NYS Music 2023

Category: News Desk

  • Stony Creek Band Celebrate 50th Anniversary in Lake George

    An unforgettable evening of music, dancing, and celebrating the 50th anniversary of the iconic Stony Creek Band awaits at Lake George’s Shepard Park on Thursday, Aug. 24, at 6:30 PM, presented by The Lake George Arts Project and the Village of Lake George, featuring a special performance by The Switch. The 50th Anniversary Concert is free and will feature the Village’s spectacular fireworks after the show.

    For 50 years, The Stony Creek Band has thrilled generations of fans with its high-energy blend of rock, folk, country, and bluegrass; a sound that has consistently defied description but is “a product of the landscape as authentically upstate as any Hudson River School painting or sculpture by David Smith,” and performed in a manner described by one reviewer as “a ferocious ensemble attack; like a runaway train.”

    The Stony Creek Band began with the 1973 meeting of John Strong, a folksinger/guitarist from the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, and Hank Soto, a guitarist and songwriter from the Bavarian Alps of Germany. Along with a bass player the Stony Creek Band began life as a folk trio, touring coffee houses in New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. After moving to the Adirondack mountain hamlet of Stony Creek, NY the band quickly developed into a seven-piece musical powerhouse featuring drums, a rock guitarist, pedal steel guitar, and banjo that, for a time, was the little town’s largest year-round employer.

    In the 1980’s the band evolved into its current five-piece configuration which now includes producer/ singer /songwriter Dave Maswick on bass, blues Hall of Fame member Mike Lomaestro on drums, and noted bluegrass mandolin virtuoso Fred Lantz. Over the years, the Stony Creek Band has made hundreds (if not thousands) of concert appearances including a live performance on international TV for the closing ceremonies of the Goodwill Winter Games, an appearance at a New York State gubernatorial inauguration, a February outdoor appearance at the 25th-anniversary celebration of the “Miracle on Ice” (brrrr) and a live performance on NBC’s TODAY show with Meredith Viera and Ann Curry.

    Hank Soto, the co-founder of the Stony Creek Band, says “50 years!  Never did I think, where the band was concerned, I’d be referencing time in decades let alone five. In that time, we’ve met so many great folks who have encouraged and supported us. Nothing succeeds without that love and that is the real reason for our longevity. Thinking of all of the venues we’ve played, Shepard Park in Lake George is just a stand-out treasure. We are so grateful to LGAP and the Village of Lake George for their continuous support and the opportunity to celebrate our 50th on that great stage. Another 50 years? If we could only fool the flesh – the spirit is willing.”

    This golden anniversary marks a milestone not only for the band but also for the fans who have supported them throughout their incredible journey. “The Stony Creek Band is really looking forward to this gig and looking forward to seeing all of our friends – we even have a few special guests who have played with us over the years. Shepard Park is a very special venue and one of our favorite places to play, you can’t beat the crowd or the backdrop,” says John Strong, co-founder of the Stony Creek Band.

    Admission is free, so grab a blanket, some chairs, and your family and friends, and come early to secure your favorite spot. For more information visit here. 

  • Shauna Quill Steps Down as Executive Director of the New York Youth Symphony

    Shauna Quill, the Executive Director of the New York Youth Symphony (NYYS), will be leaving the organization on Oct. 3, 2023, after 12 years of experience. This comes after her announcement that she will be joining Music Academy in Santa Barbara, CA as their newest President and CEO.

    Photo via NYYS website

    Over the past 12 years with the NYYS, Quill has helped the organization reach new heights and launch projects across the New York community. When it comes to some of her accomplishments, some of the highlights include guiding the organization to receive a Grammy Award for Best Orchestral Performance for its first professional recording, creating international touring programs, and theater involvement groups for NYC kids.

    Building the NYC music partnerships and communities served as a major goal for Quill in her time with NYYS, joining forces with Interlochen Center for the Arts, Harmony Program, Harlem School of the Arts, and Orchestra of St. Luke’s, raising national attention for the organization.

    Alongside the national recognition came appearances on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, CBS Sunday Morning, CNN, and Jimmy Kimmel Live!, boosting NYYS and its following.


