Category: Special

Hudson Hall Announces Hudson Jazz Festival Dates, Lineup

Hudson Hall has announced their beloved Hudson Jazz Festival will be returning for the 2023 season.

Taking place in New York State’s oldest surviving theater, the Hudson Jazz Festival began in February 2018 as a way to celebrate one of America’s greatest art forms in Hudson Hall’s historic 1855 theater.

The festival reflects Hudson Hall’s mission of not just promoting the arts, but supporting its community. The festival was intentionally programmed in February as a way to bring business to Hudson during the traditionally slower shoulder season.

In 2020, Hudson Hall added a visual arts exhibition that became an ongoing element of the festival. Featured artists have included Reggie Madison, Tschabalala Self, David Hammons, Bijan Mahmoodi, among others. This year features an exhibition by local artist and designer, Marine Penvern. The 2023 Hudson Jazz Festival kicks off with an exhibition opening party on Thursday, February 16 from 5-7pm.

In 2022, the Hudson Jazz Festival doubled in size, expanding from one four-day weekend to two. Entitled “Lift Every Voice”, the 2022 Hudson Jazz Festival featured Jazzmeia Horn, The Baylor Project, Jimmy Greene, Alexis Morrast, Warren Wolf, and Daniel J. Watts, who was presented in a new partnership with the Louis Armstrong House & Museum that included archival film screenings and a masterclass for youth.

Located just two hours outside NYC, Hudson Hall is a nonprofit arts organization offering a year-round schedule of music, theater, dance, visual arts, literature, free workshops for youth and adults, as well as family programs and large-scale community events such as Winter Walk.

2023 Festival Lineup

WEEKEND ONE: (February 16-19, 2023)
Thursday, February 16 at 7pm
Exhibition Opening – Marine Penvern: Body & Soul

Friday, February 17 at 7pm
Sarah Elizabeth Charles: SEC & SCOPE

Saturday, February 18 at 7pm
Marquis Hill: New Gospel Revisited

Sunday, February 19 at 3pm
Michael Mayo

WEEKEND TWO (February 23-26, 2023)
Thursday, February 23 at 7pm
Ulysses Owens Jr. and Generation Y

Friday, February 24 at 7pm
Lucy Yeghiazaryan and Vanisha Gould : In Her Words

Saturday, February 25 at 7pm
Aaron Parks & Samantha Rise: Dreaming Home

Sunday, February 26 at 3pm
Endea Owens & The Cookout

Hudson Jazz Festival tickets are available at Hudson Hall’s website.

February 11, 2023
The Killers and Foo Fighters to Headline Sea.Hear.Now 2023

The fifth installment of the Sea.Hear.Now festival will be returning to its familiar grounds along the picturesque waterfront in Asbury Park, New Jersey on September 16-17, 2023. The annual two-day music festival will be headlined by alternative rockers The Killers on Saturday and 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees Foo Fighters on Sunday.

Produced by Tim Sweetwood of C3 Presents (Austin City Limits, Lollapalooza), along with iconic rock photographer Danny Clinch, his good pal Tim Donnnelly (a music journalist turned promoter) and HM Wollman (an industry veteran), the festival is a celebration of live music, art and surf culture.

A packed beach audience enjoying live music on the Surf Stage (2022) | Photo by Michael Dinger

The Killers, in support of their two most recent studio albums (2020’s Imploding The Mirage and 2021’s Pressure Machine), will be back on the road this spring with a March 16 kick-off in nearby Atlantic City, New Jersey. The 11-date tour for these Las Vegas natives formed in 2001 will include three shows in Mexico, as well as an appearance at Shaky Knees on May 5 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Foo Fighters, who are officially returning to the stage in 2023 after the tragic death of drummer Taylor Hawkins in March of last year, will also be making two festival appearances in May – Boston Calling and the Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival in Columbus, Ohio – as well as Bonnaroo in Manchester, Tennessee on June 18.

Pearl Jam performing at the 2021 festival | Photo by Michael Dinger

Patti Smith performing at the 2021 festival | Photo by Michael Dinger

The Smashing Pumpkins performing at the 2021 festival | Photo by Michael Dinger

Billy Idol performing at the 2021 festival | Photo by Michael Dinger

The festival’s lineup will feature 50+ artists across three stages (two in the sand and one in Bradley Park), including Greta Van Fleet, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats and Sheryl Crow on Saturday and Weezer, Rebelution, Mt. Joy, The Beach Boys and The Breeders on Sunday.

