The Harlem Gospel Travelers will release a new full-length album, Look Up! on September 16, via Colemine Records. Ahead of the album’s release, the trio shared their empowering title track and fun-filled music video, which you can see below.
With production by acclaimed soul singer-songwriter, Eli “Paperboy” Reed, the new album gives the trio their first collection of completely original material. The trio consists of Thomas Gatling, George Marage, and Dennis Bailey, all of whom grew up in different areas but refined their talents in Harlem. While the group is greatly influenced by the gospel quartet tradition of the ‘50s and ‘60s, they give a modern edge with this recent release.
Travelers Gaitling and Marage met producer Reed through an after-school program that grew their appreciation and knowledge of the deep history of the gospel quartet. The program allowed them to gain new perspectives, and tap into their true talents. After the 2019 release of the LP He’s On Time, Bailey joined the two, completing the group.
He’s On Time garnered rave reviews in 2019 along with high-profile fans such as Elton John, who invited them on his Rocket Man radio show. The LP also gave way for the group to perform at festivals like Pilgrimage and Telluride Jazz.
This newest title track, “Look Up” empowers listeners and the upcoming album is sure to not disappoint. The Harlem Gospel Travelers are reviving old sounds and reminding listeners how prevalent the music is still today. While gospel is always at the root of their music, the group also incorporates country, folk, rock, soul, and blues.
Check out The Harlem Gospel Travelers live, with the performance dates below.
Tour Dates:
July 23 – Staten Island, NY – Maker Park Radio
Aug. 3 – Bloomington, IN – Buskirk Chumley Theater
A Blues BBQ Festival at Hudson River Park’s Pier 76 (34th Street) this summer will kick off on August 13th from 12PM to 9PM, with performances scheduled to take place throughout the day. The riverfront performances will be hosted by Binky Griptite and featuring performances from Walter “Wolfman” Washington, Don Bryant, Bette Smith, Dwayne Dopsie & The Zydeco Hellraisers, and Jackie Venson.
Bule BBQ Festival at Hudson River Park
Hudson River Park, which extends from Chambers Street to 59th Street along Manhattan’s West Side, is the longest riverfront park in the United States. It facilitates skate parks, playgrounds, sports fields, gardens and nature exhibits, boating and maritime activities, art installations, and myriad year-round events that celebrate the diverse cultures and neighborhoods along its shores.
The Blues BBQ Festival is the longest-running free blues festival in the New York City metro-region since 1999. It runs four miles along the West Side, attracting over 17 million visits each year. Over the last two decades, over 100 musicians have entertained performances happened here.
During this incredible festival, various restaurants include blue Blue Smoke, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, Jase’s BBQ, Kimchi Smoke, and Big Papa Smokem. They will provide incredible BBQs with different flavours to support the festival. Beverage companies participating will be Allagash, Bronx Brewery, Sunday Beer Lager, Archer Roose Rose and Sparkling White Wine and Two Robbers Hard Seltzer.
The musical lineup is designed to showcase the many interpretations and influences of the blues genre. The event will be hosted by Binky Griptite of The Dap-kings and will feature Brooklyn native Bette Smith, acclaimed Memphis-born singer-songwriter Don Bryant, “America’s Hottest Accordion” winner, Dwayne Dopsie, and his band, The Zydeco Hellraisers, recording artist Walter “Wolfman” Washington, and multi-instrumentalist and singer/songwriter Jackie Venson.
For the first time in 11 years, dance music pioneer Carl Cox is back for NYC’s Electric Zoo Festival. Known as the “last dance” of the summer season, Electric Zoo brings a variety of acts from the electronic music scene.
On Sep. 4, Cox will perform a rare US festival set and take over the Hilltop Area. As a part of the stage takeover, Cox curated a unique house and techno lineup, to bring all the energy to festivalgoers.
The highly-talented lineup includes DJ Holographic, Loco Dice, Charles Meyer, Chelina Manuhutu, and Andrea Olivia B2B Ilario Alicante.
