NYS Music 2023

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  • American Symphony Orchestra Announces 2023-24 Season

    The American Symphony Orchestra has recently announced plans for its 62nd season which will feature four full-orchestra programs at Carnegie Hall and Manhattan’s Riverside Church among other concert events. The 2023-24 season will commence on September 7th with a free opening picnic concert from the symphony orchestra, titled American Expression, and will end on March 22nd of next year.

    In 1962, Leopold Stokowski founded the American Symphony Orchestra as a way to provide music within the means of everyone. That mission has been enhanced and expanded since the year of 1992 which brought forth Music Director Leon Botstein, who introduced thematic concerts to the orchestra in order to explore music from the perspective of visual arts, literature, religion, and history, as well as revive scarcely performed works that audiences would otherwise never have had the opportunity to experience through a live orchestra.

    Keeping to this theme, the 62nd season is to be littered with rich performances of select compositions from history’s choral catalogue. A few program highlights include a performance of George Frideric Handel’s Judas Maccabaeus which will be presented in Morningside Heights at the Riverside Church on December 14th. This will be followed by a rare performance of Dvořák’s Requiem in January at Carnegie Hall. On March 22nd, Schoenberg’s massive cantata, Gurre-Lieder, infrequently performed due to the unusually large number of musicians required, will bring the Orchestra’s season to an impressive close.

    Botstein, who will conduct each of the four program’s performances, mentions his excitement for the ongoing mission as he enters the new season saying, “As we prepare for our 62nd season, I am energized by our ongoing ability to renew live orchestral music as a vital force in contemporary American culture. Now that we have emerged from the major restrictions of the pandemic, the ASO continues that mission in 2023-24 by presenting large choral works that highlight the power of the human voice.”

    The American Symphony Orchestra will also be offering two free performances under America UNBOUND at Bryant Park as a part of its chamber concert series. These performances will be presenting percussionist and composer Javier Diaz’s new work Suns and Moons of a New World. In addition, the organization will also offer a digital premier of Ficciones, an immersive concert film experience featuring Roberto Sierra’s Concerto for Electric Violin and Orchestra performed by renowned soloist Tracy Silverman.

    AOS 2023-24 Program Schedule

    September 7, 7:00 PM – Opening Program: American Expressions – Bryant Park

    September 10, 3:00 PM – Kupferberg Center for the Arts, 6530 Kissena Blvd, Flushing, NY:  American Symphony Orchestra; Leon Botstein, conductor; George Antheil: A Jazz Symphony; Ruth Crawford Seeger: Music for Small Orchestra; Aaron Copland: Music for the Theatre; Florence Price: Andante moderato (for string orchestra); John Alden Carpenter: Krazy Kat

    In the years immediately following World War I, the American artistic scene experienced an extraordinary burst of creativity. Responding to the horror and brutality of the war, artists, writers, and composers rejected the ideals of the previous century, focusing instead on creating a means of expression that would reflect the realities this new age required. With jazz, many American composers found a source of distinctly American inspiration that was modern and exciting. Some of the works offered in this program reflect a fascination with the language of the Roaring Twenties and its rhythmic energy and catchy melodies. Other composers sought to push the boundaries of musical expression with ‘ultra-modern’ language such as jagged counterpoint or atonality. The experimental impulses of this generation are presented here with works by some of its key proponents.

    Tickets: Free performances. For Bryant Park on Sept. 7, no tickets or RSVP required, staff lends out free picnic blankets, provides bistro chairs, and offers a curated selection of food and drink to purchase from local vendors. For Sept. 10 at Kupferberg Center for the Arts, attendance is free with online RSVP at americansymphony.org (starting on August 10, 2023).

