This summer The Sembrich in Bolton Landing, NY, will be hosting a unique Reimagining the Classics, from the classics to the rhapsodies.
Artistic Director Richard Wargo spoke about how delighted he is to present the festival.
Reimagining the Classics will explore all manner of reinvention and present a variety of refreshing new takes on classical favorites. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have had to reimagine many aspects of life, including the way we present and experience music. This summer’s festival will incorporate the best of those bold reinventions, including the introduction of our new outdoor Promenade Series.
The festival will explore reinvention, from arrangements and transcriptions of classics to rhapsodies and variations of popular composers. There are many highlights of the festival.
Reimagining The Classics: Breaking Operatic Traditions – Michael Capasso, New York City Opera General Director, shares his insights on favorite works by Verdi and Puccini, and explores many productions and performance practices from the past 150 years.
Promenade Series – New in 2022 – This is a new outdoor series, modeled after the famous proms of London, and features a lot of musical styles, like classical and jazz. Comedians will also be featured here as well.
The Sembrich Film Series – This year’s films focus on reinvention and adaptations of the popular musicals Dear Evan Hansen (2021), West Side Story (2021), and In the Heights (2021). Several films, including Dracula (1931) will have live musical scores.
Masterwork Series – Performances for this series will be held in The Sembrich studio, with evening performances of monumental classical works.
These, and more, will be happening at The Sembrich this summer, and tickets can be found here.
Angelique Kidjo is back with her new music video for ‘Do Yourself’ featuring Burna Boy. The Grammy nominated single is described as “an anthem for a new Africa.”
Directed by Meji Alabi, who has also worked with Wizkid and Beyonce, the music video perfectly showcases Kidjo’s vibrant energy as Burna Boy croons in the background. Citing Africa as “the birthplace of all humanity”, Kidjo proclaims her love for the continent and reminds us all of how strong Africa can be if we do our part. For change to be made, Kidjo says that you have to do it yourself.
The single is fresh off her critically acclaimed album Mother Nature, released in June, which tackles prevalent issues like the climate crisis and the struggle for freedom. Her joyful sound mixed with these heavy topics creates a unique listening experience for new and old fans, while showing exactly why she deserves her “icon” status. Mother Nature features many young African artists including Mr. Eazi, Sampa The Great and Yemi Alade.
With three Grammy nominations under her belt, including Best Global Music Album, Best Global Music Performance and Best Global Music Performance for ‘Blewu’, it is clear that Kidjo is in a league of her own. The New Yorker called her the “towering figure of cross cultural music” and it’s not hard to understand why. She has also performed at the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony, sold out Carnegie Hall and is performing alongside Viola Davis in the film “The Woman King” later this year.
Tickets for Kidjo’s 2022 tour, as well as more information, can be found here.
3/4 – MASS MoCA in North Adams, MA
3/5 – MASS MoCA in North Adams, MA
3/8 – L’Ancienne Belgique in Brussels, Belgium
3/10 – Carre Belle-Feuille in Boulogne-Billancourt, France
3/11 – La Faïencerie in Creil, France
3/16 – Musikverein in Vienna, Austria
3/17 – Festspielhaus St. Pölten in St. Pölten, Austria
3/19 – Theater of Chelles in Chelles France
3/24 – Theatre of the Vesinet in Le Vésinet, France
3/25 – Arsenal in Metz, France
4/2 – Soka Performing Arts Center in Aliso Viejo, CA
4/5 – Benaroya Hall in Seattle, WA
4/7 – Rialto Theater in Tucson, AZ
4/9 – Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts in Scottsdale, AZ
4/14 – The Broad Stage Theatre in Santa Monica, CA
4/15 – The Broad Stage Theatre in Santa Monica, CA
4/16 – The Broad Stage Theatre in Santa Monica, CA
4/23 – Cal Performances Zellerbach Hall in Berkeley, CA
4/29 – Hopkins Center for The Arts in Hanover, NH
4/30 – Music Hall in Portsmouth, NH
5/10 – McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton, NJ
5/12 – Bass Concert Hall in Austin, TX
5/26 – Africa Festival in Würzburg, Germany
6/4 – Theatre Femina in Bordeaux, France
6/9 – Dresden Music Festival in Dresden, Germany
6/10 – Abbaye de Saint-Riquier – Baie de Somme in Saint-Riquier, France
From Broadway to Proctors Theatre, musicals Waitress and Aladdin are set to launch in February and October of 2022, respectively.
