NYS Music 2023

Category: NYC Metro

  • Pedro Pascal Hosts with Musical Guest Coldplay on Saturday Night Live

    On the February 4th episode of Saturday Night Live with Pedro Pascal, best known for his roles in Narcos, Game of Thrones, and The Mandalorian, hosts with 2023 Grammy nominated band Coldplay.

    Pedro Pascal and Coldplay
    Pedro Pascal and Coldplay.

    The cold open is a parody of the MSNBC talk show, with Chloe Fineman as the anchor. The cold open focuses on the China balloon that was seen going over the United States. Bowen Yang plays the balloon, and talks about his experiences of being the balloon, saying he flew over Montana because he likes the show Yellowstone. They talk more about politics and racism.

    https://youtu.be/gG3kUa8uM4c

    The monologue of Pedro Pascal features him talking about his experience with shooting with HBO and in Canada. He talks about his upbringing in Chile, and how he is very close with his large extended family. Pascal talked about his range as an actor, and how excited he is to be on SNL. The monologue was short however to the point, showcasing how being on the show is a big deal to him.

    The first skit features a parody of Jeopardy, called Big Hollywood Show. The categories feature information about film and TV, with Pedro Pascal playing a contestant. The questions talk about new pop culture trends going on today, like the new 80 For Brady film, and other new shows. The next skit is a movie trailer featuring the characters of Mario, which recently came out in a new animated film.

    Following that skit comes a new one, surrounding characters in a hospital, making fun of the L.A. accent, reminscnent of the Californians sketch on previous seasons. Pascal broke character a few times, which made it even funnier. After that skit, the Gen Z slang came out in a high school centered sketch, referencing the app TikTok and the edits made on them, and the SNL audio of previous host SZA singing. It is funny watching this as someone who is considered Gen Z and dealing with the Internet and the aftermath of COVID 19. Sarah Paulson, best known for her role in American Horror Story, makes a guest appearance.

    Musical guest Coldplay has had 34 nominations and four wins for the GRAMMY awards, with nomination for Album of the Year in 2023 for their record Music of the Spheres. The first song they performed, “The Astronaut” sounded magical, with the four piece, including lead singer Chris Martin, providing energy. There was an appearance of a person dressed as a mysterious alien, which made the performance feel out of this world. As the song carried on, more and more people joined the stage with glow sticks, doing background vocals.

    https://youtu.be/64W30CcJqjA

    Weekend Update with Colin Jost and Michael Che was the upcoming sketch, always featuring satirical and comedic takes on what is happening in the country and beyond. They talk about the upcoming Superbowl, and Groundhog’s Day, and how the groundhog saw his shadow. Punxsutawney Phil (Michael Longfellow) made a guest appearance with British rappers (James Austin Johnson, Devon Walker).

    Coldplay performs another track from their newest album, called “Human Heart/Fix You.” It featured a number of backing vocals and Martin singing. He shouted out Pascal for hosting the great show. The sound of the record is authentic to Coldplay, and their signature sound didn’t change up much.

    https://youtu.be/wPKbuDFC1Rs

    The last sketch features Pascal at a birthday celebration dinner with other SNL cast members. One of the characters was comically cutting her food shaking the whole table, causing Pescal and others to break character.

    The next episode on February 25 features Woody Harrelson and musical guest Jack White.

  • Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper ‘Freaks On Parade Tour’ Coming to Jones Beach

    The rock icons Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper unite to announce the 2023 Freaks on Parade Tour. The 19-city run begins August 24 in Dallas, TX, and includes a stop at the Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, NY, on September 9. 

    Rob Zombie alice cooper

    Following a successful run last summer, Rob Zombie is at it again. Alongside Alice Cooper and Rob, the tour will feature the “godfather of Shock Rock”. Rounding out the line-up are industrial pioneers Ministry and eclectic alternative rock act Filter. Promised by Cooper, fans can expect to be met with his signature style of macabre rock on tour. 

