The Waterhole Music Lounge in Saranac Lake has announced the schedule for the annual 2023 Party On The Patio concert series.
Waterhole Music Lounge is Saranac Lake’s music venue of choice, located right on Main Street. The three story lounge features multiple bar spaces, and an outdoor performance space that creates a truly unique concert experience. The annual free Party On The Patio shows are a regional favorite, taking place every Thursday night at 6pm, starting in April and running through October.
The Party On The Patio 2023 lineup has 24 bands from multiple states including Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. The lineup also includes local favorites from across the state, including Hanzolo, Folkfaces, Rasinhead, and Los Blancos.
Each show is free to attend, but limited to concertgoers 21 and up. For more information, and to view the full schedule, please visit the Waterhole’s website.
The CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival has released its official free app for the 2023 celebration, which commemorates the 20th Anniversary of the festivities. The nine-day anniversary edition is a combination of free and paid performances and runs from June 23 to July 1 in 19 venues in downtown Rochester, welcoming more than 1,750 artists from all over the world at 300 shows.
The free official CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival app allows users to access festival information anywhere, anytime and is loaded with more features than ever to customize and enhance the user’s festival experience.Â
The official CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival free app allows users to check schedules and more for shows, and filter between days. Here’s a look at the June 23 schedule. Credit: RochesterJazz.com.
With the free official CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival app, users can:
Find the entire line-up and 2023 Festival schedule.
Browse the schedule by When, Where and Type of show (Free, Club Pass, Headliners, etc.)
Browse by artists, read about them, visit their websites and listen to tracks.
Create and plan your own personal schedule, set reminders, view venues on the map, and get travel times.
Buy tickets, and see FAQs.
Stay in touch with the latest news and alerts and important info on getting around the festival.
Connect with the Festival’s Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram accounts to keep up with the latest posts.
Sign up for official festival alerts and email news for important, timely messages.
Never miss a show. Set alerts to upcoming events, including how long it will take to get there.
See what’s hot and what others are recommending.
Love a show? Share your favorites with others.
The annual CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival, one of the worldâs leading jazz festivals and is presented in three series: Headliner, Free Shows, and Club Pass. Impressively, A record 210,000 people attended the festival in 2022. Founded in 2002 and produced by RIJF, LLC, 2023 marks the festival’s 20th Anniversary Edition. The festival opens with CSE Music School Band at the City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation on June 23 at 4:30 p.m. After the official festival ends, the City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage will welcome ESM Jazz Honors Unit 2 – Rob Varon on July 26 at 6 p.m.
2023 Rochester International Jazz Festival Schedule
The aftermath of the quarantine has left many of us longing for experiences and community. The ability of an artist to constitute community is what I love about music, especially local original music. Nancy Atlas is a well-known entity on the East End of Long Island, especially in her hometown of Montauk, famously called “The drinking village with a fishing problem”. Nancy knows how to inspire a community and connects with her audience though passion and performance.
I had the double blessing of interviewing Nancy on The Long Island Sound podcast and seeing her live recently at Stephen Talkhouse, a venue which I call the CBGB’s of Amagansett. Nancy became my antidote for the longing that can never be quenched, as I continue to explore the wellspring of talent on Long Island.
If you can find something that you’re passionate about and you can make a living at it, then you’re a lucky person
Nancy Atlas
A Force of Nature
Before we dive into the rollercoaster ride of a show, it’s important to get an understanding how this female force of nature embraces her craft like the ocean envelops us as we venture into the deep.
Prior to her moniker as The Nancy Atlas project, this Commack, NY native went to college in London to study marketing. Upon graduation, she was hard-pressed to find a job in her chosen field. With the creative juices flowing, original songs in hand, Nancy went to an open mic hosted by Johnny Leitch aka Johnny Blood, a fantastic guitarist in his own right. The rest is history.
The most important thing is to surround yourself with people that are better than you
Nancy Atlas
There are a wide range of artist influences who shaped her sound, from Johnny Cash and Emmylou Harris to Lucinda Williams. Atlas also recounted how her experiences growing up on Long Island have influenced her music, particularly the ocean and the beach, which she described as her “sanctuary.”
Throughout the interview, Atlas discussed her creative process and how she approaches songwriting. She explained that she likes to write about real-life experiences and emotions, drawing inspiration from her own life and the world around her.
Atlas emphasized the importance of collaboration, both with her band members and other musicians in the industry. She described how working with others can bring new ideas and perspectives to the table, and ultimately lead to better music.
The more honest you are with your songwriting; the more people connect with it.
Nancy Atlas
We discussed the challenges of being a musician, particularly in today’s music industry.
