snowflakes, no two TAB shows are completely alike.

    TAB 2001

    The band drops “Last Tube” right away this evening as the opener. While it doesn’t quite reach the range of the Jones Beach version, it serves as more than an apt opener that has the band in peak form early and the Saratoga Springs crowd up and dancing immediately. Another sterling solo from Grippo and a rousing peak led by Anastasio again highlight this one. Then it’s right back into the still fledged “Cayman Review,” with Pazckowski moving nimbly between both the clav and organ. “Burlap Sack and Pumps” rounds out the opening trio, enabled by a pulsating Tony Markellis bass line that doesn’t quit. Although the order differed, the only new song in tonight’s first set from two nights prior is the calypso-infused “Alive Again” that appears later in the set, another (now) classic TAB song that was only first played earlier this summer.

    Greg Haymes’ Times Union recap of TAB at SPAC

    The second set at SPAC has a familiar start but does finally begin to offer a little variety. At this point of the tour, it’s evident that Trey knows which songs are the heavy hitters. Thus, the second stanza begins with a return to “Money, Love and Change.” Once more, it doesn’t quite reach the depths of the Jones Beach version, but Trey still uses the groove-filled jam that ensues as a vehicle to transition right into “Plasma” again.

    The setlist then starts to offer a little variety, starting with an exquisite take on the TAB original “Drifting” where the harmony between Anastasio and Hartswick again reigns supreme. Another familiar tune to the Phish faithful emerges after this as the band doubles up on “tubes” for the evening and drops a pulsating mid-set “First Tube.” One of the gems of the entire show is TAB’s take on the soul classic “Ooh Child,” a rare polished cover that dates all the way back to the days of the original trio.

    The show, and tour, is closed out in proper fashion with a set-ending “Push On ‘Til the Day” that follows along in the early TAB tradition of locking into an early groove supplied by the rhythm section of Markellis and Lawton and then expanding from there. With the entire horn section locked in as well, it’s a joyous sendoff and a fitting set closer. The instrumental “Mozambique” serves as as the encore, wrapping up a successful tour and two nights in NY for TAB.

    You can listen to the full show here.

    Trey Anastasio Band Saratoga Performing Arts Center – Saratoga Springs, NY 8/5/01

    Set 1: Last Tube, Cayman Review, Burlap Sack and Pumps, Flock of Words, Alive Again, Moesha

    Set 2: Money Love and Change -> Plasma, Drifting, First Tube > Every Story Ends in Stone, At the Barbecue, O-o-h Child, Push On ‘Til the Day

    Encore: Mozambique

  • Friends and Family Mourn Hip Hop Legend Biz Markie at Patchogue Funeral

    Friends and family gathered at the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts on Long Island on Monday, August 2 to bid farewell to music legend Biz Markie, with a funeral attended by hip hop icons including Busta Rhymes, Kid Capri, Treach (Naughty by Nature), Big Daddy Kane, EPMD, Ice-T and more. The eulogy was delivered by the Rev. Al Sharpton.

    biz markie

    Markie was born in Harlem but raised on Long Island. He is best known for his 1989 single “Just A Friend.” His career took off after that. He acted, performed comedy, DJ’d and produced music for numerous artists. He also had a radio show on SiriusXm on LL Cool J’s Rock the Bells Radio.

    biz markie

    In April 2020, Markie was hospitalized for complications of Type 2 diabetes. He died at a Baltimore hospital surrounded by family on July 16th at age 57. R.I.P. Biz!

  • So MaNY Roads: The Grateful Dead in New York State

    Few bands have a relationship with the state of New York like the Grateful Dead. Outside of California, the Grateful Dead have performed more shows in New York than any other state.

    With 309 unique shows performed across the Empire State in a 28 year span, beginning at Tompkins Square Park on June 1, 1967, the Grateful Dead made New York a home away from home, with venues of all sizes welcoming them during their career.

