NYS Music 202​2

Category: Blues/Jazz

  • Blues Brothers Celebrate 40th Anniversary at The Paramount

    The Blues Brothers were founded in 1978 by comedians Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi as part of a musical sketch on Saturday Night Live. Belushi and Aykroyd fronted the band, in character, as lead vocalist Jake Blues, and harmonica player/vocalist Elwood Blues. The band was composed of well known musicians, and debuted as the musical guest on SNL on April 22, 1978.

    That evening, Jake and Elwood opened the show performing “Hey Bartender” and later performed the Sam & Dave classic “Soul Man.” Later that year, they released their debut album, Briefcase Full of Blues, and opened for The Grateful Dead at the closing of the Winterland Arena in San Francisco. Their fame reached even further heights in 1980 when they released their own comedy film The Blues Brothers.

    blues brothers

    On March 5, 1982, Belushi died of an accidental overdose. After his death, updated versions of the Blues Brothers have performed on SNL and for charitable and political causes.

    On May 4, 2022, Aykroyd, accompanied by Jim Belushi as Brother Zee Blues, played The Paramount in Huntington. They were backed by Belushi’s Sacred Hearts Band that still features some of the original members. There was no story line, but rather a full blown, highly energetic concert. Several audience members were dress head-to-toe in full Blues Brothers attire including the black suit, black shoes, white shirt, sunglasses and fedora.

    blues brothers

    When the duo took the stage, the crowd absolutely erupted. They started the show with a rip roaring version of Sonny Boy Williamson’s “Shotgun Blues” followed by Robert Johnson’s “Sweet Home Chicago.” Other songs included Otis Redding’s “Hard to Handle” and Floyd Dixon’s “Hey Bartender.” During Muddy Waters “I’m Ready”, Belushi ventured into the crowd high fiving audience members as well as dancing with some of the female members of the audience.

    The main set closed with their signature song, Sam & Dave’s “Soul Man.” The Brothers traded off on the lead vocals and the band really brought the house down. After a very brief break, they all returned to the stage for a two song encore, “Everybody Needs Somebody to Love” and “Money (That’s What I Want).” Belushi encouraged any of the women in the crowd that wanted to come up on stage and dance to do so, and many obliged. When it was over, the duo walked slowly off the stage waving to the crowd as the audience erupted once again.

    Setlist: Soul Finger (The Bar-Kays cover) Shotgun Blues (Sonny Boy Williamson cover) Sweet Home Chicago (Robert Johnson cover) Hard to Handle (Otis Redding cover) I’m Ready (Muddy Waters cover) Three Hundred Pounds of Joy (Howlin’ Wolf cover) Flip Flop and Fly (Big Joe Turner cover) 36-22-36 (Bobby Blue Band cover) Hey Bartender (Floyd Dixon cover) Rubber Biscuit (The Chips cover) Dig Myself a Hole (Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup cover) Land of 1000 Dances (Chris Kenner cover) Grits Ain’t Groceries (Little Milton cover) I Got Everything I Need (Downchild Blues Band cover) Altar of Love (Imperial Crown cover) Polk Salad Annie (Tony Joe White cover) Driving Wheel (Roosevelt Sykes cover) You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Women (Carole King cover) Just A fool, She Caught the Katyand Left Me a Mule to Ride (Taj Mahal cover) Soul Man (Sam & Dave cover) Chicken Shack (Jimmy Smith cover)

    Encore: Everybody Needs Somebody to Love( Solomon Burke cover) Money(That’s What I Want) (Barrett Strong cover) Skybox Outro

    blues brothers

  • Flyday Music Festival 2022 Lineup Headlined by Ghost-Note, Screaming Headless Torsos

    Flyday Music Festival will return this fall, September 29 through October 2, 2022 at Blackthorne Resort in East Durham, NY in the heart of the Catskills.

    flyday music festival 2022

    Flyday Music Festival, in its fifth year at Blackthorne Resort, is a non-corporate, intimate festival put on by two musicians who love great music. A celebration of life and creativity, freedom, spirit, heart and soul, and friends and family through music, art, and movement, Flyday has grown since inception in 2017, and brings together a stellar lineup and community. 

    The 2022 Flyday Music Festival lineup includes more than 20 bands, with a variety of genres including funk,

    The lineup includes Ghost-Note, Black Rock Funk Allstars, Yam Yam, Schleigho, Gnarbot, Space Junk is Forever, Shwizz, Baked Shrimp, Glass Pony, The Magnetic Pull, Screaming Headless Torsos, Honker, Ampevene, Level:Memory, Eugue Tyler Band, Children of the Judge, Laura Leigh and Denise Parent, Dr. Jah and the Love Prophets, Sungazer, Now vs Now, Nigel Felony and K-Weef.

