Mexican music group Marca MP announced additional dates to their upcoming tour, including a show at NYC’s Palladium on March 9. The first leg of the 11-city tour kicks off on October 6 in Atlanta, GA, with the second leg beginning on March 1 in Sacramento, CA.
Marca MP, a romantic and old-fashioned yet daring musical group, consists of Chato (vocals/guitar), Omar Valdivia (guitar), and Ernesto Franco (tuba). With their simple arrangement of guitars, bass, and tuba, the band’s style shines through with the minimalistic framework.
The upcoming tour is in support of their most recent single, “Déjame Ser,” now available on all streaming platforms.
The general on-sale for Brindo Tour will start on Friday, September 8 at 10 AM at LiveNation.com.
BRINDO 2023/2024 TOUR DATES:
Fri, Oct 6 — Atlanta, GA — Coca-Cola Roxy
Sun, Oct 8 — Charlotte, NC — Ovens Auditorium
Fri, Oct 13 — El Paso, TX — Plaza Theatre
Sat, Oct 14 — Houston, TX — 713 Music Hall
Fri, Oct 20 — San Jose, CA — SAP Center
Sat, Oct 28 — Palm Desert, CA — Acrisure Arena
Sat, Nov 4 — Phoenix, AZ — Footprint Center
Fri, Mar 1 — Sacramento, CA — Golden 1 Center
Sat, Mar 2 — Las Vegas, NV — The Chelsea at the Cosmopolitan Las Vegas
Fri, Mar 8 — Rosemont, IL — Allstate Arena
Sat, Mar 9 — New York, NY — Palladium Times Square
Jazz enthusiasts near Lake George, NY: mark your calendars for the highly anticipated Jazz at the Lake festival, taking place Friday, September 15 through Sunday, September 17. In its 39th year, curated by Daniel Kelly, Jazz at the Lake continues to be one of the Northeast’s premier jazz festivals.
Jazz at the Lake is an annual celebration of the vibrant and diverse world of jazz music, set against the breathtaking backdrop of Lake George. The festival showcases the talents of exceptional jazz musicians from across the entire country, creating an immersive experience like no other.
Known as one of Jazz’s most promising emerging artists, Endea Owens is a Detroit-raised artist, bassist, and composer. The triple-threat has been mentioned by jazz icons such as Marcus Belgrave, Rodney Whitaker, and Ron Carter. She has toured and performed with Wynton Marsalis, Jennifer Holliday, Diana Ross, Rhonda Ross, Solange, and Jon Batiste. Since Endea had graduated from The Juliard School in 2018 and joined the Late eShow with Stephen Colbert as a member of the house band, Stay Human, she has won an Emmy, Grammy Award, and a George Foster Peadbody Award.
(7:30PM) Jazz Around Town Immerse yourself in great food, drink and jazz at various venues across town featuring exceptional regional jazz acts that include:
Performing at Gaslight Wood Fired Bistro (91 Canada Street, LG), the Scott Hopkins Jazz Trio features stalwart jazzers: Lou Smaldone on bass and Brian Melick on drums, with Hopkins on electric banjo. Repertoire of the trio includes a combination of standards and contemporary tunes with flares of bluegrass and folk undertones.
Performing at The Barnsider Restaurant (2112 U.S. 9, LG), Heard is a collective of musicians that bring their skills and passion for world music, jazz, and improvising together to create irresistible grooves set in a unique sonic tapestry. Together for 15 years, their electrifying sound incorporates influences from West Africa, Brazil, the Caribbean and beyond.
Performing at The Caldwell Lake George Library (336 Canada St, LG). The Listening Room: The Ria Curley, Chuck Lamb & the Curley Lamb Nu-Soul-Jaz Project group features the dynamic duo of singer/songwriter Ria Curley & pianist/composer Chuck Lamb, joined by an alternating lineup of one or more of their talented musician friends, performing a unique combination of instrumental & vocal, original and standard, Jazz/Fusion and Smooth R&B/Pop/Rock.
Performing at The East Cove Restaurant (3873 NY-9L, LG). Bassist Dylan Perrillo (from Hot Club of Saratoga and the Dylan Perrillo Quartet) will be joined by NYC-based guitarist Brad Brose for a one-of-a-kind jazz experience that will have fans of swing jazz dancing in their seats.
