The John Scofield Trio, featuring Vicente Archer & Bill Stewart, began their residency at The Blue Note in NYC on Tuesday, November 21.
A three-time Grammy winner, Scofield has recently released Uncle John’s Band (ECM), featuring Vicente Archer and Bill Stewart tackling material from Dylan’s “Mr Tambourine Man” to Neil Young’s “Old Man”, Leonard Bernstein’s “Somewhere” and Miles Davis classic “Budo.”
While there has been a John Scofield Trio at play since the late 70’s, remaining his undisputed favorite format for live performance, this newest incarnation has Scofield on guitar, bassist Vicente Archer, and drummer Bill Stewart, sailing through tightly knit sets that typify the musical diversity that has colored Scofield’s long career.
There are two shows a night during this current John Scofield Trio residency at The Blue Note NYC, through November 26. Tickets and more info can be found here.
The improvisational groove trio who formed in 2018 have ramped up their touring schedule this year, as well as, re-releasing their 2020 debut self-titled album. Guitarist Scott Metzger, described by The Village Voice as “an ace guitarist of a thousand styles,” also performs as a member of the beloved Joe Russo’s Almost Dead (JRAD), while drummer Russ Lawton and organist Ray Paczkowski forged their decades-strong synergy playing together as part of the Trey Anastasio Band (TAB) and their duo project Soule Monde. As the three members busy schedules have allowed, LaMP has been prioritized, performing shows up and down the East Coast with plans already in the works for venturing further next year.
In addition to their New Year’s Eve performance, LaMP has four remaining shows this December on their previously scheduled Fall tour, including stops at The Atlantis in Washington, DC, The Jefferson in Charlottesville, The Wonder Bar in Asbury Park, NJ and The Drake in Amherst, MA.
Tickets for LaMP at The Warehouse are on-sale now HERE.
LaMP 2023 Tour Dates
12/6 – Washington DC – The Atlantis 12/7 – Charlottesville, VA – Jefferson Theatre 12/8 – Asbury Park, NJ – The Wonder Bar 12/9 – Amherst, MA – The Drake 12/31 – Fairfield, CT – The Warehouse
On Saturday, November 18, the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra continued its 2023-2024 Symphonic Series with “Faces of Joy,” an exhilarating program of music spanning two centuries. The evening began with a short piece for strings and celesta, “Five Faces of Joy,” by the living Chinese-American composer Wang Jie.
The composer calls her work a portrait of “five comic ways of smiling,” including “the smile of a dancing Godzilla,” and Maestro Daniel Hege and the ensemble brought out the wit and whimsy of Wang’s music, providing a fitting introduction to a concert whose theme was joy.
Pianist Andrew Russo performing at Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra’s “Faces of Joy”
Also on the program was Sergei Prokofiev’s delightful Symphony No. 1, known as the “Classical” Symphony. Writing in 1917, the young Prokofiev sought to imitate the musical style of Mozart and Haydn, and this piece is full of delicacy, dynamic contrasts, and devilish speed. The principal woodwinds of the Philharmonic gave a collective star turn in the dizzying fourth movement.
The highlight of the concert, though, was the second half of the program, with guest soloist Andrew Russo playing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5, the “Emperor.” Russo, Maestro Hege, and the orchestra seemed to become an organic whole, breathing together as Russo pushed the piano to the utmost extremes of emotional expression. Russo’s virtuosic playing and Hege’s sensitive conducting created a spellbinding atmosphere of joy, which the audience acknowledged by leaping to its feet with loud cheers at the conclusion.
As always, it was uplifting to see many children and teens in the concert hall. One young boy told this reviewer that he particularly loved Andrew Russo’s performance, saying, “He reminds me of Beethoven!” It was pure joy to hear Beethoven and his colleagues brought to life so skillfully by the Binghamton Philharmonic.
Don’t miss the next event from the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra, Soprano Robin Johannsen & Pianist Tomoko Kanamaru on December 3. Both internationally acclaimed artists, the duo will perform a program of art songs by women composers from the nineteenth through the twenty-first centuries, including works by Clara Schumann, Florence Price, and Yui Kitamura.