    September 18 and September 25, 5:30 PM – UNBOUND: Free Chamber Concerts in Bryant Park – Bryant Park Upper Terrace: Toyin Spellman-Diaz, oboe, English horn, voice; Shari Hoffman, clarinet; John Sheppard, trumpet; Javier Diaz, percussion; Shiqi Zhong, percussion; Pauline Kim Harris, violin; Pete Donovan, double bass; Javier Diaz: Suns and Moons of a New World; I. Preludio de la Gran Sabana (Prelude of the Great Plains); II. Mis Muertos Cantan (All My Dead Sing); III. Concierto Barroco (Baroque Concerto); IV. Domingos Álvares, A Priest of Sakpatá in Eighteenth-Century Brazil; V. Sinfonía de Cámara (Chamber Symphony)

    The ASO continues its series of free concerts in Bryant Park with America UNBOUND. The program underlines the importance of multicultural influences in the music of the Americas and presents the new chamber work Suns and Moons of a New World, by percussionist and composer Javier Diaz. Offering a compositional look at the American continent unbound through musical histories that emphasize the universality of sound, word, and song, the piece incorporates musical and cultural elements from across the Americas, including the use of a J.S. Bach chorale in Venezuelan merengue. It is performed by a chamber ensemble of ASO musicians and features GRAMMY-nominated Imani Winds’ oboist Toyin Spellman-Diaz. Commissioned by the ASO, the work received its world premiere at Bryant Park in May 2023.

    Tickets: Free, no tickets required. Guests will find a limited number of first-come, first-served chairs set up near Bryant Park’s Upper Terrace to enjoy an after-work respite with live music.

    December 14, 7:00 PM – Riverside Church Nave, 490 Riverside Drive, New York, NY – Judas Maccabaeus: American Symphony Orchestra; Leon Botstein, conductor; Members of Bard Festival Chorale and Riverside Choir; George Frideric Handel: Judas Maccabaeus, HWV 63

    The ASO offers an alternative to Handel’s Messiah with another oratorio, Judas Maccabaeus. Set amidst the story of Hanukkah, the oratorio is a dramatization of the Jews’ resistance to their oppressors during the Maccabean Revolt. Handel’s depiction of a peoples’ triumph over tyranny is brought to life through exultant choruses, sung by members of Bard Festival Chorale and Riverside Choir and soloists. Soloists will be announced at a later date.

    Tickets: Priced at $25–$35, and $15 for students and seniors, are available on September 1 at americansymphony.org.

    January 25, 2024, 8:00 PM – Carnegie Hall, Isaac Stern Auditorium – Dvořák: Requiem – Conductor’s Notes Q&A, 7:00 PM: American Symphony Orchestra; Leon Botstein, conductor; Antonín Dvořák: Requiem, Op. 89

    Antonin Dvořák’s Requiem (1890) is nowhere nearly as well-known or performed as the composer’s late symphonies, chamber pieces, or other choral works, such as his StabatMater. Dvořák’s Requiem is close to Fauré’s or Cherubini’s contributions to the genre in its often introspective mood, its gentle melodies and overall lyricism. The use of a four-note chromatic motif in almost all sections of the piece gives the work a feel of thematic unity. While rich in invention and expressivity, its melancholic examination of the mysteries of life and death make the Requiem more deserving of further exploration in the public sphere.

    Tickets: Priced at $25–$65, tickets are available on September 1 at carnegiehall.org, by calling CarnegieCharge at 212.247.7800, or visiting the box office at 57th St. & 7th Ave.

    March 22, 2024, 8:00 PM – Carnegie Hall, Isaac Stern Auditorium – Schoenberg’s Gurre-Lieder – Conductor’s Notes Q&A 7:00 PM: American Symphony Orchestra; Leon Botstein, conductor; Bard Festival Chorale; James Bagwell, choral director; Arnold Schoenberg: Gurre-Lieder

    To mark the centennial of its 1913 world premiere in Vienna, and more than 90 years since its 1932 American premiere by American Symphony Orchestra founder Leopold Stokowski with the Philadelphia Orchestra, the ASO presents Arnold Schoenberg’s massive and rarely performed Gurre-Lieder. Wagnerian in conception, this cantata represents the ideal of late Romanticism, with its lush, colorful orchestration of more than 150 musicians, endless melodies, and a highly chromatic harmonic language. The work is seldom performed due the sheer number of artists involved and the logistical challenges it poses. The cantata springs from a sonnet in an 1868 novella titled A Cactus Blooms by the young Danish poet Jens Peter Jacobsen, who based his prose on a 14th-century Gurre legend about King Valdemar, his passion for the maiden Tove Lille, and their love tryst at Gurre Castle. Soloists will be announced at a later date.