    Artists will perform on two side-by-stages at the 100+ acre Blackthorne Resort, with 80+ rooms on site, camping and RV sites, a pool and tiki bar, in addition to a creek, hiking, a bar, a restaurant, a playground and play fields and courts, and a haunted house. Amenities include free showers, flush toilets and charging stations for all campers.

    The quality of the music and the coming together of friends and the ever-growing Flyday Family is the main focus of Flyday today. Besides some of the best music the Northeast has to offer, there will be workshops (tie-dye, juggling, and more), vendors (massage, artisan, clothing, food, microbrew) and glass blowing and other artisan demonstrations. There will be live, interactive art exhibits as well as a black-light art gallery/lounge.

    More info and tickets for Flyday Music Festival 2022 are available at flydaymusicfestival.com.

  • NYO Jazz Summer Tour, Debut Album “We’re Still Here” Announced By Carnegie Hall

    Carnegie Hall has announced the release of the debut album from NYO Jazz, We’re Still Here. Comprising young musicians ages 16–19 from across the United States, the album will be available everywhere June 24. The musicians of NYO Jazz will also embark on a tour this summer, including shows at Carnegia Hall and Chautauqua Institution.

    NYO Jazz’s debut album features a range of classic and contemporary charts

    Along with this, the album features Artistic Director and Bandleader/Trumpeter Sean Jones and special guest Melissa Aldana on tenor saxophone, plus an appearance by trombonist Wycliffe Gordon. 

    We’re Still Here presents four new works written for the band since its inception. NYO Jazz’s debut album features a range of classic and contemporary charts that are hallmarks of its live concerts. Along with works exploring themes that include social justice, resilience, and the power of music to spark joy.  

    “We’re thrilled for NYO Jazz to release its debut album this spring—the first recording by any of our national youth ensembles,”

    said Sarah Johnson, Chief Education Officer and Director of Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute.

    “It’s a tremendous opportunity for these gifted young players to train, perform, and now record alongside some of today’s leading jazz artists including special guest Melissa Aldana. It was especially meaningful for the musicians to gather for an extended residency last summer as it marked the first time many of them had the opportunity to come together to play in a full ensemble since the start of the pandemic”

    “With We’re Still Here, we are proud to showcase the incredible depth of talent and high level of musicianship of these standout jazz musicians from across the country who will help ensure one of America’s quintessential art forms is preserved for generations to come.” 

    “The big band has always been America’s orchestral format and one of the most wide-ranging ensembles ever devised,” said Jones, NYO Jazz’s Artistic Director and Bandleader. “It can convey nearly any style of music in a sonically stimulating and interactive way. This recording exhibits that diversity by placing classics by Duke Ellington and Neil Hefti alongside pieces that utilize the big band as a vehicle for contemporary American music and represent a wide variety of genres.” 

    “You close your eyes and think they’re all 20 years older than they are,”

    said Sean Jones who pays it forward through his passionate leadership of NYO Jazz, carrying on the tradition of mentorship in jazz. 

    The album will be released by Platoon and available for digital download and on all streaming platforms. Likewise, the album is available for pre-order here.

    Carnegie Hall has also announced the schedule for the first-ever US tour by its acclaimed NYO Jazz set to take place on the heels of the release of We’re Still Here. The NYO Jazz US Tour kicks off at Carnegie Hall on July 28 featuring GRAMMY® Award-nominated vocalist Jazzmeia Horn as Special Guest.

    NYO Jazz US Tour Dates

    July 28 | Carnegie Hall | New York, NY

    July 30 | Tri-C Metro Auditorium | Cleveland, OH

    August 1 | Chautauqua Amphitheater | Chautauqua, NY

    August 2 | The August Wilson African American Cultural Center | Pittsburgh, PA

    August 4 | Navy Pier, Lake Stage in Polk Bros Park | Chicago, IL

    August 5 | The Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center | Detroit, MI

    August 7 | Wisconsin Union Theater | Madison, WI

    August 9 | John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts | Washington, D.C.

  • ArtPark Announces 2022 Season Lineup

    The 2022 Artpark Summer Concert lineup was announced with a full range of artists coming to the Lewiston, NY, venue. Artpark was established in 1974 and is a summer outdoor music venue ranked one of the top 100 Amphitheaters Worldwide by Pollstar, with 150+ events attended by 150,000+ visitors.

