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.
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.
On March 27, MSG Entertainment and The Bowery Presents announced that singer-songwriter Barry Manilow is returning to Radio City Music Hall for the first time since 2012, with a five-night concert series beginning Wednesday, May 31, and concluding Sunday, June 4. Beginning at 8 p.m. each night, these shows will mark the 35-39th lifetime performances by Manilow at Radio City.
Born in Brooklyn, the Grammy, Tony, and Emmy Award-winning Manilow has a career that spans nearly 50 years, having sold more than 85 million records worldwide, with his self-titled debut album being released in 1973, supported by his debut single “Could It Be Magic.” Throughout his five-night concert series at Radio City, Manilow will perform a number of his hits, including “Mandy,” “I Write the Songs,” “Looks Like We Made It,” “Can’t Smile Without You,” and “Copacabana (At the Copa).” Manilow has released 50 top-40 singles and is ranked as the number one Adult Contemporary artist of all time, according to Billboard and R&R magazines.
Tickets to see Barry Manilow at Radio City Music Hall go on sale Friday, March 31, at 10 a.m., and can additionally be purchased in person beginning on Saturday, April 1 at the Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, and Beacon Theatre box offices.
The Little Theatre, Rochester’s premier cultural center for the presentation of American independent and foreign films, visual arts and music, has a packed calendar through April and May, highlighted by the Rochester Guitar Festival, held April 1-3.
Educational events allow The Little Theatre to provide local artists a place to share and discuss their visions with a diverse audience. The warm and inviting atmosphere at “The Little” includes programming that stimulates and expands thought, inspires the spirit, promotes friendly discussion and opens cultural horizons.
Organizers of Rochester Guitar Festival, Rochester Classical Guitar, are dedicated to enriching the arts and connecting communities in the Greater Rochester Area through the medium of classical guitar. Since 2016, RCG has been presenting performances and masterclasses with internationally-acclaimed artists, and providing opportunities for local musicians, students, and hobbyists alike to perform and learn.
Rocheter Guitar Festival will feature two shows in the theater on Saturday and Monday evening, with classical guitar night in the cafe in between on Sunday.
Saturday’s show features two amazing Eastman faculty, both with international careers, Nicholas Goluses and Bonita Boyd. The pair of professors will present a variety of works composed for flute and guitar, including two works by Samuel Adler and Cynthoa Folio that are commissioned for the Eastman’s Centennial celebration and dedicated to the Boyd/Goluses duo. Details | Get Tickets
Ken Luk, Tom Torrisi, and Michael Jones are the main organizers of Rochester Guitar Festival, through Rochester Classical Guitar. Together they have been holding classical guitar night every Sunday at the cafe for many years, including April 2nd. These musicians offer a great deal for those who play classical guitar at all levels, as well as fans of the music. Details
Monday’s concert is by internationally touring guitarist Raphaël Feuillâtre, performing music from the distant past. The 26-year-old French classical guitarist, whose repertoire embraces everything from Johann Sebastian Bach and Rameau to contemporary compositions by Roland Dyens and Sérgio Assad, possesses the technical mastery and creative vision required to make works from all periods sound as if they were written yesterday – alive, heartfelt, filled with colour. Featuring local young musicians with a short opening number, the guitar class from ROCmusic, directed by Michael Jones, will kick off Raphaël‘s concert at 7pm. Details | Get Tickets
The Little Cinema Movement evolved in the 1920s as a response to the trend of mass marketing in the entertainment industry. With movie companies and film producers devoting increasing attention to the new “talking” motion pictures, the Movement attempted to reach an audience open to the experimental, the eclectic, and the unusual. The Little Theatre was proposed as one of a chain of small theaters designed to provide an alternative to the large commercial movie houses of the day.
As of late, The Little has begun an ambitious undertaking of renovating the original theatre, taking care to preserve the historic design while expanding its versitility and accesibility. Theatre 1 now has a fully rennovated marquee, new auditorium seats, a fully updated stage and sound system, and a rejuvenated lobby with an elevator.