    Over the past 12 years, the students, staff, trustees, and parents have become a huge part of my life and working with them all to inspire and educate our young musicians has been a true honor.

    – Shauna Quill

    Founded in 1963, the New York Youth Symphony has been the music hub for over music 7,000 students, giving them the opportunities to sharpen their craft while also performing at major venues such as Carnegie Hall and Jazz at Lincoln Center.

    As for Quill’s departure, the NYYS Board of Trustees has started the search process for a new Executive Director, working with a search firm, The Catherine French Group, to make this happen.

    William Kapell, Board President of NYYS, believes that Quill will continue to hit amazing strides as her career progresses, stating that he has “no doubt that she will bring the same focus and creativity to her next endeavors.”

    NYYS on CBS Sunday Morning

  • The Soul Rebels Slated To Perform Four Nights At The Blue Note Jazz Club

    The Soul Rebels are set to perform for four nights at the Blue Note Jazz Club from Sept. 21 through Sept. 24. The group will also be accompanied by a slew of special guests including Rakim & Big Daddy Kane. Comedian Tony Woods, New York icon Ja Rule, and rapper G-Eazy are all scheduled to host a different night. 

    A product of New Orleans’ rich musical history, The Soul Rebels is an eight-piece brass ensemble. The band has long been admired for its ability to fuse together elements of jazz, soul, hip-hop, pop, and rock. An artistic Swiss Army knife, The Soul Rebels have performed with the likes of Nas, Rakim, Katy Perry, Portugal. The Man, and even Metallica. 

    The eight-member collective has appeared on multiple major releases including G-Eazy’s “When You’re Gone” ft. Lil Wayne and Dave East and Nas’ “Godfather 4.” The ensemble’s 2019 album Poetry in Motion impressed listeners and spawned appearances on The Late Show and NPR’s Tiny Desk.

    Performing a Blue Note Jazz Club residency is the holy grail of artistic experiences for our band. This opportunity brings together our favorite artists including our long-time friends and collaborators Rakim and G-Eazy and marks our debut performances with Big Daddy Kane and Ja Rule. This Blue Note engagement is truly monumental within our career and in culture. We are going big this year for the 50th anniversary of hip hop.

    Drummer and co-founder, Lumar Leblanc.

    The Blue Note Jazz Club continues to attract artists from a multitude of musical backgrounds. A Manhattan staple, the institution has been up and running since 1981. The Soul Rebels will be joined onstage by an all-star cast of jazz musicians. Louis Cato, Ray Angry, Elena Pinderhughes, and James Carter are all scheduled to be part of the band’s four-night run of performances. 

    Blue Note owns and operates New York’s Blue Note Jazz Club, Sony Hall, and Arthur’s Tavern; D.C.’s The Howard Theatre; and Blue Note Jazz Clubs Worldwide, which includes venues in Milan, Italy; Honolulu, HI; Beijing and Shanghai, China; Tokyo and Nagoya, Japan; Napa, CA; and Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, Brazil.

    Here for tickets and more information about the performances.

  • Lake George Presents A Graphic Design Retrospective Ahead of Annual ‘Jazz at the Lake’

    The Lake George Arts Project is set to present a Courthouse Gallery exhibition titled “Jazz at the Lake: A Graphic Design Retrospective” in honor of the community’s annual event “Jazz at the Lake.” The display will be open to viewers for an entire month beginning on Aug. 23 and ending on Sept. 23.

    Jazz at the Lake is an annual event held by Lake George’s Art Project that brings some of the most incredible talent in jazz right to Shepard Park. The weekend has been a staple of Lake George’s community for over forty years, striving to bring unity and culture to the New York town. This year, the jazz performances will be held from Sept. 15-17.

    In anticipation of the arrival of the musicians and as a way to honor the legacy of “Jazz at the Lake,” the Lake George Arts Project will showcase the evolution of the imagery that has complemented the weekend since 2009. The design firm, Gruskin Creative, which has provided ample support and visuals for the jazz extravaganza for the past fifteen years has created beautiful images that layer the picturesqueness of Lake George with a visual representation of the mood of jazz. “Jazz at the Lake: A Graphic Design Retrospective” will also honor the vision of Paul Pines, Jazz at the Lake founder and artistic director from 1984 until 2018.