    Artpark Amphitheater Concerts

    Modest Mouse- May 27

    Modest Mouse is an American rock band formed in 1992. The band achieved mainstream success with their fourth album, Good News for People Who Love Bad News with the singles “Float On” and “Ocean Breathes Salty.”

    Goose- June 8

    Goose is an American jam band from Norwalk, Connecticut. The band consists of Peter Anspach, Jeff Arevalo, Ben Atkind, Rick Mitarotonda, and Trevor Weekz. They have sold out multiple tours and released many groundbreaking albums.

    Patti Labelle- June 21

    Patti Labelle is a two-time Grammy award-winning blues and pop artist, who has sold over 50 million records. She has many hit songs including “Lady Marmalade,” “On My Own,” and “New Attitude.”

    Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats- June 28

    Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats are one of the most recognizable new forces in contemporary rock. They have opened for The Rolling Stones, appeared on Saturday Night Live, CMT Crossroads, and at NPR’s Tiny Desk.

    Flogging Molly & The Interrupters- July 2

    Flogging Molly is an Irish-American seven-piece Celtic punk band formed in 1997. The Interrupters is an American punk rock band, consisting of vocalist Aimee Interrupter, drummer Jesse Bivona, bassist Justin Bivona, and guitarist Kevin Bivona.

    Barenaked Ladies- July 5

    The Barenaked Ladies are a Grammy-award-winning Canadian rock band formed in 1988, with 17 albums and over 15 million sold.

    Tedeschi Truck Band- July 12

    The Tedeschi Truck Band is a 12-piece American Blues band led by married couple Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks. Their debut album, Revelator, won the 2012 Grammy Award for Best Blues Album.

    Bleachers- July 27

    Bleachers is an American indie pop act and the stage name of Grammy-award-winning producer Jack Antonoff. Their pop music is heavily influenced by the late ’80s early ’90s.

    Earth, Wind, and Fire- July 31

    Described as one of the most innovative and the most commercially successful acts in history, Earth, Wind, and Fire is a multi-genre band who have sold more than 90 million albums around the world.

    Additional Acts

    May 29- Lake Street Dive

    June 14- Trombone Shorty’s Voodoo Threauxdown

    August 1- Khruangbin

    August 3- Sad Summer Festival 2022

    August 9- Elvis Costello and The Imposters

    August 10- Ziggy Marley: A Tribute To His Father

    August 16- Backroads Blues Festival

    August 18- Brantley Gilbert

    August 23- Dispatch and O.A.R

    August 31- Boy George & Culture Club

    September 3- Rainbow Kitten Surprise

    Artpark Mainstage Theater

    NEEDTOBREATHE- May 18

    Rock band NEEDTOBREATHE have gathered one platinum single, four gold singles, and a gold album since they formed in 1998, and hundreds of millions of streams.

    Bon Iver- June 7

    Bon Iver is an American indie-folk band founded in 2006 by singer-songwriter Justin Vernon, who has been nominated for multiple Grammys and won Best Artist.

    The War On Drugs- June 11

    The War on Drugs is an American rock band consisting of Adam Granduciel, David Hartley, Robbie Bennett, Charlie Hall, Jon Natchez, Anthony LaMarca, and Eliza Hardy Jones.

    “Weird Al” Yankovic- July 29

    “Weird Al” Yankovic is the biggest-selling comedy recording artist of all time, with five Grammys, and his 2014 release Mandatory Fun was the first comedy album in history to debut at #1 on Billboard’s Top 200.

    Additional Acts

    May 28- The Head and The Heart

    June 9- CHVRCHES

    July 9- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban™ in Concert

    July 11- Death Cab For Cutie

    August 21- Jack White

    Artpark is also hosting Art Camps for three weeks in July 2022. Classes run from 9 A.M. to 4 P.M. and students can learn ceramics, drawing and painting, soft sculpture, galaxy pant pours, and felted insects.

    Tickets to the 2022 Artpark summer concerts are available here.

  • Swing Time With Judy Carmichael Is Coming To The Cortland Repertory Theatre

    Jazz pianist Judy Carmichael will perform at the Cortland Repertory Theatre May 7, and bring the “Swing” to Spring. “Swing Time” will be a celebratory night of swing era music, along with the Great American Songbook. 

    Judy Carmichael
    Swing

    Carmichael, also known as “Stride”, is a grammy nominated pianist/vocalist who is proficient at playing stride and swing music. She has endless performances, from popular venues, to private recitals, to appearances on the radio or television.

