Celebrating Martin Luther King Day on January 17, the Harlem Gospel Choir will perform a matinee concert at Sony Hall.
The Harlem Gospel Choir perform contemporary gospel with a touch of jazz and blues, and have become synonymous with power vocals, glorious sound and infectious energy. For over two decades they have been America’s premier gospel choir and have toured the globe, sharing the inspirational power of black gospel music.
Deeply rooted in the history of the African-American slave trade, black gospel music can be traced back to the 1700s when African slaves brought their unique African musical heritage to America and combined it with their new faith – Christianity. Out of the hardship and the trials of slavery, this unique musical tradition came to be, and forever changed music as we know it. Blues, Soul, and Rock-and-Roll…they all have origins in black gospel music. Harlem Gospel Choir presents modern gospel classics as performed in the black churches of Harlem today.
Born out of an MLK Jr. day celebration in 1986, the world-famous Harlem Gospel Choir is an enchanting display of only the finest choir singers and musicians from Black churches around New York’s Harlem. With 40 members, the group has solidified themselves as one of the most prominent gospel choirs in the United States, having performed on Good Morning America, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and even for figures like Pope John Paul II and President Obama.
Join the Harlem Gospel Choir for a special matinee performance to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. at Sony Hall on January 17th, with doors at 11am and the show beginning at 12:30pm. Tickets are $25 Advance / $30 Day of Show. For more info, visit the event page.
At 74 years old, New Hampshire folk musician Bill Staines died on Sunday, December 5, 2021. For more than 45 years, Bill Staines has been the classic folk songwriter, singing his songs at the country’s top festivals, concerts, clubs and coffee houses. Above all, Staines performed at Saratoga Springs coffeehouse Caffe Lena twice a year from 1968 to 2021, once in the winter and once in the summer.
Staines held a special role at Caffe Lena, having performed more than 100 times at the venue. In addition, Staines decided to play at Café Lena twice a year in 1968 and kept his promise. Across the world, many fans have been morning the loss of Staines.
Bill Staines has passed away from cancer and our hearts are breaking. He played Caffe Lena summer and winter every year since 1968. He’s our nearest and dearest and it won’t be the same without him.
Caffè Lena
On January 22nd, Caffe Lena will host “Crossing the Water,” a tribute concert celebrating the life and legacy of the beloved songwriter, Bill Staines. The tribute will take place on the date that would have been Staines’ winter show for 2022. It will feature Staines’ songs, passages from his autobiography, and video clips from his final concert at the venue on September 17, 2021. Furthermore, there will be additional performances by Dan Berggren, Kate McDonnell, Vivian Nesbitt and John Dillon, Wanda Fischer, Kevin McKrell and Arlin Greene, Jonny and Annie Rosen, and John Kirk and Trish Miller.
Staines had wonderful songs, charm and gentle humor, He was known for being an amazing musician and likable person. Along with his his kindness and gentle wisdom, he was said to have driven more than 65,000 miles every year to perform at music festivals, churches, concert halls and sometimes even in private homes.
For many years I have referred to him as an anchor to our heritage. So much has changed over the years. But Bill has remained a constant.
Executive Director Sarah Craig.
In-person attendees must present proof of vaccination and masks are required. For those unable to attend, a free live stream will be available on Caffe Lena’s YouTube channel. Tickets and streaming information are available at caffelena.org
The Eagles have added two NY dates to their Hotel California tour, Belmont Park and Buffalo. The shows on this tour will feature a live performance of the album in its entirety, with an orchestra and choir, along with a full set of hits.
The Eagles consist of Don Henley, Joe Walsh, and Timothy B. Schmit. They were the best-selling American band of the ’70s, and their album Hotel California is the third best-selling U.S. album in history and won two GRAMMY Awards.
The Eagles by Ron Koch.
The Eagles have added a show at UBS Arena at Belmont Park in Long Island on April 23. The venue is home to the New York Islanders and hosts a variety of sports and entertainment events. This will be the first time in 16 years that the Eagles have performed in Long Island. The band also added a show at the Keybank Center located in downtown Buffalo.