    Over the past few years, NYS Music has looked back on some of these shows, whether they be archival releases, or an iconic show worthy of a closer look. In 2020, we began to look intently at the history of the Grateful Dead in the Empire State, and in doing so, discovered some overlooked diamonds in the rough.

    grateful dead new york

    While performances at Madison Square Garden, The Knickerbocker Arena and Barton Hall garner the glory, there are shows that are equally compelling which we took a second look at. Whether the performance was in The Bronx, Alfred State, Oswego, Glens Falls, Lake Placid or Watkins Glen, each show gets a thorough analysis, with first-hand accounts and memorabilia, as well as audio and/or video of each performance.

    We’ve taken all these articles that examine the long history of the Grateful Dead in New York State, as well as Jerry Garcia’s solo and JGB performances, and created an interactive Google Map that allows you to observe the history of the Grateful Dead in New York – So MaNY Roads. You can find info on each of these shows (were you there?), and dive into shows you may or may not have known about.

    With more than 300 shows to include in this series, we so far have looked at more than 50 of these shows, all searchable in the map below. More will be added each month as we continue looking at the Grateful Dead and their history in NY.

    We welcome Section 119 as a sponsor for So MaNY Roads, our Grateful Dead in New York series. Section 119 takes you from beachfront to stage front with the highest quality merchandise celebrating the Grateful Dead. Shop for a variety of officially licensed clothing and accessories including board shorts, polos, button-down shirts and more at Section119.com.

  • Pine Barrens Jam Music Festival debuts on Long Island This Fall

    Long Island musicians and artists have taken the struggle of living through the Covid-19 pandemic and turned it into inspiration to launch a brand-new music festival known as Pine Barrens Jam.

    Pine Barrens Jam

    Celebrating one of Eastern Long Island’s iconic natural treasures, Pine Barrens Jam will feature live music, art, local food, and more set in the East End’s unique landscape. Long Island’s first crowdfunded festival has gathered like-minded and hardworking local businesses and creatives to donate their time to put on this first-year event. Everyone involved with Pine Barrens Jam, from the producers to the performers, are from Long Island, showcasing what the region has to offer. This intimate yet socially distanced event will be held on Sept 18 at Ringhoff Farm in Center Moriches. The gates will open at noon. 

    Drop The 4, a high-energy funk-fusion group, will be headlining the Jelly Jam main stage. Alternating with the main stage will be the Lantern Sound Recording Rig acoustic stage, with a lineup of songwriters including Pete Mancini and Rorie Kelly. Local poets such as Bruce “AllOne” Pondolfo will be reading their pieces on the poetry & arts stage, curated by Melissa Marie Imagery, and local artists will be selling and creating work on the site. The fireside acoustic after party will feature The Belle Curves, Anne O’Rourke, and Sarah Gross swapping original songs. Throughout the day, food trucks and vendors will be selling everything from macarons to handmade embroidery.

    The festival welcomes support from businesses, artisans, and anyone who would like to play a part in putting on this inspiring, collaborative event. This is the start of an exciting new tradition in Long Island music and arts.

    Pine Barrens Jam

    Tickets and more information about sponsorships can be found at The Pine Barrens Jam website.

    To stay up to date connect with Pine Barrens Jam on socials including YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook.

  • moe plans 2021 Fall Tour, with stops in Buffalo, Long Island, Port Chester

    New York, they’re comin home again. moe. will head out on their 2021 Fall Tour in October, making stops at four venues across their home state of New York.

    moe fall tour 2021

    After stopping Upstate at Apple Valley in early August, moe. heads out to Summer Camp Music Festival in Chillicothe, IL. They’ll headline ADK Independence Festival over Labor Day weekend, and the head to the rescheduled New Orleans Jazz Fest in early October.

    Town Ballroom hosts moe. for three nights in the town where they started, followed by a three night run in Chicago. moe. performs on Long Island at The Paramount in Huntington in late October, with a Halloween-Eve show at The Fillmore in Philadelphia the next night.

    In December, moe. will stop at Brooklyn Bowl for an intimate show, followed by two nights at The Capitol Theatre and four nights at The Sinclair in Boston.

