Opera Saratoga’s Artistic and General Director Lawrence Edelson has announced that he will step down from Opera Saratoga after the 2022 Summer Season. A member of the company since 2014, Edleson will be taking his talents to The University of Houston as Professor of Practice and Artistic Director of The Moores Opera Center.
Lawrence Edelson
The Moores Opera Center is considered one of the most prestigious programs for opera training in the country. The institution regularly brings home National Opera Association awards. Lawrence Edelson will also continue in his role as Artistic and General Director of American Lyric Theater in New York City. Here, he mentors emerging opera composers and oversees the development of new works.
As expected, Opera Saratoga is sad to see Edelson go. That being said, the company wishes him the best of luck in his future endeavors. Edelson’s final remarks are as follows:
When I first came to Saratoga Springs as a guest director in 2013, I fell in love with this community and when I had the opportunity to join Opera Saratoga as Artistic and General Director the following year, I knew that I was about to embark on a very exciting journey. I truly could not have imagined how rewarding my time at Opera Saratoga would be. I have had some of the most meaningful experiences of my life during my time with the company, and I am deeply grateful to the artists, our entire staff, and our committed and generous supporters who make it possible for Opera Saratoga to contribute so vibrantly to the region year-round.
Summer 2022 free music lineups are popping up all around the state, and the annual “Jazz on Jay” series in Schenectady once again has a stellar lineup to share.
Every Thursday, a free jazz performance will take place on the corner of Jay Street and State Street from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m., perfect for lunchtime enjoyment in the Electric City. Jazz enthusiasts will get to enjoy singers and instrumentalists from across the region.
The series kicks off on Thursday, June 9 with Colleen Pratt and Friends, in conjunction with Downtown Schenectady ArtsWeek.
If you’re a fan of jazz, then Jay Street in Schenectady is the spot to be. The performances will go on rain or shine, with a rain location inside Proctors Theatre’s Robb Alley.
2022 Jazz on Jay Concert Schedule
June 9: Colleen Pratt and Friends (in conjunction with Downtown Schenectady ArtsWeek) June 16: Arch Stanton Quartet June 23: Wize Guyz June 30: Music by McIntosh July 7: Keith Pray’s Ortet July 14: Kevin Carey Group July 21: The Dylan Canterbury Quintet July 28: Kaitlyn Fay Quartet August 4: Art D’echo Trio featuring Joshua Nelson August 11: Chris Pasin’s Ornettiquette August 18: GNP August 25: Curley Lamb Nu-Soul-Jaz Quartet featuring Ria Curley and Chuck Lamb September 1: Pete Bellino Trio
The SPAC 2022 Summer performances and concerts have been announced, with a wide variety of artists and performances coming to the venue. For 50 years, SPAC has been the Summer home of New York City Ballet and The Philadelphia Orchestra, and has hosted thousands of concerts for the best-in-class artists across all genres.
Opera Saratoga was formed in 1962 to present opera in English and showcase young singers, and they are performing multiple dates with different performances. On May 26, they are performing “Stars of Tomorrow.” From June 2-3 they are performing Petite Messe Solennelle. On the 12 at 2 P.M. and 7 P.M. they are performing “A Hundred Years of Broadway – A Broadway Cabaret.” Finally, during the 29-30, they are performing Sweeney Todd – The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center is part of the largest performing arts complex in the world, and draws more people to chamber music than any other organization of its kind. They will be performing “Quintessential Quintets” on June 12 at 3 & 7 P.M. On the 19 at 3 & 7 P.M. they are performing “From the Harlem Renaissance to Today.” On July 10 at 3 & 7 P.M. they are performing “The Magic of Mixed Ensembles.” On August 14 at 3 & 7 P.M. they are performing “The Escher Quartet.”
The New York City Ballet will be coming to SPAC to do multiple dates with different varieties of shows. On July 12 at 7:30 P.M. they will be performing “NYCB On and Off Stage.” On the 13 and 16 at 7:30 P.M. they will be performing “20th Century Masters.” On the 15 at 7:30 P.M. and the 16 at 2 P.M. they will be performing “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
Adrian Danchig-Waring in Summerspace, Credit Photo: Erin Baiano
The Philadelphia Orchestra will be having its residency at SPAC from July 27-August 13, with a variety of performances including Yo-Yo Ma, The Princess Bride in Concert, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban™ in Concert and more.
The Lumineers are a GRAMMY nominated-multi platinum folk rock band who gained commercial success with their 2012 hit “Ho Hey.” They will also be having CAAMP on tour with them, also an American folk band who have released two albums and one EP to date.