The Eagles by Ron Koch.
The tour so far has received great praise, with Billboard saying, “The band performed the album from front to back, following with a blazing greatest hits set that had the audience at the sold-out arena constantly on its feet.” The LA Times said, “From the title track — a 6 1/2-minute flamenco-reggae ballad— to the elegiac closer ‘The Last Resort,’ it’s consummately performed.”
Tickets to the Hotel California Tour are found here, along with VIP Tickets. The newly added shows will be on sale January 14.
The Eagles Hotel California Tour Dates
Feb. 19 — Savannah, Ga. @ Enmarket Arena Feb. 21 — Charlotte, N.C. @ Spectrum Center Feb. 24 — Orlando, Fla. @ Amway Center Feb. 25 — Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. @ FLA Live Arena Feb. 28 — Tampa, Fla. @ Amalie Arena March 2 — Raleigh, N.C. @ PNC Arena March 4 — Atlanta, Ga. @ State Farm Arena March 17 — Cleveland, Ohio @ Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse*** March 19 — Chicago, Ill. @ United Center March 22 — Indianapolis, Ind. @ Gainbridge Fieldhouse March 24 — Detroit, Mich. @ Little Caesars Arena March 26 — Pittsburgh, Penn. @ PPG Paints Arena March 28 — Philadelphia, Penn. @ Wells Fargo Arena April 19 — Columbus, Ohio @ Nationwide Arena April 21 — Buffalo, N.Y. @ Keybank Center April 23 — Belmont Park, N.Y. @ UBS Arena April 28 — Nashville, Tenn. @ Bridgestone Arena May 14 — Houston, Texas @ Toyota Center May 16 — Tulsa, Okla. @ BOK Center May 19 — Austin, Texas @ Moody Center May 20 — Austin, Texas @ Moody Center May 25 — Salt Lake City, Utah @ Vivint Smart Home Arena ***tickets not available on Ticketmaster
Folk singer Judy Collins is releasing her 29th album titled Spellbound, filled with all her compositions, a first for Collins.
On the 6th she released “When I Was A Girl In Colorado,” a nostalgic slow song about a young Collins living in Colorado. The song is haunting and beautiful, with soft yet vibrant vocals.
Judy Collins photo by Shervin Lainez
Collins began her musical career in the 60s playing folk music in Colorado and Connecticut. She made her break in Greenwich Village and released her first album A Maid of Constant Sorrow in 1961. Over her life, she has played with icons like Stephen Stills, Randy Newman, and Joni Mitchell.
Collins spoke about making Spellbound and said that she created it because of this time of uncertainty.
They say after the plague came the Renaissance. Now felt like the perfect time to make this record because, after all that’s happened in the world, we need something beautiful and inspirational to lift us up.
The album’s name comes from her pure love of the outdoors, and how it lured her to consider being a park ranger. On the record, she also worked with different musicians. These included Alan Silverman and Ari Hest– Hest being nominated along with Collins for a duet record at the GRAMMYs.
Collins has had a busy past couple of years, releasing five albums in five years and recently launching a podcast, Since You’ve Asked, where she talks about her prolific life with a number of her favorite musicians.
Last month, she returned to live to perform at New York’s Town Hall, centered around her album Winter Stories.
Judy Collins is also going on tour to accompany the release of Spellbound and will be stopping at two NY dates, and tickets to purchase can be found here.