    A Gallery Reception for the exhibit will also be held on Thursday, Sept. 14, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM to kick off the weekend!

  • Ghost of Vroom Announces Headling Tour, Coming to Rochester, NYC, Albany

    Ahead of their new album, Ghost of Vroom 3 releasing on Sept. 1, 2023, critically-acclaimed band Ghost of Vroom has announced its dates for the group’s North American Tour. From Nov. 3 to Nov.19, including three stops in New York, the band will play past hits and new singles from the forthcoming project.

    Comprised of singer-songwriter Mike Doughty, bassist Andrew “Scrap” Livingston, and drummer Madden Klass, Ghost of Vroom’s newest album will additionally include producer Mark Caldato Jr.

    Having previously worked with acts such as the Beastie Boys and Jack Johnson, Caldato’s talent brings a wide variety of positive expectations heading into the project’s release.

    First known for his solo work and as the lead singer for Soul Coughing, Doughty’s experience with the band did not start until 2020, making their official debut with 2020’s GHOST OF VROOM 2 EP.

    Highlighted by the hit single, “Rona Pollona,” the group’s debut piece attracted the attention of the industry, including Rolling Stone, who applauds the “laid back groove of shuffling drums, twisting guitar and lazy cello strokes” on the song.

    Ghost of Vroom 2 album cover

    Known to deliver a unique, funky sound, much of this can be heard through their most recent track “Pay The Man,” the lead single ahead of September’s release. Arriving via Mod y Vi Records on Friday, Sept. 1, pre-orders are available now for the second album in Ghost of Vroom’s catalog.

    Tour Dates & Ticket Information

    The North American tour dates begin Nov. 3 and travels through mid-November, making three stops in New York (New York City, Rochester, and Albany).

    All general on-sale tickets for the announced dates will be available Friday, August 18 at 12:00 pm est. For full details and ticket information, you can also visit www.ghostofvroom.com.

    November –

    3 – Iowa City, IA – Gabe’s

    4 – Minneapolis, MN– Fine Line Music Cafe

    5 – Madison, WI – Majestic Theatre

    7 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall

    8 – Detroit, MI – El Club

    10 – Toronto, ON – Longboat Hall at Great Hall

    11 – Cleveland, OH – Beachland Ballroom

    12 – Rochester, NY – Flour City Station

    14 – Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall

    15 – Amherst, MA – The Drake

    17 – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom

    18 – Albany, NY – Lark Hall

    19 – Philadelphia, PA – The Foundry at the Fillmore

  • Troy Savings Bank Music Hall To Debut New Event ‘Kaleidescape’

    The Troy Savings Bank Music Hall will unveil a brand new event, Kaleidescape: A Sonic Journey, on October 14. The event will feature over 15 artists and is set to be a musical experience unlike anything the venue has ever hosted before. The venue has commissioned seven artists to create an original piece of work that will debut at Kaleidescape.

    Originally part of a historic bank, the Music Hall has become an artistic staple in Troy and the surrounding area. The Music Hall will serve as the central artistic inspiration for the new pieces of music . The mission of Kaleidescape is to celebrate the local musicians and fans who have helped to support Troy Savings Bank Music Hall. 

    Curated by Organ Colossal, Kaleidoscope will feature performances from Buggy Jive, Sara Ayers, Ohzhe, Zan and the Winter Folk, Sam Torres, and composer Patrick Burke. The event will also include multiple special guests like Julia Alsarraf and Girl Blue. 

    Kaleidescape will continue the venue’s mission of keeping music open and accessible. To ensure that cost is not a barrier, the organization has announced that there will be a limited number of free tickets. The Troy Redevelopment Foundation is sponsoring the Community Ticket Bank. To inquire or reserve these tickets contact Troy Savings Bank Music Hall by email, by phone at (518) 273-0038, or by visiting the box office.

    Click here for a full list of performers, and visit here for paid tickets and more information.