Zac Brown Band is an American country music group with seven studio albums, two extended plays, and two live albums. They had 13 singles go #1 on the Billboard Country Charts, and their first album The Foundation is certified triple-platinum. Their special guest will be the Robert Randolph Band, a six-time GRAMMY-nominated American gospel band led by Robert Randolph.
John Mulaney is an SNL five-timer host who has also written for the show for several years. He has done numerous Netflix specials and has been on different talk shows.
Steely Dan is an American rock band founded in 1971 by members Walter Becker and Donald Fagen. Rolling Stone has called them “the perfect musical antiheroes for the Seventies,” and they have several top hits.
Josh Groban is an American singer, songwriter, musician, actor, and record producer. His first four solo albums have been certified multi-platinum and in 2007 he was charted as the number-one best-selling artist in the United States, with over 22.3 million records. He has since sold over 25 million records worldwide.
Dave Matthews Band is a 13-time GRAMMY-nominated American rock band. The band has sold over 31 million albums in the United States, making it one of the top 100 highest-selling music acts of all time.
Rod Stewart is among the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold over 120 million records worldwide. He has had 10 number-one albums and 31 top ten singles in the UK, six of which reached number one. He has had 16 top ten singles in the US, with four reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
Backstreet Boys are an American vocal group consisting of Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, AJ McLean, and cousins Brian Littrell and Kevin Richardson. According to Billboard, they are the best-selling boy band of all time with 130 million records sold worldwide.
Luke Bryan is an American country music singer and songwriter and is one of the most successful and awarded country artists of the 2010s and 2020s. He has also been a judge on American Idol since 2018.
The Beach Boys are an American rock band that formed in Hawthorne, California, in 1961. They are one of the most critically acclaimed, commercially successful, and influential bands of all time. They had seven top 10 hits between April 1963 and November 1964. They were one of the few American groups to maintain popularity after the British Invasion.
Jason Aldean is an American country music singer, songwriter, and record producer. His albums are all certified platinum, and his 2010 album, My Kinda Party, is certified quadruple-platinum. He has also received five Grammy Award nominations throughout his career.
Each Sunday evening from 7-9pm you’ll find EQXposure on WEQX, featuring two hours of local music from up and coming artists. Tune into WEQX.com this Sunday night for EQXposure and to hear new music from, Kirsty Rock, Seize Atlantis, E.R.I.E., and a world premiere from Joe Mansmen and the Midnight Revival, and many more!
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. 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.
E.R.I.E. – “Can’t Stop Runnin’”
E.R.I.E. came on to the Albany, NY scene in 2020, the week a global pandemic began to rear its ugly head. What began as a passion project developed while singer/songwriter TJ Foster was unexpectedly laid up in a hospital bed for three days, has turned into a fully-formed quartet, winning over audiences with their catchy songs and energetic live performances.
Seize Atlantis – “Atlas Shrugged”
Formed in 2019, NYS Music March Madness 2022 Final Four artist Seize Atlantis is an Alternative Rock Band located in Upstate NY that plays a variety of genres, including originals and covers. The band includes James Mullen – Lead Vocals/Guitar, Mike Dardas – Bass/Vocals, Luc Bourgault – Lead Guitar, and Cody Platt – Drums.
Kirsty Rock – “Green Is”
Most notably know for her soaring vocals with internationally renowned reggae super group, Easy Star All-Stars, Kirsty Rock comes with her own distinctive, soulful & earthy reggae sound. Inspired by a deep love of Vermont, Rock brings us on a sonic and visual journey. Rock can also be heard on Dub Side of the Moon, Radiodread, Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Dub Band, First Light & Thrillah.
Performing under the pseudonym Monkeys On Ecstasy, moe. treated 350 lucky fans to a performance at Empire Underground on Thursday, May 12. With guitarist Chuck Garvey on the mend, Suke Cerulo (Schleigho, Lynch) and Nate Wilson (Ghosts of Jupiter, Blue Star Radiation), the now-sextet of musicians warmed up for the summer shows that lie ahead, with a powerful 11-song performance.
photo by Frankie Cavone
A Monkeys on Ecstasy show provides moe. with the rare chance for a club performance, making for an intimate and intense show, one that diehard moe.rons gravitated to, selling the show out within 24 hours. Hundreds more would stream the show online as well, bringing a little bit of the magic of this show to the masses. Monkeys on Ecstasy shows have been played periodically over the years, allowing for surprise treats for fans, including a 1998 performance in Utica at Captain Trips Rainforest Cafe.