    The Freaks on Parade Tour is one you won’t want to miss. Rob Zombie has continuously challenged audiences as he stretches the boundaries of both music and film. The eight-time Grammy nominee has sold over 15 million albums worldwide and is the only artist to encounter unprecedented accomplishments in both music and film. Each of Rob Zombie’s seven solo studio albums have premiered in the top 10 on Billboard’s 200 chart, including his most recent album, The Lunar Injection Kool Aid Eclipse, in 2021. Incorporating horror movies, vaudeville, and garage rock, Alice Cooper brings his own brand of rock psychodrama to fans. Cooper is constantly touring, and releasing’s hits such as 2021’s Detroit Stories, which entered the Billboard Album chart at #1. 

    Freaks on Parade Tour tickets will be available for purchase on February 3 at 10 a.m. Tickets can be accessed here.

    2023 FREAKS ON PARADE TOUR DATES

    Thu Aug 24 –  Dallas, TX –  Dos Equis Pavilion

    Sat Aug 26 –  Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre

    Sun Aug 27 – West Palm Beach, FL –  iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre

    Tue Aug 29 –  Raleigh, NC –  Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek

    Wed Aug 30 – Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater

    Fri Sep 01 –  Tinley Park, IL –  Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre

    Sat Sep 02 –  Des Moines, IA –  Wells Fargo Arena

    Tue Sep 05 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre

    Wed Sep 06 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage

    Fri Sep 08 – Scranton, PA – The Pavilion at Montage Mountain

    Sat Sep 09 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater

    Sun Sep 10 – Hartford, CT – The XFINITY Theatre

    Tue Sep 12 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena

    Sat Sep 16 – Englewood, CO – Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre *

    Tue Sep 19 – Ridgefield, WA – RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater

    Wed Sep 20 – Auburn, WA – White River Amphitheatre

    Fri Sep 22 – Concord, CA – Concord Pavilion

    Sat Sep 23 – Anaheim, CA – Honda Center

    Sun Sep 24 – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre

  • The Wood Brothers Announce New Album, 5 Stops in NY on National Tour

    Roots band The Wood Brothers have announced their eighth studio album, titled Heart Is The Hero, which is set to be released on April 14 through Honey Jar/Thirty Tigers. The album will be supported by a tour, with stops in Buffalo, Ithaca, New York City, Accord, and Fairpoint. Prior to embarking on their tour, the band will release the first single from Heart Is The Hero in February.

    From left to right: Chris Wood, Jano Rix, and Oliver Wood

    The Wood Brothers consist of brothers, Chris and Oliver Wood, who grew up in Boulder, Colorado. Their “honorary sibling,” Jano Rix is also in The band. They focused more on the importance of performing rather than studio perfection for this album, resulting in an album that emphasizes the themes of presence, grace, and faith.

    “The chorus of the album’s title track says, ‘the heart is the hero of every song.’ By no means was it intentional, but much of the material we were writing for this record seemed to come full circle to the idea of trusting in your heart in matters that you can’t control,” says Oliver Wood.

    I’m looking forward to going on the road with these new songs from Heart Is The Hero and seeing how they evolve from night to night when performed in front of audiences. The recording process for this album was completely different from our last one, Kingdom In My Mind, where we had all the time in the world to experiment, tinker, and shape performances. For those sessions, I was living in Nashville close to Oliver and Jano, but I’ve since relocated to Canada, so our time to record together this time around had to be extremely focused and intentional.

    Chris Wood

    The Wood Brothers tour has New York shows that start this March. Dates and venues are available below. As of Jan. 26, artist pre-sale has begun. General on-sale started Jan. 27. Tickets can be purchased at thewoodbros.com.

