From November 15 to 27, the world premiere of “Sugar Hill: The Ellington/Strayhorn Nutcracker” will come to New York City Center after a stay in Pittsburgh from October 19-30.
The new ballet reimagines the beloved classic, with a libretto by Jessica Swan and music of legends Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. Embracing the jazz genre, the ballet comes at a perfect time to ring in this fall’s holiday season at New York City Center.
Composer Billy Strayhorn playing piano (Photo by Steve Schapiro/Corbis via Getty Images)
“Sugar Hill” is a tribute to collaboration, diversity, and individuality. The music arrangement celebrates the jazz heartbeat of Sugar Hill in Harlem. Directed by Emmy Award winner Joshua Bergasse, with choreography by Jade Hale-Christofi, the show will present amazing dancers, orchestrations, and arrangements.
Consummate master of self-expression Duke Ellington and classically-trained, jazz genius Billy Strayhorn, took something wholly European, Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker, and transformed it into a story that symbolizes the American ideal — the freedom of individualism — by marrying it to jazz. There is no finer visual representation of this than through dance.
-A. Alyce Claerbaut and Mercedes Ellington
A. Alyce Claerbaut, niece of Billy Strayhorn, is the “Sugar Hill” Executive Producer, and Mercedes Ellington, granddaughter of Duke Ellington, and producer, director, and choreographer in her own right, expressed the genius of the ballet’s intent.
American musician Duke Ellington (1899-1974). Undated photograph. (Photo by George Rinhart/Corbis via Getty Images)
The “Sugar Hill” creative team also includes the talent of Julian Crouch (Scenic Designer), Linda Cho (Costume Design), David Finn (Lighting Design), Austin Switser and Switser + Knight (Projection Design) and John Shivers (Sound Design). Stay tuned for when the New York City Center tickets to this genre-bending ballet go on sale.
The best summers are commemorated with a great soundtrack. Often times the memory is triggered by what songs were playing during the late night strolls, road trips and summer parties. Traveling beach-hop artist, Cully, looks to capture this very essence with his latest single, “Aquafina.” A snazzy, laid-back record, “Aquafina” has all the feels of a staple summer hangout song, with its infectious chorus, Cully’s effortless flow and quick-witted rhymes.
If Cully’s style seems more refined than others, it’s because he’s been working on it nearly all of his life. The musical seed was planted at just two-days-old when he attended his first music festival with his mother and father. An intoxicated onlooker proclaimed him “the smallest baby” they’d ever seen.
Yo I was Frontin’ on a beach like I was lying in the sand. And I was trying to keep the peace and now she crying in her hands.
Developing an early knack for free-styling, Cully would hone his skills at his catholic elementary school playground (which in reality was just a parking lot) about the strife of a 10-year-old. No one could really beat-box yet, so he did it mostly a-cappella. Why a pasty 10-year-old attending catholic school was remotely talented at free-styling is anyone’s guess.
His high school years saw him for a rap trio with friends Patio and Sammy V. Their group, Tribe Style, earned thousands of views on Youtube. Cully’s musical journey saw him earn a a B.A. in Music Industry in 2017. While in university in upstate New York he met friend and frequent collaborator MC Righteous and joined Professor Joe Pignato’s avant-garde jazz troupe, Bright Dog Red, for two albums on Ropeadope Records. Cully has now come full- circle, as he quenches his musical thirst with “Aquafina,” as this beachy bop is a sleeper hit waiting to catch a wave.
“Aquafina” is also getting the splattered color vinyl treatment. Four remixes of “Aquafina,” produced by a slew of Cully’s college buddies who are successful musicians in their own right, will also be featured on the vinyl as well as released digitally.
Additionally, “Aquafina’s” upcoming video — set to drop on August 5 on Cully’s Youtube channel — is executively produced by Cully and co-directed by Salvatore Rubino (whose worked with the likes of Dom Kennedy, Smoke DZA, Cozz) and Dave Prokopec (Wiz Khalifa, Mac Miller), channels a classic California aura with a ’62 Impala strolling down the Pacific Coast, chipped toothed model in tow.
Railroad Earth brought their Americana/bluegrass rock ‘n roll to Lincoln Hill Farms in Canandaigua on Thursday, July 28. The New Jersey band marked their first time playing at the venue, which opened in 2016, and it seemed like they would be welcomed back judging by the crowd’s reception.