Atlas acknowledged that the rise of streaming services has changed the landscape for musicians, making it more difficult to earn a living solely from music sales. However, she also noted that the internet has made it easier for independent artists to connect with their fans and reach new audiences. Atlas emphasized the importance of adapting to change and finding new ways to make a living as a musician.
I think the hardest thing about being an artist in this day and age is finding the balance between the art and the commerce.
Nancy Atlas
Performing at Stephen Talkhouse
During the interview, I told Nancy how I hoped to go to Stephen Talkhouse someday, and she quickly goateed me in to attending her April 22nd show. I was not disappointed. With the intent to open opportunities to others, Nancy had the PasserBy Band opened up for her, and the band was electric with youthful energy and talent. Nancy’s son Cash, a member of the band was joined by a cast of East Hampton Highschoolers who rounded out the group.
PasserBy covered Santana’s Oye Como Va, and Dexys Midnight Runners, Come on Eileen to the delight of a welcoming audience, as a proud mother stood in the wings with admiration and pride
The Nancy Atlas Project took the stage promptly at 8:15 pm, as a lighting bolt of energy pulsed with Nancy as she began to strum the intro, soon to be joined by her longtime guitarist, Johnny Blood. Her set was filled with original songs, that were familiar to adoring fans, as I watched and listened to a community of Eastender’s revel with enjoyment and celebration.
A key moment, came when Nancy recalled a famous ocean rescue in Montauk, as detailed in the New York Times best selling novel, A Speck in the Sea. Nancy’s song “The Tale of Johnny Load” recounts the key events in the “Montauk Miracle” and has become somewhat of an anthem to how the Montauk community came together to beging the search for Johnny. The song is about a voyage of the fishing boat , Anna Mary with only Johnny “Load” Aldridge and Anthony Sosinski aboard. Anthony Sosinski, one of the crewmembers was on hand, and took the stage to lead the crowd in a Happy Birthday song to both Nancy and her sidekick Johnny Blood.
You can see Nancy Atlas performing at Stephen Talkhouse on May 20th, it’s certianly a bucketlist item for any music lover.
Music and the Power to Heal
She talked about how music has the power to heal and bring people together, and how she hopes her music can have a positive impact on her listeners.
My interview with Nancy Atlas on the Long Island Sound podcast provided a fascinating look into the life and career of one of Long Island’s most talented musicians. From her early influences to her creative process and the challenges of the music industry, Atlas shared insights and stories that are sure to inspire aspiring musicians and fans alike. Her performance at Stephen Talkhouse was a powerful reminder of the healing power of music and the importance of spreading positivity in today’s world. If you’re a fan of Nancy Atlas or just love great music, be sure to check out her interview on The Long Island Sound podcast.
CNY Jazz has announced the return of their in person scholastic enrichment programs across the Central New York region, and has announced the first schedule of events.
Despite the hard hit by the pandemic and its negative impact on schools and families, CNY Jazz’s Scholastic programs continued to provide youth enrighment in virtual and hybrid settings. This year, the organization’s “pipeline” of enrichment programs that follow students through grade school and into college returns full force, with the goal of full enrollment in live settings across the area.
The first to occur is the 3rd annual “Berkshire Bank Interscholastic Jazz Festival,” to take place Sundays May 7 and 21 at the newly renovated and covered Sharkey’s Event Center in Liverpool. From 3 to 8 p.m. each day, the public and band parents can enjoy free admission, Sharkey’s food, drink, and the region’s finest school jazz ensembles of all kinds: combos, big bands, even a jazz string group, accompanied by nationally renowned guest soloists who will double as master class clinicians with each group.
This year’s guest CNY Jazz Scholastic teaching artists are Claire Daly, baritone saxophonist with the seminal DIVA jazz orchestra and founding member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center education faculty, and Mike Carbone, jazz studies leader at Binghamton University.
“This program was born because kids everywhere were forced to rehearse 12 feet apart in school with masks and were not able to perform in school. Morale was non-existent, and programs were in jeopardy. When I heard this, we put this outdoor event together quickly. As it turned out, educators, students, and parents alike loved the format and setting. Now it’s a permanent fixture on the enrichment scene for the extended region.”
Larry Luttinger, CNY Jazz Leader
For over 20 years in Central New York, the last day of school in June is always closely followed by the CNY Jazz Scholastic SummerJazz Workshop, where kids get to explore the arts of improvisation. Newly moved to the W. Carroll Coyne Center for the Performing Arts at LeMoyne College, the 2023 workshop will be held June 26-29th and will be topped off with a visit by internationally recognized jazz educator John Piazza, Jr., who will coach the program’s four combos and solo with them.
The ultimate CNY Jazz pipeline program is the CNY Jazz Youth Orchestra, accessible by audition to all as a pre-professional apprenticeship program, a paying summer job for area youth, who join the American Federation of Musicians and receive prevailing rates for performing free public concerts throughout the summer. This season’s venues include Cazenovia Counterpoint, Le Moyne College, the Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival, and the Manlius Amphitheater. CNY Jazz Youth Orchestra dates and times will be announced at a later date.
