NYS Music 202​2

Category: Schenectady

  • Empire State Youth Orchestra Announces The Acquisition Of A Former School In Schenectady

    As a cultural institution that provides young musicians with the education and experience to achieve excellence, the Empire State Youth Orchestra, is moving its efforts to Schenectady.

    The multi-year project will transform the property, at 45 MacArthur Drive in Scotia-Glenville, formerly known as St. Joseph’s Parish School, into an establishment centered around progressive learning, leading to high-level performance opportunities within the music industry.

    Empire State Youth Orchestra
    The former St. Joseph’s Parish School, new home of the ESYO

    The goal is to establish an ensemble rehearsal academy and a permanent home for ESYO, rather than utilizing other temporary facilities. Since EYSO already provides the youth, specifically over 500 musicians with an unparalleled musical sanctuary, a place to call it home was all that was left to do.

    For years, ESYO has operated out of school gyms and auditoriums throughout the Capital Region. We’ve always dreamed of having a permanent home that will best support our young musicians as they grow and develop. We are thrilled to have acquired this property and look forward to transforming it into a center for musical youth.

    Omar Williams, ESYO’s new Board Chair

    This organization provides opportunities for those who are selected after the audition process in all twelve counties in New York’s Capital Region, the Hudson Valley, Western Massachusetts, and Southern Vermont. This program has 13 distinct ensembles and orchestras for all performance levels.

    Members are given high-class training from well qualified conductors, coaches, and extraordinary guest artists. Furthermore, the organization’s alumni include GRAMMY-nominated Vibraphonist Stefan Harris, Bang on a Can All-Star Ashley Bathgate, Ian Antonio the co-founder of the experimental piano and percussion ensemble YarnWire, and Chicago Symphony’s Associate Principal Cellist Ken Olson.

    According to Schenectady County Legislator Cathy Gatta, who is also the President of the Discover Schenectady Board of Directors, this change in location for ESYO will provide major benefits for Schenectady, specifically benefiting local businesses and the community as whole.

    Since 1979, ESYO has built up its reputation as a strong force within the music community and as a result of its efforts has received three American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) awards. For more information, about the organization visit the ESYO website. 

  • Boyz II Men Announce Tour Stop at Proctors in Schenectady 

    The award winning R&B Group Boyz II Men will be coming to Proctors in Schenectady at 8 p.m. on Saturday, August 27. Michael McCary, Nathan Morris, Wayna Morris and Shawn Stockman found fame during the 1990s with Motown Records. The group is currently the best-selling R&B group of all time, selling over 64 million albums. 

    Boyz II Men

    Boyz II Men dropped their debut album in 1991 called Cooleyhighharmony. The album sold over nine million copies and won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. The album included hits such as “Motownphilly” and “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday.” 

    Since then, the 4-time grammy award winning R&B group went on to release mega-hits like “I’ll Make Love to You,” “End of the Road,” “One Sweet Day,” and many more. In 2011, Boyz II Men celebrated their 20th anniversary by releasing an album fittingly named Twenty. This album was the group’s first in nearly ten years.

    On top of their Grammy awards, they’ve also won nine American Music Awards, nine Soul
    Train Awards, three Billboard Awards, and a 2011 MOBO Award for Outstanding Contribution
    to Music, and many more iconic achievements.

    Outside of their musical achievements, the group also started their own charity called Boyz II Men House. The charity was established to support individuals and organizations that focus on improving quality of life while contributing to those who are less fortunate.

    Pre-sales for the August 27th show will begin at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 15 with the official on-sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 18. Tickets are available through the Box Office at Proctors, in person or online at proctors.org. 

  • More Music Less Violence Announces Their Third Artist Showcase At The S.E.A.T. Center

    More Music Less Violence will partnering with C.R.E.A.T.E. Community Studios on Sunday March, 27 from 4 pm to 8 pm at the S.E.A.T. Center in Schenectady.

    More Music Less Violence

    C.R.E.A.T.E. is known to assist in the pursuit of social change, personal growth and communication. Therefore, they are collaborating with More Music Less Violence which is an organization
    focused on building up a new era of musicians through non violent expressions. To start the night off, Billy Floyd, host of “Who’s On The News” podcast will be in attendance to speak. Subsequently, there will be a night full of music from Sibie Lavoz, Dev Rosario, ‘92, Quav13, Shanyia Monaee, Aari, Mandella Eskia, Bez Aloha and Rell Dolo.

    More Music Less Violence
    Photo Credit: Eddie Quinn Photography

    Those in attendance will get the opportunity to create tie dye fabric squares, which will eventually be put together for a community quilt that supports the purpose of the event. To further advocate for human rights and equality, Rae Frasier, creator of the Art Mon3y brand, will construct a live painting session in accordance with the message of the event.