Judy Collins 2022 Tour Dates
January 7, 2022 – Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center in The Villages, FL
January 12, 2022 – Key West Theater in Key West, FL
January 14, 2022 – Lillian S. Wells Hall at The Parker in Fort Lauderdale, FL
January 16, 2022 -Bilheimer Capitol Theatre in Clearwater, FL
January 26, 2022 – City Winery Atlanta in Atlanta, GA
February 11, 2022 – Carriage House Theater, Montalvo Arts Center in Saratoga, CA
February 12, 2022 – Carriage House Theater, Montalvo Arts Center in Saratoga, CA
February 13, 2022 – SOKA PAC in Aliso Viejo, CA
February 15, 2022 – Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara, CA
February 18, 2022 – Blue Note Hawaii in Honolulu, HI
February 19, 2022 – Blue Note Hawaii in Honolulu, HI
February 23, 2022 – Edmonds Center for the Arts in Edmonds, WA
February 25, 2022 – Washington Center for the Performing Arts in Olympia, WA
February 26, 2022 – Admiral Theatre in Bremerton, WA
February 28, 2022 – Alberta Rose Theatre in Portland, OR
March 1, 2022 – Alberta Rose Theatre in Portland, OR
March 2, 2022 – Tower Theatre in Bend, OR
March 4, 2022 – One World Theater in Austin, TX
March 7, 2022 – Lensic Performing Arts Center in Santa Fe, NM
March 8, 2022 – Fox Tucson Theatre in Tucson, AZ
March 10, 2022 – Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix, AZ
March 11, 2022 – McCallum Theatre for the Performing Arts in Palm Desert, CA
March 13, 2022 – College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita, CA
March 18, 2022 – Scottish Rite Auditorium in Collingswood, NJ
March 24, 2022 – Fox Theatre in Hutchinson, KS
March 26, 2022 – The Stanley – Estes Park, CO
March 29, 2022 – Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville, TN
March 31, 2022 – Grand Theatre in Frankfort, KY
April 22, 2022 – State Theatre in Portland, ME
April 23, 2022 – 1932 Criterion Theatre in Bar Harbor, ME
April 28, 2022 – Homer Center For The Arts in Homer, NY
April 29, 2022 – Sugarloaf PAC in Chester, NY
May 18, 2022 – St. Cecilia Music Center in Grand Rapids, MI
May 22, 2022 – Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, KS
July 22, 2022 – Cain Park in Cleveland Heights, OH
July 24, 2022 – Botanical Gardens – Denver, CO
Collins and Hest performing a song off of their album.
The Palace Theatre in Albany has announced a Black History Step Show featuring HYP3st Dance Competition, for Sunday, February 20 at 5pm. Dates for the recently postponed Dark Star Orchestra shows have also been announced for April.
The Price Chopper Black History Month Step Show features some of the best step teams from the Capital Region and beyond, for an afternoon of high energy dance performances. The Step Show is one of the most anticipated annual events in the area.
Stepping is truly something that needs to be seen to be fully appreciated, the quick moves and split-second changes showcase just how much time and energy is put into the choreography. Beyond entertainment value, the event is also highly educational as it relates to the concepts and themes of identity, culture, environment and society and their role in why these organizations came about and why they still exist today. The entertainment grabs your attention and draws you into wanting to learn more about these organizations and their history. This program and others like it offer participants not only a creative outlet, but also a chance to be a part of something bigger than themselves.
Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for students and are now on sale via Ticketmaster. Tickets are also available for purchaseat the Palace Theatre Box Office located at 19 Clinton Ave in Albany.
Dark Star Orchestra
Grateful Dead tribute band Dark Star Orchestra have reschedule their postponed December 31, 2021 and January 1, 2022 shows at the Palace Theatre for April 1 and 2, 2022. Tickets for the original dates WILL be valid for the new April dates. Tickets for December 31 are valid for April 1 and tickets for January 1 are valid for April 2.
If you are unable to attend the new dates, refunds will be available by request until January 27, 2022. To obtain a refund: If you purchased your tickets through Ticketmaster, contact Ticketmaster through your account to request a refund. If you purchased your tickets at the Palace Theatre Box Office, call the Box Office during regular business hours at 518-465-4663 to request a refund. If you have any questions, feel free to reply directly to this email.
Tickets for Dark Star Orchestra at the Palace Theatre are available here.
Mad Dabber710, an American musician, hip hop artist, funk producer. and cannabis activist born in Bandera, Texas, will be the host with the most at Alien Opera House for “Its A Party Festival” on January 15 from 3 PM till 2 AM in Syracuse. 2 stages. Green Skylines stage upstairs and Exotic Pop/ Slapwoods stage downstairs.
