NYS Music 2023

Category: Genres

  • Cayuga Chamber Orchestra Youth Orchestra to Present Winter Concert at Ithaca College

    The Cayuga Chamber Orchestra Youth Orchestra (CCOYO) will hold its opening concert of the 2023-24 season on Saturday, January 13, 2024, under the baton of Music Director, Kirsten Marshall.

    Cayuga Chamber Orchestra Youth Orchestra

    This exciting concert opens with Chaminade’s Callirhoë Ballet Suite, Mascagni and Leoncavallo’s dramatic Intermezzos, and Grieg’s thrilling Concerto in A minor with pianist and concerto competition winner, Nathaniel Shuhan.

    As a playful twist in this concert’s repertoire, winners from the Top Toy Tournament Fundraiser will also be featured in Haydn’s Toy Symphony. The afternoon will conclude with Tchaikovsky’s timeless Romeo & Juliet, promising a symphony of emotions.

    Now in its seventh season, the CCO Youth Orchestra is embarking on its first overseas concert tour to Italy in April, 2024. Musicians will perform free concerts in major venues in Florence and Venice, including a side-by-side concert with an Italian youth orchestra. In addition to performing, students will visit museums and historic sites, study drawing, and attend an operatic performance.

    To raise funds for the trip, the CCOYO have been hosting fundraisers throughout the fall semester, including a chamber concert, coffee fundraiser, leak raking fundraiser, and more. Among these efforts is the , where the most donated nominee winners will perform one of the seven, coveted solo parts in Haydn’s Toy Symphony.

    Cayuga Chamber Orchestra Youth Orchestra

    The mission of the CCO Youth Orchestra is to offer a high-quality symphony orchestra experience for youth in Ithaca and the Finger Lakes Region of New York State. Now in its seventh successful season, we are thrilled to have a robust student membership of 67 players from all around Tompkins County. Our season typically includes two full-length symphonic concerts plus two run-out concerts to rural schools.

    We will also be touring Italy in the Spring for our first overseas trip! Part of our mission is to bring our music to surrounding communities that might not otherwise experience live classical music and to educate and engage our students in being ambassadors of music. CCOYO students have experienced a side-by-side performance with the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra as well as individual sectional coaching with CCO members.

    The Cayuga Chamber Orchestra Youth Orchestra’s Winter Concert be held on Saturday, January 13 at 4:00pm at Ford Hall, Ithaca College. This concert has free admission and donations are gratefully accepted.

  • Louis Cato Performs “Winter Wonderland” on Stephen Colbert

    Recently, singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Louis Cato performed “Winter Wonderland” on a special holiday edition of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

    Photo: Scott Kowalchyk/CBS.

    GRAMMY-nominated and internationally acclaimed multi-instrumentalist Louis Cato has been keeping audiences engaged on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert since its inception in 2015, and was promoted to the bandleader of the group last summer. Since the age of two, Cato started appreciating music with the purchase of his first drumset, citing artistic influence from southern gospel from his native North Carolina. He has an undeniable talent for crafting sonic landscapes into timeless masterpieces. Releasing his first record STARTING NOW in 2017, Louis Cato produced and mixed the entire record by himself. 

    His newest record Reflections is slow, spirited, and heavenly, showcasing his kind and empathetic essence. Cato is not just a solo artist though, he has worked with an array of other established musicians, like Snarky Puppy, Jon Batiste, Q-Tip, A Tribe Called Quest, and many more, mixing in his artistic capabilities and talents with theirs. With the voice of an angel, melodies that pull you in, and the funk of James Brown, Cato’s sound is unmistakable.

    NPR Music just named “Unsightly Room” from the LP one of the Best Songs of 2023, raving “While other artists released big studio productions, Cato’s simple guitar and haunting voice reaffirm the power of back-to-basics songcraft and storytelling. It’s a deceptively sweet song with an earworm melody, but something truly horrifying is lurking in the shadows.”

    For more information about Louis Cato, visit here.

  • Watch Darlene Love and Jay Thomas on classic Christmas episodes of The Late Show with David Letterman

    Before signing off for the holidays, David Letterman would have on two regular guests for a Christmas show to end the season.

    Letterman Christmas

    With Paul Shaffer and the CBS Orchestra looking on, comedian Jay Thomas would regale the crowd with, as Letterman put it, “the best story I’ve ever heard,” about an encounter with Clayton Moore, the actor famous for playing The Lone Ranger. It became a holiday tradition for the 17 years until the Letterman retired in 2015.