    Jennifer Lawrence, S.E.A.T. CEO and founder, and Emmanuel McCall, S.E.A.T. recruitment coordinator, will share the mission of their organization, their efforts to provide hope for the youth and connect them to employment opportunities.

    Mfalme (Don X) Sikivu, CEO and Founder of UFD (Ujamaa Fraternal Dynasty) will also be in attendance to discuss his own successes and failures throughout his life. Although Sikivu was once incarcerated, he managed to come back stronger and create his own organization for people aged 15 to 22 who wish to better themselves and the community.

    To learn more about More Music Less Violence and this weekend’s upcoming event visit their instagram page.

  • 2022 Eddies Music Awards Nominees Announced, Ceremony to be held at Proctors

    The fourth annual Eddies Music Awards nominees have been announced, with an in-person ceremony scheduled for April 24, 2022 at Proctors Theatre in Schenectady.

    There are over 210 finalists in 36 categories honoring the work of 2021. Nominations and voting are determined by a group of judges that represent the local community.

    2022 eddies awards

    The Eddie Music Awards ceremony will return to the theatre after a two-year absence, as it was postponed twice due to the pandemic. It eventually was live-streamed and last year’s show was able to have a small audience. Co-founder and producer Jim Murphy is excited to be back:

    It was important we continue to shine a light on the local music scene, even if it was scaled back. This year is a return to a full-scale celebration. We hope the whole music community comes together.

    NYS Music is proudly nominated for Arts Publication of the Year, with Zach Culver nominated for Best Photographer of the Year and Alain Clerine nominated for Best Writer of the Year.

    At the ceremony, there will be performances by Erin Harkes, Buggy Jive, Nite Train w/ Thomasina Winslow, Hot Club of Saratoga, Rich Ortiz, and Super 400. Erin Harkes will be continuing her past role as emcee. She also hosted the first Eddies Music Awards in 2019 and was a musical performer at the 2020 Eddies Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

    Buggy Jive is a soul rock song-writer who takes influence from Led Zeppelin and Prince. He has been nominated each year of the Eddies Music Awards including a record five nominations this year, and was a winner of Video of the Year in 2021.

    Nite Train w/ Thomasina Winslow is a seven-piece blues group who has been around in the Capital Region for almost 20 years. In 2019, they were an Eddies Music Award nominee for Best Blues Act. They released their newest album titled  “Cat on A Mission” in late 2020.

    Hot Club of Saratoga are a swing collective that play music that reflects the style of The Quintet of the Hot Club of France that were prominent in the 1930s. They are nominated this year for Best Jazz Artist.

    Rich Ortiz is a singer-songwriter who has opened for Chicago, REO Speedwagon, Styx and many other touring artists. He is a three-time Eddie nominee for Solo or Duo Performer of the Year, with a win in 2019.

    Super 400 are a rock trio who have been together 26 years, and have one live and four studio albums. They are 2022 Eddies nominees in the Rock/Pop Artist of the Year category.

    The Eddies Music Awards’ tickets are on sale now.

    Solo or Duo Artist of the Year
    Buggy Jive
    Girl Blue
    Dave Maswick & Joel Brown
    Om Quillio
    Sean Rowe
    Sirsy

    Solo or Duo Performer of the Year (Covers)
    Rick Bolton & Jackie Dugas
    Jeff Brisbin
    Steve Candlen
    Sten Isachsen & Maria Zemantauski
    Rich Ortiz
    Maurizio Russomanno


    Party Cover Band of the Year
    Diva & The Dirty Boys
    Legend
    Mixed Roots
    Off The Record
    The Refrigerators
    Soul Session


    DJ of the Year
    DJ AyO
    DJ Ketchup
    DJ RVMBA
    DJ ShOw
    DJ T.G.I.F.
    Intell Hayesfield


    Country/Bluegrass Artist of the Year
    Brule County Bad Boys
    Jim Gaudet and The Railroad Boys
    The Insolent Willies
    Red Haired Strangers
    Three Quarter North
    Marty Wendell


    Country Cover Band of the Year
    Beatin’ the Odds
    Courtney Shayne: A Patsy Cline Experience
    E.B. Jeb
    Skeeter Creek
    Stony Creek Band
    Whiskey Highway

    Americana Artist of the Year
    Annie & the Hedonists
    The Lazy Suns
    Lost Radio Rounders
    Sara Milonovich & Daisycutter
    The Nocturne Troubadours
    Rusticator


    Rock/Pop Artist of the Year
    Dark Honey
    Jocelyn & Chris
    Joe Mansman and The Midnight Revival Band
    Super 400
    Under the Den
    Warden & Co.


