NYS Music 2023

Author: perri sage

  • The Linda’s ‘Big Music Fall’ Kicks off 4 months of Great Music and Unique Artists

    The Linda’s Performing Arts Studio in Albany will host a “Big Music Fall,” with an outstanding trio of shows starting things off on September 8.

    the linda albany
    Learn more at TheLinda.org

    The first of three shows kicks off with Scott Tournet, of Electric Voodoo and Grace & the Nocturnal’s fame, on September 8. Known for his deep blues and vintage rock n’ roll, Scott has been frontman and founder of both Electric Voodoo and Grace & the Nocturnals, and written and recorded with Dan Auerbach (The Black Keys), Willie Nelson, T Bone Burnett, Kenny Chesney, Alison Krauss, Mark Batson (Dr. Dre, Alicia Keys, Eminem) and others. He has performed with The Allman Brothers, members of The Grateful Dead and Phish, Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top) and many others.

    Another weekend highlight includes bluegrass dynamos ‘The Barefoot Movement’ performing on Sunday, September 10. The progressive acoustic band originated in 2011, having since released three studio albums, two EP’s, a live album, holiday album and a covers collection. The Barefoot Movement began as an ensemble of four and naturally, perform barefoot. They musically are characterized around folk and country and are one of the most promising bands in the bluegrass scene.

    Last but definitely not least is The Misty Blues performing on September 11 an Odessa Tribute, which has been a passion project brewing since the mid 1990’s for lead singer Gina Coleman. The Misty Blues bring a mix of African American folk music with a taste of blues, gospel, soul and funk the band based out of Berkshire County, Massachusetts.

    Not only is The Linda’s in Albany honoring three bands this coming weekend, but has announced their Fall Pass for $200 a person with one admission to all 14 Big Music Fall upcoming shows with special offers and more through December 2023.

    the linda albany

    For $200, you will receive a non-transferable pass redeemable for one admission to each of the following.

    With The Linda ’23 Fall Pass available for these and dozens more, don’t miss out on this passport to Fall Season of entertainment. The New York music community looks forward to what The Linda has to offer this season with hopes of music, dance and so much more. The 2023 Fall Linda Pass is available through thelinda.org.

  • NYC Goth Metal Band Nefariant Release “Beg” from Upcoming EP “Noct”

    New York’s goth metal band Nefariant have released their new single “Beg” this August. The first single from their upcoming EP Noct scheduled to release on February 9th, 2024.

    The band includes quartet members vocalist Jason Lekberg, pianist Paul Cibrano, bassist Daniel Martinez, and drummer Andrew Maciejewski. They’ve created a new expression of music they call ‘brutal elegance’ that allows metal to work without a guitarist. The band defines their music by using vocals, piano and bass elements to produce an intense and powerful genre of hard metal.

    ‘Beg’ begins with an instrumental build up that provokes the listeners as Lekberg emits strong and powerful vocals accompanied by the drums. Nefariant once again produces the sound of heavy metal with an array of growled vocals. Thematically darker and deeper with a progressive theme of self-realization and independence.

    Nefariant has begun the release process for Noct by releasing one song a month, starting with “Beg”. In addition, the band has announced an upcoming show in Brooklyn on October 21st at The Meadows. Not only did they release just a new single but a music video as well, highlighting how the song adopts strong vocals, drums and invokes an emotional response that connects the fans to the band.

  • Travis Scott Announces Barclays and MSG Shows on Upcoming Circus MaximusTour

    Travis Scott has announced his upcoming tour ‘Circus Maximus’ for recent release UTOPIA, featuring three shows in New York, two at New York’s Barclays Center on December 18 and 19, and at Madison Square Garden on December 21.

    UTOPIA has been recorded as one of the biggest hip-hop releases in 2023, as Travis Scott proved himself once again as a songwriter, producer and performer and continues to create a seamless production throughout his music. The album has become number one on Billboard Top 200, with over 1.5 billion streams globally.

    Travis has had a huge influence on the hip-hop and rap community, creating huge commercial success for himself and often characterized as “ambient”. He redefines the modern music boundaries, while indulging an immersive experience for his listeners. UTOPIA is recognized to be a game changer for Scott’s career while seamlessly creating a narrative throughout his songs that bring the fans wanting more.