Aladdin
Based on the Academy Award winning film, Aladdin is a well known musical that first appeared on Broadway back in March 20, 2014. This North American tour will begin this upcoming October in Schenectady at Proctors Theatre, marking the first time Aladdin will be shown outside of New York City in almost two years.
Aladdin‘s crew will consist of 75 professionals with an additional 40 locals in each city visited during the tour. These cities include Austin, Kansas City, and San Antonio.
Certainly we are thrilled to have Disney return to create a new national tour, but I have to say, Aladdin has been asked for by the people of the Capital Region of New York ever since it first opened on Broadway eight years ago! We are ecstatic to have it here.
Proctors Collaborative CEO Philip Morris
The full itinerary will drop at a later date, along with casting and ticket information. However, it has been confirmed for the tour to play in 36 cities. To be updated about future information regarding the tour visit Aladdin The Musical.
Waitress
Waitress is a musical that was developed by an all female creative team. It will play at Proctors Theatre from February 25-27. In addition to using original music, others lyrics were made by Sara Bareilles who is a six time Grammy nominee, author Jessie Nelson, choreography by Lorin Latarro and direction by Tony Award winner Diane Paulus.
Waitress the musical, which is inspired by an Adrienne Shelly film, is about a waitress and an expert pie maker. The main character, Jenna wishes for a better life out of her small hometown and distraught marriage. Fortunately for her, a baking contest nearby and the town’s new doctor may be able to grant her wish for happiness and a fresh start.
It’s an empowering musical of the highest order!
Chicago Tribune
Ticket information is available through the Box Office at Proctors in person or through their website Proctors.
The Prom, is a musical where everyone can feel celebrated and now the producers and co-presidents of the Prom Committee are bringing the show to Proctors Theatre, from Friday, March 1 to Sunday, March 6. This show features a book by Tony Award winner Bob Martin and Tony Award nominee Chad Beguelin.
Not only has The Prom, won the 2019 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical, but Ryan Murphy (Tony, Emmy, Golden Globe and Peabody Award Winner), transformed The Prom into a film for the popular streaming platform, Netflix. This movie event stars Meryl Streep, James Corden, Nicole Kidman and a variety of other notable actors.
Smart and big-hearted. Genuine joy rolls off the stage in this musical full of witty delights, irrepressibly energetic tunes, winking lyrics and a cheeky book. I seldom stopped laughing. It’s a damn good time! Did I shed several tears in The Prom’s final scene? Maybe I did.”
New York Magazine
The musical has a different cast compared to the film by Ryan Murphy. In fact these stars are: Kaden Kearney (they/them) as “Emma, High School Student, Banned from the Prom,” Kalyn West as “Alyssa Greene, Head of Student Council with a Secret,” Courtney Balan as “Tony Award Winner Dee Dee Allen,” Patrick Wetzel as “Drama Desk Award Winner Barry Glickman,” Emily Borromeo as “Angie Dickinson, Broadway Chorine,” Bud Weber as “Trent Oliver, Esteemed Julliard Graduate/Cater Waiter,” Sinclair Mitchell as “Mr. Hawkins, High School Principal,” Ashanti J’Aria as “Mrs. Greene, President of the PTA” and Shavey Brown as “Sheldon Saperstein, Broadway’s Press Agent with a Plan.”
To learn more information about the musical or to buy tickets visit Proctors.org or the Box Office at Proctors Theatre.
Attention Parrotheads! Jimmy Buffett is coming to New York this summer, with a show on Tuesday, August 4 at Bethel Woods. He’ll also make a stop at the all too familiar Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater this summer, on Tuesday August 9th, 2022.