Detroit-based DJ Holographic is known for her combination of House beats, R&B, Hip Hop, Disco, and of course, true Detroit techno. Loco Dice, hailing from Germany, frequently shares the stage with Carl Cox and has been a staple in the electronic music scene for years. NYC’s tech-house ambassador Charles Meyer’s music transforms, making him the perfect addition to the stage.
Chelina Manuhutu will join the stage all the way from Ibiza, a talented, strong feminine force and one of the most exciting artists in the underground music scene. To top off the lineup, Carl Cox will welcome Andrea Oliva B2B Ilario Alicante to the stage. The duo is sure to deliver an unforgettable set for the fans of Electronic Zoo with an exciting house and techno set.
Originally from the UK, Carl Cox exploded onto the British rave scene before making his own music with his debut hit “I Want You” in 1991. He continues to play shows all over the world, curates lineups, and even launched a new label, Awesome Soundwave in 2018. As part of his set, Carl Cox will also showcase new music from his forthcoming album, Electronic Generations for all festivalgoers to hear.
I have been curating lineups now for many years now, and for Ezoo, I wanted to have a very special lineup, which was all about the music that each DJ Artist represents. I know that this will be an amazing time for all that will see and hear us play, something which the party people in NYC will appreciate.
– Carl Cox
Single Day tickets for the event can be purchased here.
After three years together, Rock ‘n Soul band FARROW, from Buffalo, is gearing up to release their first album, Agitate, on July 9. With joyous music and infectious melodies, this diverse group of musicians excels on this newest project.
Agitate will be the first of three EPs in a series. To accompany the sound component of the album, FARROW will have video releases for each song every month. These videos will be available to the Farrow Fan Club on Patreon.
FARROW is made up of seven talented musicians and artists. Led by André Pilette (producer/bass) and Michael Farrow (lyricist/singer), the band released two previous singles on Spotify, “Rise Up” and “Insoluble” in 2020. Other members feature Tim Webb (drums), Michael Ruopoli (percussion), Cory Clancy (guitar), Rufus “Breezy” Cole Jr. (keys), and Danielle Johnson (backing vocals).
The new album is filled with joyous, empowering lyrics and snappy beats. The second track, “Steal My Joy,” opens up with laughter and the lyrics “you ain’t gonna mess with me today!” – a phrase that seems to encapsulate a theme of the album.
Just one listen and it is easy to move to the rhythm. FARROW’s Agitate explores different beats and instrumentation on the album, and all 6 tracks are energetic and thought-provoking.
The group has a history of performing around Western NY, with other performances including Buffalo Iron Works, Sportsmen’s Tavern, Bowery Electric, Rockwood Music Hall, and more. In the future, they will extend their reach, including a performance at the North By Northeast Festival in Toronto.
To celebrate the release of their first album, FARROW will hold a party and concert at Sportsmen’s Tavern in Buffalo on July 9.
Key tracks: Steal My Joy, In This Place, Love Me For Me
FARROW is also performing at the following upcoming events:
June 18 – NXNE Music Festival – Toronto
June 26 – Elmwood Summerfest – Buffalo
July 7 – Thursday & Main – Buffalo
July 9 – Sportsmen’s Tavern – Buffalo
July 22 – Sunset at the Stables at Knox Farm State Park – East Aurora
Aug. 19 – The Erie County Fair – Hamburg
Sep. 17 – Borderland Music + Arts Festival – East Aurora
The Troy Music Hall has announced the return of their free outdoor concert series Summer Square. The series will kick off on July 8th and continue every Friday and Saturnday until August 27th.
Located in the Music Hall courtyard on 2nd Street, the series will be showcasing some of the Capital Region’s top talents.
The Summer Square series will host 16 musical acts, opening with Arch Stanton Quartet and ending with Troy native Ryan Leddick. Other performances include jazz band Heard and blues duo Mark & Jill, among others.
Arch Stanton Quartet experiments with original jazz music, with influences in bop and post-bop traditions. They are planning their third album, inspired partly by the book “Invisible Man” by Ralph Ellison.
The closing performer for the series, Ryan Leddick, released an album “Up, Up, & Away” in 2020. Leddick grew his love of music in the Adirondacks, and his current music blends together folk and rock.