    After Thomas delivered the punchline, he and David Letterman would alternate throwing a football at the meatball on top of the Late Show Christmas tree. To wrap up the show, and the year for the Late Show, Darlene Love would put on a big production with her holiday show stopper, “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).”

    Jay Thomas passed away in 2017, but his humor lives on. Watch below to see the joke over the years.

  • Saratoga New Year’s Fest Lineup Features Joan Osborne, Robert Randolph, Gibson Brothers and many more

    The city of Saratoga Springs announced the Saratoga New Year’s Fest lineup, including Joan Osborne, Robert Randolph, Gibson Brothers, Dogs In A Pile, and more.

    What used to be called First Night Saratoga, the rebrand to Saratoga New Year’s Fest happened in 2022 as pandemic restrictions loosened. Festivities are planned from December 29, 2023, to January 1, 2024. This year’s events will feature more than 30 performers on nearly two dozen stages. In addition, there will be a 5K run, a fireworks show, a family-friendly pre-fireworks block party, and other events.

    “This is a joint presentation: the city the Chamber, Discover Saratoga, the City Center, and myself,” said producer Robert Millis of the 398Group, during this week’s festival announcement. “We put this idea together last year to bring back First Night – and it worked. We met our milestones. It’s all part of a three-year plan to make this thing get bigger and bigger.”

    For more information about the Saratoga New Year’s Fest and to purchase, visit here.

    Saratoga New Year’s Fest Lineup

    Friday, December 29

    DJ Logic, 10 p.m. at Putnam Place

    Saturday, December 30

    The Nth Power, 7 p.m. at Universal Preservation Hall

    The Weight Band, 8 p.m. at Universal Preservation Hall

    Sunday, December 31

    Afternoon

    Kids Music Show, 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. at Caffe Lena

    TBA Band, 3 p.m. at the City Center “Jazz Room”

    Will Pedicone, 2:30 p.m. at Impressions of Saratoga

    Maurizzio & Kaos, 2:30 p.m. at Franklin Square Market

    Pete Pashoukas, 3 p.m. at Sixth Generation Strings

    Erin Powers, 3 p.m. at Overland on Broadway

    Late Afternoon

    Swing Docs, 4 p.m. at the City Center “Jazz Room”

    Gibson Brothers, 4 p.m. at Universal Preservation Hall

    Toss The Feathers, 4:45 p.m. at The Parting Glass Irish Pub

    Jeff Brisbin, 4:30 p.m. at The Holiday Inn

    Erin Powers, 4:30 p.m. at The Coat Room

    New Year’s Eve

    Halfstep, 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at The City Center “Dead & Groove Room”

    Country Kickers Line Dancing, 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at The City Center “Country Room”

    Chris O’Leary with Tia Comedy Show, 5 p.m., 6:30 p.m., and 7:30 p.m.at The Inn at Saratoga

    Erin Powers, 5 p.m. at The Coat Room

    Kristian Montgomery, 5 p.m. at Tap & Barrel

    Shine On, 5 p.m. at Embassy Suites

    Family Tree, 5 p.m. at Ellsworth Jones Place (outside of the City Center)

    Tracy Bonham, 6:30 p.m. at Universal Preservation Hall

    Triskele, 7 p.m. at The Parting Glass Irish Pub

    Robert Randolph, 7 p.m. at The City Center Main Hall

    Double Barrel, 7 p.m. at Nashville of Saratoga

    Ragged Company, 7 p.m. at Quarters

    Toubab Krewe, 7:30 p.m. at Universal Preservation Hall

    Classic Rock Tent, 8 p.m. at The Ice House

    Patrick Wisdom Stewart, 8 p.m. at Baileys

    Organ Fairchild, 8:30 p.m. at The City Center “Dead/Groove Room”

    Ward Hayden & The Outliers, 8:30 p.m. at The City Center “Country Room”

    GA-20, 8:30 p.m. at Universal Preservation Hall

    Maggie’s Clan, 8:30 p.m. at The Parting Glass Irish Pub

    Joan Osborne & Band, 9 p.m. at The City Center Main Hall

    Dogs in a Pile, 10 p.m. at Putnam Place

  • The Ally Coalition Celebrates 9th Annual Talent Show

    The Ally Coalition (TAC) held its 9th Annual Talent Show last night at the Jack H. Skirball Center for the Performing Arts in New York City, welcoming once again an incredible array of talented artists and comedians, to support the LGBTQ youth community. The event raised over $430k, which will support TAC’s mission to serve LGBTQ youth through partner organizations around the country.