Saturday, September 16: (10AM) Coffee and Jazz
Performing at The Caldwell Lake George Library (336 Canada St. LG). For the jazz early birds: join the new Jazz at the Lake program that combines the melodies of jazz with coffee, all surrounded by fellow jazz enthusiasts. Indulge in a free coffee and enjoy the music of James Rissacher: a jazz musician who has performed in classic music venues throughout the U.S. and Europe for over 20 years, and has recorded with numerous other musicians.
Coffee and Jazz is made possible by a Long Time Fan of Jazz Weekend.
Awarded the Guggenheim Fellowship in 2021 for composition, Voted #1 Rising-Star Guitarist in the 2013 DownBeat Critics Poll and subsequently placed in the top-ten guitarists alongside luminaries Bill Frisell and Pat Metheny, guitarist and composer Rez Abbasi, is one of the most original voices on the current scene. Making New York home for the past 25 years, Abbasi is considered by many to be one of the foremost modern jazz guitar players. He has honed his skills with performances throughout Europe, Canada, the U.S., Mexico and India. He has performed and recorded with many jazz greats, including: Grammy winner Ruth Brown, Peter Erskine, Kenny Werner, Barre Phillips, Gary Thomas, Dave Douglas, John Beasly, Ronu Majumdar, Kadri Gopalnath, Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Vijay Iyer, Marilyn Crispell, Greg Osby, Howard Levy, and a host of others. He will be sure to bring his best performance every single time.
Aubrey Johnson is a New York-based vocalist, composer, and educator who specializes in jazz, Brazilian, and creative contemporary music both with lyrical and purely instrumental. She holds a Master of Music degree in jazz performance from the New England Conservatory. As a student, she won two DownBeat Collegiate Student Music Awards for “Best Jazz Vocalist” and “Jazz Vocalist, Outstanding Performance.” She currently teaches at Berklee College of Music in the Voice Department, and in the Jazz Masters Program at Queens College in New York City. She also held faculty positions at the New England Conservatory and Montclair State University.
Grammy-Award winning drummer, composer & bandleader Jared Schonig has toured and/or recorded internationally with Nicholas Payton, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Donny McCaslin, Darcy James Argue & Secret Society, The 8-Bit Big Band, and Ernie Watts among others. A favorite among vocalists, Schonig has toured with Grammy Award-winners Kurt Elling, The New York Voices, Kristen Chenoweth, Cynthia Erivo, Katherine McPhee, Jessica Vosk and singer/songwriter Donna Lewis. He has performed around the world, from sold-out shows at Carnegie Hall, to festivals in Zimbabwe. Schonig co-led The Wee Trio, which released five critically-acclaimed albums over the past 8 years and recently released two solo albums of original music (one quintet and one big band) in the fall of 2021 to critical acclaim. When back home in the big apple, Schonig is a jack-of-all-trades, dipping his toes in both jazz and Broadway. He recently held the drum chair for the critically acclaimed Tony, Grammy, and Emmy-award winning Broadway Revival of The Color Purple, and is currently playing drums and percussion for the esteemed 10-time Tony-winning Moulin Rouge! The Musical.
Five-time Juno Award winner, Jane Bunnett has turned her bands and recordings into showcases for the finest musical talent from Canada, the US, and Cuba. She has been nominated for three Grammy Awards, received The Order of Canada, The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, and, most recently, The Premier’s Award for Excellence. With Maqueque, Bunnett has created something new and phenomenal in the world of jazz. What started out five years ago as a project to record and mentor young brilliant Cuban female musicians has become one of the top groups on the North American jazz scene. Since 2015, they have played in major jazz festivals like Newport and Monterey, been featured on NPR’s program Jazz Night in America, won a Juno Award for their first album. Both Jane Bunnett and Maqueque were even nominated for a Grammy Award for their second release, Oddara, and were nominated for a Juno Award for their latest release, On Firm Ground/Tierra Firme. Most recently, they were voted as one the top ten jazz groups by the prestigious DownBeat magazine’s critics poll.