    In addition to the tour, Travis plans to donate $2 per ticket sold towards the Cactus Jack Foundation, which supports scholarship programs and fulfills college education expenses. Tickets will be available on Thursday August 31 at 10am ET. New York looks forward to Scott’s return as listeners await what’s in store for the ‘Circus Maximus’ 2023 Tour.

    TRAVIS SCOTT UTOPIA – CIRCUS MAXIMUS TOUR 2023 DATES

    Wed Oct 11 – Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center

    Fri Oct 13, 14 – Raleigh, NC – PNC Arena

    Tue Oct 17, 18 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center

    Fri Oct 20 – Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center

    Sun Oct 22 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena

    Wed Oct 25, 26 – Phoenix, AZ – Footprint Center

    Sun Oct 29 – Las Vegas, NV – MGM Grand Garden Arena

    Tue Oct 31, Nov 01 – Oakland, CA – Oakland Arena

    Sun Nov 05 – Los Angeles, CA – SoFi Stadium

    Wed Nov 08 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena

    Fri Nov 10 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena

    Sun Nov 12, 13 – Portland, OR – Moda Center

    Wed Nov 15 – Salt Lake City, UT – Delta Center

    Sat Nov 18 – Tulsa, OK – BOK Center

    Tue Nov 21, 22 – Austin, TX – Moody Center

    Sat Nov 25 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena

    Mon Nov 27, 29 – Miami, FL – Kaseya Center

    Fri Dec 01 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena

    Mon Dec 04 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena

    Wed Dec 06 – Baltimore, MD – CFG Bank Arena

    Fri Dec 08 – Pittsburgh, PA – PPG Paints Arena

    Sun Dec 10 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center

    Tue Dec 12 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena

    Fri Dec 15 – Chicago, IL – United Center

    Mon Dec 18 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center

    Tues Dec 19 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center

    Thu Dec 21 – New York City, NY – Madison Square Garden

    Sat Dec 22, 23 – Boston, MA – TD Garden

    Tue Dec 26 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center

    Fri Dec 28, 29 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena

    Tickets available at shop.travisscott.com

  • The Return of New York EDM: Electric Zoo 2023

    One of New York’s premiere electronic music festivals, Electric Zoo, returns for Labor Day Weekend, with the three day EDM festival inviting over 100,000 people to Randall’s Island Park. The lineup of over 100+ artists across five brand new stage design sets is part of the EZOO 2023 expansion on the festival grounds, while presenting the new theme of HyperSpace, promising a bigger and better immersive experience for this years festival attendees. 

    Electric Zoo 2022

    Electric Zoo Festival originated in 2009 and has become one of the largest music festivals in the electronic dance music community. EZOO brings together a variety of electronic artists from across the globe, including various sub-genres that appeal to fans. For the first time ever, Electric Zoo New York has introduced The MegaMirage, the all new secluded immersive stage as part of the expanded festival grounds. 

    The lineup this year rises as bigger and better than ever with artists such as Galantis, The Chainsmokers, Zedd, Alison Wonderland, Marshmellow, Major Lazor, Tiesto, Chris Lake + FISCHER, Dom Dolla and many more well known acts from across the globe. With 100+ acts, this weekend is bound to leave attendees astonished.

    Electric Zoo 2022

    Not only is Electric Zoo stacked with some of the biggest names in Electronic music. Get excited to see the expansive festival grounds, immersive stage MegaMirage and the immense lineup. EZOO is worth the wait and all about the hype this coming Labor Day Weekend, as it returns to homebase here in New York City.

  • Goin’ Down to the Central Part of Town: Nights 6 and 7 of Phish at Madison Square Garden

    We are now at the end of Phish’s seven-night run at Madison Square Garden, and the band has continued their hot streak, finding new room for jamming in old standards, and then some.

