CNY Jazz has announced the return of their in person scholastic enrichment programs across the Central New York region, and has announced the first schedule of events.
Despite the hard hit by the pandemic and its negative impact on schools and families, CNY Jazz’s Scholastic programs continued to provide youth enrighment in virtual and hybrid settings. This year, the organization’s “pipeline” of enrichment programs that follow students through grade school and into college returns full force, with the goal of full enrollment in live settings across the area.
The first to occur is the 3rd annual “Berkshire Bank Interscholastic Jazz Festival,” to take place Sundays May 7 and 21 at the newly renovated and covered Sharkey’s Event Center in Liverpool. From 3 to 8 p.m. each day, the public and band parents can enjoy free admission, Sharkey’s food, drink, and the region’s finest school jazz ensembles of all kinds: combos, big bands, even a jazz string group, accompanied by nationally renowned guest soloists who will double as master class clinicians with each group.
This year’s guest CNY Jazz Scholastic teaching artists are Claire Daly, baritone saxophonist with the seminal DIVA jazz orchestra and founding member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center education faculty, and Mike Carbone, jazz studies leader at Binghamton University.
“This program was born because kids everywhere were forced to rehearse 12 feet apart in school with masks and were not able to perform in school. Morale was non-existent, and programs were in jeopardy. When I heard this, we put this outdoor event together quickly. As it turned out, educators, students, and parents alike loved the format and setting. Now it’s a permanent fixture on the enrichment scene for the extended region.”
Larry Luttinger, CNY Jazz Leader
For over 20 years in Central New York, the last day of school in June is always closely followed by the CNY Jazz Scholastic SummerJazz Workshop, where kids get to explore the arts of improvisation. Newly moved to the W. Carroll Coyne Center for the Performing Arts at LeMoyne College, the 2023 workshop will be held June 26-29th and will be topped off with a visit by internationally recognized jazz educator John Piazza, Jr., who will coach the program’s four combos and solo with them.
The ultimate CNY Jazz pipeline program is the CNY Jazz Youth Orchestra, accessible by audition to all as a pre-professional apprenticeship program, a paying summer job for area youth, who join the American Federation of Musicians and receive prevailing rates for performing free public concerts throughout the summer. This season’s venues include Cazenovia Counterpoint, Le Moyne College, the Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival, and the Manlius Amphitheater. CNY Jazz Youth Orchestra dates and times will be announced at a later date.
For more information on all CNY Jazz Scholastic programs and to register for a particular event, please visit the CNY Jazz website.
The Chenango Blues Festival recently finalized the lineup for its 30th Anniversary Celebration, with the addition of two-time Grammy winner, Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience. Traveling from Louisiana and long-time area favorites, the band will kick off the two-day festival, which begins on Aug. 18 and concludes the next day, with a free admission show. Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience will anchor what promises to be a memorable 30th-anniversary celebration.
The Chenango Blues Fest is a family-friendly event run by an all-volunteer staff. Their motto is “by fans, for fans” and they really mean it. If there is an opposite to the high dollar, corporate festivals proliferating around the country, this is it.
John Primer, who was just announced as an inductee to the Blues Hall of Fame, will follow. Primer is one of the last Chicago bluesmen to have played with legendary artists like Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, and Magic Slim. The show will close with Curtis Salgado, the Portland, Oregan based blues and soul man who is a past Blues Music Award winner as Artist of the Year.
The celebration will continue with a headlining set by Charlie Musselwhite on the Infield Stage, sponsored this year by Norwich Rehab; Kerry, Inc., and the Raymond Foundation. Musselwhite has received numerous awards, been inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame, and performed with several musicians. Preceding him on the infield stage will be Tommy Castro and the Painkillers, a dynamic mix of 1960s-influenced guitar blues, Memphis soul, and Latin-tinged East San Jose funk.
Leading up to those acts is Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds hailing from Brooklyn, who has built a loyal following on the strength of Arleigh Kincheloe’s dynamic vocals, a rock-solid rhythm section, horns, and a keen sense of fun. Kicking off the festival at 11:30 a.m. is Gabe Stillman, fresh off rave reviews for his performances on the recent Blues Cruise. Following is ace saxman Jimmy Carpenter, who, when he isn’t touring the world or sitting in with a who’s who of blues players he is the musical director of the Big Blues Bender – one of the premier events in the blues world.
These are just a few of the acts scheduled to perform, and this year’s 30th Anniversary Celebration is sure to be one you won’t want to miss. Friday’s show is free, and Saturday’s is free for those 17 and under. Tickets for the 30th Anniversary Celebration of the Chenango Blues Festival are now available.