The Percussionist; author and producer, born in Rio de Janeiro, Duduka Da Fonseca is a 4-time Grammy® Award Nominee Drummer. He has appeared on over 250 albums alongside American Jazz and Brazilian Jazz icons, including 25 albums as a leader/co-leader, making him one of the most recorded Brazilian drummers in this idiom. In 2002 Duduka’s first solo album, Samba Jazz Fantasia, was the first “Samba Jazz” instrumental album ever to be nominated for the American Grammy® Award. He has recorded and toured with Antonio Carlos Jobim, Gerry Mulligan, Astrud Gilberto, Phil Woods, Kenny Barron, Lee Konitz, Eddie Gomez, Herbie Mann, Wynton Marsalis, Nancy Wilson, John Pizzarelli, John Scofield,Tom Harrell, Joe Lovano, Oscar Castro Neves, and many others.
“CONNECTED” was formed in 2020. During the COVID-19 lockdown, Richie Goods and Chien Chien decided to do a project that would unify people and invoke imagery of love and peace. As often happens, music was the catalyst that bridged the gap and resulted in a rare collaboration; a partnership that produced “The Path” Sep. 2020, “We Three Kings” Nov. 2020, and “Rain” Dec. 2021. They decided to cement their musical relationship by creating “Connected.” Together, Richie and Chien Chien create an exciting, new, energetic listening experience and attract audiences everywhere. Their new release, “Richie Goods & Chien Chien – Connected” was released January 13, 2023, and has been on the jazz charts for 12 weeks.
Latin Grammy winner and multi-Grammy nominee, Argentine-born and New York-based pianist and composer Emilio Solla’s first band, Apertura, (1983-1989) was praised by Astor Piazzolla as one of the most interesting new sounds in the Buenos Aires scene in 1986. Today, with eleven CDs as bandleader and more than forty as arranger/producer, he is regarded by peers and critics as one of the most outstanding and unique composers in the Tango-Jazz field, a musical language which blends Argentine tango and folk with jazz and other contemporary music styles. He has performed all around Europe, Japan, the US and Latin America. The Tango Jazz Orchestra (TJO) is Emilio’s most ambitious project to date. A full 17-piece jazz orchestra which replaces the guitar by a bandoneon. This large ensemble has allowed Solla to take his blend of tango and Latin American music with jazz to a whole new level. The orchestra recorded and released its first work, “Puertos, Music of International Waters” in 2019. One of Solla’s compositions was nominated that same year for a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement (sharing the honor with Vince Mendoza, John Williams and Jacob Collier) and the full album was awarded the 2020 Latin Grammy for Best Latin Jazz Album.
For more information on each individual artist, as well as more festival details, visit their website. For updates and festival highlights, be sure to follow their Facebook and Instagram.
South African comedian and The Daily Show host Trevor Noah has announced dates for his 2023 Off The Record Tour, which includes stops at Schenectady’s Proctors Theatre and the Beacon Theatre in NYC.
Trevor Noah in Toronto. (Photo credit: Matt Wilson/Netlflix)
The U.S. leg, which begins on January 20 in Atlanta and wraps up December 3, 2023 in San Francisco, will feature 40 performances total. Coming to Proctors Theatre on May 19, Noah will hit the Beacon Theatre for a ten-performance run from October 9 to 18.
Noah, in addition to hosting The Daily Show on Comedy Central, which was nominated for seven Emmy Awards this year, has sold out comedy shows across five continents, has hosted the last two Grammy Awards shows, and authored the #1 New York Times bestseller “Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood.”
Tickets for the dates at Proctors Theatre, Beacon Theatre, and the rest of Noah’s U.S. leg can be purchased on his website.