Fans in the Capital District will recall the August 18, 2005 performance of moe. as The Vinnie Amico Experience, where drummer Vinnie Amico took centerstage at a sweat-stained Revolution Hall.
photo by Frankie Cavone
For Thursday night, the band began at 8:13pm with fan favorite “Happy Hour Hero” segueing cleanly into “Silver Sun” and then the ever rare “Johnny Lineup.” For 42 minutes, there was not a single break in the action on stage, and prior to a lengthy intro to “Lazarus” did the band finally take a moment to breathe and thank the audience for joining them this evening. Just prior to “Buster,” the beginning of “Rebubula” was teased, before Rob Derhak took the reigns and played the iconic bass intro to “Buster.” The set ended up with “Downward Facing Dog” and a band that was tight and familiar, as two seasoned musicians to provided an ample substitute for Garvey.
photo by Frankie Cavone
The four song second set began with the heavy as ever “McBain,” allowing for plenty of improvisation between Wilson and Cerulo and guitarist Al Schnier. A patient fade into “Brent Black” paid off with a significant ‘drums’ portion from Amico and Jim Loughlin, which found its way into Pink Floyd’s “Interstellar Overdrive” and finally the classic moe. jam vehicle, “Recreational Chemistry.” To close the night, the relatively new “Skitchin Buffalo” served as a long encore, the audience pouring out to the alley behind North Pearl Street, having witnessed a rare as ever performance.
moe. will return to the Capital District on July 6 with a free show at the Empire State Plaza. Full tour dates can be found here. See more photos at Mirth Films.
Monkeys on Ecstasy – Empire Underground – May 12, 2022
Set 1: Happy Hour Hero > Silver Sun > Johnny Lineup, Lazarus > Buster* > Downward Facing Dog Set 2: Skrunk > Brent Black > Interstellar Overdrive > Recreational Chemistry Encore: Skitchin Buffalo
Eastbound Jesus & Guthrie/Bell Productions have announced the lineup for the 2022 installment of the Eastbound Throwdown, planned for September 9-10 on Irwin Farm in Salem, NY.
Friday’s Lineup includes host-band Eastbound Jesus, The Mallett Brothers Band, Folkfaces, Muddy Ruckus, and Ginger Roots. Saturday features Cabinet, Saints & Liars, Deadgrass & Friends, The Honey Smugglers, Steadman’s Landing, Wild Leek River, Dan Johnson, The Button Men, Turf ‘n’ Turf and two more sets from Eastbound Jesus.
Weekend Passes (include camping) have been on sale since April 1st and are already more than half sold out. Last year’s festival sold out well in advance and organizers anticipate the same this year. Tickets are available here.
Eastbound Throwdown 2022 is an all-ages event with children 15 and under free to enter. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Eddies Music Hall of Fame founder Jim Murphy spoke in a statement, expressing how excited he is to induct this new class.
This class truly represents the breadth of the region’s music scene. In artists we have everything from roots to rock to ambient music and on the industry side, a much-heralded music producer, two journalists, a radio station founder, and a promoter. Several of these individuals plied more than one trade within the music business.
The ceremony will feature live music, videos about each inductee, and acceptance speeches. Each inductee will get their plaque too.
The 2022 class joins a group of 16 previous inductees that includes 1930s and 40s pop music sensations Bob and Ray Eberle, folk/Celtic artist Kevin McKrell, and John Sykes, cofounder of MTV and current chairman of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and many more.
The Inductees
Sara Ayers
Sara Ayers is a vocalist-composer, with a catalogue of eight works and also has appeared on dozens of compilations. Her and her husband Greg Haymes launched the online publication Nippertown in 2009.
Greg Bell
Greg Bell has had a serious impact on the Albany music scene. He has produced more than 2,500 shows and established the city as a major jam band tour stop. He also taught special education for 26 years. He joined forces with Jeff Guthrie in 1993, forming Guthrie/Bell Productions.
Brooks Brown
Brooks Brown moved to Manchester, VT in the late 1970s from Houston and noticed the lack of a radio station. He created WEQX, which broadcasts new music to southern Vermont, New Hampshire, western Massachusetts and New York’s Capital Region.
Michael Eck.
Albany-native Michael Eck is full of all sorts of musical talent. He is a nationally recognized cultural critic and guitar brand editor, a concert/radio/album producer, publicist, painter, bouncer, roadie, record store clerk, and much more.
Joel Moss
Joel Moss has worked as a record producer, sound engineer, and mixer for Little Richard, Ray Charles, Elton John, The Beach Boys, and more. He engineered sound for over 200 movies and helped produce many Broadway cast albums. He is the recipient of an Academy Award, seven Grammys, and two Emmy nominations. Today he is a broadcast sound and camera technician at Cafe Lena in Saratoga.
Greg Haymes
Greg Haymes was the frontman and percussionist in 2020 Eddies Music Hall of Fame inductee Blotto and was a member of The Star-Spangled Washboard Band and the Ramblin Jug Stompers. He was a newspaper journalist, and with his wife, Sara Ayers launched the online publication Nippertown in 2009.