For more information on all CNY Jazz Scholastic programs and to register for a particular event, please visit the CNY Jazz website.
When I think of Blues music, the basic, common names come to mind. The likes of BB King, Muddy Waters, Blind Boy Fuller, and Buddy Guy. These are the classic staples of Blues genre. Another staple with the Blues is a nice pour of bourbon/rye/whiskey, straight up or on the rocks, it pairs well with the classic or modern sounds of Blues. This was the thought process of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member, Neil Giraldo as he founded Three Chord brand of bourbons in 2017. Fast forward to 2023, Giraldo’s company was a presenting sponsor of the 2nd annual Buffalo Blues and Roots Festival.
Taking place on April 22, Buffalo Riverworks Buffalo’s Best Sports Bar & Entertainment hosted 10 acts of amazing Blues talent, each playing approximately 40-minute sets, with the two headliners getting bonus stage time. Oh, and they were doing bourbon samples, too, pretty much a win-win.
Opening the festival was Buffalo’s own Henry’s Summer Kitchen (Henry’s Summer Kitchen | Buffalo NY | Facebook). This unique quartet plays a wide range of tunes, ranging from classic Merle Haggard to current original songs, twangy, old-school country sounds with modern twists. You never know what you are going to get, but you will never be disappointed.
Taking over the stage after Henry’s cleared out his kitchen, Tonemah was ready to jam. Darryl Tonemah (Tonemah)is not your typical musician, let’s make that clear. Not only does Tonemah record and perform music, but he also carries a Ph.D. and has appeared in 3 well-known movies. To boot, he performed at the 2002 Winter Olympics, holding quite the resume.
Performing in Buffalo, though, this full-blooded Native American (Kiowa/Comanche/Tuscarora) was wowing the Riverworks crowd with family on stage with him as a seven piece band. Playing mostly original music, Tonemah shook the stage for about 40 minutes and used every second to make their presence known.
Next up was The Growlers (Growlers Blues Band | Buffalo NY | Facebook) Featuring Jon Lewandowski on vocals and harp, Dan Shurtleff on drums, Rob Enderle on guitar, Ed Croft on bass with guest guitarist Rusty Fisher. Western NY based, these guys came to play, and play they did. With smooth riffs on the bass, Jon doing his best John Popper impression on the harp, and Dan crushing the drums, The Growlers came across as seasoned vets on more of a blues rock set. At this point, a nice bourbon was really hitting me.
Coming to the stage around 315 was The X-Statix with Sharon Bailey (The X-STATIX | Facebook). Bailey hits the stage as a very well-known and regarded funk/blues/jazz voice in the Buffalo area. Punk band vibes, her voice is a little Joan Osborne, a little Etta James, and a little Dusty Springfield. Rounding out X-Statix is Joel Slazyk on bass (who happened to have color-coordinated shirts and guitar), Bob Granfield on vocals and percussion, and Rick Militello on vocals/bass.
Bourbon? Nope, not yet. Three Chords was setting up a table right near the VIP entrance, however, and I was on watch now.
Ok, this is where I admit some fault. Coming into this festival, I searched on the world wide web for all these acts. I knew some of them and had heard of a couple of othersâall with great feedback. Patti Parks was a new name for me so I looked her up as I did everyone else. I made a decision beforehand that this was going be my rest time as I wasn’t sure I would enjoy the set as much as the others, get some pizza and beverage and just sit back and enjoy the show. Patti, I am sorry I doubted you at all as I couldn’t have been more wrong on this. Patti and her ensemble were incredible as they rocked the stage with a brass section, bass, percussion, and her own vocals. For me, this set was mind-blowing, to say the least. Go give Patti Parks a listen and see for yourself why she is a member of the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame.
Ray Barry, the name behind Barry Entertainment, is the event organizer/promotor. Not only does he set up this superb event in downtown Buffalo, NY, he is also a scheduled performer and he brought the troupe out to perform the music of The Band. Like every other act on this stage doing covers, these guys put their own style to some Americana classics without hindering the effects of the song. Ending with a staple, The Weight, and Ray Barry and Friends had a large group of VIP patrons dancing stage front for the entire 40-minute set.
Tommy Z takes the stage at 545, with bourbon pouring at 545. Tommy Z has a rich history with blues, starting out when he backed up Pinetop Perkins and worked with many of the biggest names including Buddy Guy, Jimmy Vaughn, and Robert Cray. On top of his illustrious recording career, which has included weekly shows on Buffalo-based blues radio stations, Tommy has managed to do shows for US troops around the globe, sometimes in tumultuous areas, since 2003.