Tickets are $25. For more information, contact the Binghamton Philharmonic Box Office at 607-723-3931 or visit www.binghamtonphilharmonic.org.
The Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes (OSFL) has announced its upcoming holiday concert, “Holiday Traditions Together,” set to charm the community in early December at the Clemens Center in Elmira. As the region’s premier holiday event, this concert is not just a performance but a vibrant celebration of community spirit and festive joy.
Featuring a dynamic collaboration with the Honors Chorus from the Alternative School for Math & Sciences, soprano Rachel Schutz from the faculty at Ithaca College, and skilled dancers from Rafael Grigorian Ballet, “Holiday Traditions Together” on December 9 promises an afternoon of enchanting music and dance. The concert will include a special singalong segment, inviting the audience to participate in the holiday cheer.
“Dancing to the vibrant strains of a live orchestra is a rare and exhilarating opportunity for these young dancers…This concert embodies the spirit of togetherness and celebrates the rich tapestry of talent we have right here in our community.”
Toshiyuki Shimada, Music Director of the OSFL
The OSFL offers four regular season full orchestra concerts, including a side-by-side Youth Orchestra and professional musician collaboration, a Musicians’ Choice Chamber Music Series, concerts by the Chorus of the Southern Finger Lakes, concerts by the Youth Orchestra, and educational concerts for children. Under the guidance of Music Director and Conductor, Toshiyuki Shimada, the OSFL is a strong supporter of highlighting the musical achievements of young musicians with its own youth ensembles and the Hertzog Concerto & Aria Competition for young artists in grades 9 through
The OSFL collaborates with regional cultural partners, artists, and like-minded organizations to advance mutual artistic growth in the greater Elmira-Corning area. Support for the OSFL comes from the Corning Incorporated Foundation, the Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes, Hilliard Foundation, and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the office of the governor and the New York State Legislature.
“We are proud to offer this musical gift to the community. With tickets starting at just $25 and free admission for children under 18, we are making the joy of live music accessible to all. This is our way of saying thank you to the community that supports us year-round.”
Karen Dusek, OSFL’s Managing Director
Tickets start at $25 and college students pay $15 if they show their student ID. Entry is free for all youth under 18.
Tickets for “Holiday Traditions Together” on December 9, 2023 at 3:00pm can be purchased online at their website, by calling (800) 724-0159, or in-person at the Clemens Center Box Office.
On a Friday evening in Albany, The Egg was cooking with bacon inside. Not your typical menu item, but when Kevin Bacon and his brother Michael came to The Egg, things definitely got cooked up during an all-too-brief concert.
photo by Karen Squires
The duo – one, an actor (Kevin), the other an Associate Professor at CUNY Lehman College (Michael) – share a deep love for American roots music, as well as DNA. For a quarter-century the pair have performed around the country playing what they call “Forosoco,” or a blend of folk, rock, soul, and country influences.
The show was short – 80 minutes including the encore – but worth it. Fans seemed content settling in for the show, which didn’t feel scripted, but definitely felt like the same show you’d catch anywhere else this tour. Kevin couldn’t resist making a comment about “a couple of Bacons in The Egg,” joining years of Egg jokes on stage that have even led to live album releases.
Michael and Kevin Bacon
Kevin took turns playing on a conga drum, tambourine and guitar, while Michael played guitar, cello, and autoharp at different points of the evening.
Highlights from the set include the moving “Tom Petty T-shirt,” the countrified rock of “Erato,” an angsty “Take off this Tattoo,” a cover of The Lovin Spoonful‘s “Do You Believe in Magic?,” “Ukulele Lady” with all on ukulele, making this stripped down song was the most soulful of the evening, and “She-Zee-Zee (Easy On My Eyes)”
For the encore, a cheesy “Hands Up” audience interaction song started things off. (Bands, take note: always get the audience involving songs going earlier in the set so they’re engaged early!) And just when you thought it was over, and maybe thought they weren’t gonna play it, the opening notes to “Footloose” began, and the front rows of the audience were up out of their seats grooving along, feet from the actor who made the song famous (apologies to Kenny Loggins). The fans and the band were dancing around, footloose as could be, transported back to 1984, for a moment, if not the evening.