    The Ally Coalition
    NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 19: St. Vincent performs with Bartees Strange and Bleachers during The 9th Annual Talent Show presented by The Ally Coalition at Skirball Center for the Performing Arts on December 19, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Taylor Hill/Getty Images for The Ally Coalition)

    The evening, curated and hosted by TAC Founders, Jack Antonoff and Rachel Antonoff, the night featured performances from Bleachers, St. Vincent, Bartees Strange, Jason Isbell, Claud, Clairo, Red Hearse, Andrew Dost, along with comedians Sarah Sherman, Sam Jay, Chris Larker and Jacqueline Novak.

    Over the weekend prior, TAC partnered with The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center in Manhattan for its 2nd annual Day of Services, providing essentials and resources to over 100 unhoused LBGTQ+ youth. New York’s PIX 11 came out to capture some of the day’s proceedings.

    NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 19: Bartees Strange, Jack Antonoff, Bobby Hawk, and Clairo perform during The 9th Annual Talent Show presented by The Ally Coalition at Skirball Center for the Performing Arts on December 19, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Taylor Hill/Getty Images for The Ally Coalition)

    Today, there are over 4 million unhoused youth in the USA – with almost 40% identifying as LGBTQ+. These youths are far more likely to be victims of depression, violence, bullying and suicide. The American Civil Liberties Union is tracking nearly 500 anti-LGBTQ bills across the U.S. Over the past decade the TAC Talent Show events have raised over $2M to support unhoused LGBTQ+ youths.

  • Allison Russell to Host Saturday Night Takeover on Radio Woodstock

    Allison Russell will captivate audiences with an exclusive Saturday Night Takeover on Radio Woodstock, airing on Saturday, December 23 at 10:00 PM.  Russell is a GRAMMY-nominated singer, songwriter, poet, activist, and multi-instrumentalist.

    allison russell radio woodstock

    Allison Russell’s Saturday Night Takeover is not only a celebration of her own artistry but also a journey through the sounds that have shaped her as a musician. The playlist will feature a mix of her own tracks alongside carefully selected songs that have left an indelible mark on her musical identity.

    Since her first solo album, Outside Child, two years ago, Russell has redefined what artistry means in the 21st century. Now comes the second chapter in her story, The Returner, released this past September, currently nominated for four GRAMMYs, a body-shaking, mind-expanding, soulful expression of Black liberation, Black love, of Black self-respect.

    Russell has consistently used her newfound platform to elevate, educate and inspire; curating the history making Once And Future Sounds: Roots and Revolution set for the Newport Folk Festival in 2021 and mobilizing this year’s triumphant Love Rising All-Star benefit concert in support of LGBTQIA+ causes in Nashville, are just two of the many examples where she’s raised her voice with power and purpose.

    This takeover on Radio Woodstock provides fans and music enthusiasts with a rare opportunity to experience Russell’s musical world in an intimate setting.

    We are thrilled to have Allison Russell host a Saturday Night Takeover on Radio Woodstock. Her talent, passion, and unique perspective promise to make this a memorable evening for our listeners.

    Radio Woodstock Music Director Aja Whitney

    The “Saturday Night Takeover” series represents Radio Woodstock’s independent music voice. For over 40 years, Radio Woodstock has championed new music and pioneered a unique music line-up with a mix of new artists, legendary musicians, and special music programming.

    Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of an intimate musical experience with one of the most captivating voices in contemporary music.

    Tune in for “Saturday Night Takeover” as Allison Russell takes over the airwaves on Saturday, December 23, from 10 pm to 11 pm on-air at 100.1, or listen online at RadioWoodstock.com or via the iHeartRADIO app. 

  • Gen-Z Curated HERE for NY Fest Announces Lineup at The Knockdown Center

    The HERE Foundation, fresh off last year’s successful music festival, announced the date and lineup for HERE for NY, taking place at The Knockdown Center on Feb. 10, 2024.

    HERE for NY is the next stop in the global concert series dedicated to creating hyper-local action within cities worldwide. With a focus on supporting local organizations and nonprofits, HERE aims to empower Gen-Z individuals and businesses to impact their communities positively. The festival is the first of its kind, transcending traditional festival experiences and embracing a new era of action, empowerment, and community.

