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NEO Project Funk Up Ithaca at the Upstairs
NEO Project crushed their set at The Upstairs on Friday, October 22 in Ithaca. NEO Project is a professional six piece, high energy dance band rooted in funky R&B grooves, Afro Cuban/Caribbean rhythms & jazzy, bluesy soul music. The members are music professors, a former Motown sideman and soul practitioners with years of experience.

Their eclectic repertoire will get you body movin’ with new arrangements of established hits and irresistible original party grooves. NEO Project reimagines some of the best funk, jazz and soul music out there, always delivering a powerful dose of deep pocket grooves supporting soulful melodies & juicy improvisation.

This band grooves hard as they weave irresistible R&B rhythms around Afro-Cuban & world beat syncopations. And they do it all on their toes as they re-shape their arrangements on the fly, vibing off the energy of their audiences.

Friday at the Upstairs NEO Project laid down the energy of the ’90s New York club culture. They covered “Groove is in the Heart” by Deee-Lite. The song came from a fan letter Deee-Lite sent with a demo to Bootsy Collins. The original track featured Bootsy Collins on bass, Maceo Parker on saxophone, and Fred Wesley on trombone, as well as a young Q Tip on backing vocals. The song made its way to the 1990 scene as a radio hit.

Drummer Adam Deitch from the funk band Lettuce told NYS Music this summer a similar experience with Bootsy Collins. Bootsy’s Instagram story featured a clip of him snapping his fingers whispering “keep that funk alive…keep that funk alive.” This inspired Deitch to sample the message. From here he immediately laid down a drum beat to Bootsy’s vocal tempo. The rest of Lettuce got in on the session and it was sent to Bootsy’s camp. He replied with delight and his signature bass line & vocals to boot that finished the collaboration.

NEO Project stands on the same “Shaky Ground” as many other live New York performances. When Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead played Syracuse Landmark Theater in November 2018, his wolf pack trio covered “Standing on Shaky Ground” by The Temptations which is co written by Eddie Hazel of Funkadelic, “ever since you put me down.”

When Tony Hall of legendary New Orleans band Dumpstaphunk played the 2019 New York State Blues festival he made his way to Funk N Waffles after the performance. Tony and Drummer Deven Trusclair were able to to sit in with the house band for “Shaky Ground” as well. NEO Project brought the same energy with their take on the classic throwing some Stevie Wonder Halloween Superstition spirit at the end.

The NEO Project kept the audience on the same beat, all stopping on the 1 and ending on time to close the show Friday. The Upstairs crowd all fell in line like Thriller.

When Oteil Burbridge of Dead & Company was here and check out The Upstairs venue for other live acts by Kevin Black Presents. The Upstairs is located in the heart of Ithaca and is the area’s most intimate venue providing dynamic entertainment weekly.

NEO Project Touring Act: Elly Holiday: Vocals, Jimbo – lead vocals, Prof. John White – keyboards & vocals, Franklin Henry Jr. – 5 string electric bass, Mike McCoy – drums, Dwight Carroll – guitar & vocals,