Heading into his 50th anniversary of his singer-songwriter career and turning 75 this year, Jimmy Buffett has much to celebrate in 2022. Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band continue to hit the road performing with the ‘Life on the Flip Side’ Tour which this year has created deeper meanings.
We’re thrilled to welcome back Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band. Jimmy is one of the most requested acts from the Bethel Woods audience and we are as excited as ever to have him perform at the historic site of the original 1969 Woodstock festival. You don’t want to miss this one!
Eric Frances, Chief Executive Officer of Bethel Woods
Latest release from Jimmy Buffett’s 2020 debuted #2 on the Billboard with album ‘Life on the Flip Side’ and another album ‘Songs You Don’t Know By Heart’ which showcased lesser played songs with an acoustic sound.
We can’t wait to have the Parrot Heads flock to Jones Beach for what will be the party of the year – do not miss out!
General Manager Adam Citron
With over 40 tours under his belt from his first tour back in 1976, ‘Pink Crustacean’ Buffett has landed the phrase with his concerts “The Big 8” for his hit songs Margaritaville, Come Monday, Fins, Volcano and many more.
Jimmy Buffett detoured off the music path to become an author and write three number-one best sellers: the short-stories collection, Tales From Margaritaville, the novel, Where is Joe Merchant?, and biography, A Pirate Looks at Fifty.
Tickets for Jimmy Buffett and The Coral Reefer Band go on sale Friday, February 18th at 9am EST.
The National Jazz Museum in Harlem proudly introduces their new exhibition to the public, “The Soul of Jazz: An American Adventure,” opening on Friday, Feb. 11th, coinciding with Black History Month. Additionally, the exhibition features the new Disney movie, SOUL.
The Soul of Jazz: An American Adventure
American pianist, band leader, and jazz musician, Jon Batiste, provides the original jazz compositions and arrangements for “Soul,” and shares his excitement for “The Soul of Jazz: An American Adventure.”
National Jazz Museum emphasizes a vision “to make jazz accessible to everyone on the planet,” one echoed by Carmen Smith:
Like the film that inspired this exhibit, ‘The Soul of Jazz: An American Adventure’ is a tribute to the human experience. It was here in Harlem that jazz not only became an international sensation, but a vehicle for social change. The genre’s enduring influence is a palpable example of the barriers that can be broken when ambition and artistry meet passion and purpose. We’re proud to partner with the National Jazz Museum to preserve and celebrate that special kind of magic.
Carmen Smith, Senior Vice President, Creative Development – Product/Content & Inclusive Strategies.
In the Harlem Museum, the exhibit will include a unique collection of artifacts including items highlighting the career of pianist and jazz icon, Dr. Billy Taylor. Additionally, appearances of characters Joe Gardner and Dorothea Williams, and virtual experiences on the Play Disney Parks app.
The National Jazz Museum
The overall mission of National Jazz Museum in Harlem’s is to “preserve, promote and present Jazz by inspiring knowledge, appreciation and the celebration of jazz locally, nationally and internationally.” To further promote the educational purposes of jazz music and history, the museum offers four Core Programs: Education; Exhibits & Collections; and Partnerships & Collaborations.
The National Jazz Museum
Free reserve-time ticketing is required, no walk-ins allowed. However, you can reserve tickets up to one month in advance. As well, The National Jazz Museum in Harlem is open Thursday to Saturday from 12PM to 5PM, and proof of vaccination is required for all visitors 5 years of age and older. To reserve tickets, times are available at Eventbrite.
The long-running Peach Music Festival has returned with its official 2022 lineup. The four day festival will run from June 30 to July 3 at Montage Mountain in Scranton, PA, with a number of performances to celebrate its 10th anniversary.
Headliners for the festival include Trey Anastasio Band, The Black Crowes, Billy Strings and Joe Russo’s Almost Dead. They will be joined by acts like The Revivalists, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Duane Betts, Ripe, The Wailers, The Motet, Star Kitchen and many more. There will also be a reunion of The Word featuring Robert Randolph, John Medeski, Luther Dickinson, Cody Dickinson and Chris Chew. Additional artists will continue to be announced.