    Perri Sage Photography

    Opening up the Friday, August 4th show with “Buried Alive,” “The Moma Dance” and “46 Days,” Phish was driving out of the gate, energetic and not missing a beat over this 25-minute opening segment. The only lull of the set came in the form of the debut of “Back in the Bubble” and “Bouncing Around the Room,” both of which were, in hindsight, well placed, as the remainder of the set had little room to breathe. “Birds of a Feather,” welcome as always in the first set, which led to a substantial “Halley’s Comet” that followed, with Trey Anastasio changing the lyrics to “I’m going down to the central part of New York City,” his second nod to the Big Apple in the last two shows. On par with the ever so smooth segue found late in the first set on Wednesday, Phish segued fluidly into an ethereal “Roggae,” before sticking the landing of the set with “Run Like an Antelope.”

    Perri Sage Photography

    If there was a theme of playing better than the previous night, the second set maintains that theory, with an immense “Mike’s Song” with a jam that had people wondering, “Is this still Mike’s?,” all while getting deep into the more than 23 -minute jam, which stands to be the second longest version of the song ever. Shrugging off a potential turn towards “Tweezer,” the band eventually shifted into “Sand,” getting even deeper with Trey finding a familiar riff that segued sveltely into the Talking Heads “Crosseyed and Painless.” The lone breather of the set, “A Life Beyond a Dream” gave way to “The Lizards,” well-placed deep in the second set. “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” closed the set, only the third appearance of the Beatles song in the last 10 years.

    During the breather before the encore, the crowd knew what to expect and the band delivered – an encore of “Weekapaug Groove” had the fans as hyped as at any point this run. And when the band could have called it a night, the opening notes to “Fluffhead” kept the crowd cheering on, shouting “Fluff came to New York” along with the perma-grinned Anastasio, an exclamation point on the penultimate show of a legendary run at The Garden for Phish.

    Perri Sage Photography

    Phish returns on Saturday, August 5th, to close the run.

    Setlist via Phish.net

    Phish – Madison Square Garden, Friday, August 4, 2023

    Set 1: Buried Alive, The Moma Dance, 46 Days > Back in the Bubble[1], Bouncing Around the Room, Birds of a Feather, Halley’s Comet[2] -> Roggae, Run Like an Antelope

    Set 2: Mike’s Song > Sand -> Crosseyed and Painless > A Life Beyond The Dream, The Lizards, While My Guitar Gently Weeps

    Encore: Weekapaug Groove > Fluffhead

    [1] Phish debut.
    [2] Lyrics changed to “central part of New York City.”

    With one last night to play with, Phish left very little to chance and delivered a powerhouse Saturday performance featuring a completely unexpected bust out to go out on the highest of notes. After a fan’s wedding proposal and successful engagement on the floor prior to the show, the band seemingly picked up on this and fittingly opened with “Loving Cup.” A shift into “Maze” immediately afterwards produced another spine-tingling crowd roar early on that signaled MSG’s collective readiness. A mid-set “Divided Sky” felt perfectly placed and the “Prince Caspian” that came next followed in the footsteps of other recent ones and went especially deep. “Drift While You’re Sleeping” then wrapped things up in its now familiar set closing spot.

    With one last set to go, and still no “Tweezer” in sight, it was almost a matter of when, not if, Phish was going unleash its second set staple. Fans wouldn’t have to wait long once the set opening “Set Your Soul Free” finished with Trey Anastasio quickly jumping into the signature opening licks of the song everyone was expecting. This “Tweezer” was no certainly no slouch and served as the springboard for Phish to usher in the return of “Guy Forget,” the first time played since 2011, over 400 shows ago. It certainly came out of left field, but Phish stuck with it, making it well more than a tease and turning it into a full on jam, with “Tweezer” quotes continuing to weave in and out effortlessly. As the jam wound down into near ambience, “What’s The Use?” followed, showing just how quiet MSG can get as well when needed. A full scale “Scents and Subtle Sounds” brought things back to life and with it, another discernable “Tweezer” jam that paved the way for “Everything’s Right,” an accurate statement about the evening, and the entire run, as a whole. A brief little “Manteca” quote even managed to sneak in here. After a completely raucous “Tweezer Reprise” that closed out the set, Phish delivered one last classic with a mesmerizing and patient take on “Harry Hood,” closing out the run in style and setting the stage for what promises to be two incredible shows at SPAC in a few weeks.