Friday Schedule
Tent Stage Parking opens – 4:30 p.m. Festival gate opens – 5:00 p.m. 5:30 – 6:45 – Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience 7:15- 8:30 – John Primer 9:00 – 10:15 – Curtis Salgado
Saturday Schedule
Infield Stage Parking Gate Opens – 10:00 a.m. Festival Gate Opens – 11:00 a.m. 11:30 – 12:25 – Gabe Stillman Band 12:45 – 1:45 – Jimmy Carpenter 2:45 – 4:00 – Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds 5:15 – 6:30 – Tommy Castro & the Painkillers7:40 – 9:00 – Charlie Musselwhite
Tent Stage 1:45 – 2:45 – Guy Davis 4:00 – 5:15 – Melody Angel 6:30 – 7:40 – Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band 9:00 – 10:15 – Honey Island Swamp Band
Lloyd Banks continues his run of quality projects with his latest release, The Course Of The Inevitable 3: Pieces Of My Pain. The PLK’s (Punch Line King) latest release came with little press-run and debuted near the top of the iTunes rap charts, eventually climbing its way up to number 1. However, this is a familiar feat for the Jamaica Queens native, whose Course of The Inevitable series has seen Lloyd Banks return to studio albums after years of free mixtape downloads.
All in all, the response has been positive. The Course Of The Inevitable 3 currently sits at number 3 on the iTunes chart trailing only NF’s Hope and Youngboy Never Broke Again’s Don’t Try This At Home. Known for his introverted personality as much as for his lyrical prowess, Lloyd Banks kept the project’s features close to home as usual. With guest verses from Method Man, Dave East, Vado, 38 Spesh, Cormega and longtime friend and G-unit cohort, Tony Yayo.
In light, Lloyd Banks has sculpted The Course Of The Inevitable 3 to be a New York-centric album, full of hustlers and survivors of the streets who can help Banks relay his message. As the album’s Apple Music synopsis says, “A haze of philosophical street raps and sleekly sinister production.”
The New York Youth Symphony (NYYS) has announced the launch of a new 44-piece string orchestra for New York City residents ages 10-18 years old, named Crescendo.
The brand-new orchestra Crescendo will provide access to outstanding music education for a diverse range of students affected by the pandemic. In addition to weekly ensemble rehearsals, students will receive chamber music coaching, workshops, and masterclasses with professional musicians as well as guidance on audience engagement, careers in the arts, audition preparation, and more. Students will study and prepare music by historically underrepresented composers, including women, members of the LGBTQIA community, and people of color, as well as standard works from classical composers.
The New York Youth Symphony was founded in 1963, internationally recognized for its award-winning and innovative educational programs for talented young musicians. It was awarded the 2023 Grammy for Best Orchestral Performance – Classical, the first youth orchestra to win a Grammy in this category. The NYYS has provided over 7,000 students opportunities to perform at world-class venues including Carnegie Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Joe’s Pub, and The Times Center, all while learning valuable skills like commitment, discipline, focus, and collaboration.
Music Director of Crescendo, Tanatchaya Chanphanitpornkit
The Music Director of Crescendo is Tanatchaya (Tanya) Chanphanitpornkit, who is no stranger to the impact music can have on a child’s life. “I never had access to, or really knew about playing music until I came to the United States. In Thailand, it wasn’t part of the conversation at all, and it has made me understand the importance of access and education right here in our own backyard.” She was born into poverty in the farmlands of Thailand, and it wasn’t until she moved to New Jersey at the age of 10 that she had some exposure to classical music in middle school, and after her father’s death, she dived into playing the bass. “It is with that experience that I truly believe that Crescendo could not only help the lives of youth around NYC, but the world by bridging the gap in music education and teaching everyone the power of music and building a love for it,” she added.
Crescendo’s Ensemble-in-Residence for the first year will be the Aizuri Quartet, who has had a relationship with NYYS for several seasons through the Chamber Music and Composition programs. They will be holding four sectionals – two for each concert cycle, performing with the orchestra at Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall on April 21, 2024, at 3 P.M. Crescendo will perform an additional concert at Merkin Hall on November 20, 2023, at 7 P.M. For more information, visit here.
The City Parks Foundation has announced the start of its 2023 SummerStage season, which begins June 3 and will host several events in Central Park and 12 neighborhood parks across the five boroughs.
Returning for its 37th year, the 2023 season continues until September 30 and will combine free and benefit shows. City Parks’ 2023 season will continue to showcase established and emerging artists from across the globe, presenting many genres including salsa, jazz, hip-hop, indie rock, reggae, Afrobeats, soul, pop, global, contemporary dance, and more.
Locations for the 2023 City Parks Summerstage season. Credit: Lauren Martin.
The City Parks Summer 2023 season will additionally shine a celebratory spotlight on the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, highlighting the genre’s influence globally with a diverse, multi-faceted series of events showcasing all elements of hip-hop culture, from live performances and DJ sets to dance and graffiti displays across the five boroughs.