NEO Project – The Upstairs Venue, Ithaca, NY – October 22, 2021

10:30pm
1. Gentle Thoughts/Lovely Day 106 G Ji Dw/El Herbie Hancock /Bill Withers
2. I Was Made To Love Her 076 Db El/Ji Dw Stevie Wonder
3. Come Together 090 C- Ji/El Dw The Beatles
4. Tennessee Whiskey 067 A/C Ji/El Chris Stapleton
5. Stir It Up/3 Lil’ Birds/Bend Low 176 A Dw/Ji El Bob Marley
6. Make Me Feel 115 E El Ji/Dw Janelle Monae
7. Fire 124 A Ji/El Bruce Springsteen, Des’ree
8. Higher Ground 127 E El Stevie Wonder
11:30pm
1. Brown Eyed Girl 152 Ab Ji Van Morrison
2. Valerie 106 Eb El Amy Winehouse
3. Ain’t Too Proud To Beg 115 Bb Ji The Temptations
4. Crazy In Love 095 F El Ji Beyonce
5. Seven Nation Army 112 E Ji Jack White
6. Groove Is In The Heart 121 G El Deee-Lite
7. I Got You (I Feel Good) JB 144 Bb James Brown
8. Uptown Funk 115 D- El Ji/Dw Bruno Mars
12:25am
1. Addams Family Theme 126 Bb Ji All
2. Killing Me Softly With His Song 093 E- El The Fugees
3. Shaky Ground/Superstition 094 E Ji/El Temptations/Stevie Wonder
4. Manchild 119 A- Ji original
5. Freeze Frame Stop on a dime ending
October 26, 2021
TORRES Gives an Intimate Performance at Bowery Ballroom
Georgia native TORRES returned to her current city of residence, New York City, on Thursday, October 21st for one of the last stops on the North American leg of her tour. Making an appearance at Bowery Ballroom, TORRES played several songs off her most recent LP Thirstier, in addition to several fan-favorites from her previous projects.

TORRES at Bowery Ballroom, 10/21/21. Photo by Kunal Khunger

With Thirstier having been released back in July of this year, the songs from it were very fresh in the crowd’s minds. They enthusiastically sang along to songs like “Don’t Go Puttin’ Wishes in My Head” and the title track “Thirstier.” The crowd energy was infectious and it was impossible not to move a little bit and lose yourself in the great instrumentation of it all.

TORRES at Bowery Ballroom, 10/21/21. Photo by Kunal Khunger

As it has been a common thread amongst many performers I have watched recently, TORRES was visibly emotional performing for a sold-out crowd in NYC for the first time in so long, due to COVID-19. She said multiple times that she was close to tears and was just astonished by how good it felt to play in her city again. TORRES interacted extensively with the crowd and it was obvious that this was a very devoted fanbase.

TORRES at Bowery Ballroom, 10/21/21. Photo by Kunal Khunger

TORRES’s tour has one more stop in Brooklyn at Baby’s All Right on Thursday, October 28th before hopping overseas to Europe. You can see the rest of the tour dates here. Be sure to check out the full photo gallery below!
October 26, 2021
Critically Acclaimed Tom Petty Documentary To Premiere on YouTube

Critically acclaimed Tom Petty documentary will premiere on YouTube on November 11, 2021 on Tom Petty’s channel. The feature-length documentary is titled Tom Petty, Somewhere You Feel Free: The Making of Wildflowers.

The documentary will offer a unique look into the creative mastery and turbulent personal life of the legendary rock star. The film will be capturing the period between 1993-1995 when Tom Petty worked with legendary producer Rick Rubin. The film will feature never-before-seen footage drawn from a newly discovered archive of 16mm film, in addition to new interviews with album co-producer and Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell, Heartbreakers keyboardist Benmont Tench, and many more.

The film runs for 89-minutes and was directed by award-winning filmmaker Mary Wharton who is known for her work on Jimmy Carter: Rock and Roll President, Sam Cooke: Legend, Elvis Lives!, The Beatles Revolution. It first debuted in March as an Official SXSW 2021 Selection, winning the festival’s Audience Award. The film went on to win Best Documentary Film at the Boulder Film Festival and received widespread critical acclaim throughout the film festival season. The picture digs deeper into 2020’s critically acclaimed certified gold reissue, Wildflowers & All The Rest collection (Warner Records) which revealed the long anticipated second half of Tom’s autobiographical masterpiece. Ahead of its November 11 worldwide release on YouTube, Tom Petty, Somewhere You Feel Free: The Making of Wildflowers will see its theatrical release on October 20, 2021, which is Tom Petty’s birthday, for a one-night global celebration via Trafalgar Releasing, with encore screenings in select cinemas on October 21, 2021.

