NYS Music 202​1

Tag: sun ra arkestra

  • BRIC JazzFest 2021 Announces In Person Festival featuring Nick Hakim, Adi Meyerson, and Adam O’Farrill

    BRIC has announced its annual JazzFest for the Fall of 2021, one that will be in person this year. The festival lineup features big names like Nick Hakim, Adi Meyerson, And Adam O’Farrill and will take place October 21-23, 2021 at the BRIC House located in Brooklyn. 

    BRIC is an arts and media institution anchored in Brooklyn which focuses on contemporary visual and performing arts, media, and civic action. BRIC’s JazzFest is one of the institution’s premiere performing arts programs. The festivities last for three days and feature Jazz music which focuses on legendary figures, groundbreaking artists and newcomers from across the genre.

    sun ra arkestra
    photo by Joseph Buscarello

    BRIC JazzFest 2020 ended up being rescheduled for spring 2021 and was made an online, virtual-only event due to COVID-19. BRIC JazzFest 2021 though will be in person. The festival will require proof of vaccination or negative COVID test within 72 hours in order to attend.

    BRIC JazzFest 2021

    The lineup includes Cecile McLorin Salvant, SuperBlue: Kurt Elling featuring Charlie Hunter, Yasser Tejeda, and Adam O’Farrill Stranger Day on Thursday, October 21. Sun Ra Arkestra, Thana Alexa & ONA, Roy Nathanson & Nick Hakim, and Adi Meyerson on Friday, October 22. Madison McFerrin, L’Rain, ç’est tois (branch/stewart/holmes), and Fred Wesley & The New JBs on Saturday, October 23. 

    BRIC JazzFest 2021

    “During these uncertain times, I couldn’t be more thrilled that we’re able to bring our communities safely together through the healing power of music,” said Lia Camille Crocket, Director of Performing Arts at BRIC. “In the spirit of Jazz music and improvisation, we’re going to have a few surprises for our BRIC family this year throughout the Festival weekend. We can’t wait to safely welcome you back to BRIC House — we’ve missed you!”

    For more information and to purchase tickets to BRIC JazzFest 2021 visit their website.

  • The Sun Ra Arkestra Make Triumphant Return to SummerStage

    On Saturday, July 24th, The Sun Ra Arkestra returned to Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage for their fifth stint at the concert series. Still led by Sun Ra himself at the time, the band headlined the festival’s first ever concert back in 1986 at the old Central Park Bandshell. After Sun Ra’s death in 1993, the band continued on as The Sun Ra Arkestra, remaining quite active under the leadership of Marshall Allen who has been performing with the group since 1958. At 97 years young, Allen and The Arkestra were as tight as ever in Central Park.

    The Sun Ra Arkestra at SummerStage, 7/24/2021. Photo by: Buscar Photo

    Opening the night was Chicago based trio Sistazz of The Nitty Gritty. The group consists of vocalist/clarinetist Angel Bat Dawid, pianist/vocalist Anaiet and bassist Brooklynn Skye Scott. The performance was a mixture of spoken word poetry, jazz fusion, and Dadaist collages of piano, bass, vocals and clarinet. Heavily influenced by The Arkestra’s signature sounds, the trio injects their own modern edge into avant-garde jazz. The incredibly talented band is surely one to watch as they continue to explore their music.

    Sistazz of The Nitty Gritty at SummerStage, 7/24/2021. Photo by Buscar Photo

    As the 23-member Arkestra began to file on stage, the once seated audience sprung to their feet to embrace the band’s return to SummerStage. A Sun Ra performance is always more than a musical experience. The band is accompanied by dancers who graced the front of the stage from the start with interpretative, meditative dance routines. This shifted off to the side of the stage and Allen took his place front and center.

    Marshall Allen at SummerStage, 7/24/2021. Photo by Buscar Photo

    The band played a generally continuous set, stopping every so often to reset, but with a band this size there is always music being played. Throughout the show, Allen would survey the band, and point someone out in particular to stand, and take the lead. One-by-one, everyone took their turn, either stepping up for a musical lead or interpretative dance at the center of the stage. This continued throughout the 90-minute set, creating a vividly engaging experience for the audience as there was no way to know where the music was heading. The Arkestra closed to a thunderous ovation from the audience that echoed through Central Park – a second home for the band for so many years.

    The Sun Ra Arkestra at SummerStage, 7/24/2021. Photo by: Buscar Photo

    The Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage festival continues, with upcoming performances from The Originals, Marc Rebillet, Antibalas, Armand Hammer & The Alchemist (featuring Moor Mother), and many more – check out the full lineup HERE.