SummerStage is back for another exceptional year of free programming. It’s an honor to bring to parks artists that are reflective of each neighborhood’s rich cultural fabric, whether these performers are familiar or completely new discoveries. Feeling the joy and wonder of live music with other New Yorkers is an experience that is unmatched and should not be underestimated. At a time when we are increasingly isolated, SummerStage uses our city’s parks — vital resources in every neighborhood — to connect audiences with each other in a very emotional and magical way and, ultimately, to create community.
Heather Lubov, City Parks Foundation’s Executive Director
This season will feature acclaimed local artists returning to their New York roots. Brooklyn-based artist Nick Hakim will bring his soulful R&B sounds back to Brooklyn when he performs on July 14 in Von King Park; R&B legends Kool & The Gang will return to SummerStage on July 22 in Queens’ Flushing Meadows Corona Park; salsa legend Eddie Palmieri will have crowds dancing on August 14 in Crotona Park; and fans of New York City’s Latin -infused freestyle sound will enjoy high-energy performances by DJ Frankie Cutlass and The Cover Girls on August 12 in Staten Island’s Stapleton Waterfront Park.
The City Parks 2023 Season will also feature ticketed benefit shows in Central Park to help support City Parks Foundation’s free performances, and these shows begin at the start of the season on June 3, at Central Park with artists Hippo Campus and Gus Dapperton. More benefit shows will be announced throughout the season.
The City Parks Foundation is dedicated to invigorating and transforming parks into dynamic, vibrant centers of urban life through sports, arts, community building, and education programs for all New Yorkers. Their programs — located in more than 300 parks, recreation centers, and public schools across New York City — reach over 275,000 people each year.
The City Parks Foundation SummerStage is one of New York’s most beloved, broadly accessible, free outdoor performing arts festivals, with SummerStage annually presenting nearly 80 free and benefit performances in Central Park and neighborhood parks throughout the five boroughs to 217,000 fans. With performances in genres representing the cultural fabric of New York City ranging from jazz, hip-hop, Latin, global, indie, and contemporary dance, SummerStage fills a vital niche in New York City’s summer arts festival landscape. Since its inception nearly 40 years ago, more than six million people from New York City and around the world have enjoyed SummerStage.
City Parks 2023 Season Schedule
Saturday, June 3, 7 p.m., Central Park – Hippo Campus & Gus Dapperton – Benefit Concert
Sunday, June 4, 6:30 p.m., Central Park – Indigo Girls – Benefit Concert
Saturday, June 10, 6 p.m., Central Park – Opening Night American Blues – FREE Concert
Wednesday, June 14, 7 p.m., Central Park – New York Sings Yiddish! – FREE Concert
Thursday, June 15, 7 p.m., Central Park – Sammy Rae & The Friends – Benefit Concert
Saturday, June 17, 4 p.m., Central Park – The Aussie BBQ – FREE Concert
Sunday, June 18, 6 p.m., Central Perk – Buddy Guy’s Damn Right Farewell Tour – Benefit Concert
Monday, June 19, 4 p.m., Central Park – Park Jams, a Juneteenth Celebration – Benefit Concert
Tuesday, June 20, 7 p.m., Central Park – The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital ft. Gabriella Reyes / René Barbera / Will Liverman and Dimitri Dover – FREE Concert
Friday, June 23, 7 p.m., Brooklyn Bridge Park – The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital ft. Gabriella Reyes / René Barbera/ Will Liverman / Dimitri Dover – FREE Concert
Saturday, June 24, 5 p.m., Central Park – Stanley Clarke N 4ever / Kenny Garrett / Brandee Younger / DJ Logic in Association with Blue Note Jazz Festival – FREE Concert
Saturday, June 24, 7 p.m., Jackie Robinson Park – The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital ft. Erika Baikoff / Thomas Glass / Cierra Byrd / Juan José Lázaro – FREE Concert
Sunday, June 25, 3 p.m. – Dreamland – Pride in Central Park – Benefit Concert
Monday, June 26, 6 p.m., Williamsbridge Oval – The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital ft. Erika Baikoff / Thomas Glass / Cierra Byrd / Juan José Lázaro – FREE Concert