The weather stayed perfect and there was nothing but good vibes on a beautiful, scenic farm as Railroad Earth shared their upbeat music that got many fans dancing. The band’s variety in the setlist took songs from each of their nine albums (minus one), bringing a show that gave us something old, something new and lots in between. There were so many great songs left off the table, and that will keep us coming back for more.
Lincoln Hill Farms
The band got people moving right away with “Chasin A Rainbow.” Guitarist and lead vocalist Todd Schaefer’s lyrics flow right to the beat with this song and it already felt like the train started taking off. They segued into “Bread And Water” and that’s another fast-tempo song that helped get people moving.
Violin player Tim Carbone picked up the electric guitar for “When The Sun Gets In Your Blood.”
The band played “Chains,” a song off their first album The Black Bear Sessions. They’d go into “Bill Monroe’s Old Dangerfield” and segue into “Blues Highway” which built into an epic “Black Bear,” another one off their first album fans love to chant along with.
Mike Robinson switched off between banjo and guitar here and there as they played “Across The Great Divide” and ended the set with “Long Way To Go.” “Blues Highway” and “Across The Great Divide” are on their most recent album, All For The Song, released this year.
After the skies got darker during set break, the crowd was more lively and ready to go. The stage’s fancy lights started to get used and fog machines came out, changing the dynamic and turning up the excitement.
Popular RRE cover song “Walk Beside Me” (written by Tim O’Brien) got things started with its bass-heavy intro. The band has fun with this song and each of the seven members trade off on solos for a minute. They all get their chance to have some fun.
“Only By The Light” came next which is a nice peaceful tune. “Saddle Of The Sun” turned things more into a more upbeat feeling and then once the crowd recognized the drums for “Elko” starting off, people were excited for the RRE favorite.
There was no shortage of playing cards as they went flying when the chorus hit. It brought a new rush of energy to the crowd and the band took the opportunity to jam out while everyone danced and picked up cards. Matt Slocum on keys went hard for his solo then they let Carbone finish it off with some crazy playing..
They went into “Living in the Good Life” which is an upbeat happy slower song that let everyone catch their breath, then played “Potter’s Field” and the song segued into a Lonecraft Farewell jam and Robinson brought out the pedal steel.. They all continued to take the mellow jam and progressively get a little heavier as it continued. Andrew Altman’s bass lines were thick, and everyone was grooving to the funky beat. Altman would switch from electric bass to stand up bass throughout the night. The band segued into “‘Neat the Stars” afterward which really let the slide guitar shine.
John Skehan’s mandolin with Harmon’s drums to kick off “Like A Buddah” felt like the best was yet to come. The band put everything on the table and Harmon and all of them looked like they were having the times of their lives. They all came with some intensity and Carbone shredded the violin and showed us what Railroad Earth is all about.
The last song was “Give That Boy a Hand” and it brought some good vibes as everyone was smiling and dancing and giving the band a hand thanking them for the good times they shared. They played right up until curfew and didn’t have a chance for an encore, so Shaefer came out and thanked the fans and Lincoln Hill Farms and how much the band appreciated coming out.
If there was one thing to say about the band is that every member looked like they were having an awesome time on stage, and they really loved what they were doing.
As for Lincoln Hill Farms, the venue was very relaxed, and possibly one of the most chill places to see some live music. With doors at 5 p.m. and local musician Brian Ayers opened the stage at 6, there was plenty of time to get in and settle down. There’s food for dinner from tacos, pulled pork or chicken sandwiches, pizza and other snacks and sides. The food was fresh, tasted great and everything looked tasty.
There was quite a bit to choose for the beer selection and it included local favorites. The bar is impressive the way it wraps around and gives patrons enough space. It makes it easy to grab a drink and get back to the music.
Talent Buyer Jon Willis said they wanted to make the venue more comfortable for that reason. There is plenty of room for people to dance, find a table to eat or they can explore part of the 95-acres the scenic venue is set on. Lincoln Hill Farms will be a great venue for a tourist to the Finger Lakes and a great way to take in the area and see some live music.
It’s definitely one of the chilliest venues, with a relaxing atmosphere, scenic background and plenty of space. With good food, it’s the kind of place you want to come early and plan your whole night around.