The Summer Square music series also welcomes back musicians from previous years among the lineup. Acts such as Julia Alsarraf, Bossamba, Jordan Taylor Hill, and Triskele all took a part in 2021 and will come back this summer.
Troy Savings Bank Music Hall
Troy Savings Bank Music Hall has a long history of drawing top talent to the area. Opening its doors in 1875, world-renowned artists such as Lillian Nordica, Henri Vieuxtemps, Ignace Jan Paderewski, Albert Spaulding, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Myra Hess, and Jose Iturbi have performed within the historic Hall’s walls.
Built in 19th century, the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall was supported by the Troy Savings Bank to appreciate the citizens. With several intervention, the narrow shoebox form promotes early sidewall reflections that are important for a sense of envelopment, and the tall ceiling and ideal seat count of 1180 to provide intimacy and sustain an optimal reverberation. It also owned the nation’s largest nineteenth-century concert organ in original condition.
Summer Square is a free outdoor concert series every Friday and Saturday evening at 6pm. Lawn chairs are allowed to enjoy this event.
The Batavia Ramble Explore Art and Music Festival has been announced for July 2nd, including 25 bands, an Explore Art tent for kids, street performances, and much more.
For the past two years, the Ramble has been put on hold due to the pandemic. However, it is coming back this year, bigger and better than ever. The event will take place in Jackson Square and on Jackson Street in Batavia on July 2nd from 10am – 9pm.
We are so excited that the Ramble will be happening again this year! We wanted to make it the best one yet, so we partnered with our friends at GO ART! to help us not only grow the entire event but also bring more of a presence to the ‘arts’ side of the festival. It really is shaping up to be an incredible event. And I think everyone is going to love it!
-Paul Draper III
Batavia Ramble is an annual reunion of musicians, who have a connection to Batavia and the surrounding areas, which features a variety of musical genres. This year’s Ramble will consist of two stages; The Main Stage sponsored by Eli Fish in Jackson Square, and the Jackson Street Stage sponsored by Center Street Smoke House.
The tentative lineup is as follows:
Eli Fish Stage:
The Ghost Riders Groove Warren Skye and Friends Kissin’ Whiskey DriVen The Trolls 2.0 Lonesome Road Marnie Kay and the Nonblondes Beethoven’s Dream Group Sierra Noah Gokey Jostepa Trio The Bluesway Band Zackstreet Boys
Jackson Street Stage
Steve Krupper Tom Ryan and Friends PD3 Knaudt and Chua Vette Midnight Cruisers Brick Spare Parts High Pines The Remediators Bad Sign
In addition to all the music and activities, there will be vendors including artists, food, and beer. Guests are reminded to bring a chair or a blanket.
Ringo Starr, drummer for the Beatles, hit pause on his tour this month due to COVID-19 in his touring party. He has since rescheduled many of his dates, and kicks off the tour at Tanglewood in Lenox, Massachusetts on Labor Day, Monday, September 5.
The All Starr Band includes bandmates Steve Lukather, Colin Hay, Warren Ham, Gregg Bissonette, Hamish Stuart and Edgar Winter. When the shows were canceled, Starr shared a statement that read, “We were having so much fun paying again and it was disappointing to have to stop. But we were able to reschedule these shows and add them to our Fall tour – and so as the song goes – I’ll see you in September! Peace and love, Ringo.”
The tour was originally planned to begin on May 27, 2022 at Casino Rama in Rama, Ontario, being the fifth time in Starr’s career where he has launched his tour from there. Seeing him live will be well anticipated by his fan base, considering the delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, nothing stopped him from committing to what he loves, releasing two EPs, Zoom In and Change The World to add onto his legendary catalog.
I can’t wait to get back out on the road and play. This is the longest I’ve been off the road in years up until 2020 I was touring every year with the All Starrs and I’ve really missed it. Making music in the studio has been great, and it certainly saved me during the pandemic, but nothing beats playing live with great musicians in front of an audience. I love my fans and they love me and it’s going to be wonderful to be peace and loving and playing for them again.