Tom Petty, Somewhere You Feel Free: The Making of Wildflowers was Produced by Peter Afterman with executive producers Dan Braun, Mary Wharton and Adria Petty and presented by Inaudible Films, Warner Music Entertainment (Warner Music Group’s TV and Film division) and Warner Records.

For more information on the feature-length documentary, Tom Petty, Somewhere You Feel Free: The Making of Wildflowers, visit Tom Petty’s YouTube Channel.

October 26, 2021
Phish Cover “L.A. Woman” at The Forum, Set Course for Halloween in Las Vegas
Phish returned to Southern California, with a trio of shows lined up between Chula Vista, Inglewood, and Santa Barbara. While the Fall Tour has caught eyes and ears with extraordinary jams, bustouts and shenanigans, Phish is clearly warmed up for Halloween in Las Vegas. On the way there, Phish stopped at The “Fabulous” Forum. Photographer Steph Port was there to capture the night for NYS Music.

The first set starts with the Trey quaran-tune, “A Wave Of Hope,” followed by a 23-minute “You Enjoy Myself” that brought back the glory of late 90s “YEMs.” A smooth transition into “Moma Dance” kept the crowd on their toes, with “Waiting All Night” a surprise appearance with a slightly funky beat, that brought forth “Maze” and “Fee,” before a set ending “Run Like an Antelope.”

Set 2 began with a tone-setting “Cars Trucks Buses” that dropped into “Tweezer” right after, which sveltly moved into “L.A. Woman,” the last since December 30, 2003. A huge jam would brew from this surprise bust out, one that took off even farther in “Say it to me S.A.N.T.O.S.” and “What’s The Use?” To polish the set off, heavy hitters “Chalkdust Torture,” “Carini” and “Mr. Completely” made their presence know, all with a segue into “Tweezer Reprise” to close the set.

A normal encore of “Grind” preceded the atypical “Bathtub Gin” that followed, ending awkwardly as Trey thanked the crowd for having such a great show. With the band having this much fun, whatever is on tap for Las Vegas has them excited and playing in mid-season form.

Setlist via Phish.net

Phish – The Forum, Inglewood, CA – October 25, 2021

Set 1: A Wave of Hope > You Enjoy Myself > The Moma Dance[1] -> Simple -> Waiting All Night -> Maze, Fee[2] -> Steam > Run Like an Antelope

Set 2: Cars Trucks Buses, Tweezer -> L.A. Woman[3] -> Say It To Me S.A.N.T.O.S.[1] -> Whatâs the Use? > Tweezer > Birds of a Feather[1] > Chalk Dust Torture[1] -> Boogie On Reggae Woman > Carini -> Mr. Completely[1] > Tweezer Reprise

Encore: Grind, Bathtub Gin

[1] Unfinished.
[2] Trey on megaphone.
October 26, 2021
Nada Surf to Close Tour with Live Stream from Music Hall of Williamsburg on November 20

Nada Surf on Friday, October 22nd released their new EP Cycle Through via Barsuk Records. The EP is a companion piece to their 2020 album Never Not Together, which is now available as a digital release after its initial vinyl run exclusively for Record Store Day. Cycle Through features three songs left off Never Not Together, as well as an orchestral/choir version of “Looking For You,” the extended short-film version of “Just Wait,” and Spanish, French and acoustic takes on “So Much Love.”

Nada Surf follows the release of Cycle Through with a run of headline North American tour dates throughout the month of November, with support from Pom Pom Squad, arriving at long last after their initial postponement in the spring of 2020.

Founded in 1992, Nada Surf — Matthew Caws, Daniel Lorca, Ira Elliot, and their longtime friend and collaborator, Louie Lino — has only grown more creative and resourceful as time has marched on, each consecutive release notable for the quality of its craft as well as Caws’ ongoing growth as both songwriter and human being.

The band’s latest LP, Never Not Together, was met with praise from all corners — The Current called it “one of the best albums of their career,” noting that it “shows off their prowess as experts of their craft while sharing their playful side. Never Not Together has all the hallmarks of the genre Nada Surf helped define but with a refined touch that comes from life experience and humility.”

Nada Surf 2021 Tour Dates

11/3 – World Cafe Live – Philadelphia, PA
11/4 – Mr Small’s – Millvale, PA
11/5 – Iron Horse – Northampton, MA
11/6 – Cafe Campus – Montreal, QC
11/7 – Horseshoe Tavern – Toronto, ON
11/8 – Magic Bag – Ferndale, MI
11/9 – Pyramid Scheme – Grand Rapids, MI
11/11 – Old Rock House – St Louis, MO
11/12 – Racoon Motel – Davenport, IA
11/13 – Cedar Cultural Ctr. – Minneapolis, MN
11/14 – Thalia Hall – Chicago, IL
11/15 – Grog Shop – Cleveland, OH
11/16 – Otto Bar – Baltimore, MD
11/17 – The Sinclair – Cambridge, MA
11/18 – Higher Ground – Burlington, VT
11/19 – White Eagle Hall – Jersey City, NJ
11/20 – Music Hall of Williamsburg – Brooklyn, NY (early show)

Join Nada Surf on Saturday, November 20 as they live-stream their tour-closing show at Brooklyn’s Music Hall Of Williamsburg via Twitch. The band will go live at 7:20pm ET after an opening set from Pom Pom Squad – access the live stream here.

October 25, 2021
Spoon Stirs it up at The Capitol Theatre
Spoon orchestrated a six show, eight-day “min tour” to prepare for their “Back to Life” live stream from Los Angles at the end of October. The tour, isolated to the Northeast, included a stop at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY.

Spoon’s set began with the somewhat dark “The Beast and Dragon, Adored.” The song afforded the band the opportunity to pull the audience in close before engaging them in a full on rock offensive. Lead singer and founding member Britt Daniel took his position guiding the charge. But at times during the set, Daniel could be seen dropping to his knees or catapulting into full flight as if the songs were giving the commands.

Spoon

Stage right Alex Fischel was no shy puppy. Oscillating between guitar and keyboards (and occasional percussion), Fischel would at times be hidden away in the crux of his set up and then erupting into full on guitar assaults with a maladroit style all his own. Jim Eno, the other founding member of Spoon, set the pulse for the band with his drumming, enabling the band to take music in the direction it wanted to go in.

Since starting in 1993, Spoon has amassed a trove of songs in their gig bag. The set was comprised of fifteen songs including: “Don’t You Evah,” “Do You,” and “I Turn My Camera On.” The encore found Daniel and Fischel alone on stage isolated in spotlights as they harmonized on John Lennon’s “Isolation.” The band joined mid way and performed three additional songs, closing with “Rent I Pay.”

Spoon at The Capitol Theatre

Supporting Spoon on this whiplash of a tour is Nicole Atkins. Her brassy rock and roll swagger makes her a perfect opening act. Sporting a blond wig, Nicole strapped on a guitar for most of her time on stage. Rocking through her catalog she was backed by an ad hock band created for this tour. Currently living in Nashville, Atkins is Jersey born and bred. She cut her teeth in the Asbury music scene and her take no prisoner demeanor confirmed that. Giving acknowledgement to her rock and roll mentors, Nicole and band finished out with Led Zeppelin’s “What is and What Should Never Be.”

Nicole Atkins

Being such a short tour, those that had the opportunity to catch this combination of acts are much the richer. Better yet, being a precursor to the live stream from L.A., Spoon fans have much to look forward to.

Spoon
Nicole Atkins
October 25, 2021
WIth a New Education Director, The Empire State Youth Orchestra Announces New 2021-2022 Season

Countless new strides have been made by The Empire State Youth Orchestra (ESYO), as they emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic filled now triumphant with an in-person 2021-2022 concert season. For these musicians living in Upstate New York and Western New England, they now call the historic Troy Savings Bank Music Hall home, marking yet another milestone. With a new first-ever Director of Education in the hands of Dr. David Bebe, he pledges to take the emerging and developing musicians to new heights.

Dr. David Bebe is a gifted cellist, conductor, and experienced pedagogue who will guide ESYO’s ventures to enrich the musical experiences of ESYO musicians. Rich with experience, Dr. Bebe was a frequent guest sectional coach with ESYO’s flagship performing ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, and was an Associate Professor of Music at the College of St. Rose. Dr. Bebe has now become a crucial component developing string curriculum and performance courses with being a critical resource for ESYO’s artistic staff and CHIME Teaching Artists.

I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues and the conductors at ESYO to identify and provide the tools ESYO musicians need to be successful in their ensembles, especially after COVID-19 interrupted music programs across the country. I’ve had the opportunity to work with emergin gand developing musicians throughout my entire career. ESYO nurtures and supports amazingly talented and passionate musicians.
Dr. David Bebe

The Empire State Youth Orchestra agenda is looking a little different than before with the newest edition of a year-round chamber music program launched by Dr. Bebe this fall. Throughout the season he will also be developing events and programs while discovering opportunities to bridge various levels, programs, and ensembles, fully committing himself to supporting ESYO.

With support from Dr. Bebe and a team of experienced coaches, ESYO musicians will experience music in a smaller, more musician directed ensemble. As with all ESYO-sponsored ensembles and programs, the ESYO Chamber Music program will culminate with a performance in early December.

The season will be opening on Friday, November 5 from ESYO’s Symphony Orchestra, led by guest conductor Andrés Rivas from the Orchestra Now at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall. The season’s program also holds features from Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8, Bizet’s L’Artesienne Suites No. 1 & No. 2, Jennifer Higdon’s Light, Danzon No. 2 by Mexican composer Arturo Marquez and Jazz standards by Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk. On November 20, the Youth Jazz Orchestra will be joined in concert by Grammy-nominated Trumpet player Michael Rodriguez.

A complete list of ESYO Fall performances is available online at ESYO.org/tickets. Tickets can be purchased online for as little as $1 with ACCESS ESYO’s unique “pay what you can” ticket program.

October 25, 2021
In Focus: Phil Lesh at The Capitol Theatre – Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Phil Lesh wrapped up his second three-show run at The Capitol Theatre on Wednesday, October 20, 2021. The evening featured Stuart Bogie and Amy Helm joining Phil, along with Eric D. Johnson, Josh Kaufman, Elliot Peck and Grahame Lesh from Midnight North, Joe Russo and Heartbreaker’s keyboardist Benmont Tench.

Phil Lesh has one more run of shows at The Cap this month, with Phil-O-Ween weekend, from Oct. 29-31, including Nicki Bluhm, Larry Campbell, Griffin Goldsmith, Taylor Goldsmith, Grahame Lesh, Trevor Menear, Lee Pardini, M.C. Taylor and Teresa Williams.

Phil Lesh and Friends – The Capitol Theatre, Port Chester, NY – Wednesday, October 20, 2021

Set 1: Jack Straw, When I Paint My Masterpiece, Ship of Fools, Peggy-O, Tennessee Jed, Touch of Grey

Set 2: Truckin’, So Many Roads, Caledonia Mission, Bird Song, Let It Grow, Stella Blue, Rag Mama Rag, Not Fade Away, Morning Dew

Encore: Attics of My Life
October 25, 2021
Flushing Town Hall Announces 15 Years of NEA Jazz Masters Concerts Celebration

Flushing Town Hall announced 15 Years of NEA Jazz Masters concerts celebration on November 12, 2021 at 8 PM, in-person and virtual audiences. The celebration is being called NEA Jazz Masters: The Music of Thelonious Monk and Horace Silver.

