NYS Music 2023

Category: Funk/Soul/R&B

  • Flushing Town Hall Announces “Women’s History Trilogy” Concert Series 

    This March, Flushing Town Hall announced the return of its Women’s History Trilogy as a celebration for Women’s History Month. The production is a three-part series which entails outstanding vocalists paying tribute to legendary music singers and songwriters.

    flushing town hall women's history trilogy

    The trilogy begins March 3, at 7pm featuring Golden Girls. The melodic vocalist Zoe Lyons Nieves will perform more than 40 years of popular songs made by living legends. Audience members will hear music from fan favorites such as Dionne Warwick, Shirley Bassey, Barbra Streisand, Carole King, Petula Clark, Katy Perry, Alicia Keys, and Lady Gaga.

    Zoe Lyons Nieves is Boston born but has resided in New York City for over 25 years. The award-winning singer, songwriter, and producer has received a Boston Music Award, hit the charts of Billboard, and was signed to Sony under Epic Records. Her voice has been featured in several television and radio jingles, including with Disney, Showtime, Chevrolet, and Poland Springs. Nieves is a frequent performer at Mohegan Sun in addition to numerous special events throughout the country. You might’ve witnessed her performing at the NFL Commissioner’s Superbowl Ball, Fox Broadcasting Company’s Upfront parties, and the opening night parties for On the Town and Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet Of 1812.

    March is for powerhouse female vocalists, and we look forward to celebrating their talents on our stage. Audiences will enjoy a range of popular music hits and are sure to hear some of their personal favorites

    -Ellen Kodadek, Flushing Town Hall’s Executive & Artistic Director.

    The second part of the trilogy begins March 17 at 7PM with Paris is for Lovers French Songs Made Famous by Women. The production will feature several romantic French songs by Edith Piaf, Jacques Prévert, Yves de Montand, and Michael Fugain. Additionally, Gabriele Tranchina will be joined on stage by her husband and music director Joe Vincent Tranchina. 

    Gabriele Tranchina is a German-born Parisian chanteuse, with Brazilian stylings, who now lives in New York City. She’s performed throughout the Tri State area with her ensemble and on annual tours to major European cities. It’s evident that Tranchina values her reputation as a well-respected, popular jazz and world vocalist. Her most recent album is Of Sailing Ships and the Stars in Your Eyes.

    The concluding performance of the trilogy will be on March 31 at 7PM with I’m Every Woman. The final show will serve as a tribute to famous female pop singers who have passed. The outstanding vocalist, Emilie Surtees, will take the stage with her band and background singers to perform masterpieces from Amy Winehouse, Whitney Houston, Olivia Newtown John, and Aretha Franklin.

     Emilie Surtees’s roots in New York City exposed her to a diverse music culture that is present in her music and performances. You can witness Surtee’s diversity in her written and co-produced tunes on her Reflections of You CD. 

    In-person tickets for each Women’s History Trilogy performance are $15 or $12 for Members, Seniors, and Students with ID. Flushing Town Hall is located at 137-35 Northern Blvd., in Flushing, Queens. For more information on the venue’s full schedule of 2023 Winter/Spring events, click here.

  • Tune Into EQXposure This Sunday to Hear Rock Bands Beard & Glasses and The Grandstand Jockeys

    Each Sunday evening from 7-9 p.m. you’ll find EQXposure on WEQX, featuring two hours of local music from up-and-coming artists. Tune into WEQX.com this Sunday night to hear new music from Beard & Glasses and The Grandstand Jockeys.

    the grandstand jockeys

    WEQX has long been the preeminent independent station in the Capital Region of New York, broadcasting from Southern VT to an ever-expanding listening audience. NYS Music brings you a preview of artists to discover each week, just a taste of the talent waiting to be discovered by fans like you. To celebrate NYS Music March Madness, Pearson will be playing songs from artists featured, including Fine Grain, Canella, Sly Fox & The Hustlers, Black Tongue Reverend, Honey Suckle Vine, Elephant Back, Grape Juice!, Pencil Dive and others.

    Beard & Glasses -“Born at the Wrong Time”

    Bears & Glasses are a rock/soul group from Bennington, Vermont. Their song “Born at the Wrong Time” is out now.

    The Grandstand Jockeys – “Tonight”

    The Grandstand Jockeys are from Waterford, New York, combining hard-edge rock with pop sensibilities. Their debut EP WIN is out now, and their song “Tonight” from the EP will be played on EQXposure.

  • Brazilian Pop Star, Gabby B releases New R&B/Pop Single titled “Violins”

    Brazilian songstress Gabby Bueno, commonly recognized as Gabby B, has released her new single titled “Violins,” from her latest project, The Essentials. Emphasizing women empowerment, the uptempo R&B/pop song urges women to reclaim their rightful position after a relational woe. 

    gabby B

    Gabby was born in Goiania, Brazil to a performer mother and a father who was a professional master of martial arts. Due to her parent’s professions, Gabby was synchronized with two worlds that ignited her passion to entertain. In 2020, Gabby accumulated over 3 million followers on Tik Tok through her captivating personality and viral videos and continues to advance her career as an international pop singer with stellar music.

    On February 4, Gabby B performed the National Anthem at the It’s Me Brands’ Celebrity Basketball Classic, in Las Vegas. The charity game also features Trevon Diggs, and a host of other top athletes in the league. 

    As a novice in the industry, Gabby made seven music videos, with six of those songs appearing on her first EP, Therapy. Following this, Gabby took to the stage at the Brazilian Festival, opening for the Brazilian sensation Iza. Not long after, Gabby toured with High School Nation during their South Florida run and performed live at Rolling Loud. 

    Fans can stream Violins on all streaming platforms. For more information on Gabby B please visit here.

  • Rochester Artist Tony Gallicchio Drops New Single Featuring Yanick Allwood

    Rochester artist Tony Gallicchio just dropped his new single, “My Baby,” featuring vocals by Canada native Yanick Allwood. The track additionally features John Viviani on guitars, funk master Sean McLay on the bass, and Jimmy Grillo on drums and percussion.

    “My Baby” was recorded at The Green Room in Rochester, where Matt Ramerman helped to engineer, mix, and master the song.

    tony Gallicchio
    Tony Gallicchio. credit: twitter

    The soul-funk track is fun, upbeat, and energizing. It’s the perfect song to lift up your spirit after a long day of work, school, or if you’re simply coming out of a dark place and in need of inspiration. “My Baby” can be anyone in your life that inspires you and takes out of that dark place you’ve been in, whether it be a romantic partner or best friend.

    Rochester artist Gallicchio has been the keyboardist for the band Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad for the last 10 years, providing the keyboards for his most recent track. According to Gallicchio, Allwood “exceeded all expectations we had for this song.” Guitarist Vivani has played for bands like Filthy Funk and The Able Bodies. McLay provided the bass, giving the song a smooth feel and natural flow, and Jimmy Grillo was “so good, so solid and so graceful” on drums and precussion, according to Gallicchio.

    “My Baby” is now streaming on music platforms.

    Watch the “My Baby” music video below.

  • Symphony Space Presents “Wall To Wall” At Peter Jay Sharp Theatre in April

    Multi-disciplinary Upper West Side performing arts center, Symphony Space l, has announced their annual Wall to Wall Women of Soul performance. The production entails a night of commemorating the contributions of women to the music industry. You won’t want to miss a night of classic hits from your favorite female artists. 

    Kathy Landau, an executive director for Symphony Space revealed the details for 2023’s Wall to Wall Women of Soul. The event consists of marathon performances revisiting towering artistic legacies, which The New York Times has described as “an annual gift to New York City.”

    Curated by Monique Martin, Wall to Wall Women of Soul showcases extraordinary singers, musicians, dancers, and thinkers celebrating the contributions of women across generations and genres. The event can be enjoyed at the Peter Jay Sharp Theatre at Symphony Space on April 1, from 3-11pm.

    The Wall to Wall Women of Soul features stars including singer, songwriter, and producer Nona Hendryx, with an all women orchestra. Performing will also be Grammy-winning singer-songwriter J. Hoard, with other singers such as Xavier Smith, Martha Redbone, Marija Abney, Marcelle Davies Lashley, and Anthony Mills. Lastly, the pianist Dj Elew, author, producer, and creative executive Thembisa Mshaka, and the members of Ladies of Hip-Hop will also take the stage. Admission for both in-person and live-stream tickets are free.

    Tony- and Emmy-winning actress, singer, and dancer LaChanze has joined the lineup along with the recent additions of all-female salsa band Lulada Club and poet Mahogany L. Browne, on video.

    “The contributions of women to soul music are often overlooked or reduced to a few artists and hits. The truth is that women continue to expand the genre’s canon, using their voices to disrupt, heal, inspire, protest, and transmit joy, by creating music that speaks to the moment. Audiences will experience music they know and love to sing and dance to, as well as fresh interpretations and new music to discover, at Wall to Wall Women of Soul.”

    -Monique Martin 

    Symphony Space’s foundational mission is to unite art, ideas, and community through performances and a commitment to literacy and education through the arts. Recognized for ground-breaking programs like Wall to Wall Women and their innovative Global Arts education, Symphony Space provides original and affordable/free programming for the people of New York City. You can also see the efforts of Symphony Space’s desire to build communities, transcend barriers, and celebrate both our similarities and differences through tours, public radio broadcasts, podcasts, and virtual events.

    The independent creative producer, artist, curator Monique Martin, has partnered with and produced for Joe’s Pub, Disney Theatricals and Apollo Theater. Martin has additionally worked with New Victory Theater, Southbank Centre/UK, The Met Museum, Park Avenue Armory, NJPAC, Queens Theater in the Park and HBO.

    More information about Symphony Space’s Wall to Wall Women of Soul can be accessed here.

  • Tommy Weeks of Funky Dawgz Brass Band drops Funk and Soul-Filled “Strangers” off solo EP

    Tommy Weeks, saxophonist and bandleader of Funky Dawgz Brass Band, has released the first single from his upcoming EP, Strangers. The single, “Strangers” is chock full of soulful guitar riffs and vocals, while heavy on the funk that Weeks is adept at delivering. The full EP will be released on April 25, with additional singles released in the next two months.

    Tommy Weeks

    A graduate of the University of Connecticut, Weeks earned a bachelor’s degree in music and formed the Funky Dawgz. The band has toured across the United States, in addition to short tours in Europe, pre-Covid. Serving as bandleader for Funky Dawgz, as well as a music producer, Weeks has performed at festivals including Okeechobee, Camp Bisco, Peach Music Festival, and at Madison Square Garden as the horn section for Dispatch.

    Weeks also had a full season stint in the house band for the entire season of the new Guy Fieri TV show “Guys Ultimate Game Night” on Food Network, which featured celebrity guests including Cheech Marin, Bret Michaels, Alyssa Milano, Vivyka A. Fox, and Bobby Moynihan.

    When Weeks isn’t on television or touring the world, he teaches young aspiring musicians at an after school music program in CT, “Project Music.“

    The fresh sound of “Strangers” is as a fusion of pop, R&B, house, and hip hop that features musicians and close friends from the Connecticut music scene. Featured on the track are Gabrielle Lakshmi (vocals), Paulie Phillipone (synth), Jon Singngam (drums) and Billy Ruegger (guitar).

    Strangers was recorded in three locations: Weeks’ home studio in Ridgefield CT, Funkhaus Studios in Hartford, CT and Black Rock Sound in Bridgeport, CT. The EP was produced by Weeks and engineer, Mikhail Pivovarov, who also mixed and mastered the EP.

    Tommy Weeks

    Catch Weeks with Funky Dawgz horns on the road with TAUK for the last leg of their “Tauk Moore Tour” at Brooklyn Bowl on Saturday, February 25. Listen to “Strangers” from Tommy Weeks below.

  • A Boogie Releases Video Performance for ‘Secrets’

    On the heels of his latest studio album, Me Vs Myself, A Boogie wit da Hoodie has teamed up wit Vevo for a performance video of his song “Secrets” as part of the music video network’s Ctrl series. Vevo’s Ctrl series highlights the work of hard-hitting, cutting-edge musicians making an impact in today’s music scene – both emerging and established. A Boogie’s performances follow sessions from Rick Ross, Common, Push T, Fat Joe, Jeezy, Jadakiss, Fabolous, A$AP Ferg and more. The Bronx native also previously worked with Vevo in 2015 for two “Live at Vevo” sessions featuring “Drowning” and “The Bigger Artist.”

    A Boogie Secrets

    As for this latest video performance, A boogie maintains his melodic fervor as he expounds on dealing with fame and status. The maturity in tone, subject matter and music choice is evident in-between his Vevo live performances. However, his nonchalant flows, memorable hooks, trap beats that make plenty of room for melody, and the occasional hint of R&B smoothness are all still part of the A Boogie package that have kept him as a major label star for nearly a decade.

    In 2022, Boogie continued his commercial hot streak as many hit-records spawned from 2020’s Artist 2.0 and Me vs. Myself. In addition, Boogie handled some of the production on Me vs. Myself. Consequently, the album debuted in the Top Ten of the Billboard charts.

  • Soulshine Festival Announced for July 1st at Arrowood Farms in Accord

    The first ever Soulshine Festival has been announced for Saturday, July 1st at Arrowood Farms in Accord, New York. A collaboration between Radio Woodstock 100.1 WDST and Impact Concerts, in conjunction with Chet-5 Productions and Michael Franti, artists for Soulshine Festival include Michael Franti & Spearhead, along with special guests Tank & The Bangas, Son Little and The Big Takeover. The festival will also feature yoga and wellness, as well as local, sustainable food and craft vendors and family friendly activities.

    Soulshine Festival
    Soulshine Festival

    Musician and activist Michael Franti, whose energitic live shows foster a sense of community, is set to host and co-curate Soulshine Festival. He has performed in the Hudson Valley over the past 20 years, including many performances at Mountain Jam. Franti is the creator and lead vocalist of Michael Franti & Spearhead, a band that blends hip hop with a variety of other styles including funk, reggae, jazz, folk, and rock. Franti is thrilled to return to the Hudson Valley to not only perform, but to be able to co-curate Soulshine Festival.

    There is no other artist whose universal message of peace, love, compassion, and hope resonates more with us, our listeners and our community than Michael Franti. Michael has been the soul of Mountain Jam and has brought countless memorable moments of joy and positivity to the Hudson Valley over the past 20 plus years. He has been an inspiration to so many and has shown us the transformative power of music and its ability to heal and bring people together. I am so grateful and honored to create with him and my partners at Impact Concerts a new festival with his imprint.

    Gary Chetkof

    Franti has been recognized by global awardes including three Billboard No. 1’s with triumphantly hopeful hits “Sound of Sunshine,” “Say Hey (I Love You),” and “I Got You,” as well as six Top 30 Hot AC singles, 10 Top 25 AAA Singles and three Billboard Top 5 Rock Albums. His band’s lastest album Follow Your Heart released on June 3rd, 2022. Franti has been in the studio since wrapping the Follow Your Heart World Tour, with new music on the way later this year.

    General admission and VIP tickets for Soulshine Festival will be available for purchase beginning on Friday, February 24th at 10 am at RadioWoodstock’s website. General admission tickets are $90, and VIP tickets are $180 and include access to the VIP hangout area and other premium services. Children 10 and under are admitted to the festival for free with a paying adult.Radio Woodstock members and Michael Franti Fan Club Members can buy tickets early with a pre-sale code.

  • Reuben Vincent Releases “February 13th” To Commemorate Black Love Day

    Young elite lyricist and producer Reuben Vincent announced the release of a new video for his soundtrack, “February 13th”. The soundtrack is from his recently released Jamla/Roc Nation debut album Love Is War.

    “February 13th” entails Reuben and fellow Jamla/Roc Nation star Rapsody diving into the Love Is War theology and dissecting the complexities of relationships/situationships. The soundtrack highlights “Black Love Day”, a day designed to demonstrate love, forgiveness and acceptance among black people.  

    Conceptually, Love Is War is an acknowledgement that as young black men I feel like we aren’t taught, and given the tools of how to love properly. We don’t know how to love our people, our women, our brothers; and most importantly ourselves. 

    Reuben Vincent

    Love Is War addresses the importance of self-love so that it can be possible to love others correctly. Vincent reveals that his goal is to establish a proper sense of self love for himself. The soundtrack is titled “February 13th” because of his realization that love is a constant battle to get to that center in your life. People battle themselves daily, to reach a place where they can both love and be loved.”

    There is no doubt that Reuben Vincent was born to win. Recently named one of HipHopDX’s Rising Stars Of 2023, Vincent has spent the last few years honing his artistry. He was guided by Hip-Hop greats 9th Wonder and Young Guru.  

    Before the creation of “February 13th” Vincent and Rasposdy were living with Young Guru in LA during the pandemic. The three woke up together, shared experiences with one another, and learned from each other. According to Rapsody, the soundtrack and music video highlights their encounters with love. Vincent also says, “It was the day before Valentine’s Day so we wanted to make this the break up song. Everyone who is a part of this record experienced real emotions to get to this point.” The artist’s transparency allows you to feel genuine emotion as you listen to the soundtrack.

    Reuben’s Jamla/Roc Nation debut album, Love Is War, is an emotional project that will place him at the forefront of debates about the new rap greats. Vincent uses warm soulful beats from 9th Wonder, Young Guru, The Soul Council and his own production, to unpack relationships and romantic entanglements. “February 13th” also features guest appearances from Reason (TDE), Domani and Stacey Barthe. 

    Reuben Vincent’s Love Is War is now available at all DSP’s via Jamla/Roc Nation Records. You can also purchase, stream, add and favorite Reuben Vincent’s Love Is War here.

  • Chest Fever Pays Tribute To The Band With Freeze in the North Tour, Buffalo and Rochester shows

    San Diego’s Chest Fever have announced their Freeze in the North Tour, with stops in New York on March 7th and 8th. The tour is a tribute to the legendary rock group The Band. 

    With the blessing of Robbie Robertson and The Band, Chest Fever will perform classics from The Band’s oeuvre. Expect to hear songs from the group’s classic 1968 debut album Music from Big Pink, The Last Waltz, and Rock of Ages. Chest Fever will also recreate The Band’s celebrated 1969 performance at the Woodstock Music & Art Fair.

    chest fever band

    The five-member band, Chest Fever is led by the guitarist Dan Cervantes. The band also features keyboard player Jody Bagley, bass player Blake Dean, and drummers Chad Lee and Allan Ritter.  The group was ignited by a consciousness-changing West Coast tour in 2015. 

    After a series of successful tours tributing iconic performances from The Band, Chest Fever are turning back the clock to the group’s celebrated debut album. In 1967 The Band perfected their sound through various recording sessions with Bob Dylan in West Saugerties, New York. They composed in a house known as “Big Pink” and shared with members Rick Dano, Richard Manuel and Garth Hudson. In this house, albums that would later be recorded in studios in Los Angeles and New York were created. Music from Big Pink laid the foundation for The Band’s signature blend of rock, soul, country, R&B, blues and more. To accurately acclaim the success of The Band, Chest Fever religiously revisits material from Music from Big Pink. They also review staples from the rest of The Band’s celebrated catalog, with classics like “The Shape I’m In,” “Makes No Difference,” “Up On Cripple Creek,” and more.  

    The Freeze In The North Tour will recreate two timeless live performances such as “Rock of Ages” and “The Last Waltz”. For the reenactment of “The Last Waltz”, Chest Fever recruited an all-star cast featuring Scarlet Rivera, Albert Lee, Tom “Bones” Malone, Marc Ford, Jack Tempchin, and others. 

    In previous tours Chest Fever performed with an evolving cast of local horn and brass players. They’ve played with members from TV on the Radio’s horn section to recreate the contributions from Howard Johnson, Snooky Young, Joe Farrell and more. 

    Chest Fever have additionally released new music under their Mrs. Henry moniker. The second part of the band’s three-part album and rock opera series, “Keep On Rising – Act II: Faith, Fate and Hope in The Land of Nothing Matters”, follows the hero’s journey by amplifying the twists and turns in the band’s expansive narrative scope. Act II highlights the group’s knack for heady studio wizardry, compelling sonic dynamics, and an all-encompassing narrative vision. 

    TOUR DATES

    3/1 Columbus, OH @ The Summit Music Hall

    *3/2 Pittsburgh, PA @ Thunderbird Music Hall

    3/3 Cleveland, OH @ Winchester Music Tavern

    3/4 Detroit, MI @ Token Lounge

    3/7 Buffalo, NY @ Buffalo Iron Works 

    3/8 Rochester, NY @ Photo City Music Hall

    3/9 Ottawa, ON, CA @ Mavericks

    3/10 Kingston, ON, CA @ The Mansion

    3/11 Toronto, ON, CA @ Horseshoe Tavern

    3/12 St Catherines, ON, CA @ Warehouse Niagara 

    *w/ Butler Street Revival