    Alt/Indie Artist of the Year
    Architrave
    Curious Comet
    E.R.I.E.
    joetaurone
    Sean Rowe
    The Sea The Sea


    Folk/Traditional Artist of the Year
    Dan Berggren
    Drank The Gold
    Reese Fulmer
    John Kirk and Trish Miller
    Michael Jerling
    Carolyn Shapiro


    Hip Hop/Rap Artist of the Year
    B Chaps
    Dezmatic
    Mike Larry Draw
    Sime Geezus
    Emcee Graffiti
    JB!! aka Dirty Moses


    Jazz Artist of the Year
    Joe Barna
    Bright Dog Red
    Hot Club of Saratoga
    Chuck Lamb
    Dylan Perrillo
    Colleen Pratt


    Punk/Hard Rock Artist of the Year
    After the Fall
    BattleaXXX
    Candy Ambulance
    Fine Grain
    Prince Daddy & the Hyena
    Kid Vicious


    Metal/Hard Rock Artist of the Year
    Bad Mothers
    Bendt
    Brick by Brick
    The Erotics
    Malefic
    Psychomanteum


    Jam Band of the Year
    Ampevene
    Annie In The Water
    Glass Pony
    Hilltop
    Let’s Be Leonard
    Raisinhead


    Blues Artist of the Year
    Amy Ryan Band
    Biscuits ‘n’ Gravy
    George Fletcher Blues Band
    Matt Mirabile & Alison Jacobs
    SoulSky
    Mark Tolstrup & Jill Burnham


    RnB/Soul/Funk Artist of the Year
    The Age
    Anneice Cousin
    The E-Block
    Buggy Jive
    Ali Sifflet
    Victory Soul Orchestra

    Electronica Artist of the Year
    Madeline Darby
    Fox Kraft
    SM Ink
    PJ Katz
    Rambutan
    soo do koo


    Classical Artist/Ensemble of the Year
    Albany Symphony Orchestra
    Albany Pro Musica
    Glens Falls Symphony Orchestra
    Musicians of Ma’alwyck
    Opera Saratoga
    Schenectady Symphony Orchestra


    World Music Artist of the Year
    Taina Asili y La Banda Rebelde
    Heard
    Jordan Taylor Hill
    Sten Isachsen & Maria Zemantauski
    Mixed Roots
    Alex Torres & His Latin Orchestra


    Best Venue Small (up to 299 people)
    Caffé Lena
    The Hangar on the Hudson
    The Hollow Bar + Kitchen
    The Linda
    Nanola
    9 Maple Avenue


    Best Venue Medium (300-999 people)
    Cohoes Music Hall
    The Egg
    Lark Hall
    Putnam Place
    The Strand Theatre
    Van Slyck’s (Rivers Casino & Resort)


    Best Venue Large (1,000 people and up)
    Empire Live
    Palace Theatre
    Saratoga Performing Arts Center
    Times Union Center
    Troy Savings Bank Music Hall


    Presenter of the Year
    A Little Booking Agency LLC
    DJ T.G.I.F.
    Guthrie Bell Productions
    Step Up Presents
    Sugar Productions
    Super Dark Collective


    Radio Station of the Year
    RadioRadioX
    WAMC
    WCDB
    WEQX
    WEXT
    WVCR


    Radio DJ of the Year (terrestrial or streaming)
    Wanda Fischer (WAMC)
    Art Fredette (RadioRadiox)
    Sime Geezus (WSPN)
    Andy Gregory (WEXT)
    Bill McCann (WCDB)
    Jeff Morad (WEQX)


    Record Label of the Year
    Cacophone Records
    Equal Vision
    Lorchestral Recording Company
    Magnetic Eye Records
    Paintbox Records
    Upstate Records


    Live Production Crew of the Year
    824 Productions
    Aces
    Denis Entertainment Group
    High Peaks Sound
    Live Sound Inc
    Specialized Audio-Video Inc.

    Music Recording Studio of the Year
    Fool’s Hill Music
    Jim Mastrianni Studio
    Millstone Studio
    NRS Recording


    Arts Publication of the Year (print, TV or new media)
    Nippertown
    NYS Music
    Preview (Times Union)
    The Spot 518
    The Ticket (Daily Gazette)
    Xperience Monthly


    Music Journalist of the Year
    Alain Clerine (NYS Music)
    R.J. DeLuke (Times Union)
    Michael Hallisey (The Spot 518, Nippertown)
    Indiana Nash (Daily Gazette)
    Liam Sweeney (Xperience Monthly)
    Don Wilcock (Nippertown)


    Music Photographer of the Year
    Stephanie Bartik
    Frank Cavone
    Zach Culver
    Jim Gilbert
    Rudy Lu
    Andrzej Pilarczyk


