A collaboration no one expected will tour this summer as ‘The New Beetles.’ Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, the two surviving members of The Beatles, will be joined by Boy George and Elton John, which, according to Starr, will allow “A new generation to be able to say they saw John, Paul, George and me, Ringo.”
The New Beetles say they will perform classic songs from the original Beatles catalog and Boy George songs, as well as new classics such as “Instant Karma Chameleon,” “Can You Feel the Love Me Do,” “A Day in the Wind,” “Cry Baby Crying Game,” “I’m Still Seeing her Standing There,” “Do You Really Want To Hold My Hand,” and many more.
“I’m most excited to play “Goodbye Yellow Brick Submarine” and “Get Back, Honky Cat,” said Elton John. “I always felt like my songs could use a little influence from the Fab 4, and here we are, rehearsing “The Bitch Is Back In The USSR.” It’s really quite fascinating.”
The New Beetles tour is sponsored by the 2023 Volkswagon Beetle. Tickets for the surviving Beatles on tour with Boy George and Elton John are available exclusively at this Sam Goody located on Long Island.
Amayo, former frontman of Antibalas for 23 years, will embark on a spring tour and perform seven shows across the country in April, with two shows in New York, at City Winery on May 8 and Colony Woodstock on May 13. Amayo is credited with bringing Afrobeat to a global audience, leading it to become a genre of itself.
The Grammy-Nominated Antibalas album, Fu Chronicles, in the category of Best Global Music Albany, was his vision, from concept to compositions and illustrations. The album became the launchpad for Amayo’s solo career, where Kung Fu meets Afrobeat.
A unique blend of styles creates a magical landscape for Chinese & African rhythms, where Amayo sings traditional Yoruba & Edo lyrics and plays piano, electric keyboard, organ, and the Gbedu Spirit Drum. Joining Amayo is his band, featuring chekere, guitar, bass, flute, violin, drums, percussion and horns.
The band carries the spirit of Kung Fu masters and philosophers of Asia, freedom fighters, the royal warriors of Edo & Ife Kingdoms, and Fela Kuti.
Amayo’s songs guide people through Kung Fu movements and stories of the Nigerian Edo & Ife Kingdoms. As an anointed Orisha “Awo” Amayo sings traditional Nigerian spirituals and stories that have been passed down in a sacred lineage.
Additionally, Amayo has been a senior master (Sifu) of the Jow Ga Kung Fu School of martial arts since 1982 and performs traditional Chinese Lion Dance as a salutation ritual to begin his stage performances to bring good fortune to the audience.
Indie rock kingpins Pixies will be joined by Modest Mouse for the third leg of their North American tour, which includes performances at three New York venues. The bands will perform twice at The Rooftop at Pier 17 in New York City on Aug. 21 and 22, the Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown on Aug. 25, and the Artpark Amphitheater in Lewiston on Aug. 28. The upcoming tour is in support of Pixie’s latest studio album, Doggerel.
Pixies members, from left to right: David Lovering, (drums, percussion, backing vocals) Black Francis, (lead and backing vocals, rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar) Paz Lenchantin, (bass, violin, backing and lead vocals), and Joey Santiago (lead guitar, backing vocals.) Credit: Pixies.com
Pixies originated in Boston, Massatuchetts, and consists of David Lovering, (drums, percussion, backing vocals) Black Francis, (lead and backing vocals, rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar) Paz Lenchantin, (bass, violin, backing and lead vocals), and Joey Santiago (lead guitar, backing vocals.) They have been performing for over 30 years, and their debut album, Surfer Rosa, was released in 1988, supported by their lead single “Gigantic.” Over the course of their career, they have released a total of eight studio albums, most recently 2022’s Doggerel, which their upcoming tour supports. The band disbanded in 1993, and reunited in 2004, with their first release since reuniting being 2014’s Indie Cindy, their fifth studio album. They are known for being “one-of-a-kind” performers, due to their concerts having no pre-determined set lists, and whatever song plays next is what “feels right.”
New Musical Express (NME) called Doggerel “the most inventive since their reunion nearly two decades ago.”
Tickets to see the Pixies perform with Modest Mouse on their North American tour, and all other venues, go on sale Friday, March 31 at 10 a.m.
