Colin Barkell and his band King Vaudeville are set to perform two concerts at the Little York Pavilion in Preble on Sept. 6 and 14. Todd Meredith and special guest Kyle Lacy are also scheduled to appear. The shows are part of Cortland Repertory Theatre’s (CRT) 51st summer of programming at the venue.
Since appearing at CRT in 2019, Colin Barkell has gone on to make his Broadway debut and form the group King Vaudeville. His performance will feature impassioned covers of classic Johnny Cash, Elvis, and Chuck Berry tunes. Barkell will also mix in some of his original music, which reflects his upbeat personality.
Todd Meredith is no stranger to CRT either, appearing in Buddy! The Buddy Holly Story back in 2013. The Albany artist also performed in Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash and Million Dollar Quartet. Meredith and guest guitarist Kyle Lacy will perform an acoustic mix of classic and contemporary pop songs. With both musicians being prolific songwriters, the show will also include some of their own work.
Todd Meredith
Dr. James Palmer, associate director of theatre at SUNY Cortland, opened the Cortland Repertory Theatre in 1972. Since then, the organization has only grown, expanding to downtown in 2010. Past CRT performers and volunteers include Academy Award-winner Holly Hunter, Tony-winning director Joe Mantello, and renowned actor Stephen Borgardis.
Tickets for both concerts are available here, at the CRT downtown Box office, or by calling 800-427-6160. Click here for more information about these and upcoming shows and events at CRT Downtown this fall.
The Joe Marcinek Band will take the state at Iridium Jazz Club in NYC on Aug. 26. The evening will also feature multiple guest musicians who look to compliment the vibrant and engaging sounds of the band.
Uniquely, the Joe Marcinek band is a carousel of different musicians and set lists. Each performance is made to be its own individual experience. The music varies from the psychedelic tones of the Grateful Dead to the brassy sound of Chicago Blues.
Baltimore’s renowned Dennis Chambers will be on drums during the evening. A longtime fixture in the East Coast jazz scene, Chambers began performing at just six years old. Despite lacking formal training, he has gone on to share the stage with the likes of John Scofield, Santan, Mike Stern, and Parliament/Funkadelic. As a teenager the drummer was recruited to be a part of the storied Sugar Hill Label. Chambers will be joined by legendary harmonica figure Howard Levy. Backing them all up is percussionist Jason Hann, who cut his teeth with The String Cheese Incident.
Lending his keys to the night is jazz pianist Jesus Molina. The Columbian-born artist has made a name for himself in the world of jazz. Originally a saxophonist, Molina transitioned from saxophone to piano as a teen. Cincinnati vocalist Reilly Comisar and bassist Ola Timothy will also be performing during the evening.
Click here for more information on the event and ticket details.
The Hot Sardines, an authentic New York City-based jazz band, released their newest album C’est La Vieon Aug. 4. The album arrived with ten highly complex tracks including covers and reinventions of jazz classics as well as original songs written by Elizabeth Bougerol and Evan Palazzo.
The co-writes of C’est La Vie founded the lively Hot Sardines back in 2011, getting their start by playing various underground parties in Brooklyn. Since then, they have released six albums in total, all aiming to reinvigorate classic jazz music for the modern-day ear and spread their brand worldwide. With flourishing success taking them away from home time and time again, the band decided to record more music leading Bougerol to more thoroughly explore French influences which quickly took over what is now C’est La Vie.
The new album is a bilingual project with tracks both in English and French, providing listeners with newly interpreted classics from “Moon River” to “La Vie En Rose” along with various impressive, original compositions. When it came to the track’s production, Bougerol and Palazzo called on collaborators from all over the world ranging from Los Angeles all the way to Beijing. The pair aimed to create a stripped-down sound to help them record nearly one-hundred-year-old songs remotely with modern technology while keeping their original spirit and polish alive. With transient instrumentals and Bougerol’s timeless voice, the album takes listeners on a beautiful musical journey and sets a relaxing tone encapsulating the essence of the motto “C’est La Vie.”