Railroad Earth – Lincoln Hill Farms, Canandaigua – July 28, 2022
Set 1: Chasing A Rainbow > Bread & Water, When the Sun Gets In Your Blood, Chains, Old Dangerfield > Blues Highway > Black Bear, Across the Great Divide, Long Way To Go
Set 2: Walk Beside Me > Only By The Light, Saddle of the Sun, Elko, Good Life, Potter’s Field > Lonecroft Farewell > ‘Neath The Stars, Like a Buddha, Give That Boy A Hand
Turkuaz has announced the release date for its last albums. Paradiso, inspired by the band’s recent sound, which draws on synth and electronic influences, and Apollyon, a funk-laden 12-track that pays homage to the band’s roots, will both be released on September 9.
In advance of the band’s final release, Turkuaz has also shared the single “Strange People (Strange Times)” as well as its B-side “Feel No Pain.”
The forthcoming albums were recorded before the 2021 exit of several band members amid the ensemble’s final tour, which left two founding members, Taylor Shell and Dave Brandwein, to polish these final albums,
It’s bittersweet finally putting these records out. Taylor and I are obviously sad about the break-up of the band. Though we have our frustrations, what seems most important right now is to give something to the fans that have supported us all these years, and we hope that two full albums of new Turkuaz material will serve as a half-way decent consolation prize in lieu of being able to tour anymore…This release is a celebration of the legacy and sound that the nine of us built together.
~ Dave Brandwein
According to Brandwein, the forthcoming albums show two very different sides of Turkuaz. The musician views Apollyon as an old-school take on the group’s sound, drawing on an increasingly raw edge that still allows room for elaborate grooves and the band’s true funky spirit. Whereas, Paradiso is a modern, synth-laden exploratory that captures elements of Turkuaz’s developed tone in more recent years. Moreover, these albums will allow fans to experience a certain totality for Turkuaz, with the precision of an understood ending.
Bred out of what Brandwein has deemed a full circle experience, Turkuaz’s final albums deliver two unique sides to the band, which flex distinct facets that showcase a decade worth of hard work and expertise.
For more information on Turkuaz, visit the band’s website here.
Basilica Hudson, the internationally-renowned nonprofit arts center co-founded by musician Melissa Auf der Maur and filmmaker Tony Stone, is spotlighting area musicians, DJs, spoken word, visual artists and more with Jupiter Nights, a new weekly series taking place in its recently-renovated Gallery Building.
“In astrology, Jupiter is the planet that rules Thursdays and also the planet of expansion,” says Auf der Maur. “Our Jupiter Nights are a gathering place and performance space where local creatives can showcase their talents, while also connecting with like-minded explorers in their own and other artistic disciplines. With the recent expansion of our Gallery Building, they present the first opportunity for year-round weekly programming here at Basilica Hudson. In their intimacy and frequency, they also offer a wonderful counterbalance to our large-scale seasonal events like 24-Hour Drone and Basilica SoundScape.”
Peter Galgani, Cozy Oaks Productions
Music, both live performances and DJ sets, are very much the anchor of Basilica Hudson’s Jupiter Nights, along with poetry and storytelling, visual art and even cuisine.
Peter Galgani, Cozy Oaks Productions
The novel series kicked off May 5 with lovers x Navaja El Filo Tropical, an evening of Salsa, Cumbia, Ranchera, Reggaeton, Guaracha and Danzón music featuring artists from NYC, Mexico and Hudson. The night also boasted DJ sets by Adrian Is Hungry, Laura Se Fue and Sonido Talacha of the Barrio Collective, along with lovers, the duo of Hudson’s own DJ Uncle Rudy and Davon. This was complemented by a poetry reading by O Zotique and food by Casa Latina Pupusas Y Mas, a family-owned Hudson restaurant featuring authentic cuisine from El Salvador and Mexico. Murals made by local youth during a spray paint workshop led by Super Stories were also on display.
Avant-garde jazz was featured during a June 9 event produced by Melodius Thunk, a partnership between local artists and musicians Reggie Madison and Tshidi Matale. This evening featured the Zwelakhe-Duma Bell le Pere Trio and a DJ set from Fulathela, AKA Mike Mosby. Ambient soundscapes and edge-pushing audio hijinks were the focus of the July 21 event headlined by claire rousay and Matchless (Whitney Johnson). The first season of Jupiter Nights concludes tonight, July 28, with performances by a trio of singer-songwriters Emily Ritz, Jackie West and Shana Falana.