Trevor Noah Tour Dates:
January 20, 2023 – Atlanta, GA – Fox Theatre
February 10, 2023 – Louisville, KY – The Louisville Palace
March 3, 2023 – St. Louis, MO – Stifel Theatre
March 9, 2023 – Baltimore, MD – Hippodrome Theatre
March 24, 2023 – Durham, NC – DPAC
March 31, 2023 – Denver, CO – Bellco Theatre
April 5, 2023 – Boston, MA – The Wilbur^
April 6, 2023 – Boston, MA – The Wilbur^
April 7, 2023 – Boston, MA – The Wilbur^
April 8, 2023 – Medford, MA – Chevalier Theatre^
April 10, 2023 – Boston, MA – The Wilbur^
April 11, 2023 – Boston, MA – The Wilbur^
April 12, 2023 – Boston, MA – The Wilbur^
April 13, 2023 – Medford, MA – Chevalier Theatre^
April 20, 2023 – Austin, TX – Bass Concert Hall
April 27, 2023 – Spokane, WA – First Interstate Center for the Arts
April 28, 2023 – Bozeman, MT – Brick Breeden Fieldhouse*
April 29, 2023 – Missoula, MT – Adams Center*
May 4, 2023 – Memphis, TN – Orpheum Theatre
May 5, 2023 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium
May 10, 2023 – Indianapolis, IN – Murat Theatre at Old National Centre
May 12, 2023 – New Orleans, LA – Saenger Theatre
May 19, 2023 – Schenectady, NY – Proctors Theatre
May 20, 2023 – Schenectady, NY – Proctors Theatre
May 26, 2023 – Mashantucket, CT – Premier Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino
June 2, 2023 – Santa Barbara, CA – Santa Barbara Bowl
October 6, 2023 – Richmond, VA – Altria Theater
October 9, 2023 – New York, NY – Beacon Theatre
October 10, 2023 – New York, NY – Beacon Theatre
October 11, 2023 – New York, NY – Beacon Theatre
October 12, 2023- New York, NY – Beacon Theatre
October 13, 2023- New York, NY – Beacon Theatre
October 14, 2023- New York, NY – Beacon Theatre
October 15, 2023- New York, NY – Beacon Theatre
October 16, 2023- New York, NY – Beacon Theatre
October 17, 2023- New York, NY – Beacon Theatre
October 18, 2023- New York, NY – Beacon Theatre
October 20, 2023 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre
October 26, 2023 – Detroit, MI – Fox Theatre
November 1, 2023 – Madison, WI – The Orpheum Theater
November 3, 2023 – Milwaukee, WI – The Riverside Theater
November 9, 2023 – Minneapolis, MN – Orpheum Theatre
November 13, 2023 – Chicago, IL – The Chicago Theatre
November 14, 2023 – Chicago, IL – The Chicago Theatre
November 30, 2023 – San Francisco, CA – The Masonic
December 1, 2023 – San Francisco, CA – The Masonic
December 2, 2023 – San Francisco, CA – The Masonic
December 3, 2023 – San Francisco, CA – The Masonic
The Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC) announced civic alliances in advance of opening later this month, as part of its mission to enrich the lives of New Yorkers through the arts. Executive Director Khady Kamara and Artistic Director Bill Rauch made the announcement as the group prepares to open the performing arts center at the World Trade Center in lower Manhattan.
Perelman Performing Arts Center designed by REX. Image Iwan Baan
PAC NYC is partnering with a number of organizations to further their commitment to collaborating and building alliances with the community. They have established anchor alliances with the Borough of Manhattan Community College, Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York, Interfaith Center of New York City, and The New York Immigration Coalition. In addition, PAC NYC has formed a foundational alliance with the Lenape Center.
The anchor alliances are relationships across multiple years with organizations that share a commitment to involving constituents in both PAC NYC and the allied group’s programs. Project-based alliances will spark dialogue and create programming around specific PAC NYC events, performances, and productions, and will allow both groups to reach new communities. Through these alliances, PAC NYC will collaborate closely with organizations with deep experience serving the city of New York across a variety of areas.
Building a performing arts center in this location was a promise to all of New York City. From the day we began working on the artistic programming, we also began developing relationships and creating dialogue around our events and performances. These partnerships will invite and include our neighbors from all five boroughs, connect people across differences, and help us discover how art can continue to inspire and heal.
Bill Rauch, PAC NYC Artistic Director
In addition, PAC NYC has announced a new exhibit in collaboration with new foundational alliance partner The Lenape Center. The exhibit is titled “Kishux,” and features a curated presentation of 12 large format photographs by Devin Pickering.
Perelman Performing Arts Center designed by REX. Image Iwan Baan.
“Kishux” shows photographs from over a period of five months, from all times of day, telling the story of the ancestral seeds return home to Lenapehoking, the Lenape name for their homeland. The Lenape people have historically inhabited a region across the eastern US, spanning much of what is now known as New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania, New York’s Hudson Valley and the NYC metropolitan area. The exhibit at PAC NYC will run from September 23 through October 9, and is free for all.
PAC NYC tickets and memberships are available now at PACNYC.org or by phone at 212.266.3000. Tickets begin at $39 and memberships start at $10. For more information or to learn how to support PAC NYC, visit PACNYC.org.
NYC’s The Shed announced a new collaboration with West Side Fest, an upcoming celebration on September 30 from 3-7pm. The West Side Fest brings together the best of arts and culture on Manhattan’s West Side. For the inaugural celebration, all ages can enjoy free admission to participating museums and cultural institutions. In addition, the fest will have free indoor and outdoor activities including crafts, artmaking, and much more.
The celebratory block party will feature dance sets by The Dragon Sisters in partnership with Poster House, and Ladies of Hip-Hop in partnership with Chelsea Factory. The day will also have ongoing DJ sets from Riobamba, BEARCAT, and Ashley Venom.
Other organizations participating in West Side Fest include the Whitney Museum of American Art, Poster House, Hudson River Park, Westbeth Artists Residence, Little Island, West Village Rehearsal Co-op, The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Community Center, the New York City AIDS Memorial Park, The Kitchen, the Rubin Museum of Art, the High Line, and the Center for Art, Research and Alliances (CARA).
Photo: Jean Coleman
The West Side Cultural Network is a group 19 museums, parks, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions. The network is located within a half-mile portion of historic New York along the west edge of Manhattan.
The Shed is a multimedia arts space in Hudson Yards, Manhattan. An independent non-profit, the venue works to bring together artists in fields including classical music, pottery, dance, digital media, and more. The Shed is located at 545 W 30th St, New York, NY 10001. For more information visit The Shed’s website.
Legendary singer-songwriter Bob Dylan has announced that he and His Band will be making a pair of appearances in New York State this fall, with a show in Rochester on October 24 at Auditorium Theatre, and at historic Proctor’s Theatre in Schenectady on October 30. The dates are part of the musicians’ “Rough and Rowdy Ways” tour.
Dylan has added more dates in November to his tour calendar, with shows on November 7-8 at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, and November 14-15 at Kings Theatre in Brooklyn.
Dylan has been an iconic figure in American music for well over five decades. Born and raised in Minnesota, it was in Greenwich Village where the artists’ career started to blossom. Boasting an unparalleled writing style, Dylan rose to prominence for his ability to blend elements of folk and rock. Within just a three year span Dylan released the ever-influential albums Bringing It All Back Home, Highway 61 Revisited, and Blonde on Blonde.
Widely recognized for crafting some of the most poignant and significant protest songs, Dylan is known for his social and political beliefs. The singers’ tracks became a symbolic part of the 1960s, touching on issues like segregation, authority, and societal norms. In 2016 Dylan was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for his contributions to American poetry and music. Dylan has sold over 100 million records, won 10 Grammy Awards, and has been inducted in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Proctor’s Theatre was built in 1926 and hosts Broadway shows, cutting-edge film festivals, and music performances. The Arts Center & Theatre of Schenectady (ACT) stepped in to revitalize the theatre when the building faced destruction in the 70s. Since then, Proctor’s has become an integral part of the Capital Region’s arts scene. Past performers include Mariah Carey, Brittany Spears, Duke Ellington, and even comedian George Burns.
Here for tickets and more information about the Rough and Rowdy Ways” tour.