    Tickets: Priced at $25–$65, tickets are available on September 1 at carnegiehall.org, by calling CarnegieCharge at 212.247.7800, or visiting the box office at 57th St. & 7th Ave.

  • Honoring Hip Hop Legends: Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame’s 50th Anniversary Show

    The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame hosted a Hip Hop 50th Anniversary Show on Sunday June 11th. The show paid tribute to some influential artists and pioneers of hip hop. This event showcased the genre’s history, highlighted the achievements of renowned musicians, and provided a platform for insightful discussions. With the unveiling of an LL Cool J statue and a panel discussion featuring industry legends, the celebration was a memorable tribute to the cultural impact of hip hop.

    Jazzy Jay, Son of Bazerk, Jazzy Jay, MC Glamorous, Aj Woodson

    The event began with the unveiling of a stunning statue honoring the iconic rapper and actor LL Cool J. Created by sculptor Sherwin Banfield, the statue captured LL Cool J’s charisma, influence, and contributions to the hip hop industry. This immortalization of LL Cool J served as a powerful symbol of his lasting impact as one of the genre’s most influential figures. Banfield also has a monument dedicated to The Notorious B.I.G. located in Dumbo, Brooklyn.

    Sherwin Banfield unveils LL Cool J statue

    The 50th Anniversary Show featured a thought-provoking panel discussion that brought together several esteemed hip hop pioneers. Ralph McDaniels, a renowned video music director and host of the legendary “Video Music Box” program, joined forces with DJ Jazzy Jay, a trailblazing DJ, and Keith Shocklee, a member of the influential production team The Bomb Squad. They were joined by MC Glamorous, Dinco D, Aj Woodson, Johnny Juice, and members of Son of Bazerk, Tony Allen, and Cassandra Jackson.

    The panelists reminisced about their experiences on Long Island and discussed the evolution of hip hop. Their wisdom provided attendees with a unique opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge of hip hop’s cultural significance and its enduring impact on music and society.

    The audience was treated to a energetic performance featuring some of the industry’s most celebrated artists after the panel discussion. DJ Jazzy Jay, a true turntable virtuoso, took to the stage followed by DJ Johnny Juice, MC Glamorous, Aj Woodson, Dinco D. A Son of Berserk reunion set was another highlight creating an electrifying atmosphere.

    Son of Bazerk

    The 50th Anniversary Show was meant to include the induction of the legendary hip hop group, the Fat Boys. However, due to unfortunate circumstances, Damon “Kool Rock-Ski” Wimbley was unable to attend, leading to the postponement of their induction. The organizers of The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame recognized the Fat Boys’ immense contributions and ensured that their induction would take place at a future event.

  • KeyBank Live at Larkin Square Series in Buffalo this Summer

    KeyBank Live at Larkin is a live music series in Larkin Square, Buffalo, that will feature artists on Wednesdays, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., from now until the end of August. Food trucks will be present for KeyBank Live and for Food Truck Tuesday, which also features live music.

    Larkin Square is located in the center of Larkinville, and originally opened in June 2012, operated by the Larkin Development Group. It is a hub for free family-friendly community events, which are presented by KeyBank and sponsored by Independent Health.

    KeyBank Live at Larkin

    Every Wednesday from now until the end of August, audiences can enjoy local music, food, and drink. After the conclusion of the concert in the square, live music continues into the Hydraulic Hearth Beer Garden across the street.