Wednesday, June 28, 6 p.m., Socrates Sculpture Garden – The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital ft. Erika Baikoff / Thomas Glass / Cierra Byrd / Juan José Lázaro – FREE Concert
Wednesday, June 28, 7 p.m., – Michael Franti & Spearhead – Benefit Concert
Friday, June 30, 7 p.m., Clove Lakes Park – The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital ft. Erika Baikoff / Thomas Glass / Cierra Byrd / Juan José Lázaro – FREE Concert
Saturday, July 1, 5 p.m., Central Park – Andy Shauf / Leith Ross / Yves Jarvis in association with the Consulate General of Canada in New York – FREE Concert
Sunday, July 2, 5 p.m., Central Park – Andy Shauf / Leith Ross / Yves Jarvis in association with the Consulate General of Canada in New York – FREE Concert
Saturday, July 8, 5 p.m., Central Park – Catalan Sounds On Tour: Queralt Lahoz / Marala / Lia Kali with DJ sets by DJ Trapella in association with the Institut Ramon Llull – FREE Concert
Sunday, July 9, 5 p.m., Coney Island – Tuff Gong Takeover feat Skip Marley & Friends – FREE Concert
Monday, July 10, 6 p.m., Central Park – Noel Gallagher & High Flying Birds and Garbage – Benefit Concert
Wednesday, July 12, 6 p.m., Central Park – Juanes / Conexion Divina in association with LAMC – FREE Concert
Thursday, July 13, 5 p.m., Central Park – Bastille Day: Joachim Garraud & Marie Berson / Passi / Bénabar / Adèle Castillon in association with Consulate General of France – FREE Concert
Thursday, July 13, 7 p.m., Von King Park – Works & Process at SummerStage: The Masterz at Work Dance Family with Courtney Washington – FREE Concert
Friday, July 14, 6 p.m., Von King Park – Nick Hakim / June McDoom / Evan Wright – FREE Concert
Saturday, July 15, 4 p.m., Von King Park – MIKE’S Young World III: Noname / Georgia Anne Muldrow / 454 – FREE Concert
Saturday, July 15, 5 p.m., Central Park – TRUENO / Villano Antillano / Dawer x Damper / KEXP’s El Sonido with Albina Cabrera ft. Camola DJ set in association with LAMC – FREE Concert
Sunday, July 16, 4 p.m., Coney Island – GOLDEN OLDIES ON THE BOARDWALK 2023 feat. The Duprees / The Coasters / Charlie Thomas’ Drifters w/ Jeff Hall / Bobby Wilson / Stan Zizka’s Del Satins / Vito Picone & The Elegants / The Chiclettes and More / Hosted by Joe Causi with DJ Vinnie Medugno in association with Fever Productions and Brian Rosenberg – FREE Concert
Sunday, July 16, 6 p.m, Von King Park – dead prez / th1rt3en / Large Professor DJ Set – FREE Concert
Wednesday, July 19, 5 p.m., Central Park – Julia Jacklin / Y La Bamba / Black Belt Eagle Scout -FREE Concert
Thursday, July 20, 5 p.m., Central Park – Horsegirl / Iceage / Water From Your Eyes / Lifeguard – FREE Concert
Saturday, July 22, 5 p.m., Central Park – Michael Brun Presents BAYO – Benefit Concert
Saturday, July 22, 5 p.m., Flushing Meadows Corona – Kool and the Gang – FREE Concert
Sunday, July 23, 5 p.m., Central Park – Taiwanese Waves: Waa Wei / The Dinosaur’s Skin / Mandarin Homework (DJ Mr. Skin) – FREE Concert
Sunday, July 23, 6 p.m., Flushing Meadows Corona Park – DJ Rekha’s Basement Bhangra Bacchanal: DJ Rekha / Malkit Singh with live band / DJ Ana / Sikh Knowledge / Rolex Rasathy / Param Singh / Dholi Anuradha and guests – FREE Concert
Thursday, Aug 3, 6 p.m., Crotona Park – Ted Smooth’s Freestyle Jam ft. TKA and Judy Torres – FREE Concert
Friday, Aug 4, 5 p.m., Crotona Park – “Birth of a Culture” Grandmaster Flash and Friends – FREE Concert
Saturday, Aug 5, 5 p.m., Central Park – The Originals: Stretch Armstrong / Rich Medina / Tony Touch / Clark Kent / D-Nice – FREE Concert
Saturday, Aug 5, 7 p.m., Crotona Park – Stonebwoy in association with Ghanafest-NY Crotona Park – FREE Concert
Sunday, August 6, 4 p.m., Coney Island – Hip-Hop 50: SPECIAL EDITION: Nice N Smooth / Special Ed /Buckshot of Black Moon / Masta Ace / CL Smooth / Rah Digga / Rampage / Black Sheep Dres / Sweet Tee / Joeski Love / Sparky D / Hosted by Ralph McDaniels (Video Music Box) – FREE Concert
Wednesday and Thursday, Aug 9 & 10, 7 p.m. Mt. Joy – Benefit Concerts – Sold Out
Saturday, Aug 12, 5 p.m., Waterfront Park – Frankie Cutlass / The Original Cover Girls / Cynthia / Black Sheep / DJ Millo and DJ Medina in Association with Maker Park Radio Stapleton Waterfront Park – FREE Concert