Announced Tour Dates
1 OCT- Kansas City, MO The Midland Theatre
2 OCT- Kansas City, MO The Midland Theatre
4 OCT- St. Louis, MO Stifel Theatre
6 OCT- Chicago, IL Cadillac Palace Theatre
7 OCT- Chicago, IL Cadillac Palace Theatre
8 OCT- Chicago, IL Cadillac Palace Theatre
11 OCT- Milwaukee, WI The Riverside Theater
12 OCT- Milwaukee, WI The Riverside Theater
14 OCT- Grand Rapids, MI DeVos Performance Hall
16 OCT- Indianapolis, IN Murat Theatre
20 OCT- Cincinnati, OH The Andrew J. Brady Music Center
21 OCT- Akron, OH Akron Civic Theatre
23 OCT- Erie, PA Warner Theatre
24 OCT- Rochester, NY Auditorium Theatre
26 OCT- Toronto, ON Massey Hall
27 OCT- Toronto, ON Massey Hall
29 OCT – Montreal, QB Place des Arts – Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier
30 OCT- Schenectady, NY Proctors Theatre
Nov. 1, 2023 — Symphony Hall — Springfield, MA
Nov. 3, 2023 — Orpheum Theatre — Boston, MA
Nov. 4, 2023 — Orpheum Theatre — Boston, MA
Nov. 5, 2023 — Orpheum Theatre — Boston, MA
Nov. 7, 2023 — The Capitol Theatre — Port Chester, NY
Nov. 8, 2023 — The Capitol Theatre — Port Chester, NY
Nov. 10, 2023 — Providence Performing Arts Center — Providence, RI
Nov. 11, 2023 — Palace Theater — Waterbury, CT
Nov. 14, 2023 — Kings Theatre — Brooklyn, NY
Nov. 15, 2023 — Kings Theatre — Brooklyn, NY
Nov. 19, 2023 — The Fillmore — Philadelphia, PA
Nov. 20, 2023 — New Jersey Performing Arts Center – Prudential Hall, Newark, NJ
Nov. 21, 2023 — New Jersey Performing Arts Center – Prudential Hall — Newark, NJ
Hailing from New York’s Finger Lakes Region, The Endless Mountain Derelicts released their third full-length EP in August, titled Good Got Damn. The group is an all-original blend of alternative, country, classic rock, folk, and punk, or a self-described mountain rock. EMD cites a blue collar, original yet familiar sound as inspiration for Good Got Damn. The EP features six tracks, all distinct yet with a strong style indicative of their passion and intensity.
The opening track, “State Lines,” starts out strong with energized, gritty vocals. The minor key and consistent backing vocals create a depth to the track that shows the group’s skill and unity.
The EP’s second track, “Ain’t It A Shame,” follows with an acoustic base and melancholy lyrics, leading into another energized, belting chorus. The vocals stay reserved during verses, but the energy and passion is released in the strong chorus.
“Light That Fuse” stands out creatively as a key track on the record. In this track, the group shows off their versatility in structure. The song has a strong, memorable hook in the chorus’s “light that fuse and run.”
Overall, The Endless Mountain Derelict’s Good Got Damn is a strong display of their unique style and passion. Their use of drums and creative syncopation is a key component that stands out across the board, as the arrangements strongly feature percussion. Additionally, the vocals show off an intense grit, which is a strong way to add character to a track, but finds its way to being a hallmark of EMD’s style.
The group carries an ethos of blue collar, lively inclusivity, which shines through in both their lyrics and sound. The group’s third full length release, Good Got Damn is a passionate combination of soulful lyrics and skilled musicianship.
On Thursday, Sept. 14, The GRAMMY Museum, in simultaneity with the Americana Music Association, will host a celebration of Doc Watson in his 100th birthday year.
It includes a conversation moderated by WNYC’s John Schaefer with Steve Earle, Bill Frisell, Matthew Stevens, and Yasmin Williams to celebrate the album, I Am A Pilgrim: Doc Watson at 100. This intimate discussion will take place at the Rubin Museum of Art in New York with a performance to follow.
I Am A Pilgrim: Doc Watson at 100 is a new tribute album that celebrates the deep influence and legacy of the legendary North Carolina folk musician Doc Watson. The album includes a diverse and impressive lineup of Hall of Fame inductees, GRAMMY award winners, and NPR Tesk Diny alumni, including Dolly Parton, Rosanne Cash, John Leventhal, Jeff Parker, Valerie June, Nora Brown, Jerry Douglas, and more.