    Last December, HERE for LA showcased 22 acts, engaged over 1200 attendees, and made an incredible impact on HERE’s nonprofit partners. HERE Foundation is a non-profit organization that works at the intersection of culture and cause, supporting individuals, organizations, and nonprofits with charitable events, activities, gatherings, and workshops around causes that young people are passionate about.

    HERE for NY welcomes artists across genres including Eartheater, Vegyn, Liv.e, RXK Nephew, Underscores, Roy Blair, James Ivy, 454, DJ_Dave, Alice Longyu Gao, Push Ups, and MGNA Crrrta.

    “We think people are going to be very surprised when they show up on February 10th,” said co-founders Ethan, Stella, and Connor. “It’s not a vast grass field with the traditional layout and nonprofit booths, we have created something uniquely different from the existing array of festivals out there today” they share.

    In line with HERE Foundation’s commitment to social responsibility HERE for NY is excited to partner with Big Reuse and the Urban Justice Center for Social Equity, local nonprofit organizations dedicated to climate justice, social equality, and education. HERE For NY sponsors include Perfectly Imperfect, Dice, and more.

  • Book Review: “The Police: A Visual Biography”

    There’s no escaping The Police; they’re everywhere. Individually, members of The Police continued to tour this past fall and winter, and garnered quite a bit of social media and press coverage with their music and publishing projects. A new book is now out by Laura Shenton for Wymer Publishing, The Police; A Visual Biography.

    Featuring photography, text and layout that is visually appealing, The Police; A Visual Biography is a historical treat for Police fans as it chronicles their humble beginnings up to achieving world wide recognition and creative fame.

    The Police a Visual biography

    This coffee table book includes some little known tidbits about the band and some of their song origins. It includes rare press clippings from their unknown days, encompasses their musical journey to becoming what we now know them to be, and includes a discography and member’s solo projects. During their ascension, their record sales, tour grosses and GRAMMYs surpassed even that of the Rolling Stones. The Police would make history becoming the best band of their day, with “Every Breath You Take” still being the most radio played song in American history.

    The Police gained traction here in New York at CBGB’s and in the Hudson Valley as relatively unknowns in 1979, also appearing at The Chance in Poughkeepsie. The song “Roxanne” would make its debut on U.S. radio here in the Hudson Valley on WDST, Radio Woodstock, 100.1.

    Within three months, The Police had two singles and an album in the U.S. Top Ten.

    In a phone interview I had in October, Andy Summers spoke of The Chance fondly, recalling how grateful they all were to get the gig and to be touring America at the time. “What it signified was how we had to maintain our spirit and do a raging show despite a small audience possibly due to a snowstorm at the time.” 

    Although meeting and forming in the UK, New York has been lucky to have shared in The Police’s early days, because it was also here in New York City and the Hudson Valley that The Police started creating such excitement for their unique sound in America and subsequently the world.

    The Police a Visual biography

    Laura Shenton is widely known for her music profile non fiction books, including profiles on Emerson Lake and Palmer, Kate Bush and Supertramp among others. 

    Featuring Alan Perry Concert Photography and Bill O’Leary Timeless Concert Images, the author’s voice is evenly paced, respectful of her subject, and engaging. Her interest in writing this book comes through and a recommended book on The Police.

    The Police a Visual biography

    This particular book differs from others on The Police in how thorough and methodically dates, press clippings, memorabilia, concert posters, song origins, tours, and the creative process is described, as well as how solo projects are detailed, and music reviews, awards, nominations and the discography is presented. The author included many quotes from band members giving us a good idea of their musical journey and lets us know the favorite song they all share.

    As James Adams stated in 1983 and his quote is included in this book, “The Police are a band. Long may they arrest us.”

  • A Winter Wonderland in Binghamton at Broome County Forum Theatre

    On December 16, 2023, the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra performed its annual holiday concert, “Winter Wonderland,” to a packed house at the Broome County Forum Theatre.

    A glittering celebration of the season, Winter Wonderland featured Christmas hits both old and new by Tchaikovsky, Johann Strauss, John Williams, and young American composer Quinn Mason; carol singalongs led by soloists from Tri-Cities Opera; and a screening of the British animated classic “The Snowman” with live orchestral accompaniment.