It’s bourbon time. While I am not a bourbon snob, I enjoy a few things in life including a nice sipping drink. Three Chord was offering up 2 varieties to sample: Kentucky Straight Bourbon, aged in pinot noir barrels as well as Amplified Rye. I had to sample both and damn were they tasty. While I enjoyed the Rye at 95 proof, the Kentucky straight was a little smoother and definitely had me looking for a bottle to take home. Again, I am not a bourbon snob or reviewer, I simply enjoy a nice pour with some solid music in the background.
Moving back to the music, Miller and the Other Sinners took the stage for their set. Buffalo-based and well-known around Western NY and the Finger Lakes, Miller (who also is involved with Three Chord Bourbon) and his Sinners came out firing on all cylinders with the funk and soul sound they have been producing since 2015. Over the years Miller has played with great names such as Shamekia Copeland, Susan Tedeschi, and Joe Bonamassa. 730 is the time I have been looking forward to because Selwyn Birchwood jumps on stages Just as I did for all the other acts, I looked into this young man. It didn’t much for me to get hooked. A little Jimi Hendrix, a dash of Prince, and Some Buddy Guy, that is Selwyn Birchwood, who burst onto the scene in 2014.
A song I took to immediately was “Living in a Burning House.” Deep lyrics and smooth vocals make this a perfect song to listen to while sipping Three Chord bourbon. When he played this song in Buffalo, the crowd was ready for it and you could see many of them singing along. Another artist new to me, for now, it was clear that Birchwood made his presence known around Buffalo as he rocked the crowd for a little over an hour.
Rounding out the festival was Colin James. From Saskatchewan, Canada, James brought 30 years of music, 8 Juno awards, and nearly 30 Maple Blues awards to Buffalo Riverworks. Who knew this could happen to a guy whose first performance was opening up for Stevie Ray Vaughn with only a few hours notice? While the venue and crowd may not be what James is used to, he had the entire crowd into the music. For some, it was just sitting there bopping their head to the beat or tapping their toes, while others were in full dance party mode. With over 20 albums of music to select from, James played for nearly 90 minutes and seemed to love every second of it. Colin James is on tour, with shows coming up in Ontario.
For nine hours, Buffalo Riverworks was rocking some blues, roots, and Americana sounds. Arts and crafts, the aforementioned bourbon, as well as rustic surroundings outside all were perfect compliments of each other and Barry Entertainment put together a great day of family fun in Downtown Buffalo.
Henry’s Summer KitchenHenry’s Summer KitchenHenry’s Summer KitchenHenry’s Summer KitchenHenry’s Summer KitchenTonemahThe Growlers Blues BandThe X-StatixPatti Parks BandRay Barry and FriendsTommy ZMiller and the Other SinnersSelwyn BirchwoodColin James
The Chenango Blues Festival recently finalized the lineup for its 30th Anniversary Celebration, with the addition of two-time Grammy winner, Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience. Traveling from Louisiana and long-time area favorites, the band will kick off the two-day festival, which begins on Aug. 18 and concludes the next day, with a free admission show. Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience will anchor what promises to be a memorable 30th-anniversary celebration.
The Chenango Blues Fest is a family-friendly event run by an all-volunteer staff. Their motto is “by fans, for fans” and they really mean it. If there is an opposite to the high dollar, corporate festivals proliferating around the country, this is it.
John Primer, who was just announced as an inductee to the Blues Hall of Fame, will follow. Primer is one of the last Chicago bluesmen to have played with legendary artists like Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, and Magic Slim. The show will close with Curtis Salgado, the Portland, Oregan based blues and soul man who is a past Blues Music Award winner as Artist of the Year.
The celebration will continue with a headlining set by Charlie Musselwhite on the Infield Stage, sponsored this year by Norwich Rehab; Kerry, Inc., and the Raymond Foundation. Musselwhite has received numerous awards, been inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame, and performed with several musicians. Preceding him on the infield stage will be Tommy Castro and the Painkillers, a dynamic mix of 1960s-influenced guitar blues, Memphis soul, and Latin-tinged East San Jose funk.
Leading up to those acts is Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds hailing from Brooklyn, who has built a loyal following on the strength of Arleigh Kincheloe’s dynamic vocals, a rock-solid rhythm section, horns, and a keen sense of fun. Kicking off the festival at 11:30 a.m. is Gabe Stillman, fresh off rave reviews for his performances on the recent Blues Cruise. Following is ace saxman Jimmy Carpenter, who, when he isn’t touring the world or sitting in with a who’s who of blues players he is the musical director of the Big Blues Bender – one of the premier events in the blues world.