Ellen Kodadek, Executive and Artistic Director at Flushing Town Hall spoke on the upcoming celebration saying, “We are elated to present this historic concert with such an incredible lineup of America’s most honored jazz musicians. It is sure to be a one-of-a-kind night to remember.”

The celebration of 15 Years of NEA Jazz Masters Concerts will host five distinguished NEA Jazz Masters: Jimmy Owens, Kenny Barron, Sheila Jordan, Billy Hart, and Donald Harrison. They will be joined by American bassist Kenny Davis and a special, surprise guest artist to perform live, all together on one stage for the first time.

The very first NEA Jazz Masters concert took place at Flushing Town Hall back on November 17, 2006. The performance featured three NEA Jazz Masters, Jimmy Heath (saxophone), Clark Terry (trumpet), and Dr. Billy Taylor (piano)—as well as the talented jazz veterans Earl May, Benny Powell, and Albert “Tootie” Heath, who was later awarded the NEA Jazz Masters title in 2021. Sadly, all but one—Albert “Tootie” Heath—have since passed on.

This year’s NEA Jazz Masters concert is taking place on November 12, 2021 at 8 PM, in-person and virtual audiences at Flushing Town Hall. In-person tickets are $45/$35 Members/$20 Students. Those unable to attend in person can still join the livestream and tune in virtually. Virtual tickets are $15/$10 Members. Tickets can be purchased online here or by calling (718) 463-7700 x222.

For more information on NEA Jazz Masters concert or on Flushing Town Hall in general visit their website.

October 25, 2021
Wyclef Jean, Bethenny Frankel & Fragrance Du Bois Show Support to Haiti Amidst Latest Earthquake

For the better part of three decades Grammy-winning musician, Wyclef Jean, has made it his responsibility to not only promote, but bring aid to his embattled homeland of Haiti. Hence, it came as no surprise that ‘Clef was once again up to bringing awareness to Haiti’s latest misfortunes.

Following his performance at Barlclays Center’s “Trillerverz” concert series — where Big Daddy Kane and Krs-One faced off in a Verzuz battle — the Fugees rapper celebrated with a good luck charm to his homeland. Given his history of wearing his flag on his sleeve, it was only fitting that the “Maria Maria” composer — unknowingly — jumpstarted the chain-of-events towards the current philanthropic efforts for Haiti.

It all began a few months ago when, Diane Jean — cousin of Wyclef – purchased “New York Intense” and “New York 5^th Avenue” from luxury perfume house, Fragrance Du Bois, to gift ‘Clef. Unbeknownst to them, the high-priced fragrances were stolen from their South Orange, New Jersey location. On the same day of the theft, Diane Jean promptly hopped on a call with Nicola Parker, VP of Sales at Fragrance Du Bois, to secure another shipment of the luxury fragrance. The conversation led to the two discussing the devastating earthquake in Haiti, which prompted the Fragrance Du Bois team to go into action with a pledge to help Haiti.

They aligned with television personality and philanthropist, Bethenny Frankel, the founder of BStrong — a disaster relief initiative that provides real time emergency assistance to individuals and their families in crisis — and chose to raise funds for her charity because of its stellar reputation as a hands-on charity delivering immediate assistance.

So, from October 15 to November 15, 25% of sales from Fragrance Du Bois’ “New York Intense” and “New York 5^thAvenue’s” online purchases will be donated to help Haiti.

We are a globally conscious company- our giving personifies the brand’s identity of being for all people. Real luxury is all about giving.

Nicola Parker, VP of Sales at Fragrance Du Bois

Thus, donning a Haitian flag and top hat, Wyclef Jean doused himself in “New York Intense” in front of a packed Barclays Center as a good luck charm to his beloved Haiti and a show of good faith to Fragrance Du Bois, as they embrace the cause that ‘Clef has held dearly to his heart for so long.

DJ Super Cat then doused the stage with “New York Intense” and yelled to the audience: “help Haiti!”

To purchase “New York Intense” or “New York 5th Avenue” online, click here.

October 24, 2021