    Her impact on music is not only within the states, but around the world. In fact, under the United States Information Agency, Carmichael has toured in India, Portugal, Brazil and Singapore. Furthermore, her talents have spread from the most exquisite venues like Carnegie Hall to Peggy Guggenheim Museum in Venice. However, music is not Carmichael’s only strong suit; she has also performed comic skits.

    Carmichael has a great understanding and knowledge of jazz, which is the root of her music. She values it so proudly, and has studied jazz from the beginning of its era to this very day. Carmichael adds a “fresh, dynamic interpretation of her own”, according to Washington Post.

    Her hard work does not go unrecognized, considering Carmichael is one of the few jazz pianists honored as a Steinway Artist. Additionally, she participated as a panelist at National Endowment for the Arts and was included in a number of jazz anthologies. Carmichael is also listed in Who’s Who in the East, Who’s Who in Finance and Industry in America, Who’s Who in American Woman, American Women in Jazz, Who’s Who in the World, as well as the Encyclopedia of Jazz. 

    The Cortland Repertory Theatre administration has announced that vaccination cards are not required for attendance and although face masks are encouraged, it is not mandatory for this event. However, either of these policies may be subject to change, in accordance with the CDC.

    This one night event will be located at 24 Port Watson Street, in Cortland. Tickets are $30.00 and are currently available.

  • The Lake George Arts Project Announces Summer 2022 Lineup

    The Lake George Arts Project has just announced its 2022 summer concert series. The shows start at 7pm on Wednesday Nights in July and August at Shepard Park. Additionally, there will be a bonus fireworks concert on Thursday, August 25th at no cost. You will not want to miss out on an evening of great music, so grab your family and friends and take them to Lake George. 

    The Lake George Arts Project Announces its 2022 Summer Concert Series

    This beloved summer concert series is back to bring the best bands to Shepard Park for concerts July through August. The Lake George Arts Project looked far and wide to bring amazing acts to Shepard Park for their 2022 Summer Concert Series. This year’s lineup features acts from Nashville, New Jersey, Boston, Philadelphia, and fan favorites from the Capital Region at this year’s show.  

    Shepard Park Lake George

    The 2022 Line-Up 

    Wednesday, July 6: Annie and the Hedonists 

    A band with a great lead singer and tight harmonies, covering an eclectic mix of acoustic blues, vintage jazz and swing, and folk roots Americana. “Annie struts right to the heart of each sassy, nostalgic song and gives us a piece of her mind in a voice that sits comfortably alongside the greats of the American jazz tradition.”

    – Sarah Craig, Manager, Caffe Lena

    Wednesday, July 13: Albert Cummings 

    Wednesday, July 20: Cold Chocolate 

    Wednesday, July 27: The Twangtown Paramours 

    Wednesday, August 3: The Outcrops 

    Wednesday, August 10: Time For Three (presented in partnership with The Lake George Music Festival)

    Wednesday, August 17: Zikina

    Wednesday, August 24: The Red Haired Strangers 

     The Red Haired Strangers are “just plain pleasing, but anything but plain…The content hits all factions of the country songwriting party: original words set to driving melodies complete with evocative images of wandering, trains, sin and love lost.”

    – Saratoga Today

    Thursday, August 25: Alex Torres and His Latin Orchestra (Special Thursday Night Fireworks Show)

    Wednesday, August 31: The McKrells 

    “If bands were paid by the number of notes they played, soulfulness, conviction, confidence or black leather the McKrells would have bagged most of the money Thursday. Kevin McKrell owned the stage and crowd as usual and sang “It’s Not Me” as the country-est song of the night. They were a delicious bonus and surprise.”

    – The Daily Gazette

    For more information, click here.

  • Arthur’s Tavern in Greenwich Village Reopens

    Legendary Jazz club, Arthur’s Tavern, has announced their plans to renovate and reopen their doors. First opened in 1937, the historic location operated until 2020. 

    Arthur’s Tavern will make its long awaited return following their unfortunate closing due to Covid-19. After a well deserved remodel, patrons will be welcomed into an updated bar that still keeps its classic charm. Acts you know and love will return as well, along with some new additions. There will also be a new menu for patrons to try. 

    We strive to not become a victim of the changing times like many others have and allow our patrons to enjoy a piece of Old New York.

    Tsion Bensusan, Blue Note Entertainment Group

    The speakeasy bar was originally created in 1937 as an escape from harsh prohibition laws. It evolved into a center for singers and instrumentalists to showcase their talent while patrons take in the laid back atmosphere and friendly faces. 