These are just a few of the acts scheduled to perform, and this year’s 30th Anniversary Celebration is sure to be one you won’t want to miss. Friday’s show is free, and Saturday’s is free for those 17 and under. Tickets for the 30th Anniversary Celebration of the Chenango Blues Festival are now available.
Friday Schedule
Tent Stage Parking opens – 4:30 p.m. Festival gate opens – 5:00 p.m. 5:30 – 6:45 – Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience 7:15- 8:30 – John Primer 9:00 – 10:15 – Curtis Salgado
Saturday Schedule
Infield Stage Parking Gate Opens – 10:00 a.m. Festival Gate Opens – 11:00 a.m. 11:30 – 12:25 – Gabe Stillman Band 12:45 – 1:45 – Jimmy Carpenter 2:45 – 4:00 – Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds 5:15 – 6:30 – Tommy Castro & the Painkillers7:40 – 9:00 – Charlie Musselwhite
Tent Stage 1:45 – 2:45 – Guy Davis 4:00 – 5:15 – Melody Angel 6:30 – 7:40 – Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band 9:00 – 10:15 – Honey Island Swamp Band
JazzBuffalo will celebrate this year’s International Jazz Day this Sunday, April 30, from 1 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. International Jazz Day began in 2011 and will be the fifth annual celebration of the event at JazzBuffalo, which has made this year’s International Jazz Day a free event in the spirit of promoting community and global peace at Seneca One in downtown Buffalo.
The lineup for this year’s International Jazzday Celebration. Credit: JazzBuffalo.
Scheduled to perform are some of Buffalo’s best jazz trios and jazz artists. JazzBuffalo is presenting a Jazz Trio Festival and then a special closing concert featuring a quintet of our finest next-generation jazz musicians. The schedule is planned as follows:
1:15 pm – The Andrew Nixon Trio 2:45 pm – Donny Frauenhofer 4:00 pm – Livestream of International Jazz Day Global Concert 5:00 pm – The Cousins Trio 6:30 pm – The Lindsey Holland Unit
There will be approximately 20-30 minutes between each performance to allow for changeover and set up.
International Jazz Day was established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2011 in honor of jazz music’s ability to promote intercultural dialogue, tolerance, and mutual understanding, aiming to raise awareness about the importance of jazz music as a common medium for peace, unity, and creativity.
Herbie Hancock will take viewers on an international tour of sights and sounds showcasing jazz in all its diversity featuring performances from China, Lebanon, Morocco, South Africa, Zimbabwe, France, Brazil, Austria, Honolulu, New York, San Francisco, and Washington, DC.
The live-streamed concert event will feature performances by some of the world’s most accomplished jazz artists, such as Cyrille Aimée (France), Thana Alexa (USA), Sérgio Mendes (Brazil), Thandi Ntuli (South Africa), Antonio Sánchez (Mexico), Somi (Rwanda) among others. Renowned Mbira player Musekiwa Chingodza (Zimbabwe) will duet with Oran Etkin (Israel) on baritone clarinet; the Blue Note China Jazz Orchestra joins the Global Concert from Beijing; and JazzWomenAfrica celebrates from Casablanca.
JazzBuffalo will make every effort to live-stream the annual International Jazz Day Global Concert so fans can see and hear the event on the big screen.
Visit EventBrite to register and save a spot for what promises to be a memorable time celebrating International Jazz Day. Donations are suggested and will be kindly accepted by JazzBuffalo.
Jazz is PHSH will be heading out on a late spring tour covering the Northeast and Midwest from May 31 to June 11. The instrumental group bring electrifying interpretations of the Phish song book for Phish phans and Jazz fans to dive into, including shows at Buffalo Iron Works and Nublu in NYC.
Don’t let the name of the band fool you – while the arrangements for Jazz is PHSH are steeped in jazz, the funky, rocking fusion interpretations of the music will bring you to your feet.
A rare treat, Jazz Is PHSH creates an exhilarating experience, journeying through the catalogue of Phish while seamlessly weaving the songs together with the music of jazz legends such as Miles Davis, Jaco Pastorius and Herbie Hancock.
Figuring out the songs as they are rearranged and reimagined is equally as fun an aspect of Jazz Is PHSH that Phish phans enjoy as much sharing in the groove of the music. For jazz fans and those unfamiliar with the music of Phish, the deep dives into the history books of jazz as well as the references to current artists like Robert Glasper and Nate Smith provide a never ending stream of auditory pleasure.
The upcoming Spring Tour includes a mix of sit down jazz clubs like the Bop Stop in Cleveland on June 1 and famous rock club venues like Nectars in Burlington on June 8.
The mix of rooms will give fans an opportunity to catch a few different shows on the tour to have a range of experiences with the band. While their catalogue is not quite as big as Phish’s hundreds of songs spanning over 40 years, Jazz Is PHSH has been touring since 2015 and has created an impressive catalgoue of their own.