The record pays homage to Watson’s lasting legacy on American music, showcasing the power and relevance of his music a century after his birth. It has been spotlighted by Rolling Stone, NPR’s Fresh Air, SPIN, Stereogum, and more. The album features new renditions of some of Watson’s most beloved recordings from his expansive catalog, highlighting his talent and charisma.
Arthel Lane “Doc” Watson earned seven GRAMMY Awards and 23 nominations including the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004. He received the National Medal of Arts in 1997 from President Clinton and has been the subject of multiple books, boxed sets, and compilation albums. Watson was an integral part of the early 1960s folk revival and became known as one of the greatest flatpicking guitarists of all time, a style that influenced the playing of countless guitarists, releasing 30 albums spanning 50 years. He was also considered a master of the banjo and lost his eyesight at a young age.
Given Watson’s seismic impact on guitar playing, there are many guitar-playing styles represented on the record, from the finger-tapping style of Yasmin Williams (“Doc’s Guitar,” a Watson original) to the slide guitar of Ariel Posen (“Will The Circle Be Unbroken”) and the harmonics featured on Lionel Loueke’s version of “Reuben’s Train.” Young adult Nora Brown contributes a moving rendition of the hymn “Am I Born To Die.” The album concludes with “Your Lone Journey,” a song that Watson penned while mourning his son, and lovingly interpreted here by Bill Frisell.
The Troy Savings Bank Music Hall announced an addition to their fall schedule: Celebrating 50 Years of Hip Hop. The night on Friday, October 27 at 7:30 PM will feature performances to highlight the history of hip hop with classic tracks and the genre’s favorite artists.
Live shows feature JB!! aka Dirty Moses, Ohzhe, KATANI, DJ Nate da Great, Shiloh the Messenger and Mundy.
The performers will be joined by Albany’s Victory Soul Orchestra. The horn funk favorite cites influence from classic New Orleans brass bands, as well as artists including Galatic and the Dap Kings.
The Troy Savings Bank Music Hall is thrilled to celebrate a half century of rhythm, rhyme, and revolution, with the beats of our local, talented artists in a timeless tribute to our community’s cultural evolution.
Jon Elbaum, Executive Director, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall
JB!! aka Dirty Moses
Capital Regions 2022 & 2020 Eddies award winner for HipHop/Rap Artist of the year. JB!! aka Dirty Moses is on a mission to educate and enlighten others through music. This is your invitation to JB!! aka Dirty Moses World: a world of rhythm and rhyme; a world of love and inspiration: and a world of energy and music. This is where you’ll find JB!! aka Dirty Moses’s photos, music, videos and much more. For over twenty years JB!! aka Dirty Moses’s unique and methodical style has awakened the joy of music in thousands, young and old, all over the world.
Ohzhe
Albany native rapper with southern roots is marking his territory in the rap game with powerful lyrics, a diverse flow, and confidence that is undeniable. From being Eddie award nominated as best HipHop artist in his city, to creating opportunities for the youth Ohzhe stands true to his goal, to inspire the world and push forward the culture.
KATANI
Anti-misogyny, pro-black, community uplifting raptivist duo comprised of Amani O+ & Kat SoPoetic. Kat + Amani = KATANI. Best friends who began collaborating in 2016 as a response to the corruption, abuse and silence we experienced and observed locally and nationally. We found ourselves alchemizing our rage and disappointment into visionary medicine and inspiration.
DJ Nate da Great
DJ, turnt-tablist, thinker, maker, coder, etc… Been doing this DJ thing for 30+ years. Been doing this human-being thing for 40+ years. First and foremost I’m a creative thinker. I appreciate artistry, thinking outside the box and the creative process. I prefer to take the path less traveled. That actually happens sometimes.
Shiloh the Messenger
Located in Upstate New York, Shiloh The Messenger is a rapper, producer, and writer who pours his soul into his musical passion. Originating with a background of reggae and calypso, he’s found solace in hip hop, and over the years has continued to hone his skills and elevate his mastery of the craft.
Victory Soul Orchestra
Victory Soul Orchestra is a hometown horn funk favorite. The dirty sounds of New Orleans brass drive their sound with some influences including Galactic as well as the Dap Kings. You can also find them fronted by Albany’s own JB aka Dirty Moses and singer Dali Soto.