    Tickets go on sale Friday, July 16 at 10 AM ET – get tickets here.

    moe. Fall Tour 2021

    Oct. 8-9 – The Civic Theatre – New Orleans, LA

    Oct. 14 -16 – Town Ballroom – Buffalo, NY

    Oct. 21-23 – Thalia Hall – Chicago, IL

    Oct. 28 – College Street Music Hall – New Haven, CT

    Oct. 29 – The Paramount – Huntington, NY

    Oct. 30 – The Fillmore – Philadelphia, PA

    Dec. 9 – Brooklyn Bowl – Brooklyn, NY

    Dec. 10-11 – The Capitol Theatre – Port Chester, NY

    Dec. 15-18– The Sinclair – Cambridge, MA

    moe fall tour 2021

  • EVVAN Shares New Single, Personal Essay for Non-Binary Day

    Alt-folk singer/songwriter EVVAN is marking this year’s International Non-Binary Day (July 14) with a personal essay about her journey to come out, as well as a live video for a previously unreleased song, “Falling Into You.”

    EVVAN

    The Long Island native is known for her distinctive voice, textured melodies and layered harmonies. She is inspired by the works of Fleetwood Mac, Foy Vance, and Brandi Carlile. She evokes a nostalgic spirit through her use of delicate guitars and ethereal vocal lines.

    Released today, “Falling Into You” is the first song of her series written about the phases of a relationship.

    This song is about falling completely into the person you’re pursuing and all that goes with that, the good, the bad, and everything in between. For me, part of what I perceived as ‘bad’ was my inability to understand who I was at that point.

    EVVAN on “Falling Into You”

    The second part of the series is “Falling Over You,” featured on EVVAN’s April 2021 EP, Home, which explores the experiences of dealing with unrequited love and the inability to let go of the feelings expressed in “Falling Into You.”

    EVVAN

    EVVAN’s Home EP reflects a period of personal awakening during which she used to revamp her writing style and artistic identity. The lyrics discuss themes of sexuality and gender, self-discovery and acceptance, and relationships both beginning and ending.

    When I look at myself, I see someone lighter, someone who can act how she wants and dress how she wants, and not care about whatever pushback comes along with it. I finally found myself and instead of wearing countless masks, as I have in the past, I can just be simply me.

    EVVAN

    The heartfelt and airy sounds of “Falling Into You” is sure to strike an emotional chord, beautifully expressing the frustrations of finding oneself and moving forward. Although growing from misfortune is difficult, EVVAN’s signature folky-voice reassures listeners that good comes from change.

    My journey coming out as non-binary was a long one and it was full of worry that I’d never live a life without judgment, mainly judgment of myself. Over a year after writing this song and coming out, we filmed a live performance and just watching it fills me with courage.

    EVVAN on coming out

    Read more about EVVAN’s journey through her self-reflective essay “Taking the Mask Off” here. A live performance of “Falling Into You” is available to watch on YouTube.

    EVVAN has also announced her return to live performances with a show at the Rockwood Music Hall (Stage 3) on July 28. More information can be found here.

  • Long Island Music Hall of Fame Announces High School Recognition Program Winners

    The Long Island Music Hall of Fame (LIMHoF) is proud to announce the winners of its fifth annual High School Music Department Recognition Program. For the first time, video entries were accepted that showcased the amazing music that schools created under unbelievably difficult conditions and pandemic restrictions.

    Both the LIMHoF Education committee and a panel of music educators reviewed the videos that were submitted from each school. As a result, 12 Long Island high school music programs were awarded recognition wins and celebrated via video format. For the first time in its history, music performance videos from each applicant have been posted to LIMHoF’s website. And some high schools submitted multiple videos to showcase their different music groups. 

    The schools receiving this prestigious recognition are Centereach HS, Farmingdale HS, Great Neck North HS, Great Neck South HS, Half Hollow Hills HS East, Harborfields HS, Hicksville HS, Kellenberg Memorial HS, Long Beach HS, Lynbrook HS, Southampton HS, Wheatley HS

    During the pandemic, school music programs in particular were dealing with incredible restrictions due to social distancing and remote learning, which created major difficulty for students learning to play music. Music is a collaborative process and students need to be able to play music together. A lot of schools made it work, and we wanted to showcase their accomplishments under the circumstances. These schools found a way to do something great. The students overcame tremendous odds. This showcases, and is a tribute, to the students who adapted to a difficult situation.