And while the venue staff was a bit overzealous this evening with limiting any video recording (a first at The Egg), here’s a video from The Bacon Brothers at Daryl’s House a few years back.
Brooklyn-based rock band ‘The Sees’ performed at The Bowery Electric on Wednesday, November 15,to celebrate their latest album release entitled ConversationsWithMyFutureSelf.
‘The Sees’ have established themselves to capture the essence of life and humanity within their songs. The band includes frontman Jamie DiTringo, bassist Alex Daly, drummer Tim O’Brien and keyboardist Yoni Wilkenfeld. Their music has become a reminder to make the most of the time we do have and not be afraid to confront the harsh realities of it running out.
The Bowery Electric was the perfect venue for a night of rock and roll, with a bar in the back and an intimate standing room allowing show goers to get personal with the band and enjoy their hypnotic pulse of synth sounds, strong drum beat accentuated with electric and bass guitar. The show on this Wednesday night, included three bands, Smoke Break, Newborn Kings and finished off strong with The Sees album release performance.
The album explores a connective sense of global reflection, the nuances of time and the effects it has on us by always slipping away, the concept record tells its story through captivating rhythms and styles that push the boundaries of genre while exploring fresh perspectives. Stitched together by standout guitar riffs and a whirlwind of sonic textures, the group makes a noteworthy entrance onto the scene with this genre blend, encouraging listeners to not only connect deeper with the world, but ourselves.
“We hope that everyone who listens to the record can sit back, take it in, and recognize that while we are here on this mortal coil, we must take a moment to find space for positivity and love. Even with the world in chaos, we can always choose love.“
– Jamie DiTringo
In its entirety, the album crafts a thought-provoking musical experience, taking listeners on a profound ride through various facets of the human experience. The group of four interacted with the crowd and created a truly accomplished sound that left friends, family and fans excited for the future of their music ahead of them.
Dogs In A Pile, a jam quintet, has announced their 2024 “Cross Country Winter Tour” starting in February, with one stop in Woodstock.
Forming in 2019 and hailing from Asbury Park, NJ – Dogs In A Pile is comprised of Berklee alumni and Billy Joel scholarship recipient Jeremy Kaplan (keyboardist), Berklee alumnus Brian Murray (guitarist) and Sam Lucid (bassist), and long-time Jersey Shore musicians Jimmy Law (guitarist) and Joey Babick (drums). Law and Babick have both been playing together since the young age of 11.
Upstate New York has been particularly special to this band in its formative year. This year, they’v sold out headlining nights and Rochester and Ithaca, as well as several festivals in the surrounding area. On top of their stop in Woodstock, they’ll also be celebrating New Year’s Eve in Saratoga Springs at Putnam Place.
Dogs In A Pile (DIAP) will start 2024 off in Texas. February 1 -3 will mark a trio of Texas firsts – with inaugural headlining stops in Houston at Last Concert Cafe, Austin at Antone’s and Dallas at Deep Ellum Art Co.
Following their run deep in the heart of the US, the Dogs and Andy Frasco & The U.N. will add to their recent string of collaborations with six shows together. The bands have meshed well on stage – elevating each other’s already high level of creativity, energy and fun-filled atmospheres that fans have come to expect from both groups. Among the stretch will come DIAP’s first time playing in the state of Oklahoma (on February 9 at Beer City Music Hall in Oklahoma City).
Winter Tour will also include a two-night run at the historic Bluebird Theater in Denver, CO on February 16 and 17. The band and the “Mile High City” have gotten to know each other well in 2023, with the Dogs netting four consecutive sellouts at Lost Lake Lounge back in March and April. Around that same time, the band played all across “The Centennial State” during a formative tour dubbed “The Winter Rescue Tour.” More recently, when opening for Pigeons Playing Ping Pong in November, they played in front of their largest indoor crowd to date – 2,000 people at The Mission Ballroom.