Peter Galgani, Cozy Oaks Productions
Basilica Hudson’s Jupiter Nights will be on hiatus in August but return September 15 according to Allison Young, who co-curates the series with Sam Hillmer.
“Jupiter Nights has brought a heightened localized focus to both our curatorial vision and community presence,” adds Young. “It has been met with a very positive response from folks all across the Hudson Valley. It is bringing in both first timers and returning visitors, ones who are delighted to have a unique performance space that they can patronize weekly for the best in music and other creative forms.”
Peter Galgani, Cozy Oaks Productions
Young continues: “Come September, we will continue our mission to showcase a different style of music each week, complemented with new gallery openings by local artists, spoken word and some of the finest food that the restaurant-rich Hudson Valley has to offer.”
Doors open at 7 PM and performances begins at 8 PM Thursdays at Basilica Hudson, 110 South Front Street, Hudson. Updates on events and the announcement of the coming Fall schedule can be found at the series’ webpage.
Hailing from the Finger Lakes region, rock & roll band the Sweats is set to release their upcoming single, “Whiskey Thursday,” out on streaming services on July 28. The single is the first off of their album, Summer Nights Begin, which will drop later this year.
“Whiskey Thursday” is built on the foundation of dynamic drums, a great bass line, wonderful guitars, and synths, with a relatable storyline lyrically. Similar in sound to the Foo Fighters, Ted Leo, or Deer Tick, the track is the perfect hint at what to expect for the rest of the album.
The song deals with the struggles of untruthful relationships and confronting dark times. Vocalist Travis Durfee sings passionately on the track, describing the confusion of a relationship as backing vocals and engaging beats carry you through the five-minute song. The rhythm, lyrics, and catchy beats keep you hooked and wanting more.
Sweats, consisting of Travis Durfee (vocals, guitar), JM Sincock (drums), Rob Kurcoba (bass), Tony DeLuca (keys), and Nick D’Aloisio (guitar), released their first full-length album, Caught in Wave, in 2020. The album was well-received, but the band is looking forward to continuing to expand their live performances with this upcoming album, Summer Nights Begin.
Audiences can find Sweats often playing at the wineries and breweries outside of Ithaca where they are committed to playing original music for fans to enjoy. Creating art and making their own tunes is how Sweats rolls, and “Whiskey Thursday,” is a prime example of this.
It is like an underground network of sorts, this rural collective of DIY festivals and promoters. There are groups like Uncle Uku and the Guise and Technicolor Trailer Park and indie rockers like Jesse Bloodgood, punks like The Rooster, all supporting each other, playing shows together, and trying to make it work, pulling together festivals, such as Togetherness and Wonderland, bringing people out into the woods to hear the heartbeat of original music in rural Upstate New York. It takes a minute to find that heartbeat, but we’re on the pulse and the beat is pretty steady.
-Travis Durfee on the Ithaca music scene
Be sure to be on the lookout for when “Whiskey Thursday” drops on July 28. The single will not disappoint and stay tuned for the upcoming album, Summer Nights Begin, which was mixed by sound engineer Mike Capporizzo. Take a listen to more of Sweats’ music available below.
WEQX has long been the preeminent independent station in the Capital Region of New York, broadcasting from Southern VT to an ever-expanding listening audience and showcases new music on EQXposure. NYS Music brings you a preview of artists to discover each week, just a taste of the talent waiting to be discovered by fans like you.
El Modernist- “Something For The Weekend”
El Modernist are an indie band from Albany, delivering new takes on what is considered indie rock. They mix genres and have a psychedelic sound with pulsating hooks and melodies.
Jason Wolfman Martin -” Nobody Hears It”
Jason Wolfman Martin is an artist/musician/curator, active from 1989 to now, with three decades of LPs, CDs, and tapes under his belt. He hasn’t made music in over seven years, and his brand new EP and single serve as a comeback.
EDM legends Big Gigantic wrap up their last dates of their Brighter Future Tour. The duo are no strangers to the electronic scene, especially in Buffalo where they sold out the Town Ballroom on July 27.
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
Buffalo had multiple DJ’s preforming for hours before Big G took over. Special guests Covex, MEMBA, and KASBO opened up the night getting the crowd pumped up.