Goose Performing in 2019
After initially starting as the first-ever Allman Brothers Band-inspired festival back in 2012, Peach Music Festival has evolved into a one of a kind experience for all music lovers. Continuing with the Allman Brothers Band inspiration, there will also be performances from founding member Jaimoe performing with friends that includes Daniel Donato, Dylan Niederaurer, Jack Ryan, Lamar Williams Jr., Nikki Glaspie, Peter Levi and Roosevelt Collier to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their seminal album Eat A Peach.
The high energy music fest also has food and craft vendors, along with access to the Montage Mountain Ski Resort’s water park, zip line and ski lift rides. Tickets and travel packages, as well as camping, glamping tent and RV passes are available on the Peach Music Festival website.
The time has finally come for the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame to announce their 2022 nominees. For these artists or bands to be eligible for a nomination they must have released their first commercial recording 25 years ago.
From the 17 nominees, 7 have been nominated for the first time: A Tribe Called Quest, Beck, Pat Benatar, Kate Bush, Devo, Duran Duran, Eminem, Eurythmics, Fela Kuti, Judas Priest, MC5, The New York Dolls, Dolly Parton, Rage Against the Machine, Lionel Richie, Carly Simon and Dionne Warwick.
The New York Dolls are pioneers of punk rock and began a wave of influential punk music introducing punk music to those who weren’t yet in the know. After forming in 1971, the Dolls configured a sound that replicated influences from the Rolling Stones, David Bowie and T. Rex, and the Stooges. You might remember “Personality Crisis,” “Looking for a Kiss” or “Trash”. Glitter rock anthems steered the Dolls to glory with the help from the classic lineup of Johnny Thunders and Sylvain on guitar, Arthur Kane on bass, and Jerry Nolan on drums.
Carly Simon rocked us in the 70s emerging as a gifted storyteller born into an affluent New York City family. Winning the Best New Artist Grammy in 1971 for “That’s the Way I’ve Always Heard It Should Be”, Simon garnered gorgeous melodies over matters of anguish and heartbreak. After finding love with James Taylor their duet “Mockingbird” earned them a Number Five hit in 1974. Simon’s influence on today’s artists like Taylor Swift keep her legacy thriving.
Straight out of Queens and right out of high school, A Tribe Called Quest served us all throughout the 90s. They brought abstract philosophy and were not afraid of confronting social issues while carrying a jazz-rap revolution. Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Jarobi White, and Ali Shaheed nurtured hip-hop incorporating flavors of jazz and alternative rock. The Native Tongues New York collective heaved a musical movement rooted in Afrocentric ideals. A Tribe Called Quest is a stranger to nobody, Pharrell Williams even claimed himself, J Dilla and Ye as “his sons.”
Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo yielded the sonic landscape that was the 1980s. Neil Giraldo’s distorted guitar style with Benatar’s rigorous voice produced “Hit Me With Your Best Shot”, “Treat Me Right” and “Heart Breaker”. Practically dominating the Grammys in the late 80s Benatar went on to win four consecutive awards and amounted a total of nine nominations. You might recall that Benatar was the first woman while Giraldo was the first guitarist to air on MTV. Their partnership lasts to this day, as their entertainment company Bel Chiasso has kept them performing throughout the years.
The general public can vote (every day) at vote.rockhall.com and can help in selecting the top five artists for the “fan’s ballot”. The “fan’s ballot” will be factored into the selection of the 2022 Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame Inductees.
The New York Youth Symphony have worked throughout the pandemic to create their first studio recording, set to release on April 8th. The recording features four pieces by Florence Price, Valerie Coleman and Jessie Montgomery.
The New York Youth Symphony has achieved something remarkable by creating and releasing their first studio recording. It features a number of member premieres, as well as work from three talented Black women composers. Recorded in the midst of the pandemic at the DiMenna Center in Manhattan, the orchestra had to be socially distanced, with one section recording at a time. The set up was created by Grammy winning producer, Judith Sherman.
A majority of the recording centers itself around different aspects of the Black experience. Price’s pieces blend African American folk with the European Romantic tradition she was trained in. Coleman transformed a simple song meant for a women’s chorus into an orchestral piece while maintaining the feel of a traditional drum circle. NYYS alum, Montgomery drew inspiration from MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech to create her piece, ‘Soul Force’.
