NYS Music 202​2

Tag: Albany concerts

  • Consider the Source Ends Spring Tour with Surprise

    On Friday, April 29th, Consider the Source brought their eclectic instruments and extreme talents to Lark Hall in Albany during the last leg of their “Acoustic-Electric Hybrid” tour to celebrate the release of their album Hybrid Vol. 1: Such As A Mule. Lark Hall was the perfect space to enjoy a slightly toned-down version of this hard-rocking band. To kick off what was one of the most musically interesting night’s of my life was delightful duo Cosmal.

    Cosmal

    Ryan Coyle and Alison Lazarus are two delightfully well-rounded and multi-talented individuals and they created an amazing group called Cosmal. While Ryan creates incredible electronica jams with his midi-controller, chaos pad, and guitar, Alison live-paints and sings. This band is made of two truly unique individuals with an incredible idea — you should check them out as soon as you get the chance.

    Consider the Source

    Consider the Source is easily one of the most unique bands I have ever had the pleasure to listen to. They call their sound “Sci-fi Middle Eastern Prog Fusion” and if you think that sounds interesting you should hear what they actually sound like. If you’re looking for something different from the usual stuff, this is your band.

    Hybrid Vol. 1: Such As A Mule

    John Ferrara (bass), Jeff Mann (percussion), and Gabriel Marin (guitar, etc) have truly created a unique, eclectic, and delightful sound. Friday night’s show was a rare treat — fans of the band had never seen them play in such an environment before. They played their new album in its entirety and threw a couple of older songs in there too. They used instruments many of us had never seen or heard before as well including a Banjo Bass, Dombra, Uzbek/Tajik Dutar, Doumbek, a Ukulele Bass, and many more. The set was certainly a departure from what we were used to, but it was killer nonetheless.

    The Interview: A Surprise Announcement

    I sat down with Ferrara, Mann, and Marin before their set. They told me that they had finished recording Hybrid Vol. 1: Such As A Mule right before the pandemic hit. They used the lockdown to finish mastering the album. However, and here is the big surprise: they also spent that time recording a second album — keep your eyes on their social media to find out when you can check it out. And from what I am told, it will be their hardest-hitting album yet.

    Tour inspiration

    Consider the Source has such a ground-breaking sound, they could just call it a day and continue to tour for as long as they can handle it. However, they continually want to change it up for their fans. And that was the whole idea behind their most recent album as well as the tour they just completed to celebrate the release. The venues they visited for this tour were the type where you sit down, which is a huge departure from the dancehalls they usually frequent. In short, they wanted to change things up for their fans, and wow — they delivered.

    Future Plans

    If you weren’t able to catch them on their “Acoustic-Electric Hybrid” tour, don’t fret. Consider the Source has several tour dates coming in the following months in New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Check out the gallery below.

  • Albany Symphony Pianists Return in February for 3 Performances

    This month, just in time for Valentine’s Day, Albany Symphony pianists return for a verity of concerts. Wei Lou, piano soloist, will perform a Valentine’s concert on February 12th. Later in the month, Gershwin virtuoso and Kevin Cole will play Rhapsody in Blue in Troy. The Valentine’s Weekend program also includes Tchaikovsky’s expert Symphony No. 6, “Pathétique,” and New York City-based British composer Hannah Kendall’s The Spark Catchers. 

    Albany Symphony Orchestra
    Albany Symphony Orchestra

    Music Director David Alan Miller and the Albany Symphony welcome back two favorite virtuoso pianists for weekends of thrilling music sure to make for a perfect Valentine’s romance. 

    Conductor David Alan Miller
    Albany Symphony Orchestra’s conductor, David Alan Miller

    Valentine Romance: Tchaikovsky’s Pathetique, Saturday, Feb. 12 at 7:30pm, Palace Theatre. 

    At the Palace Theatre and streaming live online, Wei Luo performs Serge Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3. Luo made her acclaimed premiere with the Symphony in 2017. 

    “I am beyond excited to be back with Albany Symphony to perform this masterpiece,” said Luo. “The Prokofiev Third Piano Concerto is one of the most powerful yet beautiful concertos of all time with touching melodies, percussive sounds, and electrifying rhythms. It will be a blast!” 