    Phish – Madison Square Garden, Saturday, August 5, 2023

    Set 1: Loving Cup > Maze, Martian Monster > Divided Sky > Prince Caspian->NICU>Steam, Drift While You’re Sleeping

    Set 2: Set Your Soul Free, Tweezer->Guy Forget>What’s The Use?>Scents and Subtle Sounds->Tweezer->Everything’s Right>Backwards Down The Number Line>Tweezer Reprise

    Encore: Harry Hood

    Photos by Perri Sage

  • In Focus: Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad at The Westcott Theater

    On April 22 at the Westcott Theater, reggae jam band Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad performed the last show of their 2023 Tour. The band was originally founded in 2001 in Rochester, best known for their authentic reggae and dub live performances. 

    Perri Sage Photography

    The energy of the night started strong at the Westcott, with two opening performances Flying Object and Dirty Blanket. Flying Object, is a smaller group who feature an upright bass, keys and drums into their music. The band kicked off with an upbeat spunky groove engaging the audience awaiting Giant Panda. 

    Dirty Blanket incorporates guitars, upright bass, mandolin and banjo. For the past six years the band has remained local to the Finger Lakes Region. Their song “Better Days” led the crowd roaring and dancing as they closed their act and gave a warm welcome to Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad. 

    Perri Sage Photography

    Giant Panda consists of James Searl, Chris O’Brian, Dylan Savage, Tony Gallicchio and Eli Flynn. Some of their top hits include “Time and Reflection,” “Love You More”, “Steady,” “Trouble Deep” and “Good Love.” This tour honored their latest album Love In Time released on April 7th. The diversity of the songs and various production styles truly compliment the album as a whole. This was one of their first times working on music with outside collaborators. 

    Perri Sage Photography

    Although it was announced to be the last show of their 2023 tour, Giant Panda did a fantastic job and put on quite the show for their fans at the Westcott Theater. As fans danced to their mix of reggae, electric beats and rhythm, the band members yelled out to the crowd while engaging with one another on stage. The band is notable for connecting people to the sound of their music and authentic roots. We look forward to what the band has to come as fans anticipate future performances. 

    Flying Object
    Dirty Blanket
    Dirty Blanket
    Dirty Blanket

  • Abbey Road and Satisfaction Perform Rock History at The Stanley Theater

    On Friday April 21st, The Stanley Theater in Utica hosted a memorable musical showdown of two of the most popular rock bands in rock history, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Performing the Beatles songs were Abbey Road and The Rolling Stones tribute Satisfaction. Both bands used three costume changes each presenting eras of rock and roll history.

    The debate of who stands the greatest began with alternating mini sets of two tribute bands engaging in an on stage mashup duel.

    Abbey Road and Satisfaction
    Perri Sage Photography

    The Beatles are widely characterized as classical traditional pop and rock n roll, the English rock band formed in the 1960’s. Ever since, have been regarded as one of the most influential bands of all time, achieving international and commercial success. 

    Abbey Road has become one of the most satisfying Beatles tribute acts to this day. Covering all eras including the authentic black suits from the early 60s, Sgt. Peppers regalia and the honorary Abbey Road attire. Recreating and honoring the harmony, charm and wit of the English rock band where they perform the full Beatles experience.

    Abbey Road and Satisfaction
    Perri Sage Photography

    On the other hand, The Rolling Stones were driven by blues, rock, pop and truly defined hard rock n roll culture. Becoming a huge part of youth culture in the 1960’s with their rebellious punk that largely influenced society and revolutionized the music industry.

    Satisfaction has become an international tribute show to honor a world known rock band entering their 20th year in production. The cast brings an authentic performance of classical hits from over 50 years of Rolling Stones history. 

    Abbey Road and Satisfaction
    Perri Sage Photography

    Both bands hold the name and legacy that defines true rock and roll. The debate and battle between the two persists for over 50 years. Going face to face truly highlighted the band’s history and rivalry. 

    Abbey Road and Satisfaction put on an outstanding show that left the crowd with a standing ovation. Show comers sang along to every song, while the cast members interacted with the crowd shouting, “Put your hands up!”.  It was truly an unforgettable experience to bring the 60’s back to business, to celebrate and honor the legacy of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. 