    The Wood Brothers 2023 Tour

    1/31 – Solana Beach, CA – Belly Up Tavern ^ (Sold Out)
    2/1 – Solana Beach, CA – Belly Up Tavern ^ (Sold Out)
    2/2 – Ventura, CA – Ventura Music Hall ^
    2/3 – Oakland, CA – Fox Theater ^
    2/4 – Stateline, NV – Bally’s Lake Tahoe Casino Resort ^
    2/6 – Santa Cruz, CA – Rio Theatre ^
    2/8 – Bend, OR – Midtown Ballroom ^
    2/9 – Seattle, WA – Neptune Theatre ^ (Sold Out)
    2/10 – Portland, OR – Revolution Hall ^ (Sold Out)
    2/11 – Portland, OR – Revolution Hall ^
    2/24 – North Little Rock, AR – Simmons Bank Arena ^^
    3/1 – Lexington, KY – Lexington Opera House
    3/2 – Detroit, MI – Majestic Theatre
    3/3 – Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom
    3/4 – Ithaca, NY – State Theatre
    3/6 – Westerly, RI – The United Theatre
    3/8 – Harrisburg, PA – XL Live
    3/9 – Rocky Mount, VA – Harvester Performance Center (Sold Out)
    3/10 – Winston-Salem, NC – The Ramkat
    3/11 – Chattanooga, TN – Walker Theatre
    4/11- Scottsdale, AZ – Virginia G. Piper Theater – Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
    4/12 – Flagstaff, AZ – Orpheum Theater
    4/14 – Beaver Creek, CO – Vilar Performing Arts Center
    4/15 – Denver, CO – Mission Ballroom
    4/17- Salina, KS – The Stiefel Theatre for the Performing Arts
    4/18 – Fayetteville, AK – JJ’s Live
    4/20 – Tulsa, OK – Cain’s Ballroom
    4/21- Tilmon, TX – Old Settler’s Music Festival
    4/22 – Houston, TX – The Heights Theater
    5/10 – Peoria, IL – Premier Event Center *
    5/11 – Chicago, IL – The Salt Shed *
    5/12 – Minneapolis, MN – Utepils Brewing Co. *
    5/13 – Milwaukee, WI – Riverside Theater *
    5/15 – Akron, OH – Goodyear Theater *
    5/16 – Cincinnati, OH – Taft Theatre *
    5/18 – Atlanta, GA – The Eastern *
    5/19 – Raleigh, NC – North Carolina Museum of Art *
    5/20 – Washington, DC – The Anthem *
    5/21 – Knoxville, TN – Tennessee Theatre *
    6/7 – Portland, ME – State Theatre *
    6/8 – Boston, MA – Roadrunner *
    6/9 – New York, NY – The Rooftop at Pier 17 *
    6/10 – Accord, NY – Arrowood Farms *
    6/11 – Fairport, NY – Perinton Center Park Amphitheater *
    6/13 – New Haven, CT – College Street Music Hall *
    6/15 – Charlottesville, VA – Ting Pavilion *
    6/16 – Williamsburg, VA – Virginia Arts Festival’s Williamsburg Live *
    6/17 – Pittsburgh, PA – Mountain View Amphitheatre *
    6/18 – Grand Rapids, MI – venue TBA *
    6/23 – Greenfield, MA – Green River Festival
    8/18-20 – Wellston, MA – Hoxeyville Music Festival – Wellston, MI

    ^ w/ Taylor Ashton
    ^^ w/ The Avett Brothers & Turnpike Troubadours
    * w/ Shovels & Rope

  • Billy Joel Announces August Performance at MSG

    By popular demand, long time New York music sensation Billy Joel will continue his concert residency at Madison Square Garden. The venue announced that Joel’s August 29 performance will mark his 93rd monthly and 139th lifetime show at the arena. Named a franchise by MSG in December 2013, the upcoming 93rd performance for Billy Joel comes nearly 10 years after he started his residency.

    Billy Joel MSG
    Billy Joel pictured on the cover of his debut album, Cold Spring Harbor, in 1971

    Billy Joel’s career spans more than 50 years, earning him a number of awards. The sixth best-selling recording artist of all time, his song “Piano Man” was chosen for preservation by the Library of Congress in 2016 for its “cultural, historic, and artistic significance.” Joel ranks as one of the most popular and respected entertainers in history.