The newly announced 20 dates will culminate on St. Patrick’s Day weekend. The four-day affair features a pair of two-night runs in Pembroke, MA and Burlington, VT. After selling out their last Boston-area gig at The Sinclair, they’ll return to Soundcheck Studios on March 14 and 15. The tour then concludes at the much-lauded Nectar’s – the site of 47 Phish shows from 1984-1989. The Dogs will play their first two at the fabled Vermont spot on March 16 and 17.
The five-piece are rounding out an extensive fall tour that will end on December 8 in Raleigh, NC. They’ll close out the calendar year with a pair of holiday gigs at the legendary Stone Pony on December 15 and 16, a Phish after-party at Sony Hall on December 28, and their first headlining New Year’s Eve run in Saratoga Springs on December 30 and 31.
Saratoga Arts and local singer/songwriters have teamed up to present “Tis the Season”, a concert event featuring holiday classic songs, original songs, and a VIP reception in the Saratoga Arts gallery and atrium.
Saratoga Arts’ mission is to enrich the region by cultivating a vibrant arts community and ensuring the arts are accessible to all. It is a non-governmental, non-profit organization, relying on the support of members, friends, and community. In its 30+ years, Saratoga Arts has brought the arts to over one million people through its programs and provided performing and visual artists the opportunity to earn over $3,000,000 in art sales and performance fees.
The concert features Billboard-charting artist Cassandra Kubinski, who recently released her piano-driven EP, The Saratoga Sessions, with a sold-out show at Caffe Lena. She was described as “very similar to the singer/songwriters of the late 70’s…proves that the genre (singer/songwriter) can still be transcendent,” by Billy Joel. Previous performances include opening slots for the Goo Goo Dolls, 10,000 Maniacs, Dickie Betts, Anna Nalick, and others. Expect song selections from the EP, as well as songs from her Billboard-charting holiday album Holiday Magic.
“Tis The Season” also features Marcus Ruggiero. With his deep gravelly voice and insistent acoustic guitar playing, he writes thematic songs about love, tragedy, spirit, and redemption. Notable performances include Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie, opening for national bands in Albany, Caffé Lena, the famous Bluebird Café in Nashville, and more. He also has an award-winning song in the movie The New Weapon on Netflix and is currently the lead in The Johnny Cash Express.
The final performers are Ria Curley with special guest Chuck Lamb, her talented music partner, and her cherished husband. Her music has been described as a “retro-hip mix of poignant, melodic rock and sultry, romantic R&B.” She has 22 of her original songs signed to publishing giant Warner Chappell Music, Int’l, released the critically acclaimed album Take Me, and has airplay in cities such as NYC, Albany, Denver, and LA. She also has appeared on multiple soap operas and taught the legendary actor Jimmy Stewart the finale dance routine for the Night of 100 Stars TV special at Radio City Music Hall.
Chuck Lamb has been the pianist for the renowned Brubeck Brothers Quartet for two decades and has composed for and played with the Quartet all over the world, including at the Newport Jazz Festival, Lincoln Center, and more. Since 2017, he has been the artist-in-residence for the popular monthly “Jazz at Caffe Lena” series in Saratoga Springs, where he has hosted and performed with jazz greats such as Joe Locke, Chico Freeman, Dick Oatts, and many others.
Ria Curley and Chuck Lamb.
Tickets are $35 VIP and $25 General Admission, available here.
Frog, a band made up of musically-talented brothers Daniel and Steve Bateman, have released their folksy single “New Ro”– a bittersweet love letter to their hometown New Rochelle.
Frog’s upcoming album, Grog, is an eclectic and creative LP showcasing both of the brothers’ musical talents, and how they’re even stronger together. Preceding their album is a series of singles, including their newest, “New Ro.”
This single is another wild left turn from the unpredictable duo, following “Black on Black on Black” (sounding like a Jonathan Richman attempt at a Hall & Oates banger) and “Maybelline” (a song which was formed in a dream, as screamed by Bruce Springsteen), which was featured by Pitchfork, Stereogum and has reached #2 in the Hype Machine Popular Nowchart. “New Ro” is a bittersweet love letter to the brothers’ hometown, New Rochelle, New York.
