NYS Music 2023

Author: Cara Denton

  • A-Zal, NYC-Based Acoustic Pop Artist, Drops Single “Lonely Town”

    A-Zal, a New York City-based acoustic pop artist has released his newest track, “Lonely Town,” a ballad to the quiet side of the city of New York. The release comes as a follow up to his most recent release, “Movie Script,” from August 2023.

    Lonely Town

    Migrating to the US in 2018, A-Zal found a quiet, intimate side of the city through integrating with a new city and country. 

    When I first came to New York, the glamour and energy of Midtown NYC pulled me like a magnet. But, I eventually got refuge in the unexplored streets of the city which had an altogether different story. When I performed in the subway stations next to Times Square or Bryant Park, I had a large set of audience members who would listen to my music while they passed me. However, as I went to the quieter side of uptown, I had very few listeners. And, the magic happened when these handful of listeners grew in number and turned into my real fans.

    A-Zal

    “Lonely Town” is a heartfelt, acoustic ballad that follows A-Zal’s search for company in such a vast city environment. As he navigates the “lonely town,” an ironic title considering the gradiosity of the city, the crowds and skyscrapers escape his perspective, and the city becomes his true companion.

    A-Zal

    A-Zal’s latest track, “Movie Script,” released in August to great success, climbing to the Mediabase TOP 40 Activator Charts within just two weeks of its release. After working with Marvel Studios on the popular TV series, Loki and Ms. Marvel, A-Zal is expecting an upcoming album, 17 & 11 Nights, soon after his newest singles.

    “Lonely Town” is now available alongside an official music video, capturing A-Zal’s journey from India to the United States in pursuit of the famed “american dream.” The video follows him as he reminisces on performances in New York City subway stations, before his most recent big break with Marvel Studios.

  • The Orchestra Now to Perform Exodus: Jewish Composers in Exile at Carnegie Hall

    The Orchestra Now is set to begin their 2023-24 season at Carnegie Hall on November 7th with a program titled Exodus: Jewish Composers in Exile, directed by Leon Botstein. The performance marks TON’s first show in New York City this seasons, and features four works. 

    Carnegie Hall, NYC

    The night’s composers will be Alexandre Tansman, Josef Tal, Walter Kaufmann and Marcel Rubin, all of whom wrote their pieces while in exile from their homelands during World War II. 

    Tansman, a multi-genre composers as well as pianist, fled Europe for the United States in 1941. His piece to be performed, Polish Rhapsody, was inspired by the invasion of Poland and dedicated “to the defenders of Warsaw.” 

    Josef Tal’s Exodus is based on the Passover Haggadah, and debuted with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra after Tal’s emigration to Jerusalem in 1942. The Orchestra Now’s performance will be the NYC debut of Exodus.

    Walter Kaufmann’s An Indian Symphony was inspired by his emigration to India, where he lived for 14 years in Bombay after exile. This performance will also be the NYC debut of An Indian Symphony.

    Finally, Marcel Rubin’s Symphony No. 4, Dies irae, is a reflection of his experiences during World War II. As a winner of the Grand Austrian State Prize for Music and the Gold Medal of Vienna, Rubin spent time in France and Mexico after leaving Vienna.

    The Orchestra Now

    Director Leon Botstein will lead The Orchestra Now in the performance of these four pieces. The show will take place on November 7 at 7PM at Carnegie Hall, New York City. Tickets are available now online at carnegiehall.org, by phone at 212.247.7800, or at the Carnegie Hall box office at 57th & Seventh Avenue in Manhattan.

  • Blue Öyster Cult Announces Upcoming Live Album, Single, and November Westbury Show

    Blue Öyster Cult released a new single this week, “I’m On the Lamb but I Ain’t No Sheep (Live),” alongside the announcement of their upcoming live album, 50th Anniversary Live – First Night, set to release on December 8. 

    Blue Öyster Cult 50th Anniversary Live – First Night

    The new single, “I’m On the Lamb but I Ain’t No Sheep (Live),” was released alongside an official live music video. The entire album was recorded live at NYC’s Sony Hall in September 2022. The group celebrated their 50th Anniversary with a set of 3 sold out shows at the Midtown Manhattan venue.

    For the historic career milestone, the group played each of their first three albums in their entirety at the three respective shows. The live album will include live recordings of each entire album.

    Blue Öyster Cult was formed in 1967 on Long Island, developing a cult following throughout the 70s and 80s. The group made their debut at Stony Brook University’s Pritchard Gymnasium. Eric Bloom, a Brooklyn native, joined the group in 1969, after original guitarist Allen Lanier accompanied him on a road trip through Upstate New York and heard his tapes as a talented vocalist.