    Significantly, in Dec. 2013, Joel received one of the top cultural awards in the country, The Kennedy Center Honors. He has won six Grammy Awards, including the Grammy Legend Award, and is a member of the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Joel has won various industry awards, awards including a Tony Award for “Movin’ Out,” a Broadway musical based on his work.

    In Nov. 2014, Joel received the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. The award honors living musical artists’ lifetime achievements in promoting the genre of song as a vehicle of cultural understanding, entertaining and informing audiences, and inspiring new generations. Moreover, that same month, he won the ASCAP Centennial Award, which is presented to American music icons for their achievements in their respective genres.

    Joel performed at MSG’s benefit concert, “12-12-12, The Concert For Sandy Relief,” to raise awareness and money for those affected by Hurricane Sandy. Similarly, he performed at “The Concert for New York City,” to provide aid and relief to the victims and heroes of 9/11. Adding another milestone to his career, Joel has also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

    Tickets for the Aug. 29 show go on sale to the general public starting Friday, Feb. 10 starting at 10 a.m. through Ticketmaster. Tickets will also be available at the MSG box office on Saturday, Feb. 11.

  • Count Basie Tribute Album Announced, Lead Single “Didn’t You” By Lettuce ft. Talib Kweli Released

    Primary Wave Music has announced their latest creation, a collaborative tribute album of New York/New Jersey legend Count Basie’s classics remixed by modern day artists. The first single, “Didn’t You” by Lettuce featuring Talib Kweli is now available on all platforms.

    Count Basie tribute

    A keystone figure of the Harlem Renaissance, Count Basie’s name alone conjures images of late nights, and ever cool, hip, and fresh sounds. The world-famous jazz pianist and band leader helped redefine music several times over and set the preconditions for jazz innovations, rock and roll, and popular American music.

    On April 7th, a whole new host of colorful talents will mix with Basie’s legendary sound and influence as part of a brand new album called Late Night Basie. This new album captures the essence of Count Basie and his music with each song a modern-day interpretation. For both the longtime fan and the new listener, surprise and delights await in this timely, important recording. And for those who may have never heard the magic of Count Basie, Late Night Basie is certainly intended to be a door into his plentiful catalog of music.

    “Putting together this tribute album to Count Basie has been a labor of love over the last several years. As we strive to continuously develop fresh and tasteful approaches to celebrate (and create new IP) for our iconic song catalogs, this release will introduce Count Basie to new generations of music lovers while respecting his existing fanbase.”

    Rob Dippold, Primary Wave President

    Today, listeners can hear the first track from Late Night Basie, “Didn’t You,” performed by GRAMMY-nominated funk torchbearers Lettuce and hip hop trailblazer and activist, Talib Kweli. Written by saxophone great Frank Foster for Basie’s best selling album, April in Paris, this remix leaps out of the speakers with a leadoff, funky bass drum figure before the horns of Ryan Zoidis (alto sax) and Benny Bloom (trumpet) blend and bend the notes of the first chord on top of Erick Coomes’ chugging bass—all within the song’s first four bars.

    Following Lettuce’s statement of the melody, Kweli flows over the rhythm section with a verse that manages to jump off the title and bridge his signature social commentary with a quick sweep of Basie’s life, making plain the link between hip-hop and Count Basie-swing.

    Fans can check out “Didn’t You” by Lettuce (feat. Talib Kweli) right now and Late Night Basie can be pre-saved or pre-ordered ahead of its April 7th release right here. For more information, please visit CountBasie.com.

  • Black History Trilogy Celebration Returns To Flushing Town Hall

    Flushing Town Hall has announced their Black History Month celebration, with the return of their Black History Trilogy.

    This three-part series featuring outstanding performers paying tribute to influential African American musicians, dancers, and entertainers. Taking place over the next few weeks at Flushing Town Hall, these Black History Trilogy performances will pay tribute not only to their performers, but to their New York history that makes them unique.