    Abbey Road and Satisfaction
    Abbey Road and Satisfaction
    Abbey Road and Satisfaction

  • In Focus: Young Nudy at The Westcott Theater

    Young American Rapper from Atlanta, Georgia by the name of ‘Young Nudy’ made an appearance in Upstate New York this past week. On March 28 at The Westcott Theater, Nudy continued his 2023 Tour, acknowledging the debut of his new album Gumbo released this past February. 

    young nuy

    Nudy combines hip-hop, rap and elements of contemporary R&B throughout his songs. Best known for his mixtapes “Slimeball” (2016), “Slimeball 2” (2017), and “Slimeball 3” (2018). His breakout album was deemed to be “Sli’merre” including a collaboration with Pierre Bourne released in 2019. This album is associated with several other big names that worked on the project such as 21 Savage, Megan Thee Stallion and Lil Uzi Vert.

    As the crowd awaited Young Nudy’s entrance, the show began with multiple opening rappers, by the names of 4L Quan, 4L G5ive, 2FeetBino and 21 Lil Harold, warming up the fans and engaging the hype for the headliner’s performance. 

    Before hitting the stage, the lights went dark, and fans went wild lighting up the stage with their flashlights as Nudy jumped out in front opening with fan favorite ‘Project X’ off his debut “EA Monster”.

    Throughout the show, the rapper performed many of his top hits including ‘Loaded Baked Potato’, ‘No Clue’, ‘Impala’, ‘Extendo’, ‘Mister’, ‘Peaches & Eggplants’ and ‘Blue Cheese Salad’. As this was his first show in Syracuse, Nudy put on quite the show. 

    Throughout the show Nudy yelled to his fans, “When I say slime, you say ball, “Slime-Ball” “Slime-Ball””, connecting with the crowds hype which acknowledged  Nudy’s well known triple album “SlimeBall”.The name SlimeBall comes from some of his most recognized albums to this day as the name and nickname carries through many of his albums and songs. 

    To close out Nudy’s show, he played, “EA (feat. 21 savage) from the Slimeball 2 album, following with ‘Shrimp’ from the latest album Gumbo that jumpstarted the 2023 Young Nudy Tour. We look forward to see what Young rapper Nudy does next in his music career.

    Young American Rapper from Atlanta, Georgia by the name of ‘Young Nudy’ made an appearance in Upstate New York this past week. On March 28 at The Westcott Theater, Nudy continued his 2023 Tour, acknowledging the debut of his new album Gumbo released this past February. 

  • In Focus: 2023 SAMMY Awards Ceremony

    The 2023 Sammy Awards took place on March 3 at The Palace Theater in Syracuse. This year’s ceremony had an outstanding turn out as all came together to celebrate and applaud the accomplishments of all artists and genres of music across Central New York.

    Liz Nowak – Founder of the Year Perri Sage Photography

    This year’s SAMMY Awards were hosted by Dave Frisnia, notable for his career in broadcasting. Frisnia hosts his online radio show “Soulshine” every Sunday morning, and claimed to be one of the longest-running local music broadcast shows in the state of New York. A notable highlight of this year’s show included bringing out members on stage of the all time ‘Hall of Fame’ from the past 30 years.

    These Hall of Famers came together to applaud their gratitude to Liz Nowak nominated as Founder of the Year. On stage she states, “I’ve worked and learned from everyone on this stage tonight. We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the music that you create. It’s your courage that puts those lyrics to page.” Her dedication to the SAMMYs is well recognized among the Syracuse music community and the annual awards show wouldn’t be where it stands today, without her.

    Dylan Michael – Best New Artist Perri Sage Photography

    This year, not only was the SAMMYs a place of recognition with awards but also a place to acknowledge the joy of music. Between nominations various bands and musicians came to play and show their talent who deserve recognition. Such as Not Robots!, opening with one of their hit songs ‘Go Peacefully’. Other bands performing included Carolyn Kelly Blues Band, Chuck Schiele’s Quatro, Trauma Cat and the Brownskin Band, and a special performance by Dylan Michael, nominated as Best New Artist. At only tthe age of 13, Dylan proved his young talent on the electric guitar, having started playing at the age of 6 years old. As Best New Artist, Dylan won 6 hours from local recording studio SubCat Studios.