With mashups of Phish’s “You Enjoy Myself” with Nate Smith’s “Bounce” and Phish’s “Divided Sky” with the John Coltrane masterpiece “A Love Supreme” along with a plethora of other mashups of Phish songs, the band is able to craft unique setlists each night so that fans that travel with the band can have unique experiences each night.
JAZZ is PHSH Spring Tour 2023
May 31 – Cincinnati OH – Fretboard Brewing
June 1 – Cleveland OH – Bop Stop June 2 – Baltimore MD – 8×10 (w/ The Chase Brothers) June 3 – Toronto ON – Adelaide Hall June 7 – Buffalo NY – Buffalo Iron Works June 8 – Burlington VT – Nectars June 9 – New Market NH – Stone Church June 10 – Manchester CT – Main Pub June 11 – New York, NY – Nublu
Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden will present a Heritage Farm Benefit concert featuring Gangstagrass, on Saturday, April 29 from 1:00 PM – 5:30 PM on the South Meadow of Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden on Staten Island.
Snug Harbor’s Heritage Farm was established in October of 2011 to help feed, inspire, and educate the local community. The Heritage Farm is a 2.5-acre production farm that uses sustainable, low-till farming practices that focus on building soil health through the use of compost, crop rotation, intercropping, and cover cropping. The goal is to provide the Staten Island and NYC community with hands-on growing experiences, insights into NYC’s food systems, and access to fresh and local produce for years to come.
Snug Harbor is pumped up to bring Gangstagrass to Staten Island to perform on our outdoor South Meadow Stage. In the same way that Snug Harbor offers our visitors a blend of contemporary cultural events inside of classically historic architecture, Gangstagrass fuses together the sounds of bluegrass and hip-hop into an unexpected and energetic sound that creates a fantastically fun experience for concertgoers! And as a bonus: by purchasing a ticket to the concert, you’ll be directly helping our Heritage Farm inspire Staten Island’s community. Concert proceeds will go towards underwriting Heritage Farm hands-on workshops, growing experiences, and healthy eating opportunities.
Snug Harbor President Jessica Baker Vodoor
Kicking off the festivities will be MakerPark Radio DJ Tom Ferrie at 1:00 PM and Staten Island’s own Jazztronauts at 2:00 PM, with Gangstagrass taking the stage at 4:00 PM.
Gangstagrass is a band combining great American traditions of bluegrass, hip-hop, and beyond to create a whole new musical genre that is more than the sum of its parts. Known for the Emmy-nominated theme song “Long Hard Times to Come” from the FX television show Justified, they’ve developed a whole new genre. Their latest album “No Time for Enemies” climbed to #1 on the Billboard Bluegrass chart.
In addition to entertainment, food trucks and vendors will be onsite, including Valducci’s Pizza Truck, Melts & Soups, Egger’s Ice Cream, Celebrate at Snug Harbor, and Pig Island NYC. Drinks are sponsored by Kills Boro Brewing Company, who will also be pouring their unique signature beers at the event. This program is supported in part by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. All the proceeds benefit the Heritage Farm at Snug Harbor.
The Jazztronauts are Nutone Recording’s funkiest fusion band, hailing from Staten Island. Focusing on improvisational performances that incorporate their love of jazz, funk, hip hop, and electronic music, their sounds have been dubbed future jazz by listeners and their shows have quickly become a gathering place for music lovers and nightlife aficionados.
More information, including the schedule of events and tickets, can be found at Snug Harbor’s website.
I’ve been hearing about Matt Niedbalski for nearly 30 years. From the day he was born, it seems that he was destined to become a great drummer. I’ve been fortunate to hear all about his accomplishments and achievements, including his earliest lessons, gigs, even equipment from his uncle.
You see, Matt is no ordinary drummer. His musical tutelage began with his uncle; The Drummer of Love, Mr. Gene Sennes. Gene and I have been friends, bandmates and fellow percussionists for years, and one of his favorite topics of conversation is his nephew, Matt Niedbalski.
photo by Derek Java
My first real conversation with Matt took place at Parkway Music, where I was scheduled to interview another drummer, who couldn’t make it. Fortunately, I spent a couple of hours talking drums, jazz, and life with Matt. I found Matt to be a very engaging, knowledgeable, humble individual, with a very “old soul” vibe. I was impressed with his humility, and lack of ego. He is very complimentary of other local players and quick to give credit to his colleagues, teachers and friends.
Matt’s playing is both relaxed and restrained; with an easy going, smooth use of polyrhythms, and exceptional dynamics. He’s a phenomenal player, and a terrific human being. Gene Sennes told me, “He’s my favorite drummer. He is technically sound, plays with great feel, has great time and an excellent sense of dynamics and color. The kid is world class, man!” So please welcome, Matt Niedbalski!