    A Winter Wonderland in Binghamton

    There was something for everyone in the lively concert. Mason showed a distinctly American voice in his lyrical, atmospheric “Christmas Eve Festivities,” which is becoming a new classic. Local newscaster Jim Ehmke was the narrator for Bill Holcombe’s charming “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” a musical setting of the beloved poem by Clement C. Moore. The guest conductor for Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride” was local businessman Jonny Norton, who had won the spot in a fundraising auction, and Norton clearly enjoyed himself heartily, along with the orchestra and audience. Young treble soloist Eva Dixon, a 13-year-old soprano from New York City, sang the haunting solo, “Walking in the Air,” in “The Snowman” with delicacy and aplomb. 

    A Winter Wonderland in Binghamton

    The orchestra played with uplifting energy and precision, led by the confident conducting of Maestro Daniel Hege, who managed to infuse even the most familiar carols with a spirit of wintry revelry. Maestro Hege engaged the audience with his trademark lighthearted banter, and the audience responded with exuberant singing, hand-clapping, and a standing ovation at the end. For the enthusiastic and festively-dressed concertgoers, including many children, “Winter Wonderland” was a truly magical experience, and a not-to-be-missed event of the holiday season in New York’s Southern Tier.

  • Ireland’s The Coronas Announce St. Patrick’s Day Show at Bowery Ballroom

    Ireland-based cinematic, melancholic pop group The Coronas have supported Bruce Springsteen in front of more than 65,000 people in London’s Hyde Park, played for President Joe Biden in County Mayo during his visit to his ancestral home in Ireland, and made chart history as being the first independent Irish band with three consecutive topping the charts. They have announced they are celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with a special show at the Bowery Ballroom.

    Voted #1 Live Act of the Year by Hot Press Magazine, one of Ireland’s best-loved bands The Coronas has no intention of slowing down, continuing tours in Europe and the States this March. They are fresh off a series of huge summer shows and festival appearances that included the iconic Electric Picnic Festival and Glasgow’s TRNSMT.

    The Coronas is comprised of lead vocalist/guitarist Danny O’Reilly, bass guitarist Graham Knox, and drummer Conor Egan. They are returning to North America to begin a run of shows on March 5, 2024, culminating with St. Patrick’s Day at the Bowery Ballroom. They last toured the U.S., a year ago, but this past March performed at the celebrated pre-Academy Awards “Oscar Wilde Party” in Los Angeles and squeezed in an SRO nightclub show in Hollywood as part of this extraordinary year.

    Last month the band released The Best of the Early Days, a compilation of records from the band’s first three albums, plus a special never-before-released album closer “One Last Time.” All of the tracks were released on vinyl for the first time, in addition to CD format, and via all digital platforms. Four songs each come from their 2007 debut Heroes or Ghosts, their 2009 breakthrough Tony Was an Ex-Con (winner of Best Album at 2010’s Meteor Awards, for which they beat U2 and Snow Patrol) and 2011’s Closer To You, their first Irish chart-topper, all chapters in an extraordinary, near 20-year career.

    We loved listening back to our early albums and remembering the wild times we had making them. The three of us met at school, and we were still kids when we started the band. Choosing which songs to include was the hard part – each of us has our favourites. All of the songs are packed with memories of gigs we played, places we’ve been and the mates we’ve made along the way. We couldn’t make music like that anymore, but we wouldn’t change a thing. Every song has its place in The Coronas’ history. Hearing them together is a reminder of what we’ve achieved and how far we’ve come.

    Danny O’Reilly.

    The new song “One Last Time,” once known as “Bonus Night,” was recorded during the Tony Was An Ex-Con sessions. “We always loved it,” explained Danny, “but at the time we felt that ‘Warm’ was the album’s acoustic moment and having another stripped-back song would have been too much. It has a beautiful string arrangement by James Hallawell. It’s a Coronas gem that I’m delighted we can finally share with our fans.”

    An eighth Coronas studio album is in the works to kick off the next 20 years. For more information about the band, visit here.

    The Coronas Tour Dates

    December 21—Vicar Street, Dublin, Ireland
    December 28—INEC Arena, Killarney, Ireland
    March 5, 2024—Empty Bottle, Chicago
    March 6—Shank Hall, Milwaukee, WI
    March 8—The Great Hall, Toronto, ON, Canada
    March 12—The Foundry, Philadelphia
    March 13—Atlantis, Washington, DC
    March 15—Brighton Music Hall, Boston
    March 17—Bowery Ballroom, New York City