Ringo Starr
Not only is Starr a nine time Grammy Award winner, but has also been inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and received an Academy and Emmy Award for his commendable acting. His success does not end there, however. Starr has published 8 books and released 20 studio solo records. The pandemic was a minor set back, but after celebrating 30 years of touring with his All Starr Bands in 2019, he has never felt more ready to continue this journey.
While he’ll be starting very close to Eastern New York, this does mean his shows at CMAC and Beacon Theater look like they won’t be rescheduled just yet.
Regardless of Starr’s many accomplishments, at heart he will forever love being a drummer and the impact he has on rock music.
For more information, visit his website.
Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band (Rescheduled) 2022 Tour Dates
Sept. 5/was June 17 Lenox MA – Tanglewood
Sept. 6/was June 14 Baltimore MD – The Lyric
Sept. 7/was June 15 Baltimore MD – The Lyric
Sept. 9/was June 11 Easton, PA – State Theater
Sept. 10/was June 18 Pittsburgh PA – PPG Arena
Sept. 11/was June 19 Philadelphia, PA – The Met
Sept. 15/was June 24 St Augustine, FL – The Amp
Sept. 16/was June 26 Clearwater FL– Ruth Eckerd Hall
Sept. 17/was June 25 Hollywood FL – Hard Rock
Sept. 19/was June 22 Atlanta, GA – Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
Sept. 20/was June 21 Richmond, VA – Virginia Credit Union Live
Sept. 22/was June 12 Providence, RI – PPAC
Sept. 23 Bridgeport, CT – Hartford Healthcare Amp
Sept. 24 Atlantic City, NJ – Hard Rock Etess Arena
Sept. 26 Montreal, Quebec – Place Bell
Sept. 27 Kingston, Ontario – Leon’s Centre
Sept. 28 Toronto, Ontario – Massey Hall
Sept. 30 Mt Pleasant, MI – Soaring Eagle Casino
Oct. 1 New Buffalo, Mi – Four Winds Casino
Oct. 2 Prior Lake, MN – Mystic Lake Casino
Oct. 4 Winnipeg, Manitoba – Canada Life Centre
Oct. 5 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – Sasktel Centre
Oct. 6 Lethbridge, Alberta – Enmax Centre
Oct. 8 Abbotsford, BC – Abbotsford Centre
Oct. 9 Penticton, BC – South Okanagon Events Centre
On July 30, Hudson Festival Orchestra (HFO) will hold the first-ever “Hudson in Concert: A Community Celebration” in the scenic Henry Hudson Riverfront Park.
The free event will begin at 4pm, with a range of opening ensemble performances. The opening acts feature traditional Latin music, songs from Bangladesh, and a new ragtime performance.
At 7pm, Hudson Festival Orchestra will kick off their performance with a rousing community drum circle to introduce the first piece, Aaron Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man. Hudson Festival Orchestra invites all community members to bring along a drum or hand instrument to join right in.
The 57-piece orchestra will play other cultural favorites spanning many different backgrounds in celebration of community. Some of these include Gospel, Latin music, Cuban danzon, Argentine tango, Ragtime, Indian classical music, and more.
I believe that music and culture can bridge divides and build community. I envision this as an annual musical event bringing area residents together through a live musical celebration of our shared American and diverse cultural heritages in a glorious natural setting on the Hudson River!
-HFO Founder and Artistic Director Gwen Gould
The concert will be performed in a beautiful setting. Under a tent set-up overlooking the river and the mountains, attendees can enjoy the scenery as they take in the performances.
The Hudson Festival Orchestra also invites attendees of all ages to partake in the event. During intermission, children may join “The Teddy Bears’ Picnic” parade (behind an actual life-size teddy bear) to a picnic with treats and snacks for all.
To start the second half of the performance and express solidarity with Ukraine, the Hudson Festival Orchestra will perform the Ukrainian National Anthem. After more music and performances, the concert will conclude at 9 pm.
Although this is the first “Hudson in Concert: A Community Celebration,” Hudson Festival Orchestra hopes to make the series an annual free event for all in the future.
The 19th edition of the CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival returns to Rochester’s East End June 17 to 25. For Rochester’s music fans there’s no better way to welcome summer. After two years bereft the best nine days of live music of the year, this year’s festival is going to feel extra special.