Cage the Elephant performing at the 2022 festival | Photo by Michael Dinger

Boy George performing at the 2022 festival | Photo by Michael Dinger

IDLES performing at the 2022 festival | Photo by Michael Dinger

The Backseat Lovers performing at the 2022 festival | Photo by Michael Dinger

In addition to the music scene taking place on both of the beach stages, festivalgoers can also experience artwork created by the musicians performing over the weekend, including impromptu sets, at the Transparent Clinch pop-up gallery in Bradley Park. And if that weren’t enough, the weekend will also include a professional team surf contest known as the “North Beach Rumble.”

A portion of the festival’s proceeds is also donated to grassroots, non-profit environmental organizations and community charities such as the Surfrider Foundation, Operation Beachhead, Clean Ocean Action, Garden State Equality and Boys & Girls Clubs of Monmouth County, to name only a few.

Gary Clark Jr. performing at the 2022 festival | Photo by Michael Dinger

Courtney Barnett performing at the 2022 festival | Photo by Michael Dinger

Ticket presale for Sea.Hear.Now 2023 begins this Thursday, February 9 at 10:00 am EST. Available options include 1-Day and 2-Day tickets (General Admission, GA+, VIP and Platinum), plus a 2-Day Ultimate Experience. Layaway Pans, starting at $20, will also be made available for all ticket types. For additional information, including presale code sign-up details, visit seahearnowfestival.com.

Excited fans during Wet Leg’s set at the Park Stage (2022) | Photo by Michael Dinger

2023 Daily Lineups:

Saturday (September 16)

The Killers

Greta Van Fleet

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats

Sheryl Crow

Tash Sultana

Royal Blood

Bob Moses

Cory Wong

Oteil & Friends

Living Colour

Babe Rainbow

Surfer Girl

Snacktime

Quincy Mumford

Yawn Mower

Sunday (September 17)

Foo Fighters

Weezer

Rebelution

Mt. Joy

The Beach Boys

The Breeders

Tegan & Sara

Stephen Sanchez

Joey Valence & Brae

Adam Melchor

Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country

Easy Star All-Stars

Sunflower Bean

Waiting On Mongo

Alexander Simone & Whodat?

February 9, 2023
Mmeadows share “When We Are Together We Are Really Free” off debut album

NYC‘s mmeadows have shared “When We Are Together We Are Really Free,” the final single from their debut album Light Moves Around You, which was released on Friday, February 3rd. The prog-pop duo will also be performing an album release show May 6th at Baby’s All Right.

Vocalist Kristin Slipp’s (Dirty Projectors) vocals weave seamlessly through Cole Kamen-Green’s production (walls of horns, synths, and piano) for a sound that’s mysterious, mercurial, and fearless. The track cements their trademark style, a permeable mix of sounds both fluid and rhythmic, organic and electronic.

The song is accompanied by a video filmed in an abandoned church, lending a visual atmosphere at once carefree and ominous, a perfect match for the track and the album as a whole.

“[“King of the Castle”] It’s a catchy, unpredictable dose of art pop…”
– BrooklynVegan

The track is accompanied by a bold video directed by Haoyan of America, in which the duo performs the song in an abandoned church. Complete with glow stick dance parties and colorful tarot cards, it creates an atmosphere at once carefree and ominous, a perfect match for the track and the album as a whole: mysterious, mercurial, and fearless.

Their singular alt-pop songcraft is ultimately the synthesis of complementary talents, mutual trust, and years of partnership. Light Moves Around You reflects this connection; a dynamic and deeply-honed collection of pop songs that silence chaos and celebrate the tender acts of making space.

“With community heavy on my mind during early days of the pandemic, but not within physical reach, I set out to write a song that I might play during one of a handful of virtual dance parties we hosted,” Slipp says. “The catharsis of sharing digital space with my friends during such a surreal time was powerful and lasting, and that energy motivated us to make this track super danceable, brimming with feeling, and short enough to demand an immediate repeat listen.”

Upcoming mmeadows Live Dates:

April 26^th – Los Angeles, CA @ Gold Diggers
May 6^th – Brooklyn, NY @ Baby’s All Right
Tickets go on sale Friday, February 3^rd at 10am Local Time. To purchase tickets, click the link here.

February 6, 2023
Dr. Scot Brown Releases MLK Inspired Single

To commemorate and celebrate civil rights leader and icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., music scholar and artist Dr. Scot Brown has released his new single “King of Love: MLK.”

This uplifting fusion of R&B and classic soul conveys the spirit of the civil rights movement and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s message of love and community.