Saturday, Aug 12, 5 p.m., Central Park – VP Records Presents Roots Reggae Review – FREE Concert
Sunday, Aug 13, 5 p.m., Coney Island – Funk Flex & Friends Birthday Concert Featuring Raheem DeVaughn, Rob Base & More – FREE Concert
Sunday, Aug 13, 5 p.m, Waterfront Park – Las Cafeteras / Natu Camara / Justy / DJ Kitty the Disc Jockey in Association with Maker Park Radio and La Isla Bonita Stapleton – FREE Concert
Thursday, Aug 17, 7 p.m., Marcus Garvey Park – Works & Process at SummerStage: The Missing Element with The Beatbox House / LayeRhythm – FREE Concert
Friday, Aug 18, 7 p.m., Marcus Garvey Park – Jason Moran and the Big Bandwagon: James Reese Europe and the Harlem Hellfighters: From the Dancehall to the Battlefield in Association with Jazzmobile – FREE Concert
Saturday, Aug 19, 5 p.m., Marcus Garvey Park – Mixtape (Film Screening) / DJ sets by Ron G / Doo Wop / Mister Cee / Tony Touch / Brucie B – FREE Concert
Saturday, Aug 19, 5 p.m. – Cautious Clay, Wet, Christian Kuria, and Zindelphia – Benefit
Sunday, Aug 20, 4 p.m., Coney Island – Jose Alberto “El Canario” / The Big 3 Palladium Orchestra: The Music Of Machito, Tito Rodriguez and Tito Puente – FREE Concert
Sunday, Aug 20, 5 p.m., Central Park – Everyday People – FREE Concert
Sunday, Aug 20, 5 p.m., Marcus Garvey Park – Hip-Hop 50: Native Tongue Edition: Monie Love / Black Sheep Dres / Chi Ali / DJ Red Alert hosted by Ralph McDaniels (Video Music Box) – FREE Concert
Wednesday, Aug 23, 4:30 p.m. – Manchester Orchestra and Jimmy Eat World – Benefit Concert
Thursday, Aug 24, 8 p.m. – Regina Spektor – Benefit Concert
Friday, Aug 25, 7 p.m., Marcus Garvey Park – Charlie Parker Jazz Festival: Orrin Evans and the Captain Black Big Band featuring Dianne Reeves / T.K. Blue in association with Jazzmobile – FREE Concert
Saturday, Aug 26, 3 p.m., Marcus Garvey Park – Charlie Parker Jazz Festival: The Cookers / Endea Owens and the Cookout / Nduduzo Makhathini Trio / Akua Allrich and The Tribe – FREE Concert
Sunday, Aug 27, 3 p.m., Tompkins Square Park – Charlie Parker Jazz Festival: Charles McPherson with Terell Stafford / Something Else! Vincent Herring Septet / HERA feat. Chelsea Baratz and Andromeda Turre / Michael Mayo – FREE Concert
Sunday, Aug 27, 5 p.m., Central Park – Palmwine Festival: Show Dem Camp and Friends in association with Move Forward Music – FREE Concert
Wednesday, Aug 30, 7 p.m. – Vance Joy with Dan Sultan – Benefit Concert
Thursday, Aug 31, 6 p.m., Central Park – In Our Own Sweet Time Tour: Vance Joy / Dan Sultan Subaru Music Series – Benefit Concert
Sunday, Sep 3, 5 p.m., Central Park – Emicida / Goyo / Screening: AmarElo: It’s All for Yesterday / in Association with 27th Inffinito Brazilian Film Festival – FREE Concert
Thursday, Sep 14, 5 p.m., Central Park – Tanya Tucker / Nikki Lane Subaru Music Series – FREE Concert
JazzBuffalo will celebrate this year’s International Jazz Day this Sunday, April 30, from 1 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. International Jazz Day began in 2011 and will be the fifth annual celebration of the event at JazzBuffalo, which has made this year’s International Jazz Day a free event in the spirit of promoting community and global peace at Seneca One in downtown Buffalo.
The lineup for this year’s International Jazzday Celebration. Credit: JazzBuffalo.
Scheduled to perform are some of Buffalo’s best jazz trios and jazz artists. JazzBuffalo is presenting a Jazz Trio Festival and then a special closing concert featuring a quintet of our finest next-generation jazz musicians. The schedule is planned as follows:
1:15 pm – The Andrew Nixon Trio 2:45 pm – Donny Frauenhofer 4:00 pm – Livestream of International Jazz Day Global Concert 5:00 pm – The Cousins Trio 6:30 pm – The Lindsey Holland Unit
There will be approximately 20-30 minutes between each performance to allow for changeover and set up.
International Jazz Day was established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2011 in honor of jazz music’s ability to promote intercultural dialogue, tolerance, and mutual understanding, aiming to raise awareness about the importance of jazz music as a common medium for peace, unity, and creativity.