The album is complete with track after track of slow and smooth jazz numbers supported by strong string and horn instrumentals with Bougerol’s voice slicing through it all. The co-founder’s vocal talent and control can be heard in every song and even takes on the Audrey Hepburn classic “Moon River.” Though the reinvention begins with seemingly risky harmonies presenting themselves as shaky and out of place, when the song picks up with a more classic jazz nightclub vibe and a laid-back tempo, it begins to truly shine. The classic lyrics continue to express the heartbreaking contradictions of relationships, but the musical composition supports the album’s title and overall message, conveying a newer interpretation to not take those heartbreaks so seriously because c’est la vie.
When it comes to original songs sprinkled throughout, “Adieu L’amour” stands out among the rest with its diverting and more serious sound. From the very start, the song seems to mix with Latin American styles with its faster pace and conga drum-like sound. Where the song continues to divert is in its lyrics, which have outward emotions of spite and blame against the love whose lies “closed the door” possibly going to show that living by the shrug of the shoulder motto of “that’s life” isn’t as easy or as possible as it seems. What brings the track back to the unity of the jazz album is the strength of the band’s playing and Bougerol’s controlled vocals occasionally slipping into French.
Throughout the album, there are numerous other highlights including a hushed “La Vie en Rose” duet between Bougerol and Bob Parins along with “Meet Me at the Bottom of the Bottle” which ends the album on a fantastic note. C’est La Vie is now available on various platforms along with a touching music video for “Moon River” directed by Greg Mottola.
On top of their new album, The Hot Sardines have also lined up tour dates for 2023-2024 which began on July 15th and will continue sporadically through April. The band will visit locations all over the United States, Tokyo, and Toronto, including select stages across New York State including a debut at the infamous Carnegie Hall.
Hot Sardines 2023-2024 Tour
July 15 Huntington, NY Chapin Rainbow Stage
September 12-16 New York, NY Birdland
September 23 Morristown, NJ Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival
November 10-11 Charlotte, NC Charlotte Symphony Orchestra
November 27-30 New York, NY Joe’s Pub
December 7 Amherst, MA Bowker Auditorium
December 16 Tannersville, NY Orpheum PAC
December 19-21 Tokyo, Japan Blue Note
January 19 Richardson, TX Eisemann Center
January 20 Austin, TX Parker Jazz Club
January 21 San Antonio, TX Jazz, TX
January 24 Phoenix, AZ Musical Instrument Museum
January 25-26 Las Vegas, NV Myron’s at the Smith Center
The Catamount Resort Summer Series is wrapping up a jam-packed season of programming with three shows in August. Taking place over multiple weeks, the series started back on July 7 and will run until August 18. Each concert takes place on Friday from 4:30pm to 8:00pm at Catamount Mountain Resort in Hillsdale.
Boasting a lineup of local and regional bands, the Catamount Resort Summer Series looks to bring quality music to the beautiful Taconic Mountains. Past performers from this year include Sister Funk, Hedtrip, and Eric Harpe and the Delta Swingers.
Along with music, the series will also have a variety of tasty food and drink options. Organizers encourage guests to bring their own lawn chair however there are picnic tables available at the venue. Multiple of the resort’s outdoors activities will also operate with extended hours during the series, including a Zip Tour, Aerial Adventure Park, and Scenic Chairlift Rides.
The Catamount Resort Summer Series is free and open to the public. Here for more details and information about the event.
August Schedule
Aug. 4- The Silver Chain Band
Based out of Albany, The Silver Chain Band has performed across the country. From playing gigs at local New York hotspots to rocking venues down in Memphis, the group delivers impassioned performances wherever they are. Silver Chain builds on a solid foundation of Blues Folk, with elements of electric blues, and a sprinkle of rock. Their music is influenced by ZZ Top, Sonny Boy Williamson, JR Wells, Paul Butterfield, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Freddy King, Albert King, and Bill Perry, just to name a few.
Aug. 11- Victrola
Led by vocalist Victoria Palagy, Victrola is known for their creative covers of pop, rock, and blues tracks. Victoria is joined onstage with Ray Palagy, Patti Richardson, John Keane and Leo Brennan Jr.
Aug. 18- The Saints
The Saints are an experienced band that has been together for 25 years. The group loves to get the crowd moving with feel-good dance music. Perfect for the summer months, enjoy the Saints as they close out The Catamount Resort Summer Series.