April at The Little Theatre
Apr 1, Sat, 7-9pm: Laura Dubin Trio
Apr 2, Sun, 7-9pm: Classical Guitar Night
Apr 3, Mon, 7-9pm: PV Nunes Band
Apr 5, Weds, 7-9pm: Levi Gangi (residency)
Apr 6, Thurs, 7-9pm: Trialogue
Apr 7, Fri, 7-9pm: Sons of Monk
Apr 8, Sat, 7-9pm: Tug Hill Band
Apr 9, Sun: Easter holiday, no music
Apr 10, Mon, 7-9pm: Bossa Nova Bradley Brothers
Apr 12, Weds, 7-9pm: Levi Gangi (residency)
Apr 13, Thurs, 7-9pm: Big Blue House
Apr 14, Fri, 7-9pm: Rochester Ukulele Orchestra
Apr 15, Sat, 7-9pm: Kubick’s Rubes
Apr 16, Sun, 7-pm: Margaret Explosion
Apr 17, Mon, 7-9pm: Mel Henderson and Greg Wachala
Apr 19, Weds, 7-9pm: Levi Gangi (residency)
Apr 20, Thurs, 7-9pm: The Spring Chickens
Apr 21, Fri, 7-9pm: Uptown Tango
Apr 22, Sat, 7-9pm: Stella Hill (Originals plus tribute to Jackson Browne and Bonnie Raitt)
Apr 23, Sun, starting at 5:30pm: Poetry and Jazz
Apr 24, Mon, 7-9pm: Bravo Nights (w/ Opera Guild of Rochester)
Apr 26, Weds, 7-9pm: Levi Gangi (residency)
Apr 27,Thurs, 7-9pm: Jackson Cavalier
Apr 28, Fri, 7-9pm: Alyssa Rodriguez
Apr 29, Sat, 7-9pm: Meghan Kehrer Quartet
Apr 30, Sun, 7-9pm: Annie Wells Band
May at The Little Theatre
May 1, Mon, 7-9pm: Watkins & the Rapiers (residency)
May 3, Weds, 7-9pm: Sons of Monk
May 4, Thurs, 7-9pm: Trialogue
May 5, Fri, 7-9pm: Trio East
May 6, Sat, 7-9pm: Laura Dubin Trio
May 7, Sun: Classical Guitar Night
May 8, Mon, 7-9pm: Watkins & the Rapiers (residency)
May 10, Weds, 7-9pm: The Djangoners
May 11, Thurs, 7-9pm: Gregory Street Vagabonds
May 12, Fri, 7-9pm: Archive Ravens
May 13, Sat, 7-9pm: Bangers and Mash
May 14, Sun, 7-pm: Rich Thompson Trio – Generations
May 15, Mon, 7-9pm: Watkins & the Rapiers (residency)
May 17, Weds, 7-9pm: Spring Chickens
May 18, Thurs, 7-9pm: Susanna Rose
May 19, Fri, 7-9pm: Tug Hill Band
May 20, Sat, 7-9pm: Taurus Savant
May 21, Sun,7-9pm: Bob Sneider Trio
May 22, Mon, 7-9pm: Watkins & the Rapiers (residency)
May 24, Weds, 7-9pm: Margaret Explosion
May 25,Thurs, 7-9pm: Sunshine Quan
May 26, Fri, 7-9pm: Debbie Kendrick Band
May 27, Sat, 7-9pm: Mel Henderson and Greg Wachala
Nu-Metal band Mudvayne have announced their first headlining tour in over 14 years, The Psychotherapy Sessions.
The 26-city tour kicks off on July 20 in West Palm Beach, FL, and includes a stop at Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh on Friday, July 28.
Mudvayne, which reunited in 2021 after an 11 year hiatus, is known for both their musical and visual experimentation, which includes face and body paint, as well as masks and uniforms. Mudvayne has sold over six million records worldwide, including nearly three million in the United States.
Previously, the group made waves in 2022 when they embarked on the Freaks on Parade Tour co-headlined with Rob Zombie. This 2023 tour, however, marks Mudvayne’s first headlining endeavor since 2009. The band will be joined by a number of supporting acts including Coal Chamber, along with GWAR, Nonpoint and Butcher Babies.
“An Event. On the Horizon. Over 25 years in the making. Brave travelers…You, and the alien seed – MuDvAyNe. A journey begun. Reaching Zenith. Now for the Eschatology.” – Matt McDonough, Mudvayne drummer.
The Psychotherapy Sessions will also see the reunion of supporting act Coal Chamber, which marks Coal Chamber’s first live performances in eight years.
Tickets will go on sale starting on Friday, March 24 at 10 AM at the bands website.
THE PSYCHOTHERAPY SESSIONS TOUR DATES:
Thu Jul 20 — West Palm Beach, FL — iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
Fri Jul 21 — Tampa, FL — MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre at the FL State Fairgrounds
Sun Jul 23 — Charlotte, NC — PNC Music Pavilion
Tue Jul 25 — Bristow, VA — Jiffy Lube Live
Wed Jul 26 — Scranton, PA — The Pavilion at Montage Mountain
Fri Jul 28 — Wantagh, NY — Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
Sat Jul 29 — Camden, NJ — Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
Sun Jul 30 — Mansfield, MA — Xfinity Center
Tue Aug 01 — Syracuse, NY — St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview
Wed Aug 02 — Burgettstown, PA — The Pavilion at Star Lake
Fri Aug 04 — Cuyahoga Falls, OH — Blossom Music Center
Sat Aug 05 — Tinley Park, IL — Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre – Chicago, IL
Sun Aug 06 — Clarkston, MI — Pine Knob Music Theatre
Tue Aug 08 — Noblesville, IN — Ruoff Music Center
Wed Aug 09 — Peoria, IL — Peoria Civic Center
Sat Aug 12 — Dallas, TX — Dos Equis Pavilion
Sun Aug 13 — Woodlands, TX — The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman
Tue Aug 15 — Albuquerque, NM — Isleta Amphitheater
Wed Aug 16 — Phoenix, AZ — Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre
Thu Aug 17 — Irvine, CA — FivePoint Amphitheatre
Sat Aug 19 — Concord, CA — Concord Pavilion
Sun Aug 20 — Reno, NV — Grand Theatre
Tue Aug 22 — Auburn, WA — White River Amphitheatre
Wed Aug 23 — Ridgefield, WA — RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater
Fri Aug 25 — West Valley City, UT — USANA Amphitheatre
Sat Aug 26 — Englewood, CO — Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
Kleinhans Music Hall has announced its annual fundraiser Rhythm and Brews will take place on Friday, June 16 from 6:00 pm-9:00 pm in the Mary Seaton Room at the famed Buffalo venue.