    -Tom Needham, Education Chairman of LIMHoF

    For more information on the High School Music Department Recognition Program or Education scholarships and grants offered by LIMHoF, visit limusichalloffame.org/scholarshipsgrants.

  • 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.

    music for a sunday afternoon
    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.

    music for a sunday afternoon
    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

  • “Never Forget Concert” to Commemorate and Honor Victims of 9/11

    The “Never Forget Concert,” a night of live music to honor and commemorate the 20th anniversary of 9/11, will be held at the Northwell Health Center at Jones Beach Theater on Saturday, August 21 at 7 p.m.

    Never Forget Concert
    (Credit: Beth A. Keiser / AP)

    Hosted by the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, proceeds from the “Never Forget Concert” will help provide mortgage-free homes to catastrophically injured veterans and first responders, Gold Star and Fallen First Responder families with young children. 

    The concert will feature performances by Journey, The Chainsmokers, and the Steve Miller Band with special guests Jesse Colin Young, John Fogerty, Ann Wilson of Heart, Lee Brice, Wyclef Jean, Gavin DeGraw, We McDonald, Flo Rida, Danny Rodriguez, and Jax. Guitarist G.E. Smith is serving as musical director.

    Never Forget Concert
    New York, NY, September 13, 2001 — Clean up of the wreckage at the World Trade Center continues. (Credit: Andrea Booher/ FEMA News Photo)

    The “Never Forget Concert” will also include special appearances by Q104.3’s Ken Dashow, Jim Kerr and Shelli Sonstein, host of the 9/11 Stories Podcast.

    We are grateful to the artists and our partners who support our mission and have made this special tribute possible.

    Frank Siller (Chairman and CEO of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation)

    Tunnel to Towers Foundation will donate tickets to first responders, military personnel, and Gold Star families. Additional tickets will be made available on Friday, July 9 at 10 a.m. at LiveNation.com. Ticket presale begins Tuesday, July 6 through Citi Bank Entertainment. For complete presale details, visit the Citi Entertainment website.

  • Merged Pop-Punk Band RODERIK Release “You’ll Never Know”

    RODERIK, the Long Island pop-punk/post-hardcore band, debuted a new single titled “You’ll Never Know.” This is the band’s second single and the latest in a series of new tunes the band will be releasing this year.

    RODERIK

    The band name, RODERIK, derived from Edgar Allan Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher, and fittingly formed during the early stages of a global pandemic, is comprised of remnants and fragments of bands that once reverberated through the vibrant Long Island music scene. Members include Alternative Press recognized band Approaching Troy, singer/songwriter Jake Anthony Salazar & guitarist Jay T. Sutherland set out with bassist David P. K., and drummer Danny Nugent, to rebuild and reformulate.

    After years of writing and playing shows together, these four members have finally come together to not only make music, but build visual experiences that would mirror that of its dark origins. The band aims to combine musical elements with visual representation, showcasing the dark and honest truth of Salazar’s dark lyrics, which stem from his life experiences and ongoing battle with depression.

    Of the new track, singer/songwriter Jake Anthony Salazar said, “In many ways, “You’ll Never Know” is a sequential follow up to our first single, “Save Me. Save Me” which was about my internal monologue during one of the most difficult times in my life. Whereas “You’ll Never Know” is about realizing I had to save myself, and reconciling with that. Only I could make the changes that were needed for me to be happy, but with change comes loss. “You’ll Never Know” is more focused on coming to the reality of my situation, and the grief that came with escaping it. Things that are good for us, in the long run, don’t always feel that great in the now, and this song is me trying to come to terms with that.”

    To stay up to date with RODERIK follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

    Stream “You’ll Never Know” below, and on Spotify and Apple Music.