The festival producers are constantly tweaking the formula every year, and this year is no different. The Hyatt Regency Ballroom joins as the new Club Pass venue this year and the Little Theater and Theater at Innovation Square (nee Xerox Auditorium) return after renovations. But the biggest change this year is the headliner program. Usually ticketed events held at the gorgeous Eastman Theater, this year they will be provided for free at Parcel 5. While we still maintain the best way to enjoy the festival is with a Club Pass (available in both 9- and 3-day options), we won’t fault anyone from going the free route this year. There are many great options, a whopping 130 free shows across five stages, ranging from fresh local talent to seasoned international megastars.
But as you head out to enjoy your free concerts, stick some cash in your pocket, say $30 or $60, and sneak in a club show or two. Tickets for the Club Pass concerts are $30 (or $35 for Kilbourn Hall) and can be purchased at the door right before showtime. Here are some can’t-miss artists you can catch before (or after) hitting the big outdoor shows.
All headliners are at the Midtown Stage at Parcel 5, unless otherwise noted.
Friday June 17 Chris Botti at 9pm, CMD at 7pm
Recommended club shows:
Giveton Gelin Max of Eastman Place, 6:15pm & 10pm
Young self-taught Bahamian trumpet player Giveton Gelin is a rising star, one of those you saw-em-when Jazz Fest stories you’ll be telling in a couple years to anyone that will listen.
The Cookers Kilbourn Hall, 6pm & 10pm
Just across Gibbs Street, the exact opposite show will be happening, but no less riveting. A supergroup of well-seasoned players, Billy Harper, Cecil McBee, George Cables, Eddie Henderson, and Billy Hart, will present one of the most impressive collective resumes of the festival.
https://youtu.be/Gh-PL6OWfks
Saturday, June 18 Devon Allman Project (with the Dirty Dozen Brass Band) 9pm, Samantha Fish 7pm
Recommended club shows:
Ranky Tanky Kilbourn Hall, 6pm & 10pm (also at the Hyatt Regency Rochester Ballroom Sunday June 19, 7:45 & 9:45pm)
This South Carolina-based quintet actually channel the music of West Africa adding in some American roots elements for a lively and infectious sound that is spiritual and uplifting.
Kind Folk Wilder Room, 6pm & 10pm
A young group with no defined leader, this Brooklyn-based quartet fuses styles and melds their talents to create a four-headed monster of jazz.
Sunday, June 19 Tommy Emmanuel 9pm, Andy McKee 7pm
Recommended club shows:
Bill Frisell Temple Theater 7pm, 9:15pm
Despite returning for his festival-leading 9th time, he, his magical guitar, and whatever group he brings, will never not top our list of must-see shows. This year his trio will include Thomas Morgan and Rudy Royston.
Under the Surface Glory House International 7:30pm & 9:30pm
Heavily improvised and full of that mystical ethereal quality that seems to always emerge from the Global Jazz Now Series year after year, this multi-generational trio of Danish musicians is going to turn some heads at this year’s festival.
Monday, June 20 Spyro Gyra 9pm, Bill Tiberio Band 7pm
Recommended club shows:
Sammy Miller and the Congregation Kilbourn Hall 6pm & 9pm
Drummer Sammy Miller leads this septet that plays what they appropriately call, “joyful jazz.” If you want to leave a set with a smile on your face, this is your place.
Ana Egge Little Theater 7pm & 9:15pm
Egge is a singer-songwriter that has lived a life and isn’t afraid to sing about it, with some honest and rich folk tunes that will stick with you. She’ll round out her trio for these shows with Alison Shearer on sax and the RT’s Alden Harris-McCoy on guitar.
Tuesday, June 21 Robin Thicke 9pm, The Dip 7pm
Recommended club shows:
Oskar Stenmark Trio Glory House International 730pm & 930pm
Music is in his blood, literally tracing back to 1762. Trumpet, cornet and flugelhorn player Stenmark leads his trio fusing sounds of his native Sweden with those of his adopted home of New York City.