LEG ONE: (various support acts):
MAY 2023
4 Fox Theater, Oakland, CA
5 BeachLife Festival, Redondo Beach, CA
6 Golden State Theatre, Monterey, CA
8 The Van Buren, Phoenix, AZ
9 Lensic Performing Arts Center, Santa Fe, NM
10 The Mission Ballroom, Denver, CO
12 Encore Theatre at Wynn, Las Vegas, NV
13 Encore Theatre at Wynn, Las Vegas, NV
14 Kilby Block Party, Utah State Park, Salt Lake City, UT (Festival)
18 Teatro Metopólitan, Cuauhtémoc, Mexico
21 Corona Capital 2023, Mexico, Mexico
LEG TWO (with Franz Ferdinand and Bully):
JUNE 2023
8 MGM Music Hall at Fenway, Boston, MA
9 The Met, Philadelphia, PA
10 The Anthem, Washington, D.C.
12 Kemba Live!, Columbus, OH
13 Stage AE, Pittsburgh, PA
14 Andrew J. Brady Music Center, Cincinnati, OH
16 Red Hat Amphitheater, Raleigh, NC
17 Rabbit Rabbit, Asheville, NC
18 Bonnaroo, Manchester, TN (Festival)
20 Coca-Coca Roxy, Atlanta, GA
21 The Fillmore, New Orleans, LA
23 Bayou Music Center, Houston, TX
24 Southside Ballroom, Dallas, TX
25 Moody Amphitheatre, Austin, TX
LEG THREE: (co-headline with Modest Mouse, special guest Cat Power):
Following up on her successful Dead of Winter Residency singer-songwriter and classically trained harpist Mikaela Davis will be playing a Here Comes Sunshine Residency in May at Upstate locations like Buffalo, Albany, Syracuse, and more.
Mikaela Davis, photo by Tim Mosenfelder/WireImage.
Mikaela Davis is a native of Rochester, navigating folk, rock, and chamber pop in her music. She emerged in the early 2010s showcasing her harp skills with solo covers of indie singer/songwriters, producing her debut album Delivery in 2018. At age eight she began studying classical harp at the Crane School of Music, writing her own songs after that, and touring whenever she wasn’t in school. Since her debut, she has released several singles, including August’s release of “Left Hand Path,” and has shared the stage with Bob Weir, Christian McBride, Bon Iver, and more. She also performs with her band Southern Star, recently recording at the Relix Studio in New York City, releasing an exclusive Relix Studios vinyl.
Davis recently announced she will be playing a Here Comes Sunshine Residency in May in multiple Upstate cities like Ithaca, Buffalo, Albany, and Syracuse, with additional one-off shows in Burlington, VT, and the Rochester Lilac Festival. All residency shows will feature two sets, a mixture of original & Grateful Dead songs. Along with the announcement of these shows, Davis says a brand new album is in the works, to be announced at a later date.
For more information about Mikaela Davis and to buy tickets to her Here Comes Sunshine Residency, visit here.
Mikaela Davis Residency Shows
5/2 – Buffalo NY – 9th Ward at Babeville [Residency Show] 5/3 – Albany NY – Parish Public House [Residency Show] 5/4 – Syracuse NY – Funk n Waffles [Residency Show] 5/5 – Burlington VT – Burlington, VT [Residency Show] 5/7 – Ithaca NY [Residency Show] 5/8 – Ithaca NY [Residency Show] 5/9 – Buffalo NY – 9th Ward at Babeville [Residency Show] 5/10 – Albany NY – Parish Public House [Residency Show] 5/11 – Syracuse NY – Funk n Waffles [Residency Show] 5/15 – Rochester NY – Lilac Festival 5/16 – Buffalo NY – 9th Ward at Babeville [Residency Show] 5/18 – Syracuse NY – Funk n Waffles [Residency Show] 5/19 – Albany NY – Parish Public House [Residency Show]
Ellen Pieroni, a Buffalo based saxophone player, multi-instrumentalist, music educator + promoter, will release her debut album, The Encyclopedia of Soul, Vol. I, on Friday, March 31st at Sportsmens Tavern. The record presents a refreshing brand of smooth-infused soul jazz, for fans of Grover Washington Jr., Freddie Hubbard, King Curtis, and the Crusaders.
Pieroni has been playing the saxophone since she was 8 years old, and has been a sidewoman in a multitude of bands for about a decade, including Folkfaces and Intrepid Travelers, to name a few.
The Encyclopedia of Soul, Vol. I boasts 6 original compositions by Pieroni, as well as two “soul standards”. The sound is driven by earworm melodies and thoughtful improvisation from all members over deep pocket grooves. After a solid year of hitting the pavement as an ensemble, there is an undeniable musical chemistry between the musicians.
“Catch The End” is the debut single from the new album is available now on all streaming platforms, and the digital album pre-order is available for purchase on Bandcamp.