Rich Ortiz
Rich Ortiz is an acoustic solo act, who plays six- and twelve-string guitar, harmonica, and pedal bass. He has released two albums and opened for Chicago, REO Speedwagon, and more. When not performing, Ortiz is competing professionally in fishing tournaments.
Super 400
Super 400 is made up of drummer Joe Daley, guitarist Kenny Hohman, and bassist Lori Friday. The Troy-based trio formed in 1996 and their self-titled debut was released on Island Records two years later. They have toured internationally, and Troy’s mayor even declared February 25 as “Super 400 Day.” They opened Troy Music Academy in 2011 and have scored music for many TV shows.
Capital District queer folk/rock artist Ryan Leddick released a new single, “State of Mind,” on Thursday, May 5.
“State of Mind” fuses the acoustic folk-rock sound that Leddick regularly employed in his previous releases with synth-ladened overtures. The single marries his penchant for the simple and driving melodies of folk music with the complexities of synth-80/90’s pop.
When I was creating this song all I could think about were sold geometric shapes from the 80’s and 90’s and cutting acoustic guitar rhythms and how they balanced each other.
Ryan Leddick
Leddick calls his single a fusion of folk and synth pop but upon listening to it you might find that his booming voice and imposing percussion sound more like a rock ballad. Or we discovered that rock music is actually what you get when you combine folk and synth pop.
Photo: Mike De Socio //Design: Courtney Mann
This expansion of Leddick’s sound came after her reconnected with his guitar during the pandemic. The synth sequences were in an effort to recreate what he called the “geometric shapes” of 80s and 90s pop music. “This mixture of acoustic guitar, electric drums, and synths always seemed to paint a geometric landscape in my mind,” Leddick explained.
It might just be modesty on Leddick’s part but the most notable part of “State of Mind” is Leddick’s careening voice which when it first surges onto the track appears Adele-esque in its depth and control. His voice often quavers as if he’s getting choked up sharing something personal with us, giving his music an emotional introspection.
The hook repeats the lyrics “this is my state of my mind”. It might be slightly heavy-handed, but you certainly can’t say Leddick didn’t put his heart into it.
“State of Mind” marks his second collaboration with producer and musician Carl Blackwood of the band Bendt and Mastering Engineer Carl Staff. Blackwood also received instrumental and mixing credits on the single.
As of now, the single is expected to be part of a larger body of work Leddick plans to release either this year or in early 2023.
Each Sunday evening from 7-9pm you’ll find EQXposure on WEQX, featuring two hours of local music from up and coming artists. Tune into WEQX.com this Sunday night to hear new music from, Karl Bertrand, Mike del Vecchio, Black Tongue Reverend and many more!
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. 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.
Karl Bertand – “Natalia”
Karl Bertrand is a songwriter, guitarist, and producer living in Glens Falls, NY. He’s performed on festival stages as a member of rock band Let’s Be Leonard, and has released a handful of records that are accessible on all streaming platforms. Karl is continuously recording and releasing new material and performing his original songs around the Upstate New York area.
Black Tongue Reverend – “Northern Burden”
Black Tongue Reverend is a heavy psych blues rock band from Northern New York featuring Eric Tulip (bass & vocals), Mike Errichetto (guitar) and Geoff Gorman (drums). Their debut album is Northern Burden.
Mike del Vecchio – “Meet (esophagus)”
From his April 2022 release My Bionic Life, with all music and lyrics written, performed, recorded by Mike Del Vecchio, comes “Meet (esophagus)”.
This June in Saratoga Springs, Saratoga Performing Arts Center has partnered with two other venues, Saratoga Arts and The Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery at Skidmore College, to host Dance Around Town: A Photographic Celebration.
Saratoga Springs Performing Arts Center
The display will be split into three distinct exhibitions and each of these exhibitions will hosted at one of the priorly stated venues. Moreover, These exhibitions will feature world-renowned artists like Mikhail Baryshnikov, Betti Franceschi, and Robert Tracy. All three exhibitions will be available for viewing at no cost. For more information on the exhibitions and artists visit spac.org.
Saratoga Springs “Dance Around Town” Schedule
Merce My Way
Location: The Pines at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Viewing Times: June 5 (2pm-5pm); June 6-9 (12pm-5pm); June 17-19 (12pm-5pm)
The collection will also be available for viewing to all ticket holders of SPAC’s classical programming. Additional viewing times are to be announced.
Ageless Dancers
Location: Saratoga Arts
Dates: June 18 – August 13
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 am – 5 pm | Saturday 12 pm – 4 pm
Robert Tracy on Dance
Location: The Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery
