NYS Music 2023

Category: Genres

  • De La Soul share “The Magic Number” ahead of Digital Catalog Release on March 3

    After years of delay, De La Soul will release their catalog on streaming services on March 3, 2023, the 34th anniversary of the release of 3 Feet High and Rising the Amityville groups’ debut release. The album, which went platinum, reached the top of the R&B chart, and even made it into the Top 40 of the pop music charts, including the single “The Magic Number.”

    de la soul the magic number

    The influential Long Island group, including members Posdnuos, Trugoy the Dove and Pasemaster Mase found new life for “The Magic Number” after an appearance in the credits of Spider-Man: No Way Home in 2021. The song would sample from the 1973 Bob Dorough song “3 is the Magic Number” – Somewhere in this hip-hop soul community / Was born three Mace, Dove, and Me / And that’s the magic number – as well as sampling James Brown, Johnny Cash and Eddie Murphy.

    In addition to the digital reissue, “The Magic Number” has also been made available in a handful of physical formats, including a 7″ single and a cassette single.

    The group revealed in 2019 that their six albums released while under contract with the Tommy Boy record label would be on streaming services soon. Disagreements with the label, as well as an exploitative contract that cut royalties for the group also made it difficult to clear samples used on the album. After Tommy Boy was acquired by Reservoir Media, a resolution was reached in 2021, leading to the six albums – 3 Feet High And Rising (1989), De La Soul Is Dead (1991), Buhloone Mindstate (1993), Stakes Is High (1996), Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump (2000) and AOI: Bionix (2001) – to appearing on streaming services, effective March 3, 2023.

    De La Soul’s last album was 2016’s And The Anonymous Nobody…, featured Talking Heads’ David Byrne, Little Dragon, 2 Chainz, Snoop Dogg, Samon Albarn, Estelle, Usher and more and was nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Rap Album category.

    de la soul the magic number

    The band, in speaking with Apple Music, reflected on their catalog, with Trugory saying “3 Feet High and Rising was inspired, maybe just the state that we were in as kids, just not afraid to say, ‘This is me.’ At the same time, it also gave birth to an era, a sound, a style in Hip Hop.”

    Posdnuos added: “Dealing with how the media was labeling us, purposely putting us as the champion of gangsta rap or… None of that really mattered to us. We’re part of something that’s truly bigger than us, so now it’s even another thing of having a responsibility to continue on just for, one, three being three Black men who stuck together; two, being a part of a culture that wasn’t supposed to happen.”

    The hip-hop collective will be touring the UK in April, playing shows in London, Glasgow, Nottingham and Manchester.

  • First look At Broadway’s Newest Addition, “New York, New York”

    Colton Ryan and Anna Uzele will star in the new Kander & Ebb musical New York, New York, which will begin previews at Broadway’s St. James Theatre March 24, 2023 prior to an official opening April 26, 2023. A love story set in post-World War II New York, Kander & Ebb’s newest venture will sure to delight.

    Colton Ryan and Anna Uzele 

    Ryan (Girl From The North Country, The Girl From Plainville) will play Jimmy Doyle with Uzele (Dear Edward) as Francine Evans. Additional cast and creative team members will be announced at a later date.

    Inspired by the 1977 film of the same name, New York, New York, marks the first new John Kander & Fred Ebb musical to open on Broadway since 2015’s Tony Award Nominee, The Visit. This project will reunite Kander with director and choreographer Stroman, book writer Thompson, and co-writer Washington, who collaborated with Kander and the late Ebb on Broadway’s The Scottsboro Boys, which was nominated for 12 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Additional lyrics will also be by Academy Award nominee Lin-Manuel Miranda, while direction and choreography will be headed by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman.

    Jimmy Doyle will be played by Broadway alum Colton Ryan. Ryan is perhaps most recognizable from his performance in Girl From The North Country for which he received the 2019 Theatre World Award for Outstanding Debut Performance. Viewers from the silver screen will recognize Ryan from the film adaptation of “Dear Evan Hansen”, reclaiming his role from the stage production.

    Colton Ryan, Broadways newest Jimmy Doyle

    New York New York’s female lead will be played by actress Anna Uzele. Uzele is most famously know for originating the role of ‘Catherine Parr’ in the Broadway debut of Six. She and the cast were recently nominated for a Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album. Though she has passed her crown on, fans of Uzele will sure to be delighted with her ‘Francine Evans’.

    Anna Uzele to star on Broadways New York New York
    ANNA UZELE to star as Francine Evans

    Performances begin Friday, March 24, 2023 at Broadway’s St. James Theatre (246 West 44th Street). Tickets are on sale now at NewYorkNewYorkBroadway.com

  • New and Veteran World Music Stars Light Up globalFEST 2023 at Lincoln Center

    Over its 20-year history, globalFEST has become one of NYC’s most anticipated annual concert events, a multi-act spectacular that has introduced intrepid music-lovers and professional tastemakers alike to over 200 dynamic artists from 70 different countries. 

    On Sunday, January 15, its 2023 edition spanned three stages at Lincoln Center’s David Geffen Hall showcasing 10 electrifying acts, from the Cambodian-American psychedelic rock of Dengue Fever to Mexico’s punk and marimba-inflected Son Rompe Pera to America’s new first family of gospel and 2022 NEA Heritage Fellows, The Legendary Ingramettes.

    L to R – Meera Dugal, 2023 guest curator; Ian Thake, gF administrator; Isabel Soffer, co-founder and director; Bill Bragin, co-founder and co-director; Shanta Thake, co-director and Lincoln Center Artistic Director.

    globalFEST takes place during JanArtsNYC, an annual collective of hot festivals showcasing all forms of performing arts during New York’s coldest month – from theater and dance to opera and jazz, the latter via the also much-anticipated WinterJazzFest. Importantly, these all coincide with APAP, The Association of Performing Arts Professionals.  This convention brings hundreds of bookers from performing arts centers and independent venues all across the country to sample new artists whom they can contract for performances. In large part via coinciding with APAP, globalFEST has helped jumpstart the domestic touring careers of notables like Antibalas, Angelique Kidjo, Amythyst Kiah, Martha Redbone, Rhiannon Giddens to name a few.  This year’s lineup was curated by festival co-directors Bill Bragin, Isabel Soffer and Shanta Thake, who helped bring the event to Lincoln Center via her role as its Chief Artistic Officer. Meera Dugal served as a guest curator.

    globalFEST is not only one of the most original and ear-opening music festivals, but one of the most well-run and compact.  Within the space of five hours, attendees can revel in truly original sounds from a multitude of artists covering many distinct genres from every corner of the globe. 

    photo credit: Farah Sosa/@farahstop

    The first act I caught at this year’s event was The Legendary Ingramettes. Inspired by the Black male gospel quartets of the 1940s and 50s, this multi-generational female singing trio, founded by the late Maggie Ingram and now led by her dynamic daughter Almetta, brought roof-raising harmonies and explosive lead vocals to light an early fire at globalFEST.  Aletta and crew imparted a Sunday church vibe with pulverizing takes on up-tempo numbers like “Take A Look In the Book” and “Time Is Winding Up.” They then soaked every ounce of pathos out of their gospelized ballad including “I’ve Endured,” the classic by Appalachian folkie Ola Belle Reid, and Bill Withers’ “Grandma’s Hands.”

    Another standout performance was that of Llergo (Maria Jose), a young flamenco singer from Andalucia, Spain with a deep knowledge of both the classic form and a penchant for experimentation and avant-garde touches. Her set began with a stirring ballad accompanied by the stellar guitar work of Marc Lopez, who served up fiery runs and foot stomping percussives to adorn her alternatively whispering and searing vocals.  In later songs in the set, they were accompanied by a keyboardist who introduced ethereal synth textures and trip hop beats from his laptop – modern flavors that bring to mind the groundbreaking work of another great Latina who fuses tradition with electronica, Juana Molina.

    photo credit: Farah Sosa/@farahstop

    The duo of Brit Justin Adams and Italian Mauro Durante was another highlight.  Adams, who has been the producer of Mali’s guitar greats Tinariwen’s albums and also guitarist for Robert Plant’s world music forays, laid down a distorted post-punk take on Arabic and African trance blues. This was complemented by Durante’s searing violin solos, tambourine and vocals.  Their collaboration contained shades of delta blues, Southern Italian “taranta” dance songs and even a bit of No Wave/free jazz that brought to mind guitarist James “Blood” Ulmer’s wonderful Odyssey trio of the mid-1980s.  The performance by Malian/French quartet Tamikrest also plied the Saharan desert blues sound. Unlike their better-known counterparts, Mdou Moctar, Tamikrest is more intent on building collective danceable grooves rather than serving as a rhythmic backdrop for Hendrix-inspired soloing.

    The award for best crowd work at globalFEST 2023 definitely goes to Khadija El Warzazia’s Bnat el Houariyat & Esraa Warda. A collective of six female artists from Morocco, Algeria and the U.S., they served up a high-energy set of celebratory trance music, one featuring call-and-response singing, roaring percussion and complex polyrhythms. The mesmerizing Algerian-American dancer Esraa Warda completed the sensory assault with non-stop gyrations and a “hair-swaying dance” that was copied by more than a few in the audience.   An almost as engaging performance was that of Moonlight Benjamin.  Born in Haiti and living in France, she is both vodou priestess and a powerful singer-songwriter in the rock mode.  Moonlight was supported by a killer band featuring dueling guitarists who employed a smart use of stomp boxes and an uncaged noise pop sensibility.

    photo credit: Farah Sosa/@farahstop

    One of the biggest draws of the event was Dengue Fever, the L.A.-based band that has been providing a singular psychedelic take on the Cambodian pop of the 1960s since 2002.  The band, which had played the 2007 edition of globalFEST, spun-out a crowd-pleasing set comprised of tunes from their six-album discography.  As always, the attention was focused on their lead singer Chhom Nimol, who gracefully populated the role of the cool, elegant chanteuse in a bedazzled mini-dress.  While the focus is firmly on the singer and the songs, Dengue Fever provided plenty of instrumental fire from the spaced out guitaring of Zac Holtzman, the gut-bucket tenor sax of David Ralicke and in an extended solo by bassist Senon Williams.  

    Dengue Fever was followed on the big stage by Meridian Brothers & El Grupo Renacimiento, one of the most wildly creative bands to come out of Colombia in many years.  Per their bio, the band works to “excavate the forgotten sounds of the fantastical (imaginary)1970s salsa dura band, El Grupo Renacimiento. The group identifies as “B-class” salsa whose music explores human struggles in the urban city landscape, with themes such as police brutality, social marginalization and addiction.” Like Dengue Fever, there’s an accent on psychedelic effects and exploration, with deluges of reverb and dub stylings in the mix.  Fans of Brazil’s Tropicalia pioneers, Os Mutantes, will definitely love Meridian Brothers. They had the crowd in their hands from the first number, a psychedelic spin on Dusty Springfield’s classic, “Son of A Preacher Man,” sung in Spanish of course.

    photo credit: Farah Sosa/@farahstop

    Other artists on the roster included the classically-inspired New York Arabic Orchestra and the garage-marimba-cumbia rock of Mexico City’s Son Rompe Pera, two sets I unfortunately missed. Credit should also go to event production manager Danny Kapilian who made sure the sets went off seamlessly with top-notch sound and lighting.

    Those who missed the event can catch NPR Music’s Tiny Desk meets globalFEST, a series that will return for its third year, January 24 –  26 on the NPR Music YouTube channel. The series will present exclusive video performances from nine artists filmed in their respective homelands and a different lineup from the festival at Lincoln Center. NPR’s Tiny Desk Meets globalFEST will once again be hosted by five-time Grammy Award winner Angelique Kidjo, who performed at the first globalFEST festival in 2004.

    To hear more, check out globalFEST 2023’s Spotify playlist

  • 8th Annual JazzBuffalo Poll Winners Announced

    The JazzBuffalo community has weighed in on their favorite Jazz acts for 2022. The 8th Annual JazzBuffalo poll saw nearly 1900 ballots submitted in 36 categories, including voters favorite jazz artists, groups, performances, and supporters. 

    Winners Of The 2022 JazzBuffalo Poll

    Celebrating the Buffalo Jazz Community

    “The JazzBuffalo Poll allows the community to be engaged with jazz in a unique way. Strengthening the bond between audiences and jazz performers,” said the founder of JazzBuffalo Tony Zambito.  “The poll is reflective of how the jazz community continues to evolve as an integral part of the city’s growing arts and cultural scene.“

    This years awards include the John Hunt Jazz Artist of the Year Award, which recognizes an individual that has made a substantial contribution to jazz in Greater Buffalo and contributions to the Greater Buffalo community.  This years winner is George Caldwell. “Since moving to Buffalo more than a decade ago, George has made a measurable impact on the jazz community as a performer, bandleader, mentor, educator, community supporter, and advocate for jazz” says Zambito.

    Other notable accolades include Jazz Crusader of the Year, won by Jack Zuff for his photography skills, which captured the most memorable performances in 2022. Dave Schiavone is the winner in both the tenor and alto saxophone categories for the first time since the poll began. Ed Croft returns as the winner not only in the bass categories but also as this year’s Rising Star of the Year. Alex McArthur repreats once again as a favorite and winner of Jazz Female Vocalist of the Year. As did Zach Carr for Jazz Male Vocalist of the Year. Donny Frauenhofer and his trio, DF3, made an impact in the genres of fusion and funk, winning in both categories. Dozo My Lady featuring Carolyn Lansom became a first-time winner in the Jazz-Pop category.

    Donny is determined, so talented, and so inspiring. Every time I have seen Donny and any project he is in, it has been truly amazing. He is so so good, and strives to make the Buffalo music scene a better place!

    JazzBuffalo Voter

    Full List Of Winners and Runner Ups

    Jazz Tenor Saxophone – Dave Schiavone

    Runner-up: Nelson Rivera

    Jazz Alto Saxophone – Dave Schiavone

    Runner up: Bobby Militello

    Jazz Baritone Saxophone – Laura Anderson

    Runner-up: Ken Kuriscak

    Jazz Trumpet – Tim Clarke

    Runner up: Griffith “Kaz” Kazmierczak

    Jazz Trombone – Brendan Lanighan

    Runner up: John Hasselback, Jr.

    Jazz Guitar – Jared Tinkham

    Runner up: Rick Strauss

    Jared Tinkham is an amazing educator and musician and has inspired multiple students like me, I got into my dream arts college and will be moving to New York City, If it weren’t for Jared Tinkham’s passion for music I would have never discovered the same emotion in my artistry, he is highly respected and definitely my favorite teacher through my years of middle and high school.

    JazzBuffalo Voter

    Jazz Piano –  George Caldwell

    Runner up: Jim Beishline

    Jazz Organ – Doug “Trigger” Gaston

    Runner up: Jim Beishline

    Jazz Upright Bass – Ed Croft

    Runner up: Stephen Parisi

    Jazz Electric Bass – Ed Croft

    Runner up: Jack Kulp

    Jazz Vibes – Alec Dube

    Runner up: Jamie Sunshine

    Jazz Drums – John Bacon, Jr.

    Runner up: John Anderson

    Jazz Percussion – Wendell Rivera

    Runner up: Joey Gonzalez

    Jazz Female Vocalist – Alex McArthur

    Runner up: Cheryl Ferris

    Jazz Male Vocalist – Zach Carr

    Runner up: Dalton Sharp

    Zach is a quintessential artist who takes vocal performance, preparation, and health very seriously and treats every performance like the most important one, whether he’s addressing a few people or a packed audience. He is wildly talented and yet humble and kind, supporting other artists and performers.

    JazzBuffalo Voter

    Jazz Classic Group – Bobby Militello Quartet

    Runner up: My Cousin Toné

    Jazz World – Hot Club of Buffalo

    Runner up: The Paper Rose Band

    Jazz Trad/NOLA/Swing – Buffalo Dolls

    Runner up: Back Room Jazz Band

    Jazz Fusion – Donny Frauenhofer Trio (DF3)

    Runner up: Damone Jackson Outcome

    Latin Jazz – Wendell Rivera Latin Jazz Ensemble

    Runner up: The Joey Gonzalez Collective

    Jazz Big Band – Anderson Big Band

    Runner up: East Street Big Band

    Jazz Large Ensemble – Brendan Lanighan Octet

    Runner up: My Cousin Toné

    Jazz Soul/Funk – Donny Frauenhofer Trio (DF3)

    Runner up: Universal Phunk

    Jazz Pop – Dozo My Lady

    Runner up: Miller and The Other Sinners

    Jazz Venue – Pausa Art House

    Runner up: Sportsmen Tavern

    Jazz Major Performing Arts Center – Kleinhans Music Hall

    Runner up: UB Center for the Performing Arts

    Most Memorable Jazz Performance  – A Charlie Brown Christmas: Ed Croft Trio – Seneca One Auditorium

    Runner up: Summer Wind: Zach Carr Tribute To Frank Sinatra – Northwest Jazz Festival in Lewiston, NY

    Most Memorable International Jazz Performance – Herbie Hancock at Kleinhans Music Hall

    Runner up: Emmet Cohen, Mark Whitfield, Troy Roberts, Kyle Poole – Tribute to Joey DeFrancesco at the Northwest Jazz Festival in Lewiston, NY

    Jazz CD/EP Release – The Mark Filsinger Chamber Big Band – “Groovin’ High”

    Runner up: Jay/Sharp-tet – “For You My Love”

    Middle School/High School Educator – Brendan Lanighan

    Runner up: Jared Tinkham

    College/University Educator – John Bacon, Jr.

    Runner up: Bobby Militello

    Jazz Rising Star – Ed Croft

    Runner up: Brendan Lanighan

    Jazz Ex-Pat – Chris Ziemba

    Runner up: Don Menza

    Jazz Crusader – Jack Zuff – Photographer / JazzBuffalo Contributor

    Runner up: Linda Appleby – Historic Colored Musicians Club

    John Hunt Jazz Artist of the Year – George Caldwell

    Runner up: Elliot Scozzaro

  • Madonna Announces Tour with Several Stops at Madison Square Garden and Barclays Center

    Madonna announced Madonna: The Celebration Tour, taking fans through the catalog of her past 40-plus years of music.

    Madonna
    Madonna, photo by Ricardo Gomez

    Madonna is the best-selling female solo touring artist of all time, with 38 top 100 hits on Billboard. Some of her hits include “Vogue,” “Music,” “Crazy For You,” “Like a Virgin,” “Like a Prayer,” “Justify My Love,” “Live to Tell” and “Papa Don’t Preach.” Madonna states that she is “excited to explore as many songs as possible in hopes to give my fans the show they have been waiting for.” The tour will also “pay respect to the city of New York, where her career in music began.”

    The Celebration Tour will offer a one-of-a-kind experience with special guest Bob the Drag Queen a.k.a. Caldwell Tidicue across all dates on the global tour. In her announcement video, she featured many prominent figures, including Diplo, Judd Apatow, Jack Black, Lil Wayne, Bob The Drag Queen, Kate Berlant, Larry Owens, Meg Stalter, Eric Andre, and more. The 35-city global tour will kick off in North America on Saturday, July 15 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC with a stop at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY, on Wednesday, Aug. 23, and Thursday, Aug. 24, with added shows on Aug. 26 and Aug. 27 due to demand. She will also come to Barclays Center on Dec. 13 and 14.

    Tickets go on sale starting Friday, Jan. 20 at 10 a.m. local time. For more information about the tour and to purchase tickets, go here.

    HE CELEBRATION TOUR NORTH AMERICAN DATES:

    Sat Jul 15         Vancouver, BC            Rogers Arena                                      SOLD OUT

    Tue Jul 18        Seattle, WA                  Climate Pledge Arena                         SOLD OUT

    Wed Jul 19       Seattle, WA                  Climate Pledge Arena

    Sat Jul 22        Phoenix, AZ                 Footprint Center                                   On sale Jan. 27/23

    Tue Jul 25       Denver, CO                  Ball Arena                                             On sale Jan. 27/23

    Thu Jul 27       Tulsa, OK                     BOK Center                                           On sale Jan. 27/23

    Sun Jul 30       St. Paul, MN                 Xcel Energy Center                              On sale Jan. 27/23

    Wed Aug 02    Cleveland, OH             Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse              On sale Jan. 27/23

    Sat Aug 05      Detroit, MI                    Little Caesars Arena                             On sale Jan. 27/23

    Mon. Aug 07   Pittsburgh, PA             PPG Paints Arena                                 On sale Jan. 27/23

    Wed Aug 09    Chicago, IL                   United Center                                      SOLD OUT

    Thu Aug 10      Chicago, IL                   United Center

    Sun Aug 13      Toronto, ON                 Scotiabank Arena                                 SOLD OUT

    Mon Aug 14     Toronto, ON                Scotiabank Arena                                SOLD OUT

    Sat Aug 19       Montreal, QC               Bell Centre                                            SOLD OUT

    Sun Aug 20     Montreal, QC               Bell Centre                                          SOLD OUT

    Wed Aug 23    New York, NY              Madison Square Garden                      SOLD OUT

    Thu Aug 24     New York, NY              Madison Square Garden                      SOLD OUT

    Sat Aug 26      New York, NY              Madison Square Garden                      SOLD OUT

    Sun Aug 27     New York, NY             Madison Square Garden

    Wed Aug 30    Boston, MA                  TD Garden                                          SOLD OUT

    Thu Aug 31      Boston, MA                  TD Garden

    Sat Sep 02      Washington, DC          Capital One Arena                                On sale Jan. 27/23

    Tue Sep 05     Atlanta, GA                   State Farm Arena                                 On sale Jan. 27/23

    Thu Sep 07      Tampa, FL                    Amalie Arena                                        SOLD OUT

    Sat Sep 09      Miami, FL                      Miami-Dade Arena                               SOLD OUT

    Sun Sep 10      Miami, FL                     Miami-Dade Arena

    Wed Sep 13     Houston, TX                 Toyota Center                                     SOLD OUT

    Thu Sep 14      Houston, TX                Toyota Center

    Mon Sep 18     Dallas, TX                     American Airlines Center                    SOLD OUT

    Tue Sep 19      Dallas, TX                    American Airlines Center

    Thu Sep 21      Austin, TX                    Moody Center                                     SOLD OUT

    Fri Sep 22        Austin, TX                    Moody Center

    Wed Sep 27    Los Angeles, CA          Crypto.com Arena                               SOLD OUT

    Thu Sep 28      Los Angeles, CA          Crypto.com Arena                               SOLD OUT

    Sat Sep 30      Los Angeles, CA          Crypto.com Arena                               SOLD OUT

    Sun Oct 01       Los Angeles, CA          Crypto.com Arena

    Wed Oct 04     San Francisco, CA       Chase Center                                      SOLD OUT

    Thu Oct 05      San Francisco, CA       Chase Center                                      SOLD OUT

    Sat Oct 07       Las Vegas, NV             T-Mobile Arena                                   SOLD OUT

    Sun Oct 08      Las Vegas, NV             T-Mobile Arena

    THE CELEBRATION TOUR NORTH AMERICAN DATES (PART TWO):

    Wed Dec 13                Brooklyn, NY              Barclays Center                      On sale Jan. 30/23  

    Thu Dec 14                 Brooklyn, NY              Barclays Center                      On sale Jan. 30/23                                                              

    Sun Jan 7 2024          Los Angeles, CA         Kia Forum                               On sale Jan. 30/23                 

    Mon Jan 8 2024        Los Angeles, CA         Kia Forum                               On sale Jan. 30/23                 

    THE CELEBRATION TOUR EUROPE DATES:

    Sat Oct 14        London, UK                  The O2                                                  SOLD OUT     

    Sun Oct 15       London, UK                  The O2                                                 SOLD OUT

    Tue Oct 17       London, UK                  The O2                                                 SOLD OUT

    Wed Oct 18      London, UK                  The O2                                                SOLD OUT

    Sat Oct 21        Antwerp, BE                 Sportpaleis                                            SOLD OUT

    Sun Oct 22      Antwerp, BE                 Sportpaleis

    Tue Oct 24      Copenhagen, DK         Royal Arena                                          SOLD OUT

    Thu Oct 25      Copenhagen, DK         Royal Arena                                          On sale Jan. 27/23

    Sat Oct 28       Stockholm, SE             Tele2 Arena                                          

    Wed Nov 01     Barcelona, ES              Palau Sant Jordi                                   SOLD OUT

    Thu Nov 02     Barcelona, ES              Palau Sant Jordi

    Mon Nov 06    Lisbon, PT                    Altice Arena                                        SOLD OUT

    Tue Nov 07     Lisbon, PT                    Altice Arena                                        On sale Jan. 27/23

    Sun Nov 12      Paris, FR                       Accor Arena                                          SOLD OUT

    Mon Nov 13     Paris, FR                       Accor Arena                                          SOLD OUT

    Sun Nov 19      Paris, FR                       Accor Arena                                         On sale Jan. 27/23

    Wed Nov 15     Cologne, DE                Lanxess Arena                                      SOLD OUT

    Tu. Nov. 16      Cologne, DE                Lanxess Arena                                    

    Thu Nov 23     Milan, IT                        Mediolanum Forum                              SOLD OUT

    Sat Nov 25      Milan, IT                       Mediolanum Forum                             SOLD OUT

    Tue Nov 28     Berlin, DE                     Mercedes-Benz Arena                         SOLD OUT

    Wed Nov 29    Berlin, DE                    Mercedes-Benz Arena                    

    Fri Dec 1           Amsterdam, NL            Ziggo Dome                                          SOLD OUT

    Sat Dec 2        Amsterdam, NL            Ziggo Dome

    Tues Dec 5      London, U.K.               The O2                                                On Sale Jan 27/23                 

  • Venezualachian Duo Larry & Joe Announce New York Show

    Venezualachian music duo Larry & Joe are headed to Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs on Wednesday, January 25 as part of their first ever tour to the Northeast.

    Larry and Joe Venezualachian
    Duo Larry & Joe

    Larry & Joe is the latest project of Joe Troop, founder and bandleader of former GRAMMY-nominated Latingrass ensemble Che Apalache, and Larry Bellorín, a powerhouse of Llanera music who’s also an asylum-seeking migrant.

    Currently based in the Triangle of North Carolina, both men are versatile multi-instrumentalists and singer-songwriters on a mission to show that music has no borders. These two will bring their unique fusion of Venezuelan and Appalachian folk music to the Capital Region, with an electric show that is sure to be a treat for all ages. The duo fuse their respective Venezuelan and Appalachian folk traditions (hence, Venezualachian) on the harp, banjo, cuatro, fiddle, upright bass, guitar, and maracas. Their bilingual program will include storytelling, humor, and singalongs. This show will feature both distinct blend of their musical traditions as well as storytelling about the ways that music and social movements coalesce.

    Venezualachian
    Fusion Duo Larry & Joe

    Tickets are $20 for general admission, $18 for members, $10 for students and children, and $5 for livestream. Tickets available on Eventbrite and at the door. Doors for seating open at 7 pm, show begins at 7:30 pm. All ages encouraged to attend. For more information, visit www.larryandjoe.com

  • The Governors Ball 2023 – Lizzo, Odesza, Kendrick Lamar Headline Move to Flushing Meadows

    The Governors Ball is moving down the block in 2023; shifting over to Flushing Meadows Corona Park for a stacked weekend headlined by Lizzo, Odesza, and Kendrick Lamar. The storied NYC music festival has had several homes over the years, spending the last two years in the parking lot of Citi Field. From June 9-11, the festival pops up in one of the most iconic green spaces in the city, host to two World’s Fairs and the annual US Open tennis tournament.

    governors ball 2023
    The Governors Ball 2023 Lineup

    The Governors Ball 2023 lineup leans heavily into rap, hip hop, and R&B, bookending the weekend with performances by Lizzo and Kendrick Lamar. Friday and Sunday also feature performances from the School of Rock Queens and Brooklyn, respectively. The performance-based music schools provide lessons to people of all ages and will be presenting their house bands for two very special performances at the festival. Other New York natives on the lineup include Pusha T (Bronx), Joey Bada$$, and Phony Ppl (Brooklyn).

    A music festival that calls Queens home has to meet certain requirements. The “World’s Borough” by itself is one of the most diverse metro areas anywhere in the world. Roosevelt Avenue sits right outside the festival grounds and it is estimated that nearly 300 languages and dialects are spoken in the neighborhoods Roosevelt cuts through. This year, The Governors Ball is partnering with the Queens Night Market to present a wide array of cultural vendors from Queens to be featured inside the festival. Fans will be able to sample the food, art, and cultural diversity of the borough while navigating the festival grounds in Flushing Meadows.

    The Citi cardmember presale starts today, Jan. 17, and runs through Thursday, Jan. 19. You can also register for the fan presale, which begins on Jan. 19. Head over to GovBall.com to signup for the fan presale.

    Stay tuned to NYS Music for more information about the festival, including the dates for the general sale which are yet to be announced. In the meantime, you can relive the 2022 edition (and the last at Citi Field) by checking out our Friday, Saturday, and Sunday recaps.

  • Renowned Pianist Philip Edward Fisher Reunites with Schenectady Symphony Orchestra

    On Sunday, January 29, The Schenectady Symphony Orchestra will return to the main stage at Proctors with Philip Edward Fisher joining.

    The performance will encompass illustrious pianist Philip Edward Fisher in Mozart’s “Piano Concerto in D Minor, along with Rossini’s “Overture to the Barber of Seville,” Salieri’s Sinfonia in D Major and Brahms “Variations on a Theme by Haydn.” Fisher’s first collaboration with SSO was during their 20-21 virtual concert season, which resulted in him being featured by the “Back to Basics” program.

    Philip Edward Fisher

    Philip Edward Fisher began his music journey at the age of nine and made his first public appearance a year later. At age twelve, he performed “Shostakovich’s Second Concerto at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall”. Years later Fisher acquired degrees from the Royal Academy of Music and the Juilliard School, studying with Christopher Elton, Joseph Kalichstein, and Jerome Lowenthal.

    When questioned about what audience members can expect from the upcoming concert, Fisher stated “This is a wonderful program and, although it is centered around the ‘great classicists,’ the audience will get a true taste of the move towards romanticism and the way in which each of these great composers influenced the music that would follow them.” Regarding his opinion about reuniting with The Schenectady Symphony Orchestra, Fisher said, “My first appearance with the orchestra was actually one of my very first performances during the COVID crisis… so I am particularly excited to return and play for a live audience. As enjoyable and fulfilling as the virtual concert was, there is simply nothing that can replace the thrill of making music for a live audience!”

    Philip is globally acknowledged as a unique performer of urbane style and exceptional versatility. Touring as a prolific soloist and ensemble musician has allowed Fisher to travel from his home in the United Kingdom to Italy, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Switzerland, Norway, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Japan, Ukraine, and the United States. 

    Tickets are on sale and available through the Box Office at Proctors, or via phone at 518-346-6204. Tickets are also available online at www.proctors.org.

  • Aqueous Announce Hiatus Following Spring Shows

    After a light 2022, Aqueous announced this past week that they would be going on hiatus, with only 7 performances remaining for the time being.

    aqueous hiatus

    Earlier last summer, guitarist David Loss took time off the road from Aqueous, as he had just become a father and wanted to dedicate time to his family. At the time, Loss said: “When my son is born it’s going to be such a life changing experience that I want to fully be there for all of it. I don’t want to miss a thing! A lot of first time things and time you just can’t get back later.”

    On Friday, January 13th, Aqueous shared the following message with fans:

    An important message from Dave concerning the band’s future ♥️ tickets to the remaining shows before we go on hiatus are on-sale now ♥️

    ‘These past 16 years with the band have been nothing short of incredible. It has been a journey that has shaped my life in more ways than I even know. I’ve traveled to so many amazing places and met so many incredible people along the way. Making friends that will last a lifetime and meeting musical heroes that I can now call peers. The 18 year old me wouldn’t believe some of things Aqueous was able to do. And not to mention, doing all this with your best friends?! Pretty damn cool if you ask me.

    Music and this band have been the priority in my life for a very long time, but with the birth of my son that started to change. My wife and I love our son more than anything in this world and want nothing but to be the best parents possible. I want to be there for as much as I can and I don’t want to miss a thing. That being said, touring and being away from my family is just not something I can do right now.

    I have decided that it is time for me to step away from the band to be home with my family. Although it was a very difficult decision, I know it is the right one for me. There will still be some music for me to play going forward, but the full-time touring musician gig is just not one that fits my life at the moment.

    I would also just like to say that Aqueous has always had the most amazing and passionate fans. It seems like every other day I’m learning about someone else being a huge AQ fan. It fills my heart with such joy to know that our music has meant (and continues to mean) so much to so many people. That has been the greatest part of this experience hands down. So thank you, thank you to all of you for being here supporting us, and sending us friendly messages letting us know what our music means to you.

    The band will be playing a handful of shows in 2023 that are listed here, but after that we will go on hiatus. It makes me sad to say it, but I do find comfort in knowing we are certainly not closing the door on Aqueous, but rather just taking some time away. We’re not entirely sure were the future will take us, but wherever that is we know there will be music.

    Love you all more than you know. Let’s make these last few shows ones to remember!

    Bandmate Mike Gantzer offered support for Loss, saying “Life can be unpredictable and beautiful, challenging and rewarding, and so many other wonderfully contrasting things, but I’m genuinely happy and excited for all of us on our current/respective paths in life. Embracing change has been one of the great lessons of my life (that i’m still learning) and I look forward to everything to come as I reflect on everything that has been with gratitude and love ♥️ ♥️♥️ thank you to everyone who has contributed to making our literal dreams come true, and know that every step I take in music moving forward seeks to honor that “

    Aqueous got their start in 2009 in Buffalo and quickly rose to prominence in Western New York, gaining a fanbase well into the Midwest. As this era of Aqueous comes to a close, be sure to catch one of the final seven shows, with the first weekend of March the last chance to catch Aqueous in Albany and Syracuse, before hiatus.

    2/03/23 Tuscon, AZ Gem & Jam Festival
    3/03/23 Albany, NY The Hollow (with Litz)
    3/04/23 Syracuse, NY Westcott Theater (with Litz)
    3/11/23 Erie, PA King’s Rook Club
    4/07/23 Baltimore, MD 8×10
    4/08/23 Philadelphia, PA Ardmore Music Hall
    5/27/23 Chillicothe, IL Summer Camp Music Festival

  • Troy Music Hall Welcomes Bruce Hornsby in March 23

    Legendary musician Bruce Hornsby will perform at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall on Thursday, March 23rd.

    bruce hornsby troy

    Originally from Williamsburg, VA, Hornsby first rose to national prominence with “The Way It Is”, his 1986 Grammy-winning debut album with The Range. The title track became the most-played song on American radio in 1987 while Tupac Shakur’s timeless song “Changes” builds on “The Way It Is” and set the stage for many subsequent versions of the track.

    In 1991 Hornsby collaborated with Bonnie Raitt, playing on her iconic hit “I Can’t Make You Love Me.” Additionally, Hornsby was a part-time member of the Grateful Dead from September 1990 to March 1992, performing over 100 concerts in America and Europe.

    The 13-time Grammy nominee has also solidified his status as a highly sought-after collaborator. Hornsby’s own 23 albums have sold over 11 million copies worldwide, and he has appeared on over 100 records including releases. His most recent studio album, ‘Flicted, was released this past May.

    Read our review of Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers at Beak and Skiff Orchards in Lafayette, NY on June 16, 2021.

    Tickets for Bruce Hornsby in Troy are on sale now at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall and online.