The symphony is made up of some of the most talented young musicians available, ranging from ages 12 to 22. While focus is on the performance aspect of the orchestra, at its’ core, the NYYS is here to contribute to the musical education of young musicians. Executive Director, Shauna Quill cites the recording process as “an important and invaluable skill” for students to learn.
“We put a lot of thought and energy into creating a special project that NYYS students could accomplish during this difficult time. I couldn’t be prouder to have led this amazing orchestra in these performances, and for the resiliency of the students who always play at such a high level and with incredible spirit.”
Conductor Michael Repper
In addition to the new release, NYYS will be returning to the stage with performances at Dizzy’s Club on 3/7, Carnegie Hall on 3/13, Scandinavia House on 5/4 and the Times Center on 5/9. More information can be found here.
Each year, hundreds of local musicians and members of the Syracuse music community attend the SAMMYS, an annual celebration of the Syracuse music scene, celebrated since 1993. This week, the nominations for the 2022 SAMMY Awards in a variety of categories were announced, along with Hall of Fame nominees who make up the rich history of CNY.
SAMMY awards are given based on the judgement of submissions sent to the SAMMYS Board by musicians in Syracuse and the surrounding area. This year, 161 artists submitted 171 recordings, which were then reviewed by an independent panel of music industry professionals and educators from around the country, led by James Abbott.
The awards show will feature performances by Jon Rogalia & The Swamp Boys, Letizia, The Real RAW Breed, and Tom Kenny & The Hi-Seas. In addition to these performances, awards will be presented in 11 recording categories, as well as the People’s Choice awards for Best Artist or Band, Best Event or Music Series, Best Academic or Musical Organization, and Best Venue. The Brian Bourke award sponsored by CNYAlive.com for Best New Artist will also be announced. As in the past, this year’s Best New Artist will receive six hours of recording time from SubCat Studios.
Fans can join the SAMMYs action by participating in the annual People’s Choice vote, in each of four categories: Artist or Band, Event or Music Series, Academic or Musical Organization, and Venue. Voting is free, open to the public and continues through February 28 here.
The 2022 SAMMY Awards nominees are:
BEST JAZZ
• Bob Holz – Live in New York And L.A.
• Chuck Lamb & Peter Mack – Exit 33
• E.S.P. – Ready or Not
• The Pietra Group – People Chain
BEST AMERICANA
• The Dirty Doves – Pure & Simple
• Gegorge Mann – A World Like This
• Harmonic Dirt – Rhode Island Street
• Len Widdekind – Highway of Time
• Nashua Robb – Sunroom Sessions: About Time
• The Ripcords – Unmasked
BEST JAM BAND
• Count Blastula – Strange Mutations
• Ramshki Alley – Ramshki Alley
BEST POP
• AK Kastro – College Rd.
• Coral Blue – Paris is Burning
• The Jess Novak Band – A Thousand Lives
• River Westin – Candy Cigarettes
• Stoyan – Cancel Me
BEST HARD ROCK
• Gainer – Cold Case
• Less Than Hate – Less Than Hate
• Unwanted Ghosts – The End is a Gift
• Void Emperor – Void Emperor
BEST R&B • Anna Shelay – Unlinkable
• Diana Jacobs Band – Love Each Other, Love Our World
• Free Boody Institute – Myths, Legends & The Hard Truth
• Lamar Lamb – Love & Pain
BEST ROCK
• Anna Shelay – Unlinkable
• Diana Jacobs Band – Love Each Other, Love Our World
• Free Boody Institute – Myths, Legends & The Hard Truth
• Lamar Lamb – Love & Pain
BEST ALTERNATIVE
• The Leaps – Spinning the Wheels
• Mike Gibson – Feb6: Grief & Nonsense
• Outside Voices – Grind
• Trauma Cat – Prepare to Apologize
BEST OTHER STYLE
• Alex Seubert – Works from Space
• Asael – Moment
• Fritz’s Polka Band – The Hands of Time
• Jeff Tripoli – Rhythm Cadence for the New Renaissance
• Paul Davie – Half and Half
• Everneau – Revolution
• Jeff Gordon – Local Boy
• McWray – Thunderin
• Not Robots! – Not Robots
• Steve Romer – Slow Demise
• Tommy Gunn – Chulo
BEST HIP-HOP OR RAP
• Christenelle Diroc – In Our Crystal Castle
• Coughlin – Miles
• Exoticz – For the Love of Music
• VinnyVeg – 1104 Vol. 2 The Leader Of Real Shhh
BEST COUNTRY
• Jon Rogalia – Twenty Eight
• Whiskey Hollow Rush – Torn Up from the Corn Up
The SAMMY’s Awards Show will be held on Friday, March 4, 2022 at the Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater at 7:00pm. Tickets are $25 and will be available at ticketmaster.com. Online streaming of the event will also be available for $15.