This past December the Alien Opera House hosted a performance of the Frank White Experience with Lil Cease of Brooklyn artist Notorious BIG. Expect the same variety at the Opera house on January 15 with all day performances by funk, NEO soul, hip hop, reggae, delta blues and indie jazz lounge artists of New York State.
The Alien Opera House is located on 211 Catawaba Street in Syracuse’s historic Little Italy district. Legendary Italian Conductor Vincent Falcone of Frank Sinatra’s band first cousin Frank Romano’s home is located around the corner in Washington Square Park. The neighborhood is still a sweet melting pot of fine art and rich culture. PhokOuttaHere offers the best blend of Vietnamese cuisine in New York State. Fresh Kola Nuts from the rain forest are available on Salina St at the African & Caribbean Central Market.
Sponsors for ” Its a Party” fest are Exotic Pop, Green Skylines, Slapwoods, Party105, 3D Grow, The Wallflower Hour. The Higher Calling THC and production provided by PVM Entertainment. The Green Skylines stage will be upstairs and the Exotic Pop/Slapwoods Stage will be downstairs at the Alien Opera House.
Yashima is a German conductor and a rising star in the industry. She has played worldwide with acclaimed ensembles and orchestras.
The Albany Symphony Orchestra is two-time GRAMMY award-winning, and their performance is described as “virtuosic” and features classical work that is lesser-heard. The symphony also has more ASCAP awards than any other orchestra.
The Albany Symphony, conducted by Maestro Miller.
Founded in 1930, the symphony serves an audience of more than seven counties and parts of three states. The symphony is the only organization to have made multiple appearances at Carnegie Hall’s Spring for Musicfestival.
The symphony is led by music director David Alan Miller who is beginning his 30th year of service. The symphony also provides award-winning education in their program Symphony in Our Schools.
Tickets for the Albany Symphony with Erina Yashima at Proctors Theater on January 8 can be found here. The event will also be streamed online, tickets for which can be found here.
Albany’s Jim Gaudet is a folksinger, but mostly he’s a straight forward story teller, whether singing about a baseball hero, a favorite soup or a childhood love. With the Railroad Boys, Gaudet will release Hillbilly Rock n’ Roll on Saturday, January 15 with a performance at the Madison Theater in Albany.
The first single from the album, “New Girl Now,” tells a story that brings hope, for regardless of how dark and hopeless things may seem, things can change just as quickly for the better.
The journey for Gaudet began around 1988 when he went to open mics at Caffe Lena and Albany’s Eight Step Coffeehouse. Soon, covers made way for originals, among them, “The Basement of Willett Street” paying tribute to the latter’s stage crew. In time, Gaudet has become a regional favorite with a refreshing sound that resonates with listeners the first time they hear them.
Jim Gaudet and the Railroad Boys combine together for a superb harmony in their vocals and pure musicianship throughout, leading to an up-tempo experience. The band features Jim Gaudet (guitar), Bobby Ristau (bass), Sten Isachsen (mandolin), Sara Milonovich (fiddle) and Tucker Callander (fiddle).
Their unique brand of “Hillbilly Rock and Roll” has a way that makes you feel as though you’ve stepped back in time into a Texas roadhouse.
I feel that I have not succeeded if I walk off the stage and we haven’t connected. I love playing the songs and I love that it is my music that we are playing.
Jim Gaudet
The band has performed at the bluegrass festivals across the country, including Wintergrass (Seattle), High Mountain Bluegrass Festival (Colorado) and Music City Roots (Nashville) as well as 6 appearances at Grey Fox.
Stay up to date with Jim Gaudet and the Railroad Boys via their Website and Facebook.
Jim Gaudet and The Railroad Boys Winter 2022 Dates
1/09/2022 Pawling, NY – Daryl’s House Club (FREE) 1/15/2022 Albany, NY – Madison Theater (Album release show) 2/07/2022 Albany, NY – McGeary’s Irish Pub (FREE) 2/20/2022 Pawling, NY – Daryl’s House Club (FREE) 3/05/2022 Saratoga Springs, NY – Caffe Lena 3/07/2022 Albany, NY – McGeary’s Irish Pub (FREE)
Capital District native Todd Nelson has been creating music for a long time, and his band called the Nelson Esposito Quintana (NEQ for short) released their new single, “Threshold.” Accompanying the single and release of their new album Nevertheless, the NEQ will be playing at the Hollow Bar in Albany on February 18.