Cannastock, the largest consumption-friendly cannabis festival in New York, will be returning to the Capital Region at Milton near Poughkeepsie on Oct. 7 from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. Live music will be headlined by Andy Frasco & the U.N., with additional performances by the reggae group SunDub. Over 100 exhibitors will be present on the fields outside the Hudson Valley Sportsdome.
Guests will interact with the industry pioneers bringing recreational cannabis to the Hudson Valley, including cannabis brands, growers, and manufacturers. In addition to cannabis products available at the new Green Market, festival-goers will be able to enjoy games, gourmet food trucks, and a craft beer and wine garden.
This year will also feature the announcement of the winners for the Excelsior Cup, a competition for the best cannabis products in NYS.
After two sold out Cannastock festivals, we are excited to produce the biggest and best one ever; this time in a spacious grassland with the Catskill Mountains as our backdrop. There will be more exhibitors, games, and chill out areas, along with a larger variety of food trucks and craft beers and wine. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and enjoy live reggae music all day followed by a performance by our favorite party band, Andy Frasco & The U.N.
Cannastock Co-Founder Gary Chetkof
Andy Frasco & The U.N., a blues and rock band, are loved for their kaleidoscopic musical fusion and one-of-a-kind onstage audacity. They will soon release their new album, L’Optimist, their sixth studio album. The new album charts a path of self-exploration and personal discovery through introspective lyrics and music.
SunDub released their debut album, Burden of Love in 2019 to millions of views. The reggae group rallies around the idea that people are the strongest when they work together with those from different backgrounds to create positive change. The core quintet of the group includes guitarist Finn Singer; bassist Josh T Carter; vocalist and keyboardist Eric “The General” Toussaint; and the brother-sister team of Joanna Teters as lead vocalist and Ben Teters as a vocalist and drummer.
An after-show party will be held at the Falcon in Marlboro, NY, featuring Cool Cool Cool.
Tickets will increase in price as it grows closer to the Cannastock Festival. For more information and for tickets, visit here.
Jazz Is Dead is set to continue its 25th Anniversary Tour with the “Darkness Falls & Seasons Change” Tour which includes a stop at Patchogue Theatre on Nov. 29. Renowned for creative and intricate jazz interpretations of Grateful Dead songs, Jazz is Dead will also finish off its commemoration of Wake of the Flood with several shows in August.
Created in 1998 by former Santana and Weather Report bassist Alphonso Johnson, the group has released four albums throughout its lifespan. Johnson is joined by Steve Kimock (guitar), Pete Lavezzoli (drums), and Bobby Lee Rodgers (guitar). Together, the group not only expertly honors the artistic tradition of The Dead, but also reinvents classic tracks to provide an unparalleled listening experience.
In familiar Dead fashion, Jazz Is Dead looks to put together varied, unique, and diverse set lists for each performance as part of Wake of the Flood. The tour will feature two performances at each venue, with shows starting back up on August 1 in San Francisco, California.
The “Darkness Falls and Season Change” Tour is set to feature 13 shows, opening on Nov. 29 in Patchogue and closing on Dec. 15 in Columbia, South Carolina. Visit here for more details and information.
Upcoming Shows
’The Days Between’ and Beyond….
8.1 & 8.2 Great American Music Hall – San Francisco CA
8.4 & 8.5 The Hamilton – Washington DC
8.6 Big Top – St Louis MO
8.8. & 8.9 WOW Hall – Eugene OR
8.11 & 8.12 Alberta Rose Theatre – Portland OR
8.13.23 The Crocodile – Seattle WA
‘Darkness Falls & Seasons Change’ Tour…
11.29 Patchogue Theatre – Patchogue NY
11.30 Newton Theater – Newton NJ
12.1 XL Live – Harrisburg PA
12.2 Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall – Pittsburgh PA
12.3 House of Blues – Cleveland OH
12.5 Memorial Hall – Cincinnati OH
12.6 Mercury Ballroom – Louisville KY
12.7 Egyptian Room at Old National Centre – Indianapolis IN
12.8 Copernicus Center – Chicago IL
12.10 Queen Elizabeth Theatre (QET) – Toronto (CAN)
The incredible saxophonist and woodwind specialist Matthew Steckler is set to perform at the infamous Caffè Lena this upcoming September 9th from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM. The artist will be joined by two fellow jazz enthusiasts at the venue, presenting to the audience an evening of original compositions reflecting the intimacy and introspection in jazz titled ‘Old Friends Beckoned, New Sounds Reckoned.’