    I am very excited about the lineup of artists. The music presentations are soulful tributes to Chuck Berry, Marvin Gaye, Bill Withers, Al Green, Otis Redding, and music from a few of the greatest African American film soundtracks. There will also be an astonishing dance tribute to the Lindy Hop and dances from the Savoy Ballroom.

    Clyde Bullard, curator for the Trilogy.

    The Trilogy kicks off on Friday, February 3 at 8PM with The Chuck Berry Rock & Roll Concert Party, featuring an energetic performance from premier vocalist and blues guitarist Keith “The Captain” Gamble, in celebration of one of the founding fathers of Rock & Roll.

    A singer/songwriter, guitarist, and harmonica player, Keith “The Captain” Gamble’s heart and soul are rooted in blues music. He serves as a guest instructor with Jazzmobile in Harlem and guest artist for the LaGuardia Community College lecture series on the Blues. He is also the co-writer of From the Root to the Fruit – A Chronicle of the Blues, a documentary film that was later staged as a musical production. The Captain has toured throughout Europe and to Zambia and Ghana, commissioned by the US State Department, and he served as lead guitarist and male vocalist for ABC’s “The View” house band, the Mile High Club.

    The Trilogy continues on Friday, February 10 with The Challenge to Defy Gravity. Audiences will travel back in time to the 1920s Savoy Ballroom to celebrate the gravity-defying contributions of dancers Frankie Manning and Norma Miller, known for their famous Lindy Hop and air steps. Music director Frank Owens teams up with choreographer and dance historian Mickey Davidson to present a dance experience like no other. Audiences will learn swing-era dance moves at the 7PM pre-concert workshop, which they can put into practice at 8PM while enjoying a lively dance performance and concert with special guests Theara J. Ward, Music Director Patience Higgins, The Savoy Swingers, and Harvest Moon Hoppers.

    Mickey Davidson is primary choreographer and director for Mickey D. & Friends, a group of dancers and musicians that explores and performs the interlocking relationship between music and dance. From 1993 to 2013 Davidson led the arts-in-education Okra Dance Co., presenting multicultural dance programs in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. She’s taught jazz dance and tap and has served as a visiting lecturer at Wesleyan University for seventeen years.

    Davidson has been affiliated with Lindy Hop since 1985 when she started rehearsing with Norma Miller and her Jazz Dancers. Since Norma’s return to Las Vegas, Mickey has maintained the group under the name “Savoy Swingers.” Davison teaches special Lindy Hop and Lindy-related workshops nationally and internationally and frequently partners with Lindy Hop legend Frankie Manning in workshops, live performances, and televised presentations. She was one of three choreographers for the European Tour of the Broadway production of Black and Blue. Davidson. sets and maintained the Swing and Blues choreography inherited from Mr. Manning.

    The Trilogy concludes on Friday, February 24 at 8PM with Soul Men: The Music of Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, and More. Extraordinary vocalist Billy Cliff will lead audiences through a fun and funky mix of cinema and soul music history, featuring the works of Isaac Hayes’ composition for Shaft, Curtis Mayfield’s soundtrack for Super Fly, and Marvin Gaye’s film score for Trouble Man.

    Born in Brooklyn and raised in the Bronx, Billy Cliff first emerged in the music industry as a background singer for famed vocalist Angela Bofill and platinum recording artist Freddie Jackson. He has also performed with Dianne Reeves, Will Downing, The Shop Boys, and David Byrne of The Talking Heads. He has toured as lead vocalist with the mega rhythm & blues pop grop Kool & The Gang.

    In-person tickets for each Black History Trilogy performance are $15 or $12 for Members, Seniors, and Students with ID. Flushing Town Hall is accessible by car, bus, train and foot – located a short distance from the 7 train – at 137-35 Northern Blvd., in Flushing, Queens. Access for wheelchair users and individuals with limited mobility is available.