Herbie Hancock will take viewers on an international tour of sights and sounds showcasing jazz in all its diversity featuring performances from China, Lebanon, Morocco, South Africa, Zimbabwe, France, Brazil, Austria, Honolulu, New York, San Francisco, and Washington, DC.
The live-streamed concert event will feature performances by some of the world’s most accomplished jazz artists, such as Cyrille Aimée (France), Thana Alexa (USA), Sérgio Mendes (Brazil), Thandi Ntuli (South Africa), Antonio Sánchez (Mexico), Somi (Rwanda) among others. Renowned Mbira player Musekiwa Chingodza (Zimbabwe) will duet with Oran Etkin (Israel) on baritone clarinet; the Blue Note China Jazz Orchestra joins the Global Concert from Beijing; and JazzWomenAfrica celebrates from Casablanca.
JazzBuffalo will make every effort to live-stream the annual International Jazz Day Global Concert so fans can see and hear the event on the big screen.
Visit EventBrite to register and save a spot for what promises to be a memorable time celebrating International Jazz Day. Donations are suggested and will be kindly accepted by JazzBuffalo.
The Outlaw Music Festival has added an additional 16 shows to its lineup, including a performance at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) and Forest Hills Stadium this fall. Additionally, it was previously announced that the festival would have a performance at the Darien Lake Amphitheater and Bethel Woods Center for the Arts this July.
Presented by Wheatley Vodka, the largest-ever Outlaw tour continues the celebration of Willie’s milestone 90th birthday just as Willie wants it – on the road with his friends, family, and beloved fans.
The Outlaw Music Festival first began in 2016, and the sold-out show was so well received that Blackbird Presents and Nelson have developed it into one of North America’s biggest annual touring franchises. Musicians such as Robert Plant, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, ZZ Top, Eric Church, Bonnie Raitt, Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton, Sheryl Crow, Sturgill Simpson, The Avett Brothers and many more have been a part of the Outlaw Tour.
“I am so thrilled to announce these additional dates for our 2023 Outlaw Music Festival Tour,” said Willie Nelson. “I can’t wait to keep the celebration of my 90th birthday going into the fall with this great lineup of artists, my friends and family, and of course, the amazing fans.”
David Binder, Willie and Wheatley fan and brand director at Sazerac, said “Wheatley Vodka is thrilled to be hitting the road with Outlaw Music Festival this year. Our vodka is made in the heartland of the USA in Frankfort, KY, and is crafted to be the smoothest, most sippable vodka on the market. It’s the perfect spirit to enjoy when rocking out to music from all the talented artists on tour with Outlaw this summer.”
Tickets to the Outlaw Music Festival, which includes a performance at SPAC and Forest Hills Stadium, go on sale April 28 at 10 a.m.
Information on individual Outlaw Music Festival tour dates and lineups:
Friday, September 8, 2023
Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park @ Walnut Creek
Willie Nelson & Family
Tedeschi Trucks Band
The String Cheese Incident
Los Lobos
Particle Kid
Saturday, September 9, 2023
Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
Willie Nelson & Family
Tedeschi Trucks Band
The String Cheese Incident
Particle Kid
More TBA
Sunday, September 10, 2023
Franklin, TN – FirstBank Amphitheater
Willie Nelson & Family
Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros. featuring The Wolfpack
Particle Kid
More TBA
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
Simpsonville, SC – CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park
Willie Nelson & Family
Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros. featuring The Wolfpack
Particle Kid
Friday, September 15, 2023
Saratoga Springs, NY – SPAC
Willie Nelson & Family
Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros. featuring The Wolfpack
The String Cheese Incident
Los Lobos
Particle Kid
Saturday, September 16, 2023
Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
Willie Nelson & Family
Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros. featuring The Wolfpack
The String Cheese Incident
Los Lobos
Particle Kid
Sunday, September 17, 2023
Forest Hills, NY – Forest Hills Stadium
Willie Nelson & Family
Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros. featuring The Wolfpack
The String Cheese Incident
Los Lobos
Particle Kid
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
Bridgeport, CT – Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater
Willie Nelson & Family
Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros. featuring The Wolfpack
Particle Kid
Friday, September 22, 2023
Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre
Willie Nelson & Family
Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros. featuring The Wolfpack
The String Cheese Incident
Particle Kid
Friday, October 6, 2023
West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
Willie Nelson & Family
The Avett Brothers
Gov’t Mule
Elizabeth Cook
Particle Kid
Saturday, October 7, 2023
Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
Willie Nelson & Family
The Avett Brothers
Gov’t Mule
Elizabeth Cook
Particle Kid
Sunday, October 8, 2023
Orange Beach, AL – The Wharf Amphitheater
Willie Nelson & Family
The Avett Brothers
Gov’t Mule
Elizabeth Cook
Particle Kid
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Huntsville, AL – The Orion Amphitheater
Willie Nelson & Family
The Avett Brothers
Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs
Particle Kid
Friday, October 13, 2023
Brandon, MS – The Brandon Amphitheater
Willie Nelson & Family
The Avett Brothers
Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs
Elizabeth Cook
Particle Kid
Saturday, October 14, 2023
Southaven, MS – BankPlus Amphitheater at Snowden Grove
Jim Jones continues to make the airwaves with his unfiltered take on Vibe and Billboard’s list of the 50 Greatest Ever Rappers. The list — which was part of a collaborative effort to celebrate Hip Hop’s 50th anniversary — named Jay – Z as the genre’s greatest ever MC. However, it was Pusha T’s ranking that raised ire of the “We Fly High” rapper. Coming in at number 29, Pusha T’s career as a member of the Clipse (alongside his brother Malice) and his solo work on GOOD Music has made him a staple of hip hop lore. Yet, Jim Jones doesn’t see it as such and on an episode of The RapCaviar Podcast, the Dipset member aired out his true feelings.