Steckler, also known as Matty Stecks, has long been recognized for his seminal work with the projects Dead Cat Bounce, Persiflage & Musical Tramps, and has further been featured at festivals and major concert series in North America and Europe. Although he is mainly recognized for his skills on the saxophone, Stecks’ diverse interests in vocal performance, keyboards, percussion, and electronic media brings a holistic approach to live musical experience.
Stecks will be joined by pianist and composer Yayoi Ikawa who has also been featured in festivals and concerts in select locations around the world. She sees her interaction with jazz as a social activity and strives to collaborate with peers and pass it on to future generations. Lonnie Plaxico, a musician best known for his masterful integration of different forms – combining the rigorous technique of classical, the improvisation of jazz, and the rawness of funk into one exhilarating musical experience – will also be joining the performance. This trio is not a new team-up, however, as the artists have traveled to venues for over a year sharing ‘Old Friends Beckoned, New Sounds Reckoned’ with fellow jazz lovers.
This live performance will be one in a long series of dates that Stecks plans to perform stretching all the way into December. The artist will stop at multiple places throughout New York in addition to Caffè Lena including Woodstock, Scotia, and Saratoga.
Upcoming Live Shows
Sat. July 22 2023: w/ Vermont Jazz Center Big Band, Retreat Farm Brattleboro VT 6:30p
Th. July 27 2023: w/ The Prescription, Merchants Park Bennington VT Thursday Night Live! 5p
Fri. July 28 2023: w/ Bombajazzeando at Music by the River, Woodstock NY 6p
Sun. July 30 2023: w/ Heard, Freedom Park Scotia NY 7p
Sat. Aug. 5 2023: w/ Noah Baerman & Friends, Buttonwood Tree Middletown CT 8p
Sat. Aug. 12 2023: w/ Heard, Sankofa Black Arts Festival, Hudson NY 7:15p
Sun. Aug. 13 2023: w/ Satyrdagg, Nanola, Malta NY 3p
Th. Aug. 17 2023: w/ Satyrdagg, Providence RI 5:30p
Sat. Aug. 19 2023: private wedding w/ Silver Arrow Band
Fri. Aug. 25 2023: w/ Rick Rosoff group at 9 Maple Saratoga NY
Sat. Aug. 26 2023: w/ Freddi Shehadi & Friends, Little City Cider Co. (Vermont Arts Exchange Music Series) Bennington VT 7p
Fri. Sept. 1 2023: Music of the Knights, Southern VT Arts Center 8p
Sat. Sept. 2 2023: Planet Kniffen at Keene NH Music Festival, time TBA
Sat. Sept. 9 2023: Old Friends Beckoned/New Sounds Reckoned (Lonnie Plaxico, Yayoi Ikawa, Matt Steckler) at Caffe Lena, Saratoga NY, 8p
Fri. Sept. 15 2023: w/ Bombajazzeando, Nova Arts Keene NH 7p
Sun. Sept. 17 2023: Old Friends Beckoned/New Sounds Reckoned (Lonnie Plaxico, Yayoi Ikawa, Matt Steckler) at Jazz Vespers, St. Peter’s Church NYC 5p
Sat. Sept. 30 2023: w/ Bombajazzeando at Garlic & Arts Fest, N. Quabbin MA 3:30p
Sat. Oct. 7 2023: w/ Dave Cuite at Salem Art Works, Salem NY, TBA
Mark & Jill, a duo combining roots blues and soulful Texas smoke, will be playing at the Gem every Saturday this July and August. The Gem is in Bolton Landing, just north of the Village of Lake George, and is a smokehouse with cocktails and farm fresh sides.
Mark and Jill, based in Upstate NY, combine their talent and vision, making a sound where New Orleans meets Austin. Mark Tolstrup performs vocals and guitar, and has been inducted into the NY Blues Hall of Fame. Jill Burnham performs vocals, bringing the Texas soul to their music. They sing original songs that bring a fresh interpretation of the roots of blues.