    Blue Öyster Cult

    The group is set to play a show at The Space at Westbury Theatre, in Westbury, NY on November 22. Tickets are on sale now and available here.

    Blue Öyster Cult are Eric Bloom (guitar, keyboard, vocals), Donald “Buck Dharma ” Roeser (guitar, vocals), Richie Castellano (guitar, keyboard, vocals), Danny Miranda (bass, vocals), and Jules Radino (drums). The group is joined by special guest Albert Bouchard (drums, percussion, guitar, vocals). 

    Upcoming Tour Dates:

    10/14/23 – Sante Fe Springs, CA @ Sante Fe Springs Marketplace & Concert Venue

    11/10/23 – Carterville, IL @ Walker’s Bluff Casino

    11/11/23 – St. Charles, IL @ Arcada Theatre

    11/18/23 – Davenport, IA @ Rhythm City Casino Resort

    11/22/23 – Westbury, NY @ The Space at Westbury Theatre

    12/05/23 – Auburn, WA @ Muckleshoot Casino Events Center

    12/07/23 – Enoch, Alberta, Canada @ River Cree Resort

    12/28/23 – Tucson, AZ @ Rialto Theatre

    12/29/23 – Las Vegas, NV @ The Golden Nugget

  • Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes Begins 23-24 Season with Chevalier, Mendelssohn

    The Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes will begin their 2023-24 concert season on October 14 at the historic Park Church in Elmira. The opening show will feature a piece by Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, titled Overture to L’Amant Anonyme (The Anonymous Lover).

    Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes

    Dubbed the “Black Mozart,” Bologne was a Frenchman of Creole descent whose work has been long overlooked, despite comparisons to many classical figureheads in European history. Bologne is the subject of the feature film, Chevalier, released in April 2023 by Searchlight Pictures.

    Prior to the concert, the Park Church will host a screening of Chevalier as part of the Meaningful Movies series. The screening will be on October 12 at 7PM. Guests can RSVP at OSFL.org to save a spot.

    In everything we perform this season, we are prioritizing music education for all. Listeners get the most out of live concerts by being informed before arriving at the concert hall. We are offering pre-concert lectures, educational activity packets for all ages, and now a popular option of holding a movie night.

    Karen Dusek, Managing Director of the OSFL

    The second piece of the concert is an instrumental adaptation of Pulitzer Prize winner Caroline Shaw’s “and the swallow.” Originally a choral work based on Psalm 84, the piece has been adapted for orchestra. Finally, Felix Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 4 will close the show.

    The night’s soloist will be OSFL’s principal trumpet, Frank Gabriel Campos, performing the Trumpet Concerto by Hummel. Campos authored the Trumpet Technique method book, used at colleges and universities worldwide, and recently retired from tenure at Ithaca College.

    Frank Gabriel Campos

    Season ticket packages are still available and include the October 14th concert. Packages also include 3 full-orchestra concerts and 5 concerts in the Musicians’ Choice Chamber Series. Contact the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes office at 607-936-2873 or order online at OSFL.org.

  • Playhouse Stage Company Unveils 36th Season with Spring Awakening, Legally Blonde Musicals

    Playhouse Stage Company has announced its 36th Season, presenting both professional and youth musical theatre to the Capital Region. The upcoming lineup features four shows to be presented at Cohoes Music Hall and Albany’s Park Playhouse, as well as productions for schools and young people in the community.

    The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

    The season will kick off in time for the holidays with the musical adaptation of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, running from December 1-23 at Cohoes Music Hall. The classic story by Barbara Robinson follows the “horrible Herdmans,” the rowdy bunch who force their way into the annual Christmas pageant, and transform the story into an unexpected extravaganza.

    Spring Awakening

    The group will present Spring Awakening, running from April 12-28, 2024. Featuring a cast of advanced teen students alongside professional actors, Spring Awakening showcases a fearless approach to taboo topics. A winner of eight Tony Awards, the timeless musical is based on the 19th century German book of the same name.

    The Marvelous Wonderettes

    Next summer will begin at Cohoes Music Hall with the musical The Marvelous Wonderettes. Running from June 28-July 24, 2024, this 1950s and 60s musical brings fabulous harmonies and fashions as four friends take the stage at their high school prom with a jukebox full of hits.

    Legally Blonde

    Finally, the company will return to Park Playhouse for the fan favorite Legally Blonde: The Musical. Based on the book and hit 2001 film, the musical follows Elle Woods, a fashion-forward, hard-working young woman as she embarks on a journey through Harvard Law. Legally Blonde will run from July 16-August 18, 2024.