The Encyclopedia of Soul, Vol. I features Adam Bronstein (guitar), James Benders (bass), Tyler James (piano, Fender Rhodes, organ), Isaiah Gethers (drums, auxiliary percussion), as well as Pieroni on saxophone and flute. The album was recorded at GCR Audio in Buffalo and engineered/mixed/mastered by Brad Lauchert.
The album release party will take place on Friday, March 31st at Sportsmens Tavern, presented by Lavender Haze Collective. The band that evening features all of the musicians from the album’s session, better known as the Encyclopedia of Soul or EoS. The show kicks off a mini-tour for EoS, as they will play shows in Syracuse, Rochester, and NYC in the following week.
CDs and vinyl pre-orders of the album will be available for purchase at the show.
Tickets are $10 and are available here and at the door.
What’s the deal with Jerry Seinfeld’s 7 p.m. stand-up comedy show on April 8? Well, this evening will be Seinfeld’s 100th show at The Beacon Theatre in Manhattan. The comic already holds the record for most comedy shows at the theater, thanks to the residency he began in 2016.
Though he is most known for the success of his show “Seinfeld,” Jerry Seinfeld recently released his third book, “Is This Anything?” His new book is a compilation of every bit he wrote and performed since 1975, interspersed by scenes, memories and analysis of each era of his comedy career. Seinfeld’s comedy draws from common mundane activities and finds the absurdity in each, making it widely relatable and light-hearted.
The Beacon feels like home at this point. This is the place for comedy in NYC, and to do 100 shows here as part of this residency is an honor and a testament to the incredible fans who have been selling this place out since we started in 2016.
Jerry Seinfeld
As is clearly seen in “Seinfeld,” Jerry Seinfeld is a native New Yorker and the city has often acted as his muse — prompting jokes and entire plot lines inspired by events he witnessed participating in daily life in NYC. Seinfeld has become an institution in New York, making this historical achievement at an even older and more established New York institution, The Beacon Theatre, fitting.
Since the final episode of Seinfeld aired in 1998, Seinfeld himself has continued to have a successful and prolific career in comedy. In addition to his many solo comedy specials and stand-up shows on both national and international stages, Seinfeld started his web series “Comedians in Cars getting Coffee” in 2012. The show went on to host such high profile guests as President Barack Obama, and it was nominated for numerous Emmy awards and was picked up by Netflix in 2017.
Limited tickets remain for Seinfeld’s 100th show and tickets start at $115. Fans of Seinfeld or Seinfeld can buy them here.
The Jazz Foundation of America will host their annual “A Great Night in Harlem” benefit gala and concert at 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 30 to raise funds for the JFA’s Musicians’ Emergency Fund.
Danny Glover, Ann Curry, Jeffrey Wright and Mario Cantone will emcee the event, held at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. “A Great Night in Harlem” will honor musicians considered to have helped define jazz and who have left a meaningful cultural impact through their work in jazz, blues, R&B and soul. In addition to the honorees, musical director Steve Jordan will lead a concert featuring artists such as John Batiste and Betty LaVette.
The event hosts eight honorees this year. The JFA wants to honor Benny Golson to recognize his solo career that followed his rise to prominence touring with Dizzy Gillepsie and Lionel Hampton’s big bands. The founding director and vice chairman of the JFA, Wendy Oxenhorn, will also be honored for her life’s work in offering humanitarian support to jazz musicians. Native New Yorker and 90-year-old Mike Stoller, will also be recognized for his invaluable contribution to mainstream rock and roll and R&B music through his songwriting prowess. And finally, The Titans of Jazz Bass, a group of jazz basists made up of Cecil McBee, Rufus Reid, Larry Ridley, Paul West, Buster Williams and Reggie Workman will be honored as iconic members of the jazz bass tradition.
Steve Jordan is to direct musical performances Jon Batiste, Bettye LaVette, Monty Alexander, Ray Parker Jr., Kenny Barron, Robert Cray and more.
The evening will also include a special tribute to the great composer and pianist Ramsey Lewis, who died in September of last year. Lewis founded the Ramsey Lewis Foundation and Ravinia’s Jazz Mentor Program, and he was on the board of trustees for various music and arts schools, leaving a legacy that will last into the next generation of jazz musicians.
Funds raised through the annual gala will support the Jazz Foundation of America’s Musicians’ Emergency Fund, which provides housing assistance, pro bono medical care, disaster relief and emergency financial support to musicians in need. Tickets for the gala range from $75 to $250, and tickets that include access to the JFA’s exclusive after party start at $500. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the show is set to start at 8 p.m. Tickets can be found here.
The Northwest Jazz Festival in Lewiston, NY has announced its Main Stage of headliners, groups, and musicians who will appear throughout the two day festival in August 2023.