    Chuck Schiele’s Quatro Perri Sage Photography

    To conclude the 2023 SAMMY Awards, a major milestone was marked, celebrating 30 years of appreciating and awarding local talent and musicians from Central New York. Breaking all records with 242,190 total votes this year, NYS Music had the honor in presenting the Jazz Award to promote and honor blues, swing and passion expressed with creative freedom, and honoring diversity, collaboration and the community that music holds to bring us together.

    Slick Fashionz & Queeto ABF – Best Hip Hop Perri Sage Photography

    2023 SAMMY Award Recipients

    Best Single – All Poets & Heroes, “Give it to me Straight”

    Best Singer/Songwriter – Paul Case, “This Love”

    Best Electronic – Everett, “Alien’s Attempt”

    Best Other – Tom Rasely, “Nylon”

    Best R&B – Shawn Seals & SMX, “Session Files #1”

    Best Pop – Cloey Tierno, “i fell in love with the rain”

    Best Country – Steven Cali, “Own Kinda Fix”

    Best Jazz – London McDaniel, “The Christmas Album”

    Best Jam Band – Adam Brooks, “Ain’t All About You (double album)”

    Best Hard Rock – Stone Thrower, “This is Permanent”

    Best Americana – John Cadley, “I Never Knew”

    Best Hip-Hop/Rap – Slick Fashionz & Queeto ABF Ft. All Bout Family, “The world is Yours”

    Best Alternative – Bell & Sgroi, “Candy Apple”

    Best Rock – Glass Image, “Mixed Emotions”

    Best New Artist – Dylan Michael 

    Community Spirit Award – Jane Stebbins-Skowron

    Jack O Bocchino Award – Neil Daley

    Founders Award – Liz Nowak

    SAMMY’S Hall of Fame Inductees: Kevin Dorsey (Music Educator), Carolyn Kelly, Doug Thaler, Larry Hoyt and Irving Kauffman (Lifetime Achievement)

    Peoples Choice:

    Artist – Cam Caruso

    Events – Oswego Harborfest

    Organizations – Oswego HighSchool Marching Buccaneers 

    Venues – Gibby’s Irish Pub

  • SAMMY Awards Announce 2023 Nominees

    Preparing for the 2023 SAMMY Awards show, local media and Hall of Fame inductees came together to build excitement for this year’s upcoming award ceremony on March 3 at The Palace Theater on James Street in Syracuse. The SAMMY Awards has become well appreciated within the Central New York music community, going back to 1993.

    SAMMY awards 2023
    Hall of Fame Inductees – Perri Sage Photography

    The SAMMYs will honor Hall of Fame nominees, as well as presenting awards in 14 different categories, as well as a People’s choice award. The night will also feature performances from Brownskin Band, The Carolyn Kelly Blues Band, Chuck Schieles Quatro, Not Robots! and Trauma Cat.

    On February 7, the SAMMY hall of famers and representatives get together to hold the annual awards show press conference. Hosted at the home of SubCat Studios, founded in 2001, were more than willing to help present and prepare for this year’s awards. 

    For the 2023 SAMMY Awards, Hall of Fame inductees include, Larry Hoyt, Carolyn Kelly, Doug Thaler along with nominated music educator of the year Kevin Dorsey and Irving Kaufman for the lifetime achievement award. Early Tuesday morning, a few hall of famers gave insight on the SAMMYs and their contribution to the awards show over the years.

    SAMMY awards 2023
    Perri Sage Photography

    Honoree Larry Hoyt shared, “The SAMMYs is really great in so many ways for so many different reasons. We have so many talented people here in Central New York who deserve more recognition than they normally would receive.” Hoyt began writing for the Syracuse Post Standard and along the way became a part of the original committee that brought the SAMMYs together.

    Along with Hoyt, NYS Music spoke music educator of the year Kevin Dorsey. Dorsey has been a music educator in the Syracuse district for 25 years and previously won two SAMMY awards in his past years as a musician. Dorsey stated, “I’m honored and I’m humbled really.. This is what I’ve wanted to do with  my life and there’s people out there who feel like I’ve done it at a level that’s deserving of recognition. People are recognizing the work I’ve done with my students and I’ve had 3,000 students in the past 25 years and I’m truly honored.”