A Rochester native, artist, and author, Dr. Brown is also an African American Studies professor and music historian at UCLA. Currently, a visiting scholar at Colgate University, Dr. Brown has cultivated a distinct sound using the knowledge he’s gained analyzing the nuances of Black popular music–especially Funk and R&B history. On the heels of national news highlighting where change is still needed to continue Dr. King’s mission of social justice, togetherness, and change, Dr. Brown hopes to give listeners an inspirational MLK anthem.

“For this particular song, I drew inspiration from the awe I felt after hearing Dr. King’s words as a child,” explained Dr. Brown. “I felt an uplifting power in his words through his melodic preaching style – even before I could fully understand the messages and meaning.”

King of Love features a broad list of talented artists, including vocalists Kijana Crues, Alex Parris, and Funk pioneer Fred Wesley, former leader and trombonist of James Brown’s band. In addition, Dr. Brown brings his own unique sound to honor Dr. King. Wanting to capture the sensation felt when he first heard the “I Have a Dream” and “Drum Major Instinct” speeches, Dr. Brown brought in actor and MLK performer/voice-over artist Stephon Ferguson. On the track, it is Ferguson’s voice that is heard reciting passages, written by Dr. Brown, in a preaching style, reminiscent of Dr. King’s sermonizing voice. This version of “King of Love: MLK” was produced by artist and rapper O’hene Savant, who lent his multi-instrumental virtuosity to the song. Dr. Scot Brown is the executive producer, bassist, additional keyboardist [vibraphone], and songwriter (with Kalamu ya Salaam and Jerry Rescue).

“Over the years, I’ve gained an appreciation for the symmetry between Dr. King’s voice and his messages about the transformational power of love and his philosophy of social change.”

Dr. Brown believes the Civil Rights and Black Power movements were successful, in part, because they both emphasized the power of everyday people to make major changes in society.

“‘Freedom Now’, ‘We Shall Overcome,’ and ‘Power to the People,’ are all chants that express this idea,” said Dr. Brown. “As far as my own music goes, I believe that people are responding favorably to positive and empowering messages in music. With this song, I hope that listeners feel and activate their own expressions of Dr. King’s call for agape love – love for humanity.”

King of Love: MLK can be found now on digital platforms YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music.

February 6, 2023
Ben Cuomo Announces Solo Single “Changed The Way”

Multi-instrumentalist Ben Cuomo has announced his newest solo release “Changed The Way” in collaboration with fellow producer Ben Milstein, released on February 3rd.

While listners may recognize Cuomo from NYC duo MoonTree, this is Cuomo’s first solo release.The ambient single, written while Cuomo and Milstein were improvising in a Suny Purchase practice room, is the first collaboration between the friends.

Ben Cuomo and Ben Milstein are both producers, songwriters and multi-instrumentalists attending the Conservatory of Music at SUNY Purchase. Although they have the same name they have very different musical backgrounds.

Ben Cuomo is a composer, multi instrumentalist, producer, recording engineer, mixing engineer, and overall-creative from Brooklyn who experiments with the indescribable and unorthodox sides of music. He is currently producing for multiple artists, and scoring films at Purchase.

Ben Milstein is a multi-instrumentalist and singer who has been writing music for years. Ben has performed in musicals as roles such as Curly Mclain in Roger and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!, and wrote and produced an EP titled Microchosm. His 9 song debut album will be coming out in March, featuring his first single “Hopelessly Cold” which is out now on all streaming platforms.

Ben Cuomo and Ben Milstein met at SUNY Purchase college. Both are in the music conservatory and are friends, song writers, multi instrumentalists and producers, who wanted to produce songs for each other. “Changed the Way” is their first collaboration.

February 3, 2023
Ari Joshua, John Kimock, Andy Hess, and Eden Ladin Release “Eye Just Called, To Soul, I Love You”

Ari Joshua, John Kimock, Andy Hess, and Eden Ladin have collaborated to release supergroup vibe “Eye Just Called, To Soul, I Love You” out on January 26^th. Recorded in Brooklyn, the track is raw, visceral, and tends to be refreshingly honest.

“Eye Just Called to Soul, I Love You” features bassist Andy Hess (Black Crowes, John Scofield, Gov’t Mule), drummer John Morgan Kimock (Mike Gordon Band, Oteil & Friends), internationally acclaimed piano man Eden Ladin. Lat but not least, leading the charge, guitarist Ari Joshua (Big High, Space Owl, Hathead).

“EJCTS ILU” is the debut release from this memorable & inaugural all-star session, giving us another taste from the comet of sound coming from Music Factory Records to start off the new year. The almost 7-minute improv track documents the first time this band has ever played together, period.