The 2022 SAMMY Hall of Fame Inductees
The SAMMY Hall of Fame honors esteemed individuals with roots to the Syracuse Community, who have throughout their careers, advanced to the top of their fields.
RUSS TARBY
Russ Tarby has been covering entertainment, music and more in Central New York since the 1970s. Tarby was raised in Liverpool and graduated from Christian Brothers Academy in 1970. He wrote for college newspapers at both SUNY Oswego and at Indiana University. From 1969 to 1999 Tarby worked as a production assistant at WCNY, operating camera on productions such as the “Bluegrass Ramble Barn Dance,” “All-American Jazz” and the annual New York State Marching Band Competition. His reviews and features have appeared in publications such as The Syncopated Times, the Village Voice, Buffalo Beat, Metroland (Albany) and the Ithaca Times. In 2000, he was named music writer of the year for weeklies by the International Association of Alternative Newsweeklies.
In the 1980s, he worked as a freelance contributor for the Post-Standard reviewing concerts. The zenith of each year was covering the New York State Fair, for which he would write two reviews daily – one for the free afternoon show and another for that evening’s Grandstand headliner. He served as music and books editor for the Syracuse New Times for 12 years. While at the New Times, Tarby served on the steering committees that founded the Syracuse Area Music Awards. He also collaborated on the Horns-a-Plenty project, putting instruments into the hands of disadvantaged students, and inner-city music education projects.
Tarby has interviewed and profiled dozens of local and national artists including Benny Mardones, B.B. King, Roosevelt Dean and Joanne Shenandoah. Tarby has also been the recipient of several Syracuse Press Club awards for his reviews and profiles. More recently, Tarby has been writing a weekly column for the Star-Review, “Livin’ in Liverpool.” He has devoted time to booking and emceeing concerts in Liverpool and has acted as program director for the ‘Liverpool is the Place’ Summer Concert Series since 2002.
ROBERT TOUSIGNANT
Robert “Bobby T.” Tousignant, aka Bob Avery, started playing drums at the age of 10 years. He has now been playing for 65 years. As a performer, Bobby T. saw chart success as a member of The Music Explosion, who had a hit in 1967 with “Little Bit O Soul.” The song was originally released by the band The Little Darlings in the UK in 1965. The Music Explosion’s version reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1967 and went on to sell 5.5 million copies. The song went on to be covered by The Ramones.
Following his tenure with The Music Explosion, Bobby T joined the New York-based Crazy Elephant in 1969, scoring at number 12 Billboard hit with the song, “Gimme Gimme Good Lovin’.” Bobby T has toured with Gene Pitney, The Easy Beats, The Happenings, and The Buckinghams. He has also performed with Joe Walsh’s James Gang, Graham Nash with The Hollies, The 5th Dimension, Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Deep Purple, and the Mysterians and the bubblegum pop groups, the 1910 Fruitgum Company and Ohio Express.
Most recently, Bobby has performed with the Nate Gross Band and has opened for Poppa Chubby, Samantha Fish, Amy Helm, Joe Louis Walker, Elvin Bishop and Walter Trout, Tommy Castro, and Grammy winners Jason Ricci and J.J. Appleton.