    Pianists Wei Lou
    Albany Symphony Pianist, Wei Lou

    “I’m thrilled to welcome Wei Luo back to play one of my all-time favorite piano concertos, Prokofiev’s glorious Third, along with the most romantic, passionate, life-affirming Russian symphony in the repertoire, Tchaikovsky’s Sixth, the ‘Pathétique,’ Miller said. “We’re also delighted to feature a brilliant recent work by composer Hannah Kendall. All the music on this program crackles with warmth and love; it is the perfect antidote for a cold winter’s night, and a musical Valentine you won’t want to miss.” 

    Albany Symphony Pianists, Wei Lou
    Albany Symphony Pianist, Wei Lou

    Gershwin in the Roaring 20s, Saturday, Feb. 26 at 7:30pm and Sunday, Feb. 27 at 3pm at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall.

    Kevin Cole, the foremost interpreter of the music of George Gershwin, makes his long-awaited return for a special program including a rare presentation of an iconic favorite. 

    Albany Symphony Pianists, Kevin Cole
    Albany Symphony Pianist, Kevin Cole

    “We’re delighted to welcome Kevin Cole back for a gorgeous evening of Gershwin classics from the 1920s, including ‘Rhapsody in Blue,’ performed in its seldom heard original jazz band version, and some of Kevin’s own dazzling Gershwin improvisations,” Miller said. “Don’t miss this concert; it will be unforgettable!”   

    Kevin Cole
    Albany Symphony Pianist, Kevin Cole

    The original event was one scheduled as a one-night-only performance, but a Sunday afternoon matinee was recently added to Gershwin Weekend and a virtual livestream has also been added for the Saturday night performance by popular demand. According to Cole, the appreciation is mutual: 

    “Every time I perform with Conductor David Alan Miller and Albany Symphony it’s an electrifying event! We have always been in syncopated synchronization with Gershwin. After more than 20 years of David and I performing together we’ve found a beautiful balance of lush romanticism layered with roller coaster thrills!” 

    David Alan Miller
    Albany Symphony Orchestra’s conductor, David Alan Miller

    Albany Symphony Orchestra presents a classical series throughout the region. Throughout leading Albany Symphony to its success, David Alan Miller has established a reputation as one of the leading American conductors of his generation. Often recognized as one of the American’s most innovative and creative orchestras, the two-time GRAMMY® Award-winning Albany Symphony is renowned for accomplished performances featuring classic orchestral favorites, lesser-heard masterworks, and an array of contemporary music from emerging voices of today. 

    Albany Symphony Orchestra
    Albany Symphony Orchestra

    Founded in 1930 in New York’s Capital Region, the Albany Symphony serves a diverse regional in the creation, performance, and recording of new orchestral music. The Albany Symphony is constantly reshaping the nation’s musical legacy. The Albany Symphony celebrates our living musical heritage through its adventurous programming, commissioning, and recording of new work, and broad community engagement beyond the concert hall.  

    Albany Symphony Orchestra
    Albany Symphony Orchestra

    Tickets range from $20 to $62; livestream tickets are on sale now for $37 at (518) 694-3300 and albanysymphony.com. Saturday night Gershwin availability is limited. 

  • Blind Visionaries, Combining Live Jazz And Painting, Coming to UAlbany Performing Arts Center in February

    A new art exhibit opens at the UAlbany Performing Arts Center. Blind Visionaries is a visual and musical installation that combines images from blind photographers and live jazz. The performance will be on Feb. 3 at 7:30 p.m. at the UAlbany Performing Arts Center. 

    The photographers are from a New York City based group called the Seeing with Photography Collective. They use a new method of painting referred to as “light painting” which they will perform in a concert with a live jazz band. Their work is being published in the book Shooting Blind by Aperture. 

    At the event itself a voice narration from the members of the collective guides the participants through the same artistic process. At the same time, their photographs are projected on the walls to create a connection between the visual and musical. 

    The musical accompaniment is courtesy of Daniel Kelly. The long time composer and performer, who even worked with Lauryn Hill in the past, will be playing with his band the Danny Kelly Trio. 

    The group also features Adam Coté on bass and Bram Kincheloe on drums. In addition to the Feb. 3 performance Blind Visionaries will host a free show for high school students on Feb 4. Free reservations at the Performing Arts Center website. 

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