    With this season’s productions, our goal is to continue exceeding audience expectations with first-rate  musical theatre that’s both entertaining and engaging. This season, we’re offering a lineup of shows that, each in their own way, invite  audiences to reflect on, reconsider and redefine how they see the world around them. With a mix of the  region’s most talented young performers from our Playhouse Stage Academy, local and regional  professional actors and musicians, and a world-class design and creative team, we’ll once again work hard  to prove to audiences why we were dubbed ‘Broadway in the Capital Region’s backyard’ when we were  founded all the way back in 1989.

    Playhouse Stage Co. Producing Artistic Director Owen Smith

    In addition to the mainstage offerings, the Playhouse Stage Company will offer two shows geared towards children: Grace for President, and Disney’s Finding Nemo Jr. Both perfect for family audiences, Grace for President will run from February 26-March 22, 2024. Finding Nemo Jr. will run from August 21-25, 2024 at a new outdoor venue to be announced.

    Four-ticket Flex Packs that can be used for any of the company’s mainstage productions will go on sale Saturday, September 30 online playhousestage.org and thecohoesmusichall.org, or by phone at (518)  434-0776. Tickets to individual productions will go on sale later in the season. For  more information, audiences can visit www.playhousestage.org. 

  • Park Theater Foundation Announces Upcoming Fall Events Series

    The Park Theater Foundation has announced their upcoming fall programming for the month of October, continuing a few favorite concerts series. Programming includes The Park Presents, Third Thursday Jazz, Rewind at the Park, and Comedy After Dark as the key events series for this fall.

    The Foundation continues the Third Thursday Jazz series, hosting The Matt Niedbalski Trio on October 5. The trio features some of the best jazz music in the Capital Region, with Matt Niedbalski, Eric Zolan,  and Will Gorman performing.

    The Matt Niedbalski Trio

    Rewind At The Park will bring River of Dreams & American Elton on October 7, an authentic Billy Joel tribute. The show features classic rock performed live, with world-class costumes and Bill Connors uncanny resemblance to the iconic Sir Elton John. 

    The Park Presents will feature Americana group Humbird on October 13th. With roots in the midwest, Humbird moves between experimental folk and Americana influences to embrace explorative ballads, narrative folk songs, and more.

    Humbird

    The Park Presents series will also bring Aztec Two-Step 2.0, featuring Rex Fowler, Dodie Pettit and friends live on October 14th. The performance will bring a reimagination of Aztec Two-Step with fantastic musicianship, songwriting, and harmonies not to be missed.

    Finally, Atlanta-based comedian Andy Sandford will grace the stage on October 27. With performances on Conan and The Late Late Show With James Corden, Andy Sandford has made a name for himself in the world of comedy with his hour special, “Shameful Information,” currently featured on Amazon Prime.

    Andy Sandford

    A full list of events and tickets are available at www.parktheatergf.com.

  • Rochester’s Bop Shop Records Releases Full Fall Lineup

    Bop Shop Records, an independently-owned record store in Rochester, has announced their upcoming lineup of shows for this fall. The run starts with a trio of jazz legends, Joseph Daley’s Tuba Trio, consisting of Warren Smith, Scott Robinson, and Joseph Daley.

    Bop Shop Records

    Bop Shop Records opened in the Cobbs Hill neighborhood of Rochester in 1982 with owner Tom Kohn, who spent the 70s working for MXR and Rounder Records, where he collected music from all kinds of genres. The venue hosts jazz, folk, and blues artists at the store, and boasts a collection of over 200,000 records available.

    This fall’s lineup will feature Joseph Daley’s Tuba Trio, Preston Reed, Charlie Parr, and Brooklyn’s own Ember Trio. Ember is a collaborative music group that is based in exploration, improvisation, and creativity. The jazz group includes Caleb Wheeler Curtis on alto saxophone, Noah Garabedian on bass, and Vinnie Sperrazza on drums. The group will make their stop at Bop Shop Records on December 16.

    Bop Shop Records is excited to welcome Joseph Daley’s Tuba Trio on October 3. The group explores improvisational concepts of Sam Rivers, the famed jazz composer and multi-instrumentalist who accompanied the likes of Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis. Daley dedicated his newest record, The Tuba Trio Chronicles, to the memory of Rivers, his good friend and mentor.

    Joseph Daley's Tuba Trio

    More information and tickets are available at bopshop.com/events. Tickets are currently available now for all shows. To attend a show, register at BopShop.com. Concertgoers may pay in advance or at the door. Tickets and information are also available at (585) 271-3354.