LOS BLANCOS
Los Blancos is a barnstorming, roots n blues band from Syracuse, spending the last 26 years creating miles of smiles while careening between genres and styles. The band formed organically in 1996 at an open mic night at The Inn Complete, the SU graduate student bar. Guitarist Colin Aberdeen, bassist Steven T. Winston, guitarist Jose Alvarez and drummer Paul Roehrig, musicians from different backgrounds convened as the first incarnation of Los Blancos.
The band picked up regular work based upon cool grooves, warm vocals and hot playing, culminating in the release of its first record, ‘For Sale By Owner,’ on Dr. K records. Subsequent personnel changes included the addition of keyboardist Mark Nanni; Roehrig’s departure; the addition of drummer Garnett Grimm and Alvarez’s return to Mexico after the band’s second release, ‘Special Blend.’ Los Blancos evolved in response to these changes, in roughly 2003, with the addition of top-tier drummer Mark Tiffault.
Winston is the anchor for the group. His gift for capturing the essence of a multitude of musical styles has been the lynch pin around which Los Blancos has explored. Aberdeen, the emcee since inception, fuels the party with ribald one-liners and a background in early acoustic delta and country blues, giving his electric ensemble playing its unique qualities. In 2017, the band became a three-piece of Aberdeen, Winston and Tiffault, featuring a floating fourth chair, which allowed for the inclusion of many musicians.
They have played every type of event, primarily as the soundtrack to people’s lives. Their music has been used as bumper music on The Tony Kornheiser show, as advertisement music, and on adult film soundtracks. Los Blancos played on two of Grammy-winner Alvarez’s releases, ‘Diggin In’ and ‘Tomorrow and the Next Day,’ which featured Terrence Simien, the bandleader with whom he received those Grammys.
JEFF STOCKHAM
Multi-instrumentalist Jeff Stockham is well known to Upstate New York music fans. A graduate of the Eastman School of Music and a veteran of the renowned Eastman Jazz Ensemble. His performance credits read like a Who’s Who of the upstate music scene. He has performed with numerous Central New York musicians, including the Central New York Jazz Orchestra, Salt City Jazz Collective, the Stan Colella Orchestra, DeSantis Orchestra, The Fabulous Ripcords, Second Line Syracuse, The Blacklites, The Destination, Little Georgie & the Shufflin’ Hungarians, Larry Arlotta, the Syracuse University Brass Ensemble, and Syracuse Symphony.
He has backed up numerous national artists and has been a member of the orchestra for the national touring company of “Les Miserables.” He has toured Europe and Africa with blues guitarist Jimmy Johnson. Jeff is also one of the few musicians worldwide to play jazz on the French horn. He was a Featured Artist at the 2016 International Horn Symposium at Ithaca College. He is a trumpeter and French hornist in Thelonius Monk Jr.’s “Monk on Monk” big band, which has toured Europe, Israel, and the United States several times.
He is the leader and solo E-flat cornetist of the SAMMY-award-winning the recreated Civil War Excelsior Cornet Band, and is solo E-flat cornetist of the 47th PA Regimental Band, President Lincoln’s Own Band (appearing in the Steven Spielberg film “Lincoln”), the Federal City Brass Band (appearing in the Emmy-winning Netflix series “House of Cards”), and was a historical consultant and performer in several other films. He was formerly Instructor of Jazz Trumpet at Hamilton College, LeMoyne College, and Colgate University, Visiting Lecturer of Trumpet at Cornell University, and was Instructor of French Horn and Jazz Trumpet at Syracuse University. He is an avid collector of antique brass instruments, with over two hundred in his collection.
J. AVERY HEAD – MUSIC EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR
J. Avery Head was introduced to bagpiping while in 10th grade. He had already played piano and French horn. His best friend in band, Ron Smallman, also played bagpipes. Ron taught Avery and he joined the Balmoral Highlanders of Syracuse. Ron and the band’s Pipe Major, Tom Hinchey were both excellent and demanding players and taught Avery to play quite well. After graduation, he attended the College of Wooster, in Wooster, OH, where pipers often led the band. There, under the auspices of band director, Stuart Ling, Avery led the group and established a program to teach pipes to students. The band grew from five pipers to 12 by the time he graduated. During one of his summer breaks, Avery joined Tom Hinchey and played with the Clan MacFarlane Pipe Band of St. Catherines, ON, one of Canada’s most prestigious bands.