Buffalocal will again bring together wide representation from the Western New York brewery scene. In addition to selections from 12 breweries, patrons will be able to taste high-end cuisine courtesy of Oliver’s, Britesmith, Creekview Restaurant, and Marcato by Oliver’s, all part of the Schutte Hospitality Group.
Kleinhans Music Hall was built in 1940 thanks to the generosity and vision of Edward and Mary Seaton Kleinhans, who made their fortune from the clothing store that bore their name, and the stewardship of their charitable dreams by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. The hall was designed by the Finnish father-and-son team of Eliel and Eero Saarinen, along with architects F.J. and W.A Kidd. Kleinhans is known for its combination of graceful structural beauty and extraordinary acoustics.
In 1989, the hall was designated a National Historic Landmark, the highest designation of significance a site or structure can receive. Today, the hall plays hosts to performances by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and Buffalo Chamber Music Society, the Just Buffalo Literary Center’s Babel series, and touring acts such as Fiona Apple, Cowboy Junkies, Bill Burr and others.
Proceeds from the event will benefit Kleinhans Music Hall’s programming including the annual National Geographic Live Speakers Series and the upkeep of this National Historic Landmark building.
True to the very nature of the venue, music will be provided by My Cousin Tone’ and The John Bacon Quintet!
My Cousin Tone’ is a jazz band of talented and extraordinary musicians. The band plays classic jazz, jazz blues, hard bop, and jazz soul from the era when Blue Note, Prestige, Verve, and Riverside all produced a collection of jazz tunes that will live on forever. Our sets includes jazz vocals from the Great American Songbook. The band benefited from the fantastic guidance and arrangement talents of Dick Griffo , the legendary alto sax player formerly with Woody Herman and now honors his memory along with the memory of Jim Kurzdorfer, the great bassist and original member of Spyro Gyra who served as a mentor. Come and re-live the era of jazz greatness.
Journeyman drummer and educator, John Bacon Jr, leads this quintet of young professionals. The John Bacon Quintet pays tribute to Buffalo’s musical legacy and gives its members an opportunity to share their own unique voices, all while challenging the status quo of what it means to play jazz in Buffalo. This quintet is a do not miss!
General admission event tickets are $45, but a limited number of VIP tickets are available for $75 which include early admission at 5:00 pm: first tasting of brews, and reserved table seating.
Tickets can be purchased at the Kleinhans Music Hall Box office by calling 715-885-5000 or online at www.kleinhansbuffalo.org.
Brooklyn indie/emo trio wakelee have just released a tease of their upcoming album by unveiling their newest single/video “Tug Of War.” The new single and music video show a sneak peak into the upcoming self-titled 12-track album out April 14th.
Front man/guitarist Alex Bulmer talks about the newest single by stating, “We had the structure for this song since 2021, but it took so long to land a vocal melody. We got so frustrated with it that we decided to get into a room together and loop the instrumental over and over again. We would then present our individual verse and chorus ideas to each other. We played the theme from “Shark Tank” as we did our pitches. It was ridiculous, but it turned out to be one of our favorite tracks from the album.”
When asked about the music video for “Tug Of War,” Alex says, “We wanted to film a music video ourselves, so we put our iPhone on cinema mode and spent 3 hours in our rehearsal space putting it together. We love how it came out! We wanted it to look like one continuous shot. It was really fun to make.”
“Don’t sleep on rising indie-emo trio wakelee…”
– The Honey Pop
Formed in Brooklyn in 2019 by Bulmer, his identical twin brother David (drums) and Elliot Shiang (vocals/bass), they met at a friend’s show in NYC and immediately bonded over Halal food and indie music. The trio has since released an EP, a healthy batch of emo-tinged singles, including the recently released tracks “Mood Rings,” “Everything Under The Sun” and “Outside.”
With some more news to look forward to, wakelee will play a special album release show. The band will play on Saturday, April 15th at NYC’s Mercury Lounge with special guests Tennis Courts.