    SubCat Studios – Perri Sage Photography

    2023 SAMMY NOMINEES

    BEST JAZZ ALBUM

    • London McDaniel – The Christmas Album • Shawn Seals & SMX – Color
    • Test Kitchen – Wings of Dreams

    BEST AMERICANA ALBUM

    • Brian and the Beautiful Birds – Brian and the Beautiful Birds
    • Christian Parker – Every Passing Mile
    • The Dirty Doves – Bumblebee Brandywine
    • John Cadley – I Never Knew
    • The Rollin’ Rust – Road Rats

    BEST OTHER STYLE ALBUM

    • Jeff Tripoli – Wabi Sabi
    • Jim Elenteny – Twelve String AcousticGuitar Music
    • Max Scialdone – Christmas Songs
    • Tom Rasely – Nylon
    • The Turbulents – Stick to the Script
    2023 SAMMYs Sponsors

    BEST ELECTRONIC ALBUM

    • AK Kastro – 2009
    • C-u-RT – The Yellow Seahorse
    • Everett – Alien’s Attempt
    • Mazedude – Game Remix, Tracker Homage • The Stranger – Cold Out Here

    BEST JAM BAND ALBUM

    • Adam Brooks – Ain’t All About You
    • Anthony Saturno – Mixed Bag of Beans, Vol. 1 • Master Thieves – Wanderlust

    BEST POP ALBUM

    • Amoreena – The Garden
    • Cloey Tierno – I Fell in Love with the Rain • DreaMe – Chapter 22 New Beginnings
    • Jess Novak – Bad Bitch
    • Keith Calveric – Untold

    BEST HARD ROCK ALBUM

    • Gainer – A Blackened Embrace
    • Head Underwater – It Gets Worse
    • No Blush – No Blush
    • Our 11th Hour – Of Halos & Hand Grenades • Stone Thrower – This is Permanent

    BEST R&B ALBUM

    • FB – For U
    • FB – For U Too
    • Nate Glyn – Greatest Hits (2017-22)
    • Shawn Seals & SMX – Session Files #1

    BEST ALTERNATIVE ALBUM

    • Bell & Sgroi – Candy Apple
    • The Kiwis – Strange Danger
    • Sound Discard – Riptide
    • Steven Page – Excelsior
    • Trauma Cat – The Truth Doesn’t Live Here

    BEST SINGER/SONGWRITER

    • Breaking Bones – Sleepyhead
    • Cam Caruso – On the Other Side (5 YearAnniversary Edition)
    • Gina Holsopple – All the Things I Wanna Hear
    • Jason Decker – Fall Under The Sun
    • Paul Case – This Love

    BEST COUNTRY ALBUM

    • Lisa Gentile – Start Flying
    • Mike Gibson – Suburban Hillbilly • Steven Cali – Own Kinda Fix
    • Tink Bennett – Collaborations
    • Whiskey Hollow Rush – Linda Lu

    BEST ROCK ALBUM

    • Ben Wayne – spectator
    • Bradford Allen – Selfishly Empathetic
    • Glass Image – Mixed Emotions
    • Irv Lyons Jr. – What Are We Fighting For
    • O T B (Old Tall Buildings) – Lost In The Loud

    BEST HIP-HOP OR RAP ALBUM

    • Blackman Preach – 12 Years Gone
    • Christenelle Diroc – With Synchronosity & Serendipity
    • FB and Exoticz – The Round Table
    • Slick Fashionz & Queeto ABF – The World Is Yours • The WiZdom G.O.A.T. – Perseverance

    BEST SINGLE

    • Adam Brooks – Gone & Forgotten
    • All Poets & Heroes – Give It To Me Straight • MániSoul – Run This Back
    • The Real RAW Breed – Sun Don’t Shine
    • Ryla – Intuition

    Held at the Landmark Theater starting in 1993, the SAMMYs are more than ready to recognize the talent of the music community in Central New York for 2023. For 30 years the awards show has been acknowledged as one of the number one local music events hosted in Syracuse, New York. With that said, mark the date, as the 2023 SAMMY Awards will be one to remember!