    For Ticket purchase and more information, please visit Flushing Town Halls website

  • Ben Cuomo Announces Solo Single “Changed The Way”

    Multi-instrumentalist Ben Cuomo has announced his newest solo release “Changed The Way” in collaboration with fellow producer Ben Milstein, released on February 3rd.

    While listners may recognize Cuomo from NYC duo MoonTree, this is Cuomo’s first solo release.The ambient single, written while Cuomo and Milstein were improvising in a Suny Purchase practice room, is the first collaboration between the friends.

    Ben Cuomo and Ben Milstein are both producers, songwriters and multi-instrumentalists attending the Conservatory of Music at SUNY Purchase. Although they have the same name they have very different musical backgrounds. 

    Ben Cuomo is a composer, multi instrumentalist, producer, recording engineer, mixing engineer, and overall-creative from Brooklyn who experiments with the indescribable and unorthodox sides of music. He is currently producing for multiple artists, and scoring films at Purchase.

    Ben Milstein is a multi-instrumentalist and singer who has been writing music for years. Ben has performed in musicals as roles such as Curly Mclain in Roger and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!, and wrote and produced an EP titled Microchosm. His 9 song debut album will be coming out in March, featuring his first single “Hopelessly Cold” which is out now on all streaming platforms.

    Ben Cuomo and Ben Milstein met at SUNY Purchase college. Both are in the music conservatory and are friends, song writers, multi instrumentalists and producers, who wanted to produce songs for each other. “Changed the Way” is their first collaboration.

  • Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade To Reunite With Tour Stops in Buffalo, Port Chester, and More

    Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade announced that they will be reuniting after 20 years for the massive Summer of Green Tour 2023. The tour will stop at Buffalo, Port Chester, Westbury and more than 30 other stops.

    Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade
    Les Claypool.

    After a 20-year hiatus, Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade has announced its long-awaited return. Formed in the summer of 2000 by Claypool, the Fearless Flying Frog Brigade debuted at the Mountain Aire Festival, and has since gone on multiple celebrated US tours. The band released two live albums in 2001, as well as a studio album Purple Onion in 2002, with their sound being described by Claypool as a “kind of a King Crimson meets Pink Floyd meets Frank Zappa type thing.” The live band features Les Claypool (bass), Sean Lennon (guitar), Harry Waters (keys), Paulo Baldi (drums), Mike Dillon (percussion), and Skerik (horns).

    The last time the group performed was at the House of Blues in Orlando, Florida on May 10, 2003. Claypool has performed in groups like Primus, and he has had a number of wildly successful and influential albums. His unique voice and thumping bass lines are favorites among funk connoisseurs and jam banders alike. “Let’s put it this way … I think, with Primus and without, I’ve played every music festival in the last ten years, except Lilith Fair,” he says. “You could say I’m the guy who doesn’t fit in anywhere, but a little bit everywhere.”

    In addition to this new tour, Claypool has had a busy year of touring. He traveled the country with Primus for the band’s wildly popular ‘A Tribute To Kings’ Tour, performed with Bastard Jazz on NYE and throughout winter 2022, and appeared alongside Ween at Comedy Central’s South Park: 25th Anniversary Concert” at Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

    Select June performances will include a co-headlining set with Jerry Harrison and Adrian Belew’s ‘Remain In Light’ Tour, which will see the Talking Heads members performing music from a monumental moment in the band’s discography. The tour will feature several festival appearances, including the Summer Camp Music Festival, the Mountain Music Festival, the Riverbend Music Festival, and the Peach Music Festival.

    The new tour with his Fearless Flying Frog Brigade will have 41 dates, with a show on May 30 at the Town Ballroom in Buffalo, a show on June 23 at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, and a show on June 24 in Westbury at NYCB Theatre [In The Round]. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit here.