2022 was a productive year for Ari Joshua with 12 new releases to share. With a range from classic jazz, to experimental, to drum n bass, to jam band, to classic soul funk, to circus music, to cinematic through composed classical-like compositions, Ari’s creative flow is astonishing.

When asked about this session he shared, “These are players I really admire, I had a vision, & I spoke to John, then Andy, and then Eden, and it sort of just came into fruition. My friends from college Aaron Nevize, and John Davis actually opened up The Bunker Studio in Brooklyn as we were all graduating. It’s just lasted all these years, and I called them up trying to get a date. It’s a miracle everyone was available amongst their busy schedules, and the studio was open. I am very lucky we made it work. The stars aligned and it was a fun and easy hang. We also played some Dead tunes, Eyes of the World, and Help on The Way, but the general focus was on making something new happen.”

On all the music that is on its way, Ari remarks, “Great art is an expression of the soul, and a reflection of one’s life experience. Being a musician is also like being what I would call an ambassador of goodwill. I think great players can sense that, and it becomes a compass of making great art together. I get a lot of joy from sharing these recordings and performing, it’s transformative. It is my mission in this life to give back in any capacity possible, to explore all options, and to honor the legends that came before and what they did for me and for so many. Music is the universal language, it has healing mystical qualities, it has both saved my life, and given me purpose. I am proud of the work I have contributed to music education, and in the woodshed practicing. After a lot of just living life, it is time to shine, and share what light I can with the music.”

To listen to “Eye Just Called to Soul, I Love You,” click the link here.

February 3, 2023
Listen To “The IT Department” From Rising Pianist Isaiah J. Thompson’s Debut Album

Jazz pianist, bandleader and composer Isaiah J. Thompson has dropped his new lead single “The IT Department” from his upcoming debut album.

Hailed as “a young musician and composer with a mature touch and rare combination of talent, creativity, humility and honesty” by NPR, pianist Isaiah J. Thompson is an emerging generational talent. This March 17th, his first live album—The Power of the Spirit—will be released digitally and as a CD on Jazz at Lincoln Center’s in-house record label, Blue Engine.

The lead single “The IT Department” is a play on his initials, but also a tribute to Isaiah’s father.

I don’t come from a particularly musical family, but they have always supported me. When someone would ask my parents if they had been involved in my musical education, my father would respond by saying, ‘music is his department’.
Isaiah J. Thompson

The mission of Jazz at Lincoln Center is to entertain, enrich, and expand a global community for jazz through performance, education, and advocacy. Captured in front of a rapturous audience at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Club, The Power of the Spirit finds Thompson’s seasoned quartet delivering a locked-in performance of their repertoire. On full display are the pianist’s stunning dexterity and soulful original material; combining crisp technicality with a gospel-inflected sound, Thompson nods to forebears like Bobby Timmons, Phineas Newborn Jr., and Cedar Walton while blazing a trail of his own.

Thompson has played with legends including Wynton Marsalis, Christian McBride, Steve Turre, John Pizzarelli, and Buster Williams. He’s had his own NPR Tiny Desk concert, been a part of Jazz Night in America’s Youngblood series, and been a special guest on the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra’s Handful of Keys.

February 2, 2023
NY Singer-Songwriter Joseph James releases debut, “Valentine”

Just in time for February, Joseph James, an award-winning singer-songwriter-producer from New York has released his debut single “Valentine.” The Lady Gaga collaborator will see release his album 5.5 in May.

“Valentine” was released worldwide on January 2nd, 2023, and will be followed by 10 powerhouse tracks that culminate with his debut album, 5.5. Joseph’s record label, studio and performance experience, prepares him to be the next big act in mainstream commercial music in 2023.

Joseph is the founder of AP Music Group and holds a bachelor’s degree in music from Berklee College of Music in Boston. Joseph has performed, produced and toured with major acts all over the world, among them Lady Gaga (Stefani Germanotta) and Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple).

As noted on a Lady Gaga fan site, Joe first met Stefani in 2003 to produce her college application demo for New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. Together they recorded three Jazz standards including “Someone to Watch Over Me” and “Orange Colored Sky” where James recorded the piano while Tony Di Lullo recorded the vocals.

They worked together on the five track demo, Words, as well as Germanotta’s 2006 EP, Red and Blue. After the two releases, Joe continued to work with Gaga and the band on songs such as “Hollywood” and “Master Heartbreaker” but were only performed live.

From now until midnight on February 28th, 2023, fans are encouraged to post, tag and DM Joseph on Instagram a picture or video of yourself listening to “Valentine,” and he will personally record a dedication to you (and yours) and send you your own personalized mp3 of “Valentine” (be sure to include names.)