Jeremy Beck and the Heavy Duty Horns RIJF Big Tent 8:30pm & 10pm (also on Monday at Montage 6pm & 10pm)
Keyboardist Jeremy Beck brings an eight-piece horn-heavy band that blends gospel, soul and rock into a funky stew. The Big Tent will be jumping.
Wednesday, June 22 Sheila E. 9pm, Sy Smith 7pm
Recommended club shows:
Arturo O’Farrill Quintet Kilbourn Hall 6pm & 9pm
Grammy winner and founder and director of the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance, O’Farrill most often plays with his Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, he brings his smaller Quintet to the festival, but we still imagine there will be plenty of chair dancing.
Stephane Wrembel Theater at Innovation Square 6:30pm & 8:30pm
A Rochester favorite, Wrembel is one of the leading curators of Gypsy jazz guitar and other than just plumbing and recreating it’s history, he also redefines it with incredible guitar wizardry. If you seen him before, you won’t miss it, if you haven’t, here’s your chance get aboard.
Thursday, June 23 Booker T Presents: A Soul Stax Revue 9pm, Soul Stew 7pm
Recommended club shows:
Big Lazy Montage Music Hall 6pm & 10pm (also on Friday at the Little Theater 7pm & 9:15pm)
A trio of guitar, bass and drums, Big Lazy has honed their craft in the small spaces of New York City, arriving at a sound that overextends their number and instrumentation, simultaneously noir and pastoral, gothic and modern.
Itamar Borochov Quartet Wilder Room 6pm & 10pm
Israeli-born trumpet player blends influences, both religious and secular, from the Middle East and North Africa with more traditional jazz for a uniquely satisfying sound.
Friday, June 24 New Power Generation 9pm, Con Brio 7pm (also at MLK Park: The Bacon Brothers 9pm, Julia Nunes 7pm)
Recommended club shows:
Jonathan Scales Fourchestra Montage Music Hall 6pm & 10pm
Has there been a steel pannist at the festival before? Regardless, Jonathan Scales will be the best to have played it, and it won’t be a mere novelty act either. This might be your favorite discovery of the festival.
The Huntertones RIJF Big Tent 8:30pm & 10pm (also on Thursday at the Hyatt Regency Rochester Ballroom 7:45pm & 9:45pm)
The Huntertones return to the festival with their horn-heavy big sound funk party that seems custom built to fill the RIJF Big Tent.
Friday, June 24 G. Love and Special Sauce 9pm, Danielle Ponder 7pm (also at MLK Park: Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors 9pm, Ward Hayden and the Outliers 7pm)
Recommended club shows:
Immanuel Wilkins Temple Theater 7pm, 9:15pm
Wilkins’ debut was named the #1 jazz album of the year by the New York Times, and his 2022 follow-up with the same quartet was described by Pitchfork as “ocean-deep jazz epics.” This is a young saxophonist with a lot to say and contribute to the jazz world, an apt artist to close out the festival with.
Kurt Elling “Super Blue” with Charlie Hunter Kilbourn Hall 6pm & 9pm
Seasoned and renowned jazz vocalist Kurt Elling will be featuring his new blues-based project, Super Blue, featuring none other than Charlie Hunter on his custom bass/guitar.
Madison Square Garden Entertainment announced today due to overwhelming demand that Billy Joel has added to his monthly residency at Madison Square Garden with a show on November 23. The concert will mark the musician’s 131st at The World’s Most Famous Arena.
Back in 2013, Joel was named Madison Square Garden’s first-ever franchise musician and began his record-breaking residency in January 2014. Since then, he has played one show every month at The Garden. The added November show will be the legendary musician’s 85th.
Having sold 150 million records over the past 25 years with 33 Top 40 hits, it is no wonder Joel continues to rank as one of the most popular entertainers around the world. With six Grammy awards, a Tony award, and many more honors, Joel is known for his accomplishments as a musician and humanitarian.
Tickets for the Billy Joel November show at MSG will be available for purchase by the general public beginning at 10:00 AM (ET) on Friday, June 24 via Ticketmaster. Tickets will also be available at the Madison Square Garden box office on Saturday, June 25. Prices range from $69.50 to $165.50.
Read more about the Piano Man’s classic “New York State of Mind” with a look at the song’s history and origins.