I don’t know if there’s relevant subtext for ‘New Ro,’ besides the obvious–Steve and I both grew up in New Rochelle, we went to New Rochelle High School, we recorded the entire album at our mom’s house in New Rochelle, we’re New Ro boys. The town’s got a lot of charm, if you know where to look. Some years ago they changed the tagline of the city from ‘Queen City of the Sound’, which ruled, to ‘Ideally Yours’, which…I’m not even sure what that is. There’s signs everywhere saying: ‘New Rochelle, Ideally Yours.’
Daniel Bateman, Frog
“New Ro” is a funky tune that is the embodiment of the good vibes of Kermit The Frog, which certainly works in their favor. It also has elements of “I Will Wait” by Mumford & Sons because of the fast, upbeat rhythm and acoustic backup.
The vocals are particularly striking, as a couple minutes into the track, they go into a very high register– and pull it off.
While a nostalgic song, the lyrics don’t hide anything: they delve into the good and bad of Frog’s home town, and that makes it all the more realistic and vivid. “…Take me home, north on the Anne Hutchinson // Through the Bronx, back to the place where we’re from // Where the girls they put out in a car // And the waitresses all got a scar // New Rochelle New York…”
New Rochelle should really consider changing their tagline from “Ideally Yours” to one lyric of Frog’s: “Take me home,” as it doesn’t sound like an ‘ideal’ home (does one really exist?), but it’s certainly their home nonetheless– and they love it regardless of whatever unideal aspects come with it.
Frog’s album launch of Grog will take place on the record’s release date (November 17) with a performance at YoFi Fest 11 in Yonkers, New York. This live show will be accompanied by a screening of their “Kings of Blah” UK tour documentary.
On Saturday, November 19, Eggy delivered an electric performance to a euphoric, sold out crowd at Brooklyn Bowl in Williamsburg. Before the show started, fans lined up braving the cold in anticipation as attendee hopefuls threw the classic sole finger in the air aiming for a miracle.Â
Hailing from Woodbridge, CT, Eggy have previously played the infamous venue opening for The Kitchen Dwellers in April early this year. They now return as headliners, accompanied by the indispensable Stolen Gin as the opening act. Currently in the middle of their fall east coast leg of the tour, Eggy has risen to prominence in the last few years, playing all around the country in over 40 states since 2019.
The night commenced to an ominous atmospheric ambience, a prelude to the energy that would soon surge through the venue. The band consists of Jake Brownstein on guitar and vocals, Dani Battat on keys and vocals, Mike Goodman on Bass and vocals, and Alex Bailey on drums and vocals. If live music is akin to flying and landing an airplane, this quartet of close knit friends from high school proves worthy pilots. The chemistry between the group resonated resoundingly through the capped out venue, as they guided the audience through an extraordinary musical experience.
Eggy’s sound, a fusion of catchy hooks, melodic interludes and psychedelic jams showcased their ability to carve out a distinct niche in a crowded field of emerging artists. A true highlight of the night was when guitarist Jake Brownstein was concluding a high energy jam, turned his instrument horizontal and pointed it at his bandmate on the keys. As the momentum came to a conclusion, and the final note hit, his guitar turned imaginary gun fired at Dani knocking him to the ground. After a long pause, crawling back up, he grabbed the mic and said, “Missed me” to which the audience roared in laughter.
For New York fans who missed this show and want to catch the next one, they are returning to Brooklyn Bowl early next year on April 24th, 2024! Tickets are on sale now.
Eggy – Brooklyn Bowl, Williamsburg – Saturday, November 17. 2023
Setlist: 12 Pounds of Pain > Come Up Slow, One Stop Shop, A Moments Notice, Brooklyn (Owes The Charmer Under Me) > All Wheels Turnin’, Sweat Equity, Turn That Heartbeat Over Again, Time Escaping, Smile Encore: Wayless