Big Gigantic are veterans at mixing edm beats with multiple instruments to give a sound that is both danceable and intuitive. The Denver natives Dominic Lalli and Jeremy Salken utilize saxophone and drums to layer over samples. They don’t shy away from any style of music. Their range stretches from jazz to hip hop, and funk to dubstep. Alongside their cinematic production, Big G knows how to put on a show. Whether that be headlining a major festival like Electric Forest or filling up the Town Ballroom, these two do not disappoint.
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
The duo opened up the show with their single “Future’s All I See” off of their latest 2022 album Brighter Future 2. They immediately captured the stage with their animated visuals and energetic crowd welcome. Their impressive instrumentation matched with their colorful lasers had everyone getting rowdy.
Big Gigantic never stopped once during their set. It was continuous beats and melodies blended into the next. This allowed them to play both old and new hits which left no one disappointed. Some of which included “The Little Things,” “Open Your Mind,” and “All of Me.” They managed to mix in some popular covers as well like Kid Cudi’s “Day ‘N’ Night.”
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
To top off the night Big Gigantic brought Covex back on stage to sing their song “Second Time” and closed out with “Love Unlimited.” No matter the size of the venue or location Big G proves again that they know how to put on a show.
Make sure to stay up to date with shows coming to the Town Ballroom. Joyce Manor has a show on August 10 and Cody Jinks performs August 17.
Country-folk artist Willie Nelson will perform at SummerStage this fall with special guest Charley Crockett, on September 20.
The SummerStage concert will begin at 6:00 pm and the doors open at 5:00 pm at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park. All ages are welcome, and tickets are available for purchase now. Willie Nelson is currently on his Outlaw Music Fest tour and will also stop in Bethel on August 13, Darien Center on August 14, and Saratoga Springs on September 18.
At 89 years old, the country musician has long made a name for himself in the genre. Popular albums include 1973 Shotgun Willie, Red Headed Stranger (1975), and Stardust (1978). Willie Nelson’s most recent album, 2022’s A Beautiful Time, was released on the singer’s 89th birthday this past April and received positive reception.
Nelson is also expected to perform at Farm Aid Fest this September alongside other acts such as Chris Stapleton, Sheryl Crow, and Charley Crockett, among others. Nelson currently serves as one of the board members for the festival.
Willie Nelson is one of many guests who have come to Central Park to perform at the SummerStage Festival. Since 1986, the event has curated acts across multiple genres. Previous performances include pop duo Oh Wonder, jazz legend Roy Haynes, and many more.
Tickets to see Willie Nelson & Family, and Charley Crockett, at SummerStage are available now at the City Parks Foundation website.
On Sunday, September 4, Buffalo Jazz Festival brings four acts to the area for a full day of live music during Labor Day Weekend.
From noon until 6:30 pm, the West Plaza of the Seneca One Tower in Buffalo will bring audiences live music, food trucks, refreshments, and entertainment for all ages. In the second year of the festival using the venue space, people can enjoy a free community concert.
To open up the Buffalo Jazz Festival, NYC-based John Troy Quartet will perform from 12 noon until 1:15 pm. John Aaron Troy is a saxophonist, multiple woodwind musician, and educator. The artist picked up the saxophone at age 10 and his music is ever-evolving since then.
From 1:45 pm to 3:00 pm, Trigger & the Sermon will take the spotlight. Trigger & the Sermon Organ Jazz Quartet play classical soul-jazz while mixing in unique rhythm and groove. The group has played at multiple venues in the Buffalo area, including at the Four One Six and Duende at Silo City.
Trigger & The Sermon
The Dave Hill Group brings more entertainment to the Buffalo Jazz Festival, with a performance from 3:30 pm to 4:45 pm. Dave Hill Group consists of Jim Linsler (drums), Pat Georger (keys), Tim Sheldon (bass), Colin Brydalski (bass), and Matt Harris on saxophone.
To close out the festival Wendell Rivera Latin Jazz Ensemble will play from 5:15 pm to 6:30 pm. A Buffalo Music Hall of Fame Inductee who has played with the likes of Aretha Franklin, Arthuro Sandovar, and Ben Vereen, the performance is sure to be one to remember.
Wendell Rivera
JazzBuffalo promotes the genre of jazz in the Buffalo area with news, live performances, festivals, events, education, and more. The organization uses music and events to bring the community together and the Buffalo Jazz Festival is one such event. For more information about the organization and ways to get involved, visit the website available here.