    LES CLAYPOOL’S FEARLESS FLYING FROG BRIGADE – The Summer of Green Tour 2023
    Wednesday, May 17th – Stateline, NV – TBA venue ^
    Friday, May 19th – Napa, CA – Blue Note Summer Sessions at TBA venue ^
    Saturday, May, 20th – Santa Cruz, CA – Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium ^
    Sunday, May 21st – San Diego, CA – Observatory North ^
    Tuesday, May 23rd – Salt Lake City, UT – TBA venue ^
    Wednesday, May 24th – Denver, CO – Mission Ballroom ^
    Friday, May 26th – Kansas City, MO – Grinders KC
    Saturday, May 27th – Chillicothe, IL – Summer Camp Music Festival
    Sunday, May 28th – Louisville, KY – Iroquois Amphitheater ~
    Tuesday, May 30th – Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom ~
    Wednesday, May 31st – Columbus, OH – KEMBA Live! ~
    Friday, June 2nd – Detroit, MI – Royal Oak Music Theatre ~
    Saturday, June 3rd – Oak Hill, WV – Mountain Music Festival
    Sunday, June 4th – Chattanooga, TN – TBA venue
    Tuesday, June 6th – Richmond, VA – Brown’s Island *
    Wednesday, June 7th – Raleigh, NC – Raleigh Memorial Auditorium *
    Friday, June 9th – Asheville, NC – Rabbit Rabbit *
    Saturday, June 10th – Atlanta, GA – The Eastern *
    Sunday, June 11th – Columbia, SC – Township Auditorium *
    Tuesday, June 13th – Dallas, TX – Music Hall at Fair Park *
    Wednesday, June 14th – Austin, TX – The Moody Amphitheater *
    Friday, June 16th – Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall Lawn *
    Saturday, June 17th – New Orleans, LA – Mardi Gras World *
    Monday, June 19th – Mobile, AL – Saenger Theatre *
    Tuesday, June 20th – Tampa, FL – Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino *
    Thursday, June 22nd – Baltimore, MD – The Lyric %
    Friday, June 23rd – Port Chester, NY – Capitol Theatre ~
    Saturday, June 24th – Westbury, NY – NYCB Theatre [In The Round] ~
    Monday, June 26th – Northampton, MA – The Pines Theater ~
    Wednesday, June 28th – Portland, ME – State Theatre #
    Thursday, June 29th – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway #
    Saturday, July 1st – Scranton, PA – Peach Music Festival
    Sunday, July 2nd – Chicago, IL – Salt Shed [Indoor] #
    Monday, July 3rd – St. Paul, MN – Palace Theatre #
    Friday, July 7th – Bonner, MT – Kettlehouse Amphitheater +
    Saturday, July 8th – Redmond, WA – Marymoor Park Live +
    Sunday, July 9th – Forest Grove, OR – Grand Lodge +
    Tuesday, July 11th – Wheatland, CA – Hard Rock Live +
    Thursday, July 13th – San Luis Obispo, CA – Madonna Inn +
    Friday, July 14th – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern +
    Saturday, July 15th – Phoenix, AZ – Van Buren +

    * Jerry Harrison & Adrian Belew Remain In Light
    ^ Fishbone
    ~ Neal Francis
    # Budos Band
    + Moon Duo
    % W.I.T.C.H.

  • Ari Joshua, John Kimock, Andy Hess, and Eden Ladin Release “Eye Just Called, To Soul, I Love You”

    Ari Joshua, John Kimock, Andy Hess, and Eden Ladin have collaborated to release supergroup vibe “Eye Just Called, To Soul, I Love You” out on January 26th. Recorded in Brooklyn, the track is raw, visceral, and tends to be refreshingly honest. 

    Ari Joshua, John Kimock, Andy Hess, and Eden Ladin Release “Eye Just Called, To Soul, I Love You”

    “Eye Just Called to Soul, I Love You” features bassist Andy Hess (Black Crowes, John Scofield, Gov’t Mule), drummer John Morgan Kimock (Mike Gordon Band, Oteil & Friends), internationally acclaimed piano man Eden Ladin. Lat but not least, leading the charge, guitarist Ari Joshua (Big High, Space Owl, Hathead). 