“What has he done that puts him in the greatest rappers of all time besides talk about coke that he probably didn’t get himself?” Jones asked. “He’s nice as shit. He could rap his ass off, but what has he done?
“Nobody has dressed like him. Nobody wants to be like Pusha T. I don’t remember nothing. And let’s not be evil, but we don’t talk about rap where the n-gga that’s popping the bitches wanna fuck and the n-ggas wanna be like.”
He continued: “I don’t know too many n-ggas in this game that was leaning towards being like Pusha T. Pusha T don’t hold no weight out here. He not pushing no shit out here.”
Jim Jones Doubles Down on The Breakfast Club
Jim Jones then rehashed the sentiments during an appearance on The Breakfast Club. Confronted by DJ Envy and Charlemagne Tha God about the controversial stance, the Harlem MC colorfully reiterated himself. For the purpose of his argument, Capo focused solely on radio play and club records.
“Could you name five Pusha T records?” Jones asked The Breakfast Club staff. “Could you name five Pusha T records? No. Could you rap to five Pusha T records?” After Charlemagne named several standout Pusha T records, Jones dismissed Charlemagne as a Pusha T fan and joked about him listening to the records in his basement.
While Jim Jones acknowledged Pusha T’s talent as a lyricist, he said he hasn’t made enough of a cultural impact to be considered an all-time rap great.
“Shoutout to Pusha T, I love your soul,” Jones continued. “You my dawg, you not in my top 50. You might be in Charlamagne’s top 50 and things like that, but you haven’t done that much for me in my life.”
“I never wanted to be like Pusha, I never had a Pusha moment in my life. Where I’m from, n-ggas wanted to be like you if you was really that dude as a rapper.”
Jim Jones Makes his Loyalties Clear
Jim Jones is an accomplished rapper himself and is certainly entitled to his opinion. However, his conviction is not without bias. Along with his controversial opinion on Pusha T, Jones has made the rounds for declaring Drake as hip hop’s greatest ever rapper. During appearances on the RapCaviar Podcast and an interview on Complex, Jones asserted his controversial take.
“Drake is the only one that gets played anyplace on this Earth, and they’re gonna know it in English. If you’re not putting Drake in the Top 2 of all time, like, what are we gonna do? We gonna keep putting shade on his name? He has broke every single statistic, period. You heard?”
Drake of course, famously brought out Jim Jones and the entire Diplomats crew during his performance at the Apollo Theater and celebrated the veteran rapper and his cohorts with a heartfelt tribute. “These guys right here, from Harlem, made us dress different, talk different, walk different, rap different. All the way in Canada.”
Verdict
Thus, it could be that after that moment Jim Jones’ view of what makes an all-time great rapper was altered and he only saw things through a Drake lens. Or, the one they call Capo could just be aligning with his good buddy who also happens to be the most popular rapper in the world. After all, Pusha T and Drake’ s longstanding beef ended without a reply from the Canadian crooner. Consequently, many declared Pusha T the winner as he was one of the few to land a crack in Drake’s pop-star armor.
What Jim Jones might have looked over is that Drake himself counts Pusha T amongst his many influences. During an episode of the short-lived MTV show When I Was 17, Drake shared a story from his formative years revealing his fandom of the “Dreaming of the Past” rapper. While scouring eBay in search of Clipse memorabilia, Drake stumbled upon and purchased a microphone that was allegedly autographed and used by Pusha T.
“I used to pretend I was doing interviews on the red carpet and perform all the Clipse songs in my basement with the mic,” he says. “I’m a full-sized teen at this point, so this is in private. And I performed with it so much that I rubbed the autograph off. I don’t even know if he really signed it, but that was my big thing. At the time it meant the world to me.”
Furthermore, Pusha T remains one of the very few that can get Jay – Z on a record. For rap fans, that may be influence enough.