RRX: How old were you when you started playing drums? How did you get started?
MN: I got my first kit when I was two years old. I saw my uncle Gene playing drums as a toddler (either with the Royals, or Rabb for context. I know you remember!) and thought it was the coolest thing I’d ever seen and wanted to do that. It started with beating up on random objects around my grandmother’s house with a pair of sticks he gave me and after I started putting dents in the end table my uncle and grandmother realized I had the bug and got me a junior CB drum-kit which I believe the family still possesses to this day. I know they say you don’t start forming memories until later than two but I still see them pulling the sheet off the kit. I started taking formal lessons at age eight with Ted Mackenzie.
RRX: Who were some of your influences early on?
MN: My grandmother had a cassette of the compilation “Past Masters Vol 2” by the Beatles and the first track on that is “Day Tripper”. Ringo was definitely my first drumming influence, followed by Joey Kramer in Aerosmith and then John Bonham. After getting involved in drum lessons and being introduced to jazz Elvin Jones made me start to focus on what I actually wanted out of the drums.
RRX: What are some of your earliest gigging experiences?
MN: I got involved in this small jazz group of older students when I was around 13 and we had a coffee shop gig every Sunday at this spot called Virgil’s Coffee House in Saratoga, which is now the hardest place to get a beer in town, Henry Street Taproom. Around the same time or slightly after I started sitting in with guitarist Tony Jenkins who was based around the Glens Falls area and had a Friday night gig at Wallabee’s Jazz Bar which is now the Bourbon Room. He’d have me sit in with the band and my parents would have to sit at the bar to make sure I didn’t drink or smoke and eventually I got the gig with him.
RRX: Who are some of your influences now?
MN: I still listen to my earlier influences and drummers I started checking out in college so from a jazz perspective it’s the ones everyone always lists in an interview situation to make sure they’re viewed as a credible jazz drummer…so Elvin, Philly Joe Jones, Papa Jo Jones, Billy Higgins, Art Blakey, Max Roach etc. But I really gravitated towards two drummers specifically during my time at college. I went to school at William Paterson University which has a great jazz program and is located about 40 minutes outside of NYC. I would go to the city and check out drummers, but my two favorites were Eric McPherson and Nasheet Waits. Oddly enough they were best friends growing up in Greenwich Village and Nasheet’s dad is the legendary jazz drummer Freddie Waits. I saw them and quite literally went, “Oh shit!”! I ended up hanging out with them after gigs, pestering them with questions and took a lesson with Nasheet. I still keep in touch with him. They are both super gracious and all about music. I’m known as a jazz drummer by most people, but my first love is rock and I fucking LOVE Soundgarden and Matt Cameron is a huge idol of mine. And he has a great first name. Finally, Bill Goodwin was a professor of mine at WPU, and happens to be a legend in his own right but also is like an uncle to me. One of the coolest people ever, a great record producer and all around amazing human being.
Photo by Derek Java
RRX: Tell me about your first kit.
MN: After the CB kit I mentioned, my first full size kit was a Pacifi c 5pc. Kit, the cheaper DW because Uncle Gene is a DW guy. He snuck into my parents’ basement on my 8th birthday and set it up, complete with your classic Sabian B8’s.
RRX: How about your current set-up?
MN: I feel like there are two kinds of drummers, and I further confirmed this working at Parkway. There’s the drummers that have 18 kits and a few cymbals or the drummer that has one or two kits and a million cymbals. I’m the latter. I switch between a Yamaha Maple Custom absolute kit in bop sizes that my parents got me as a graduation present and a 1967 Rogers Holiday kit in black onyx. That one is 12 14 20 so I can either tune that kick up higher and wide open for a more “jazz” sound or throw a super kick II or some muffl ing in it to get a more punchy rock sound. Some bigger drums are in my future… My go to snare as of late is a Pearl Masterworks Mahogany drum which is 6.5×14. Very warm and has a lot of depth but can bark if you need it to. When I used a metal snare it’s a 1960s Ludwig Supraphonic
Ted Mackenzie gave me which he took all the chrome off of because it was flaking off and cutting his hands. My setup for cymbals is changing at the moment. I was playing a 1960s 20” Zildjian A with 3 rivets given to me by Bill Goodwin and a 15” 60s A Crash that once belonged to Sarge Blotto. It had a bunch of cracks in it that I drilled holes in so they didn’t get worse. That cymbal has a lot of vibe. As for hats 1960s pre serial Paiste 602s. I recently just signed an endorsement deal with Bosphorus after playing a few models of cymbals recently. I really dug them.. I liked them since they are still handmade. Some of the modern cymbals I’ve played in recent years felt very stiff to me which is why I always would go back to my vintage Zildjians. The Bosphorus stuff plays pretty soft and you can really dig into them. I have a fear of those cymbals cracking, and the guys at Bosphorus did an incredible job capturing the vibe of my old cymbals and modernizing them. I currently play s 20” Bosphorus 20th Anniversary ride with 2 rivets, 18” Bosphorus 1600 crash and 14” Master Series Hi Hats. I currently endorse Vater drumsticks.