    Located at 57 Grove Street (between South 7th Avenue and Bleecker Street) in Manhattan, the designated historic building has hosted a number of residencies including Mabel Godwin, Al Bundy, Johnny Parker and more. It has been nicknamed “The Home of the Bird” due to the fact that it was the last place in NYC that consistently hosted live jazz performances by Charlie Parker. 

  • Syracuse Jazz Festival Back After Five Year Hiatus

    The Syracuse Jazz Festival is back after a five-year hiatus. Since 1981, the Syracuse Jazz Fest has served as Central NY’s oldest, longest-running, and most-attended festival. It has received four International Awards and 30 National & Regional Awards.

    The Syracuse Jazz Fest will run for three nights from Thursday, June 23 through Saturday, June 25. It will feature international and national artists on the Clinton Square Main Stage in downtown Syracuse. There will also be performances by 20 of Syracuse’s finest jazz groups, who will be appearing at clubs, bars, restaurants, and performance venues downtown.

    Festival Founder Frank Malfitano thanked Amazon for sponsoring the event in a statement.

    We couldn’t possibly be more grateful to NYS Assemblyman Al Stirpe, Onondaga County Executive J Ryan McMajon, Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh, US Senator Chuck Schumer and Amazon for co-sponsoring and bringing Syracuse Jazz Fest back to Downtown Syracuse this June. I know we’re all thrilled to see this longtime Syracuse summertime tradition coming back, and that would simply not have been possible without Amazon’s support.

    A lot of legendary artists have performed at the festival, including Aretha Franklin, Dizzy Gillespie, Ray Charles, and Sonny Rollins. These performances gave the festival international acclaim.

    The Syracuse Jazz Festival is back with a stellar lineup of world-renowned artists. And perhaps the best part about the annual festival that will be happening for three nights in June is that admission is free.

  • New Caffe Lena TV App Now Available

    Caffe Lena is known for its extraordinary music and for being the longest operating folk music venues within the United States. Caffe Lena has now taken it to another level with their launch of their brand new app “Caffe Lena TV.”

    The app allows easy access to live streaming concerts, archived videos, and the opportunity to be an interactive audience member by texting comments throughout the show. To download the app, just search “Caffe Lena TV” in your AppStore (iOS), PlayStore (Android) or Roku Store or click the link above and follow the instructions to sign in! 

    Caffe Lena launched a School of Music in 2020 which helps to carry on the folk tradition of music for students, children and adults. Some of America’s best loved songwriters have gotten their careers launched from Caffe Lena like American-blues songwriter, Sawyer Fredericks.

    Caffe Lena was called “An American treasure” by The Library of Congress and is recognized for their help in the development of American music from The GRAMMY Foundation.

    Check out Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs and the world-class performers that will get your foot tapping to the music. The Caffe Lena App thanks those for supporting their non-profit venue and keeping independent music alive!

  • First Ever Backroads Blues Festival Coming to Bethel Woods and Artpark

    Backroads Blues Festival will tour the east coast on a six date journey from Rhode Island to Virginia. Starting August 13, fans will see performances from Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Buddy Guy and Cristone “Kingfish” Ingram.

    These three generations of artists will come together to bring forth a renaissance for the genre. It serves as an extension of Shepherd’s 2007 film and album project, 10 Days Out : Blues From the Backroads, where he traveled the country, recording and performing with artists like Etta Baker, Honeyboy Edwards and Hubert Sumlin. 

    Shepherd’s hope for the Backroads Blues Festival is that it will help to revive the tradition of touring Blues festivals. Inspiration comes from his past experiences with the B.B King Blues Festival, where legends such as Buddy Guy, Etta James and the Neville Brothers performed. He aspires to give blues performers and blues fans a place where they can come together and celebrate the genre. 

    Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band
    Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band

    Shepherd will celebrate his 45th birthday with special performances 6/11 – 6/12 in Indiana and Ohio. He will be joined by Samantha Fish, the Ally Venable Band and Blues Entertainer of the Year, Shemekia Copeland. More information can be found here.

    Tickets are on sale now.

    August 13 – Bold Point Park, Providence, RI

    August 14 – Bethel Ampitheatre, Bethel, NY

    August 16 – Artpark, Lewiston, NY

    August 18 – Symphony Hall, Sprinfield, MA

    August 20 – Elmwood Park, Roanoke, VA

    August 21 – Atlantic Union Bank Pavilion, Portsmouth, VA