Singin’ the blues, although stolen colloquially to indicate complaining about your situation, was intended to do just the opposite, to pull you out of your doldrums, to wave your fist at misfortune, face your troubles head on…howl at the moon. Mark and Jill embrace that tradition by diving into the rich history of the music as well as paying it forward with their own heartfelt compositions.
Producer Joel Moss
Mark & Jill won the Capital Region Thomas Edison Awards “Blues Artist of the Year” and the Capital Region Blues Network competition in 2022. They were finalists in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis.
Shows will be held every Saturday until the end of August from 6:00-9:00 p.m.. To find out more about the artists and for scheduling information, check out their website. For more on the Gem and additional showings there, take a look at the Gem’s website.
The Schenectady County Historical Society is bringing live music to the Capital Region all summer with the Howlin’ at the Moon Concert Series. Hosted at the Mabee Farm Historic Site in Rotterdam Junction, the series runs June 1 to October 5. Shows are on Thursdays at 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
The Howlin’ at the Moon concert series looks to deliver an “authentic musical experience” for visitors and performers alike. The event showcases local and regional artists from a diverse set of genres including bluegrass, Americana, folk, indie, and more. Organizers hope that the series can act as a platform for people to discover and share new ideas and music.
One of the main features of Howlin’ at the Moon is the historic venue in which it takes place. Mabee Farm was originally built in 1705 and is widely regarded as the oldest farm in the Mohawk Valley. The property is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The site includes a 17th century house, brick building, Dutch barn, English, barn, and a cemetery. The Dutch barn hosts all concerts, or, in case of rain, the pavilion behind the George E. Franchere Education Center serves as the alternative venue.
Everesy Rising
Local band Everest Rising acts as the musical host for each performance. Helping to curate the concert lineup, the group also serves as the opening act all summer long. Bill Flanagan, Pete Gernert-Dott, Dale Wade-Keszey, Trevor Wood, and Mark Baptiste make up bluegrass and Americana outfit.
All Howlin’ at the Moon shows are $10 at the door (cash only). For more details and information click here.
Sara Milonovich has been a professional musician for over 25 years. She has experience with everything from folk and bluegrass to celtic music and symphony orchestra. Milonovich has performed on Broadway, and even toured Eastern Europe as a State Department musical ambassador. She received the “Americana Artist of the Year” award at the Capital District Thomas Edison Music Awards in 2022.
Big Fez & the Surfmatics are a four-man group specializing in classic surf and beach music from the early 1960’s and beyond. Their repertoire includes songs by The Ventures, Dick Dale and the Del-Tones, The Trashmen, The Chantays, The Surfaris, and Duane Eddy. Big Fez also performs many of the great vocal hits of the surf era as well, highlighting classic tunes from The Beach Boys, Jan and Dean, The Challengers, The Rivieras, and many more.
The Moon Shells are made up of Maggie Shar, Brian Slattery, Laura Murawski, Molly Merrett, and Charlie Shaw. The group’s sound is a pleasurable concoction of traditional music from Appalachia, Louisiana, West Africa and elsewhere. Whether performing as an acoustic stringband, a stripped-down trio, or a contemporary five-piece band, the Moon Shells are sure to move hearts and feet.
The Greater Newark Chamber of Commerce began its Music On the Erie Concert Series in Newark, NY this month. Throughout the summer, performances will take place weekly from a variety of artists in the Wayne County village.
Chamber of Commerce History
The New York government established a Chamber of Commerce before the United States went to war against Great Britain. In 1765, the New York Chamber of Commerce was established in opposition to the Stamp Act enacted by the British Parliament. Early Chambers promoted trades and markets, but eventually evolved into community organizations where businesses prospered.
The website of the Greater Newark Chamber of Commerce includes a mission statement, reading, “The purpose of the Greater Newark Chamber of Commerce is to do all the things necessary through the public services to encourage and support the healthy growth of business and industry in the Greater Newark Community.”
Music on the Erie Concert Series
Performances for the Music on the Erie Concert Series take place every Friday until Aug. 25, rain or shine. Featured artists include classic rock and blues band Roll the Dice, cover artist, and singer-songwriter Xarika Suffredini, and classic rock cover band The Marbletones.