RRX: Do you play any other instruments?
MN: I do, my father plays guitar and I wanted to learn when I saw him playing with his buddies on the weekend so he gave me a book of chords around age 12. Around 14 I bought a bass and in college I had to take piano lessons as part of the general curriculum. When I’m not practicing drums or working on a mix (I also do some recording engineering) I’m usually making demos for fun in my home studio to shed recording and or just playing the guitar. I use the piano as a compositional tool for some of the jazz projects I’m involved in.
RRX: Tell me about your current projects.
MN: I currently play with Charles Cornell. I’ve been playing trio with him and Steven Kirsty since we were in high school, and I love them like brothers. Charles has been developing a successful YouTube page in the last few years and lives in Colorado. Steve and I jump on a plane and fl y out that way to record and film for his channel so that will be a big focus of 2023. I co-lead a trio with Tyler Giroux and Dylan Perrillo called GNP, a rather clever acronym, yes? We released an album called “Codes” on a small label called Ears & Eyes and are currently working on a follow up album. I’ve been playing with my friend Rob Fleming for his project Rhoseway, which features his great original music. Other than that, freelancing with various musicians usually playing jazz.
RRX: Now for some fun; tell us about your dream kit, dream gig, and who is in your dream band?
MN: Either Elvin Jones’s 70s Yellow Stop Sign Gretsch kit or the Bonham Green Sparkle Ludwigs. Dream gig is being in the touring band for Chris Cornell’s Euphoria Morning tour. That first solo album is pure gold. Dream band for rock, definitely Chris Cornell on vocals/guitar, Ken Andrews on guitar and John Paul Jones.
RRX: Any drumming horror stories or good drummer jokes?
MN: Oh, plenty of horror stories. It all started with me playing the finger cymbal part in concert band 4th grade and the rope broke and rolled under the clarinet section. I was mortified. Then there was the time I played two crash cymbals and ride without wingnuts on the stands during this concert up at the Strand Theater. We hit an intense section and I play with my eyes closed otherwise I get distracted. I went to hit the crash and “missed” and thought hmm that’s strange, so I tried again and hit the stand, opened my eyes and realized I sent two cymbals flying and all I had left was the ride. Finally, I was playing at this biker bar, the Great Notch Inn in North Jersey for my buddy Vin’s CD release party. Everyone was hammered and wouldn’t you know it was the only time I ever brought my own drums. The owner was a drummer and had an old set of Ludwigs as a house kit but on a CD release party, a special occasion, I brought my Rogers. Second to last song there’s a couple doing the do se do and the bar is kinda tight and another patron connects with the couple and flies through my drums sending the rack tom flying and knocking the ride over. Luckily, my pal Steve Kirsty was playing bass and managed to catch the ride with his knee and told me he couldn’t feel his leg from knee down but was pretty proud of saving the cymbal. As for drummer jokes, I don’t think mine are appropriate for an interview…
RRX: Fair enough! OK: Tommy Lee, or Travis Barker?
MN: This is a tough question. I would say Travis Barker. I’m not really a fan of either Motley Crue or Blink however I can tell Travis truly loves the drums and always has a practice pad with him. We all know what Tommy Lee loves.
RRX: Wrong! The answer is Buddy Rich. Do you know Buddy Rich’s real name? No cheating!!!
MN: Ted would be really disappointed in me, but I blanked. So, no. But I had to look it up otherwise I wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight. Bernard… take away my music degree.
RRX: Your secret is safe with me. Finally, how has your drumming changed over the years?
MN: This is a great question. I would answer by saying I am now at a point where I try to balance technical ability and musicality, and that balance was WAY off in my early 20s. I would see some of my heroes play some pretty impressive shit and then get up on the bandstand and try to insert that into the music where it wasn’t appropriate. I try to be more patient and listen to what the other people are playing more now and wait for space in the music to make a statement. Yes, there are times when I want to push someone and make the earth under them move a little bit, but I try to be tasteful. I heard a saying once, “the drummer is the mother of the band” It’s kind of our job to make everyone sound as good as they can while also bringing some energy and excitement to the situation so I try to keep that in mind when I play. I could go further into some philosophies but I already feel myself becoming long winded so I will leave it there.
RRX: You were great! Thank you for your time. Matt Niedbalski is a name you won’t forget; just go see him play and you’ll see what I mean.
This article was originally publisher by RadioRadioX