    Ari Joshua, John Kimock, Andy Hess, and Eden Ladin Release “Eye Just Called, To Soul, I Love You”

    “EJCTS ILU” is the debut release from this memorable & inaugural all-star session, giving us another taste from the comet of sound coming from Music Factory Records to start off the new year. The almost 7-minute improv track documents the first time this band has ever played together, period.  

    Ari Joshua, John Kimock, Andy Hess, and Eden Ladin Release “Eye Just Called, To Soul, I Love You”

    2022 was a productive year for Ari Joshua with 12 new releases to share. With a range from classic jazz, to experimental, to drum n bass, to jam band, to classic soul funk, to circus music, to cinematic through composed classical-like compositions, Ari’s creative flow is astonishing.  

    When asked about this session he shared, “These are players I really admire, I had a vision, & I spoke to John, then Andy, and then Eden, and it sort of just came into fruition. My friends from college Aaron Nevize, and John Davis actually opened up The Bunker Studio in Brooklyn as we were all graduating. It’s just lasted all these years, and I called them up trying to get a date.  It’s a miracle  everyone was available amongst their busy schedules, and the studio was open. I am very lucky we made it work. The stars aligned and it was a fun and easy hang. We also played some Dead tunes, Eyes of the World, and Help on The Way, but the general focus was on making something new happen.” 

    On all the music that is on its way, Ari remarks, “Great art is an expression of the soul, and a reflection of one’s life experience. Being a musician is also like being what I would call an ambassador of goodwill. I think great players can sense that, and it becomes a compass of making great art together. I get a lot of joy from sharing these recordings and performing, it’s transformative. It is my mission in this life to give back in any capacity possible, to explore all options, and to honor the legends that came before and what they did for me and for so many. Music is the universal language, it has healing mystical qualities, it has both saved my life, and given me purpose. I am proud of the work I have contributed to music education, and in the woodshed practicing. After a lot of just living life, it is time to shine, and share what light I can with the music.” 

    To listen to “Eye Just Called to Soul, I Love You,” click the link here.

  • NYCB Theatre at Westbury to Eight Shows to Catholic Health Concert Series

    Long Island will become a hotspot for music entertainment this year when the NYCB Theatre at Westbury opens its doors to some of the world’s biggest performers. On Jan. 30, the venue announced eight new shows as part of its ongoing Catholic Health Concert Series. The entertainment venue is located just outside Westbury in the hamlet of Jericho.

    NYCB Theatre westbury
    NYCB Theatre at Westbury seating

    The Westbury Music Fair became a reality on June 18, 1956, when the three entrepreneurs opened their first Westbury production. After 10 years of presenting Long Island with the best of Broadway and top-name talent, the theatre was expanded in 1966. This expansion provided the venue with the ability to provide top-tier theatre entertainment all year round. Still in operation today, the NYCB Theatre is now owned and operated by Live Nation Entertainment.

    The new acts will be rolling out from Spring to Fall. Terry Fator on April 23; classic rockers Cheap Trick on May 18, and Chicago on June 23; Pop Icon Johnny Mathis on July 22;  tributes to ABBA and Elvis Presley, on Aug. 9 and 23, respectively; singer-songwriter Peter Noone on Sept. 23; and comedian Howie Mandel on Nov. 19.

    Amongst these acts, also scheduled to perform are Tommy James and The Shondells on March 18; Nick Cannon’s Next Superstar Tour on April 6; Dionne Warwick on April 7; Theo Von on May 11; Kool and The Gang with the Spinners and Average White Band on May 12; The Temptations and the Four Tops on May 14; and Air Supplyon on Aug. 5. A complete lineup is available here.

    Tickets will be made available beginning Friday, Feb. 3, at 10 a.m. through LiveNation.com. “Fee fee” tickets to all 2023 NYCB Theatre at Westbury shows will be available from Friday, Feb. 3. until Sunday, Feb. 5, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the theatre box office. A chance to win tickets will take place on Saturday, February 4 from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m., accompanied by refreshments and music.