  • Colin Barkell and Todd Meredith To Perform Two Shows At Little York Pavilion

    Colin Barkell and his band King Vaudeville are set to perform two concerts at the Little York Pavilion in Preble on Sept. 6 and 14. Todd Meredith and special guest Kyle Lacy are also scheduled to appear. The shows are part of Cortland Repertory Theatre’s (CRT) 51st summer of programming at the venue. 

    Since appearing at CRT in 2019, Colin Barkell has gone on to make his Broadway debut and form the group King Vaudeville. His performance will feature impassioned covers of classic Johnny Cash, Elvis, and Chuck Berry tunes. Barkell will also mix in some of his original music, which reflects his upbeat personality. 

    Todd Meredith is no stranger to CRT either, appearing in Buddy! The Buddy Holly Story back in 2013. The Albany artist also performed in Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash and Million Dollar Quartet. Meredith and guest guitarist Kyle Lacy will perform an acoustic mix of classic and contemporary pop songs. With both musicians being prolific songwriters, the show will also include some of their own work.

    Todd Meredith

    Dr. James Palmer, associate director of theatre at SUNY Cortland, opened the Cortland Repertory Theatre in 1972. Since then, the organization has only grown, expanding to downtown in 2010. Past CRT performers and volunteers include Academy Award-winner Holly Hunter, Tony-winning director Joe Mantello, and renowned actor Stephen Borgardis.

    Tickets for both concerts are available here, at the CRT downtown Box office, or by calling 800-427-6160.  Click here for more information about these and upcoming shows and events at CRT Downtown this fall.

  • Joe Marcinek Band Set To Appear At Iridium Jazz Club

    The Joe Marcinek Band will take the state at Iridium Jazz Club in NYC on Aug. 26. The evening will also feature multiple guest musicians who look to compliment the vibrant and engaging sounds of the band. 

    Uniquely, the Joe Marcinek band is a carousel of different musicians and set lists. Each performance is made to be its own individual experience. The music varies from the psychedelic tones of the Grateful Dead to the brassy sound of Chicago Blues. 

    Joe Marcinek Band Facebook.

    Baltimore’s renowned Dennis Chambers will be on drums during the evening. A longtime fixture in the East Coast jazz scene, Chambers began performing at just six years old. Despite lacking formal training, he has gone on to share the stage with the likes of John Scofield, Santan, Mike Stern, and Parliament/Funkadelic. As a teenager the drummer was recruited to be a part of the storied Sugar Hill Label. Chambers will be joined by legendary harmonica figure Howard Levy. Backing them all up is percussionist Jason Hann, who cut his teeth with The String Cheese Incident.

    Lending his keys to the night is jazz pianist Jesus Molina. The Columbian-born artist has made a name for himself in the world of jazz. Originally a saxophonist, Molina transitioned from saxophone to piano as a teen. Cincinnati vocalist Reilly Comisar and bassist Ola Timothy will also be performing during the evening. 

    Click here for more information on the event and ticket details.

  • Indigo Girls To Perform Benefit Show At Capitol Theatre

    The Indigo Girls will perform at the “Raising the Bar Benefit Concert” at Capitol Theatre on Nov. 3. The Pace Women’s Justice Center (PWJC) hosts the event each October as it commemorates Domestic Violence Awareness Month. 

    Amy Ray and Emily Saliers

    Consisting of Emily Sailers and Amy Ray, the Indigo Girls are one of the most iconic acts in folk music. The pair has released 16 studio albums and sold over 15 million records. In 1990 the duo earned a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album with their self-titled project Indigo Girls. The opening track on the album, “Closer to Fine” has gone on to solidify itself as one of the most popular songs in folk music. 

    Along with their successful music career, the Indigo Girls are widely recognized for their social and political activism. Champions of LGBTQ+ rights and protecting the environment, the group has incorporated their advocacy into both their music and shows. 

    We are thrilled and honored to have the Indigo Girls perform for our benefit concert to raise awareness about domestic violence.

    Cindy Kanusher, Executive Director for PWJC.  

    The Pace Women’s Justice Center is a non-profit legal center located at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law. The organization provides free legal services to over 3,500 victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and elder abuse. PWJC also hosts and participates in hundreds of training and outreach events. 