Tickets for Celebrating 50 Years of Hip Hop are on sale via phone at (518) 273-0038, in person at the box office, or online at troymusichall.org. The Troy Savings Bank Music Hall Box Office is located at 30 Second Street, Troy. Hours are Monday through Thursday 10AM-3PM.
More information on the venue and other upcoming programs area available at troymusichall.org.
While Hip-Hop started in the Boogie Down Bronx, Brooklyn birthed hip-hop’s heart. As an art form, New York started hip-hop. How wondrous the gift of spinning records to make new records. Hustle never quits. From the DJ spinning on turntables to the space decked out in graffiti – real performers make bystanders break out and dance. In the beginning, Brooklyn seismically shook the genre to its core and showcased all four core elements of hip-hop masterfully.
Imitation remains the highest form of flattery and nobody does it better than cats from Brooklyn. Subsequently, those outside of New York may struggle to understand the sense of pride attached to being Brooklyn-bred. The confidence serves as a survival tactic and the greatest emcees of all time – Biggie and Jay-Z exemplify this to the fullest.
Brooklyn Lineage
Many significantly trace hip-hop’s lineage to the Native Tongues. Imagine a genre-wide family tree and the many roots/branches that sprout as time progresses. Individuals who emerged from the throws of Native Tongues travel far and wide. Real artists leave an incredulous mark on the genre through the element of timelessness. Jungle Brothers, Yasiin Bey, De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest all blossomed ‘Straight out the Jungle’ of the Native Tongues.
Hip-Hop as a Timeless Tool
While hip-hop began to surround the sound of Brooklyn in the late eighties – it wasn’t until the next decade that hip-hop started to resonate across all boroughs. Accordingly, Brooklyn encapsulated the sound that everyone tried to emulate. While some might argue that Cutmaster D.C.’s “Brooklyn’s in the House” put Brooklyn on the map – it’s not about who did it first – rather who did it right. Artists like Notorious B.I.G. and Jay-Z stepped into the spotlight and left a footprint in the hip-hop world that could never be duplicated.
Centrally, hip-hop exists as the single greatest knowledge-based tool for all to encounter. The sheer cultural wisdom and latitude that the platform provides outweighs all other genres by a landslide. Hip-hop changes the world when it allows artists to elevate from aspirational to generational. Essentially, nobody manifested their realities into existence quite like Brooklyn-area emcees.
Surviving as a Brooklyn Artist
Naturally, a Brooklyn artist may be known to overcompensate within their discography to reach their desired heights. Reason being, overconfidence and a tough demeanor come as prerequisites for anyone who aims to survive in Brooklyn. Simultaneously, the way that Brooklyn artists polish their renditions to overcome struggles and hardships contributes wonderful works of art as a whole.
Consequently, groundbreaking artwork emerges to reflect the socioeconomic conditions of the times. Hip-hop during the Reagan-era birthed many blossoming acts with illusions of grandeur. Only the strong survive, as the opportunities of the times gave many a chance to shine. Alas, Brooklyn-born artists consistently put forth the most bravado and gumption to properly represent New York – the mecca of hip-hop.
Brooklyn We Go Hard
After Biggie passed in 1997 – he left a major void. As time went on, Jay-Z continued to outshine his counterparts. In 1998, Mos Def and Talib Kweli purchased Nkiru Books in Park Slope to turn it into an education center filled with open mic events, workshops and lectures. Nevertheless, Brooklyn carries the most soul and flavor for all to appreciate. Throughout time, gentrification slammed Brooklyn as it hardly resembles the original infrastructure. Long live Brooklyn landmarks like Albee Square Mall and Fulton Mall where countless hip-hop heads would gather and legends were made.
Today, nobody holds it down for Brooklyn quite like Joey Bada$$ and the Pro Era crew. The Beast Coast movement includes Flatbush Zombies, Underachievers and Pro Era which was started by Capital Steez. These prolific artists capitalize on the concept of tonal perception – which allows the listener to interpret the lyrics based upon how they sound.
Undoubtedly, hip-hop remains the most pivotal component to artistry as a whole. Nobody could replace the contributions made by hip-hop and the blessings continue to multiply within the genre. For those about to rap – we salute you!