    Songwriter of the Year
    Girl Blue
    Reese Fulmer
    Buggy Jive
    Sara Milonovich
    Lecco Morris & Justin K. Rivers
    Sean Rowe
    Russel the Leaf
    Seth Warden


    Music Video of the Year
    As Iz – “Steve Nover is Here (Infinite Cha Cha)”
    Buggy Jive – “Tiptoes”
    Don Ferlazzo – “Take A Look At Me Now”
    Joe Mansman and The Midnight Revival Band – “Renegade Love”
    Jocelyn & Chris – “Sugar and Spice”
    SIRSY – “Astronauts”
    The Nocturne Troubadours – “You’re Not Alone”
    The Sea The Sea – “Stumbling Home: Oil on Paper”

    Record of the Year
    Dan Berggren – “Imagine That”
    Jocelyn & Chris “- Sugar and Spice”
    Erin Harkes – “New Year’s Day”
    Kate McDonnell – “Ballad of a Bad Girl”
    Mike McMann – “True”
    Prince Daddy & the Hyenas – “Curly Q”
    Sean Rowe – “Squid Tattoo”
    Carolyn Shapiro – “Honeydew”


    Album of the Year
    Bright Dog Red – “In Vivo”
    Candy Ambulance – “Hard-Boiled”
    Reese Fulmer – “It’s All a Dream”
    Sime Gezus – “Shadow of Death”
    Buggy Jive – “You Won’t Like the Answer”
    Mike McMann – “True”
    Sara Milonovich & Daisycutter – “Northeast”
    Sean Rowe – “The Darkness Dressed In Colored Lights”
    Marty Wendell – “Risky Business”

  • Jay St. Pub Owner To Open New Music Venue in Schenectady

    Mitchell Ramsey, owner of Jay St. Pub in Schenectady, is partnering with building owner Noah Smith to create the city’s newest live music venue, “The Station.” 

    This is not Ramsey’s first foray into live entertainment as Jay St. Pub currently hosts a number of bands and solo acts. Comedians are also welcome, as the pub looks to turn Thursday nights into “nights of music and laughter.” 

    Inside Jay St. Pub

    Now, Ramsey is eyeing a building across from Schenectady’s City Hall to help his plans come to fruition. After being in the works for three years, he and the building’s owner, Noah Smith, are ready to publicize their efforts. According to their Times Union feature, the venue will have two parts: the performance area itself and a special rooftop deck. 

    The performance area will be called “The Station” and the rooftop will be called “The Platform,” taking inspiration from the city’s railroad background. Both sections will have different types of performers. The new venue will also have the capacity to hold larger audiences, compared to Jay St. Pub which can only handle small crowds. 

    In addition, performers can expect to have access to high quality sound and recording equipment which they can use to produce demos for record labels. Ramsey hopes that this new music venue will help downtown Schenectady live up to its fullest potential.

  • Broadway Musicals Aladdin, Waitress, and The Prom coming to Proctors Theatre

    From Broadway to Proctors Theatre, musicals Waitress and Aladdin are set to launch in February and October of 2022, respectively.

    Broadway Aladdin

    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. 

  • “Rent” 25th Anniversary Tour is Coming to Proctors Theatre

    The world renowned and award winning musical RENT is coming to Schenectady for it’s 25th Anniversary Farewell Tour, as the musical will be at Proctors Theatre for back to back nights on February 11th and 12th.

    Rent Musical

    RENT, the musical created by Jonathan Larson, follows the lives of a young group of artists pursuing their dreams in Lower Manhattan. Debuting on February 13th, 1996 at the New York Theatre Workshop, RENT then went to Broadway in April of that same year, winning a Pulitzer Prize award as well as a Tony award.

    The musical was adapted into a movie in the year 2005. RENT also became one of the longest running musicals on Broadway, showcasing the production for 12 years.

    After its run on Broadway, RENT began to tour all over the United States and the rest of the world performing in six continents and 27 countries. For international tours, RENT was translated into different languages.

    RENT has toured around the world for 24 years and this year will be fans last opportunity to see it.

    To purchase tickets to see RENT for it’s 25th and final tour, go to Proctors.org. You may also purchase tickets in person at the box office or by dialing 518-346-6204, Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-2 p.m

  • Albany Symphony Welcomes Guest Conductor Erina Yashima for Performance at Proctors

    Special guest conductor Erina Yashima is leading the Albany Symphony Orchestra on January 8 at Proctors Theater in Schenectady. Yashima will lead Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, as well as Vivian Fung’s A Child’s Dream of Toys and Alexander Glazunov’s Violin Concerto.

    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.

    erina yashima albany symphony
    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 Music festival.

    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.

    erina yashima albany symphony

    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.