NEQ’s vision is to redefine the art of rock instrumental, with a post-modern approach. Utilizing the traditional makings of a band, with guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, percussion, NEQ rock out.
The most important thing is that the music connects with the listener emotionally, using the full range of emotions.
Todd Nelson
Nelson studied music theory at UAlbany in the 70s and while in college he played with a plethora of bands. He has shared the stage with the Police, Squeeze, the B-52s, XTC, and REM, and more.
His band, Fear of Strangers, was key to the Punk/New Wave scene in the Capital District in the 80s and held a reunion show with over 300 people in attendance.
Todd Nelson
Nelson has played in many more bands, and when asked if playing in a lot of bands affected him, he said not really.
It usually isn’t too difficult to juggle working in several bands…You just have to learn the material and review it before the gig. Having good musical ears and technique helps.
Nelson plays many different types of music, from jazz to rock to electronica. He doesn’t keep himself into one box but prefers to play one specific thing- his compositions.
The music I prefer to concentrate on is my own compositions, or music I’ve collaborated with someone on, or original music of someone else’s that I can contribute to. But as you may know it can be harder to find bookings playing original music, and I like to keep busy playing.
Nelson and his NEQ make rock instrumental music. Their new single “Threshold” is a nod to the 70s classic rock scene, with all things groovy and nice.
The band consists of guitarist Kyle Esposito and drummer Manual Quintana, who both work in other bands while devoting time to NEQ.
NEQ
Todd Nelson and NEQ will be playing at the Hollow Bar on February 18 to play their new album, a place that Nelson says he has played many times in the past. Tickets can be found here.
Bill Charlap Trio have announced a new date for their upcoming performance at Flushing Town Hall on Friday, April 8, 2022. Bill Charlap is a multi-nominated GRAMMY artist with four nominations and one win back in 2015 for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album with The Silver Lining: The Songs Of Jerome Kern. The show was originally planned for January 15 but was postponed due to the omicron wave of COVID-19.
Bill Charlap Trio, Photo Credit: Philippe LEVY-STAB
Bill Charlap Trio will be performing at Flushing Town Hall will host pianist Bill Charlap, bassist Peter Washington, and drummer Kenny Washington. The Trio was formed nearly 25 years ago by Bill Charlap back in 1997 and has earned GRAMMY nominations for Uptown Downtown (Impulse!/Verve), Somewhere: The Songs of Leonard Bernstein, and The Bill Charlap Trio: Live at the Village Vanguard (both on the Blue Note label).
Bill Charlap was born in New York City in 1966 and started playing the piano at the young age of three. His father was Broadway composer Moose Charlap, whose credits include Peter Pan, and his mother is singer Sandy Stewart, who toured with Benny Goodman, appeared on the Ed Sullivan and Perry Como shows, and earned a GRAMMY nomination for her recording of “My Coloring Book.” He has performed with many of the well known artists ranging from Phil Woods, Gerry Mulligan, Wynton Marsalis, Freddy Cole and Houston Person to singers Tony Bennett and Barbra Streisand. He is known for his interpretations of American popular songs and has recorded albums featuring the music of Hoagy Carmichael, Leonard Bernstein and George Gershwin.
The performance will take place on Friday, April 8, 2022 at 8PM. In-person tickets are $25/$20 Members. Those unable to attend in person can join the livestream and tune in virtually for free at here, but donations are greatly appreciated. For tickets and more information, visit here or call (718) 463-7700 x222.
COVID Policy: In adherence with Mayor Eric Adams’s Covid policy for performance venues, Flushing Town Hall will require all visitors ages 12 and up, performers, and staff to show proof of vaccination. Masks will be required at all times for everyone. For more details on Flushing Town Hall’s Covid-safety measures and vaccine requirements, please visit here.
For more information on Bill Charlap Trio’s performance at Flushing Town Hall visit Flushing Town Hall’s website.