The festival is scheduled for Friday, August, 25th, and Saturday, August 26th. Visiting for the festival’s twenty-first year will be such jazz luminaries as Randy Brecker, Vincent Herring, James Carter, Benny Benack, III, and more. The festival will also include the tandem performance of vocalist Alex McArthur (JazzBuffalo winner for Jazz Female Vocalist of the Year) and saxophonist John Troy.
The Northwest Jazz Festival lineup, curated by Music Director Tony Zambito, will welcome a lineup of all-stars to the main stage, with two special projects highlighting each day. The festival’s main stage will open with the United States Air Force Rhythm in Blue Jazz Ensemble, and close with Jazz supergroup SOMETHING ELSE! performing a powerhouse Soul Jazz Revue. The super group will celebrate and perform classic soul jazz and hard bop songs by Cannonball Adderley, Horace Silver, Herbie Hancock, and more by an all-star septet ensemble.
Continuing an initiative started in 2017, the Northwest Jazz Festival will once again provide a stage for local youth to shine with performances by Matt’s Vocal Performance Team on the Center Street Stage on Friday, August 25.
For more information on Northwest Jazz Festival 2023 and to purchase tickets, please visit the festival’s website.
New band Telecom, from Brooklyn-based musician Sean McVerry, has released their debut single, “Ramon” on March 21 and have plans to release more music soon. Telecom melds 60s brit-pop, late 2000s New York indie grit, and cheeky theatrics. McVerry has worked and toured with artists such as Karen O, Danger Mouse, and Aurora.
Telecom members, from left to right: Andres Valbuena, Zeno Pittarelli, and Jonathan Sacca. Credit: Matt Speno
Telecon comprises Andres Valbuena on drums, Zeno Pittarelli on guitar, Jonathan Sacca on bass, and several other Brooklyn musicians. Their founder, Sean McVerry, is a New York music scene veteran, and recently on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where he won the show’s “instant songwriter” segment. Telecom has earned millions of streams on music platforms, and music has been featured on several television shows such as NBC’s Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist and Adult Swim on Cartoon Network.
Telecom’s debut single “Ramon” and its upcoming counterpart were co-produced and mixed by former DFA engineer Abe Seiferth at Brookly’s Transmitter Park studios. McVerry moved a free piano he found on Craigslist into the apartment, (nearly crushing himself to death) and the songs quickly came together. He started working on the songs in late 2020 in his home studio in Crown Heights, as a way to express his feelings about the Covid-19 pandemic. The songs provide different takes on the situation, with “Ramon” describing McVerry’s feelings of being trapped with his neighbors in their Brooklyn apartment building. Both songs remained dormant until a writing retreat with Pittarelli and Rahn in 2021, at which point Telecom was beginning to take form.
If Telecom’s future music is anything like “Ramon,” the band is certain to have a long and successful career ahead of them. Upon listening to their debut single, audiences are sure to be eager for more by Telecom. McVerry truly found magic with the three artists that make up the group.
McVerry said of Telecom’s Debut Single:
‘Ramon’ began with a free piano from Craigslist. After mining a ’70s drum break from my vinyl collection, I laid down the initial cassette tape demo of the song. The track thumps along a hypnotic groove, as the speaker romanticizes the cat in the courtyard, and the introspection that comes with isolation.
Constellation Brands – Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center (CMAC) has announced the latest concerts of their 2023 Summer Concert lineup – rock band The Doobie Brothers and country duo Dan + Shay.
On July 14th, four-time GRAMMY Award winners and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees, The Doobie Brothers, will perform at CMAC. This follows The Doobie Brothers 50th Anniversary Tour dates in Australia, Japan and Singapore prior to resuming their North American 2023 run.
Multiple platinum albums and 50 years later, The Doobie Brothers’ stop at CMAC will see their collection of hits once again be played together in full for the first time in 25 years.
CMAC will also see country duo Dan + Shay on August 19th. Dan + Shay’s mark on country music continues to grow with the release of their highly anticipated fourth studio album, Good Things.
Produced by the duo’s Dan Smyers, the highly imaginative LP is the first country album in the streaming era to achieve RIAA Gold certification at release and is one of the only 12 albums all-genre to be released and go Gold in 2021.
In 2021, they became the first and only artist to win the GRAMMY Award for Best Country Duo/Group Performance 3x consecutively since the category’s inception. The reigning Favorite Country Duo or Group winners claimed a 3rd consecutive win for the category at the American Music Awards, where they had swept their categories in 2020, becoming the first country artist ever to win Collaboration of the Year.
For more information on each event, and to purchase tickets, please visit CMAC’s website.