    Capitol Theatre

    Each October, the nonprofit honors an individual who has dedicated themselves to supporting the PWJC mission and its clients with the Making a Difference Award. This year PWJC selected Daniel Seymour, President of Cannae Advisors LLC.

    The Raising the Bar Benefit Concert is a nod to PWJC’s mission to increase access to justice and to provide free legal services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. The funds raised will allow PWJC to continue helping their clients on their journeys toward empowerment and healing. Click here for information on individual tickets and sponsorships. 

  • Luke Combs Adds Buffalo Dates to 2024 “Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old Tour”

    Reigning two time CMA Entertainer of the Year Luke Combs will perform 25 U.S. stadium shows next year with his “Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old Tour,” including two shows in Buffalo. Special guests for the Friday night shows include Cody Jinks, The Avett Brothers, Charles Wesley Godwin, Hailey Whitters and The Wilder Blue, while the Saturday shows will feature Jordan Davis, Mitchell Tenpenny, Drew Parker and Colby Acuff.

    The 2024 dates follow Combs’ massive World Tour, which runs through this fall including upcoming sold-out shows in Australia and Europe. With 44 shows across 3 continents and 16 countries, the tour is the largest ever for a country artist and has broken records across the globe.

    We got an opportunity to do two shows in some U.S. markets on the World Tour, but when I found out we were going to be able to do two shows for most all of the cities on the 2024 tour, I decided I wanted each show to have their own unique set up of openers, as well as my own unique setlist. I thought this would give people an opportunity to come to both nights if they want, but see two completely different shows. With Country music being such a wide genre and being a huge fan of it all myself, I wanted to open up my stage to acts that lean into Outlaw, Americana and Red Dirt on Friday nights, as well as having a night with people I have toured with in the past, who are more contemporary country. I’m super excited to have both groups be out on the road with me for the Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old Tour!

    Luke Combs

    The performances add to yet another triumphant year for Combs, whose new version of Tracy Chapman’s Grammy-winning song, “Fast Car,” has spent five consecutive weeks at #1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart. This is Combs’ 16th consecutive #1 single at country radio, yet another historic feat. The song was also recently certified 2x Platinum, has garnered over 435 million global streams, and is currently #1 on the Hot AC chart and #2 on Billboard’s all-genre Hot 100 chart. With these achievements, “Fast Car” is the first song by a male solo artist to ever top both the Hot AC and Country Airplay charts.

    Additionally, Combs recently earned 22 new RIAA certifications including for his albums This One’s For You (6x Platinum), What You See Is What You Get (4x Platinum), Growin’ Up (Platinum),  Gettin’ Old (Gold), and other hits.

    Luke Combs is currently celebrating the release of his new album, Gettin’ Old—a companion to his acclaimed 2022 record, Growin’ Up. Receiving critical acclaim, The New York Times said that it is, “…grounded in country, complete with fiddle fills, but it’s also pointed toward a wide pop audience” while Billboard proclaims, “his electrifying-yet-earthy voice soundtracking this time in his life as a husband, father and entertainer at the top of his game.” Produced by Combs, Chip Matthews and Jonathan Singleton, Gettin’ Old is Combs’ fourth full-length album following Growin’ Up, 2019’s What You See is What You Get and This One’s For You. 

    A Grand Ole Opry-member and 8x CMA, 3x ACM, 3x Billboard Music Award-winner, Combs has also partnered with Opry Entertainment Group to open a massive multi-level entertainment complex in downtown Nashville, expected to open summer 2024. 

    Tickets for Luke Combs’ “Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old Tour” will be available for pre-sale starting Wednesday, Aug. 23 at 4:00 pm local time with general on-sale following Friday, Aug. 25 at 10:00 am local time. Combs’ official fan club, The Bootleggers, will once again have early access to tickets through fan pre-sale starting Wednesday, August 23 at 10:00 am local time. Citi cardmembers will have access to pre-sale tickets starting Thursday, Aug. 24 from 10:00 am through 10:0 0pm local time via Citi Entertainment. Complete details can be found at www.citientertainment.com.  