    Bop Shop Fall Events

    10/3 – Joseph Daley’s Tuba Trio
    10/8 – Preston Reed
    10/10 – Soft Machine
    10/13 – The Mat Maneri Quartet
    10/19 – Eric Vloeimans & Will Holshouser
    11/4 – New Origin Trio
    11/8 – Charlie Parr
    11/18 – Joel Harrison
    12/4 – Bill Kirchen’s Honky Tonk Holiday Show
    12/16 – Ember Trio

  • Folk Group The Wildwoods Announce Show At Rensselaerville’s Conkling Hall

    The Wildwoods, a folk-americana trio from Nebraska, have announced an upcoming show at Conkling Hall in Rensselaerville, NY. The group’s newest full length record, Foxfield Saint John, released in February 2023, cultivates a unique and captivating sound to their musicianship.

    The Wildwoods

    The Wildwoods is Noah Gose (guitar), Chloe Gose (violin), and Andrew Vaggalis (bass). Hailing from Lincoln, Nebraska, and draw inspiration from artistss such as The Decemberists, Peter, Paul, & Mary, Joni Mitchell, and Gregory Alan Isakov. The group was nominated by the Omaha Arts and Entertainment Awards for Top Americana/Folk Artist in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, and 2022, and named as the Lincoln Journal Star’s “Best Band” award in 2022.

    The band released their debut album, Sweet Nostalgia, as well as an EP, Birdie & Goose, in 2017, and quickly established a niche in their local music scene. The group’s newest record, Foxfield Saint John, was followed by “Footprints on the Floor,” a new track released in July.

    The Wildwoods' Foxfield Saint John

    The Wildwoods will play Conkling Hall in Rensselaerville, NY, Sunday October 29th at 7:30PM. Tickets are available at www.thewildwoodsband.com.

  • Foo Fighters Annnounce Two NYC Shows at Citi Field on 2024 Stadium Tour

    Foo Fighters have announced the 2024 Everything Or Nothing At All Tour, in support of their 11th full length record But Here We Are. The tour kicks off with two shows at NYC’s Citi Field on July 17 and 19.

    Foo Fighters Everything or Nothing At All Tour

    With singles “Rescued” and “Under You,” Foo Fighters acclaimed album But Here We Are was released on June 2. It debuted at #1 on UK charts, marking the group’s sixth official #1 album. But Here We Are is the group’s first release since the passing of their longtime beloved drummer, Taylor Hawkins in March 2022. 

    Foo Fighters' But Here We Are

    Foo Fighters’ 2024 tour begins with two shows at New York’s Citi Field on July 17 and 19, and continues with shows at legendary stadiums, such as Boston’s Fenway Park, San Diego’s Petco Park, and Seattle’s T-Mobile Park. The tour will see support from Pretenders, The Hives, Mammoth WVH, Amyl and The Sniffers, Alex G, and L7 on various dates.

    General onsale for tickets begins on Friday, October 6 at 10AM. Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning on Tuesday, October 3 at 10AM, until Thursday October 5 at 10PM through the Citi Entertainment Program. More information and tickets are available here.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGv-zi5mwaQ

  • Universal Preservation Hall Announces Fall Lineup with Chris Botti, Paul Reiser

    Universal Preservation Hall added a number of new acts to their list of performances in the upcoming 2023-2024 season. UPH continues to expand its repertoire with classic tribute artists, comedians, international groups, and the return of a Grammy winner, Chris Botti.

    Universal Preservation Hall
    A view of Universal Preservation Hall is seen during the media tour and ribbon cutting of the new concert hall in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020. (Jenn March, Special to the Times Union)

    Comedian, actor, and author Paul Reiser is one of the acts coming up on October 7 at the Hall. Reiser brings his stand-up tour as one of Comedy Central’s “Top 100 Comedians of All Time.” Reiser also stars in a number of popular TV series including “Stranger Things,” “The Kominsky Method,” and “Mad About You.”

    Grammy Award-winning trumpeter Chris Botti will return to Universal Preservation Hall on October 8 this fall. As a collaborator with the likes of Sting, Paul Simon, Barbra Streisand, and Lady Gaga, Botti has topped jazz charts with numerous albums over the years.

    Universal Preservation Hall

    Universal Preservation Hall will host a day of Line Dance Lessons, taught by CMA winner Kevin Richards, The Country Kickers, and more popular line dance instructors and choreographers. Join the Country Kickers & Friends “Saratoga Stomp”-Country Line Dance Workshop & Dance Party starting 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12.

    On March 8, the Hall will host The Seven Wonders: A Live Tribute to Fleetwood Mac. This group of accomplished musicians bring a blistering and inspiring show, honoring the classic tunes of rock legends Fleetwood Mac.

    Tickets are available for the upcoming shows through the Universal Preservation Hall Box Office at Proctors in-person, via phone at (518)-346-6204 Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, or online at universalpreservationhall.org.