Avery attended the University of Cincinnati where he earned a Master’s of Science in Chemistry, eventually landing a job with Dow Chemicals in Midland, MI. It was there where he met his wife Beth while playing for a community theater production of “Brigadoon.” After three years of teaching high school chemistry in Cleveland, Avery sought a new position, landing him here at Liverpool High School where he taught for 30 years. Upon arrival, he became involved with the Syracuse Scottish Pipe Band and elected Pipe Major within six weeks. He has been directing the band ever since (1974). Over the years, he has taught a number of noteworthy players and has competed in solo competitions, earning a number of medals.
Avery has always strived for his bands to be competitive. They compete each year in locations throughout the Northeast and Canada, performing in many different venues, including a Rod Stewart concert, hockey games, baseball games, the Empire State Games, the Lockerbie Memorial, graduations, and many parades.
TOM KENNY – LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Tom Kenny & The Hi-Seas are a Los Angeles-based Rock n Roll/ Soul /R&B band that “brings the party” wherever and whenever they perform. They are the embodiment of no-holds-barred, all-in rocknroll. Simply put, their mission statement can be summed up as follows: “Hey, let’s have as much fun as humanly possible!” Drawing on influences ranging from Sam Cooke to The Shangri-Las to The Righteous Brothers, their rockers cause dance floor mayhem and their soulful ballads induce swooning. There’s no doubt that you and your socks will part company once you experience Tom Kenny & The Hi-Seas.
The band’s manic frontman is Tom Kenny. Tom is the highly regarded voice actor behind the immortal “SpongeBob SquarePants”, The Ice King from “Adventure Time”, many voices on “Rick and Morty”, and literally hundreds of other animated characters. He won an Emmy in 2018 for outstanding contributions to an animated program. Tom Kenny began as a standup comedian and on-camera actor where he quickly started to notch up appearances from Late Night with David Letterman to Conan O’Brien, and the Drew Carey Show. He played the evil Binky the Clown in the cult classic Shakes the Clown.
Tom’s has hundreds of voice credits his first VO role was Heffer on the classic Nicktoon Rocko’s Modern Life. A sample of his credits include: Powerpuff girls, Adventure Time, Dexter laboratory, Ultimate Spiderman and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends and Catdog.
Kenny is probably most well known as the voice of an icurably optimistic sea sponge who lives in a pineapple under the sea SpongeBob SquarePants. He has been the recipient of two Annie awards for his voice work on SpongeBob Square Pants and as the Ice King in Adventure Time. Also receiving an Emmy for SpongeBob in 2018.
The Hall of Fame Induction dinner will be Thursday, March 3, Upstairs at the Dinosaur Bar-B-Que from 7-10pm. The list of inductees and bios are available on pages 5-11 of this packet. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at syracuseareamusic.com/tickets. Free online streaming of the event will also be available.
The New Colossus Festival in NYC has announced the final schedule of artists, happening from March 8-12 at various independent music venues across the city.
The New Colossus Festival started in 2018 and has since established itself as the first stop in the US for many emerging international artists. The festival organizers started in New York City because of the city’s long-standing tradition of welcoming artists.
Named after Emma Lazurus’s 1883 sonnet featured on The Statue of Liberty, The New Colossus Festival is a multi-day, multi-venue showcase and conference that takes place on New York City’s Lower East Side. Featured venues include Mercury Lounge, Berlin, Arlene’s Grocery, Bowery Ballroom, Bowery Electric, and more. The festival is also excited to announce a partnership with global music distributor Ditto Music who will bring the Ditto X: NYC23 music conference to the festival at Pianos on March 9 (12-7 p.m.). The event will offer insights and advice for independent artists and labels, covering topics including how to grow your fanbase, land bigger and better shows, build a sustainable career in music, and more. The full line-up of Ditto X speakers and panels will be announced soon here.