    Luke Combs Tour

    August 16—Sydney, Australia—Qudos Bank Arena* (SOLD OUT)

    August 17—Sydney, Australia—Qudos Bank Arena* (SOLD OUT)

    August 19—Melbourne, Australia—Rod Laver Arena* (SOLD OUT)

    August 20—Melbourne, Australia—Rod Laver Arena* (SOLD OUT)

    August 23—Adelaide, Australia—Adelaide Entertainment Centre* (SOLD OUT)

    August 26—Perth, Australia—RAC Arena* (SOLD OUT)

    September 30—Oslo, Norway—Spektrum Arena (SOLD OUT)

    October 1—Stockholm, Sweden—Avicii Arena (SOLD OUT)

    October 4—Copenhagen, Denmark—Royal Arena (SOLD OUT)

    October 6—Hamburg, Germany—Barclays Arena (SOLD OUT)

    October 7—Amsterdam, Netherlands—AFAS Live (SOLD OUT)

    October 8—Paris, France—La Cigale (SOLD OUT)

    October 10—Zurich, Switzerland—The Hall (SOLD OUT)

    October 11—Brussels, Belgium—Ancienne Belgique (SOLD OUT)

    October 13—Dublin, Ireland—3Arena (SOLD OUT)

    October 14—Belfast, N. Ireland—SSE Arena (SOLD OUT)

    October 16—Glasgow, Scotland—OVO Hydro Arena (SOLD OUT)

    October 17—Manchester, England—AO Arena (SOLD OUT)

    October 19—London, England—The O2 Arena (SOLD OUT)

    October 20—London, England—The O2 Arena (SOLD OUT) 

    April 12, 2024—Milwaukee, WI—American Family Field†

    April 13, 2024—Milwaukee, WI—American Family Field‡

    April 19, 2024—Buffalo, NY—Highmark Stadium+

    April 20, 2024—Buffalo, NY—Highmark Stadium‡

    April 27, 2024—University Park, PA—Beaver Stadium‡

    May 3, 2024—Jacksonville, FL—EverBank Stadium§

    May 4, 2024—Jacksonville, FL—EverBank Stadium~

    May 10, 2024—San Antonio, TX—Alamodome§

    May 11, 2024—San Antonio, TX—Alamodome‡

    May 17, 2024—Santa Clara, CA—Levi’s® Stadium§

    May 18, 2024—Santa Clara, CA—Levi’s® Stadium~

    May 31, 2024—Phoenix, AZ—State Farm Stadium§

    June 1, 2024—Phoenix, AZ—State Farm Stadium~

    June 7, 2024—Salt Lake City, UT—Rice-Eccles Stadium§

    June 8, 2024—Salt Lake City, UT—Rice-Eccles Stadium‡

    June 14, 2024—Los Angeles, CA—SoFi Stadium+

    June 15, 2024—Los Angeles, CA—SoFi Stadium~

    July 14—Craven, Canada—Country Thunder Saskatchewan

    July 19, 2024—East Rutherford, NJ—MetLife Stadium§

    July 20, 2024—East Rutherford, NJ—MetLife Stadium‡

    July 26, 2024—the Washington D.C. area (Landover, MD)—FedExField+

    July 27, 2024—the Washington D.C. area (Landover, MD)—FedExField‡

    August 2, 2024—Cincinnati, OH—Paycor Stadium§

    August 3, 2024—Cincinnati, OH—Paycor Stadium‡

    August 9, 2024—Houston, TX—NRG Stadium§

    August 10, 2024—Houston, TX—NRG Stadium‡

    *with special guests Cody Johnson and Lane Pittman, †with special guests Cody Jinks, Charles Wesley Godwin and The Wilder Blue, ‡with special guests Jordan Davis, Mitchell Tenpenny, Drew Parker and Colby Acuff, +with special guests The Avett Brothers, Charles Wesley Godwin, Hailey Whitters, The Wilder Blue, §with special guests Cody Jinks, Charles Wesley Godwin, Hailey Whitters, The Wilder Blue, ~with special guests Jordan Davis, TBA, Drew Parker, Colby Acuff