The University at Albany Department of Music and Theatre will finish the 2022-23 season with four concerts featuring six of its large ensembles at the UAlbany Performing Arts Center on the university’s uptown campus.
The first in the series of concerts took place on April 22, with the UAlbany Chamber Singers and UAlbany Community Chorale, The Choral Hour. In the spirit of Earth Day, the program featured music that focuses on the power and beauty of nature, our relationship to our planet, and its place in the greater universe Both led by Michael Pfitzer, the Chamber Singers is a select group of 28 students who offer music of the highest quality, while the Community Chorale consists of 45 singers from across the campus community, representing majors from all schools and programs.
The Choral Hour. Credit: Gary Gold.
On April 24 at 8 p.m., the UAlbany Jazz Band will perform a program of works by Charles Mingus, Gil Evans, Paquito D’Rivera, and more. Directed by Keith Pray, the ensemble is open to all students.
UAlbany Jazz. Band. Credit: Lawdy Luc.
The UAlbany Symphony Orchestra will present a program on April 30 at 3 p.m., featuring Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8 in G Major and Faure’s Pavane, Op. 50. Led by conductor Christopher David Neubert, this large ensemble regularly performs works representing outstanding repertoire from the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic periods of the 20th and 21st centuries.
UAlbany Symphony Orchestra. Credit: UAlbany Performing Arts Center.
The season culminates on May 1 at 7 p.m. with Sound of the Trumpets, Roar of the Drums, a shared concert by the UAlbany Concert Band, and the UAlbany Percussion Ensemble. Under the direction of Richard Albagli, the percussionists will perform three works with high school student William Lauricella as a special guest. Conductor Kevin Champagne will lead the band in five works including Star Wars Saga by John Williams.
Sound of the Trumpets, Roar of the Drums. Credit: UAlbany Performing Arts Center.
Advance tickets for each University at Albany Department of Music and Theatre concert are $5 for the general public and $3 for students, seniors, and UAlbany faculty staff, while same-day tickets are $10 for the general public and $8 for students, seniors, and UAlbany faculty staff. All tickets must be purchased online from the UAlbany Performing Arts Center’s website, while information and assistance can be obtained by contacting the main office at (518) 442-3995 or PAC@albany.edu.
The 20th Anniversary of the Django A Gogo Music Festival begins early this May and culminates with the main event: an intensive “Guitar and Violin Camp” at The Town Hall in New York City on May 6 at 8:00 p.m.
Additionally, Django A Gogo includes an enhanced “Guitar and Violin Camp” from May 2-May 7 at The Woodland in New Jersey. The concerts will follow the Django canon and veer into reinterpretation, improvisation, and interplay between artists.
Poster for the Django a Gogo Music Festival. Credit: Stephane Wrembel Presents.
Wrembel has produced Django a Gogo since 2003, bringing together some of the finest musicians to celebrate the constant evolution of the Sinti guitar style, commonly referred to as “gypsy jazz.”
The 3 concerts at The Woodland are as follows:
On May 3, Stephane Wrembel Band (Stephane Wrembel on guitar, Josh Kaye on guitar, Ari Folman-Cohen on bass, and Nick Anderson on drums) presents The Art of the Guitar with special guests Simba Baumgartner (Django Reinhardt’s great-grandson), Paulus Schaefer and more!
The Art of the Violin follows on May 4, featuring violinist Jason Anick and Trio Dinicu featuring Tommy Davy on guitar and Luann Homzy on violin as well as guitarists Stephane Wrembel, Debi Botos and, and Sam Farthing.
The Woodland concerts conclude May 5, celebrating the release of Wremble’s new album, Django New Orleans, recorded with his NYC-based supergroup of musicians. Django New Orleans features Stephane Wrembel and Josh Kaye on guitar, Adrien Chevalier on violin, Joe Correia on Tuba, Scott Kettner on drums, David Langlois on percussion, Nick Driscoll on sax/clarinet, Joe Boga on trumpet and Sarah King on vocals.
The main event on May 6 at The Town Hall opens with Stephane Wrembel Band, Simba Baumgartner (France), Paulus Schaefer (Holland), Debi Botos (Canada), Samy Daussat (France), and Sam Farthing (U.S.) on guitar; and Aurore Voilqué (France) on violin. The second set follows with a short performance by Trio Dinicu featuring Tommy Davy on guitar and Luann Homzy on violin, followed by a set from Django New Orleans. The concert concludes with a grand finale with all performers on stage.
The concerts for the Django a Gogo Music Festival, both at The Woodland and The Town Hall, are open to patrons of all ages. Tickets for The Woodland Concerts start at $35/show and a limited number of three-day passes for $90 are available. Tickets for The Django A Gogo Music Festival at The Town Hall start at 49.50.