For all things Joseph James, visit this link and stay tuned for more from this rising New York singer-songwriter-producer.

February 1, 2023
Keeping the Blues Alive At Sea Announces Lineup

Joe Bonamassa and Sixthman Festivals have announced the Keeping the Blues Alive At Sea Mediterranean III lineup. Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Laura Cox, and When Rivers Meet are the latest to join the star-studded lineup on the third European voyage of Bonamassa’s world-famous floating blues-rock party at sea.

Photo Credit: Robert Sutton

Keeping the Blues Alive At Sea Mediterranean III sails August 17-22, 2023, traveling from Athens, Greece to Dubrovnik, Croatia and Santorini, Greece aboard the luxurious Norwegian Jade.

This five-night music festival at sea will feature performances from 20+ amazing blues artists. Cruisers can expect two unique sets from Bonamassa along with dozens of electrifying live performances and once-in-a-lifetime collaborations that can’t be seen anywhere else.

In addition to the non-stop music, Keeping the Blues Alive At Sea Mediterranean III guests will enjoy an array of unique activities and special programming geared towards the ultimate blues enthusiasts. Wine tastings, exclusive raffles, and opportunities to interact with Bonamassa and other artists onboard are just a few of the unique experiences guests will enjoy at sea. Shore excursions will be available to purchase until 4-6 weeks prior to sailing.

Keeping the Blues Alive At Sea Mediterranean III will once again benefit the Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation (KTBA), dedicated to providing students and teachers the resources and tools needed to further music education. Founded in 2011, KTBA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission to fuel the passion for music by funding programs and scholarships for students and teachers who possess the desire but lack the resources or access to achieve their potential within music education. KTBA has reached over 70,000 students in all 50 states through the funding of over 450 unique projects. For more information, please visit keepingthebluesalive.org.

Visit www.bluesaliveatseaeurope.com to purchase your experience.

Keeping the Blues Alive At Sea l Lineup

Joe Bonamassa
Kenny Wayne Shepherd
Blackberry Smoke
Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
Ruthie Foster
King King
Jimmy Vivino
Laura Cox
Kirk Fletcher
Vanessa Collier
Henrik Freischlader
Cardinal Black
Bywater Call
Johnny A.
When Rivers Meet
Eddie 9V
Dom Martin
The Cinelli Brothers
True Strays
Alice Armstrong

https://vimeo.com/748183471/e72984ff61?embedded=true&source=vimeo_logo&owner=5059289

January 31, 2023
Lou Tides Releases Mini-Movie For “Infinite Loop Visual Mixtape”

Brooklyn‘s Lou Tides (TEEN, Here We Go Magic) has just released a mini-movie for her Infinite Loop Visual Mixtape following her first track, “Sense of Touching.” Her debut solo EP Infinite Loop EP was released Jan 20th.

The 10-minute film includes 5 chapters and a visual ode to each of the EP’s songs. Throughout the film, there are many striking visual elements that bring the viewer through a variety of worlds. This includes a bizarrely drab yet hectic beach dance, to an apartment that feels straight out of a Wong Kar Wai film, followed by a dark void where Lou Tides shines in PVC and mystical movement, then finally in a womb-like creature concert.

Nearing the end, we journey deep under the peaceful, blue sea where the transformation is complete. Lou Tides transcends her form, reborn as a radiant human-cetacean hybrid.

“I think of these songs as a map. A sequence in time. And the sequence of the songs follows that map, that loop,” says Tides. A veteran of Here We Go Magic and TEEN, she has chosen a solo moniker for her newest project.

Performing and producing solo for the first time were natural choices for an EP this personal. Tides made these songs while reckoning with the profound ways she’d been disrupted by her past. “Emotionally this music would not fit into anything strictly shaped or precise, I wanted to embrace the moods of the emotions and how I felt they would naturally flow. Time then felt different, and lush arrangements with stretchy synthesizers felt appropriate. I wanted the music to emulate the natural peaks and valleys of our lives and relationships,” Tides says.

Of her former band TEEN, NPR wrote, “What makes these wrenching themes resonate is the way TEEN’s music balances darkness with buoyancy and immediacy.” On Infinite Loop, Tides maintains that balance while moving away from previous pop inflections. Opening track “The Rake” uses jagged synths and nets of altered vocal tracks atop a constantly evolving beat. The song becomes a ghostly chorus and a doom-electronica crescendo to mimic dissociation and its effect on intimacy–and it feels totally organic.

To listen to Infinite Loop, click the link here. For more information on Lou Tides, visit her website by clicking the link here.

January 30, 2023