    Buffalo Afrobeat Orchestra – June 14

    Talking Dead Heads – June 21

    Big Easy in Buffalo ft. Lynn Drury Band & Leroy Townes Band – June 28

    Declan Miers’ All-Stars – July 5

    (Rescheduled Event) Dirty Work: A Tribute to Steely Dan ft. members of Aqueous & more – July 6

    Universal Phunk – July 12

    Alex McArthur Presents: Rae & the Spirits – July 19

    (Sold Out) Ticketed Beatles Night – July 26

    Blues 4 Vets ft. Miller & the Other Sinners, Jony James Band, Grace Stumberg & Bob James – Aug. 2

    Vitamin D & Friends Show Love 4 Prince – Aug. 9

    Handsome Jack – Aug. 16

    Grosh & Guests – Aug. 23

    Farrow & Friends – Aug. 30

    Food Truck Tuesday

    Food Truck Tuesday, regarded as “Buffalo’s biggest dinner party,” is returning for its 10th season. It will be held every Tuesday until the end of August from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with the notable exception of July 4. Larkin Square will hold 20-25 food trucks from the Rochester and Buffalo regions each week, rotating between 38 food trucks. In addition to the trucks, local live music will be played in the square.

    Each truck will offer at least one certified Healthy Option, the item certified by the Independent Health Foundation. Seating will be available throughout the square, though guests are welcome to bring their own folding chairs.

    Alison Pipitone Band – June 13

    The Abruptors – June 20

    Walter Kemp 3 – June 27

    Kevin Hall Band – July 11

    Kathryn Koch Band – July 18

    Carol McLaughlin & Magnitude – July 25

    JJ White & Mojo Sauce – Aug. 1

    Sol Y Sombra – Aug. 8

    Dueling Pianos Band – Aug. 15

    The Kensingtons – Aug. 22

    Blaise Mercedes & the Crew – Aug. 29

    More information on these events can be found on Larkin Square’s website.

  • Space Carnival Reunites at Lark Hall on July 6

    Oneonta’s Space Carnival will perform their first show in New York State in nearly 5 years, with a special performance on Thursday, July 6 at Lark Hall in Albany.

    space carnival

    Space Carnival grew from the Mohawk Valley, playing music festivals and venues across New York State, before the band agreed to part ways, amicably. You may have even seen Chris Meier playing bass with Annie in the Water.

    Blending high-energy disco funk and progressive rock, Space Carnival features Jeremy Kraus on Guitar, Cameron Fitch on Keys and Vocals, Chris Meier on Bass, with Josh West (Annie in the Water, Lucid) joining on drums.

    Originating in Oneonta in Fall 2013, the group has honed their live sound while accumulating a solid following across the Northeast and as far as Colorado, with crowds drawn by shows full of fresh energy, working through a catalog of confident originals and rotating covers. The four piece returns in 2023, inviting fans to get down to their loose funk and slippery disco vibe.

    space carnival
    Space Carnival

    Opening the night will be Albany native, SM Ink.

    From Jam Band to DJ, Albany native, SM Ink, has continued blazing his trail in the jam scene he has loved so dearly. Furthermore, SM has progressed into a must see artist at clubs and festivals.Taking his love for Bass lines and grooves, SM delivers high energy sets through a wide range of Funky, Minimal, Deep/tech house flavors, which are great for any time, day or night.

    Doors open on July 6 at 7pm for an evening of celebration at Lark Hall in Albany, with SM Ink starting shortly after and Space Carnival at 8pm.. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door.

  • The Quebe Sisters bring Texas Swing to Caffe Lena on June 22

    The late Col. Bruce Hampton once referred to The Quebe Sisters as “un-bee-leivable” with a Texas swing sound, that he remarked was a bright light in music, where he saw “the music of today as horrifying.” With that simple recommendation in 2016, I discovered the sound of The Quebe Sisters, who will make their Caffe Lena return on June 22 in Saratoga Springs.

    quebe sisters caffe lena

    This trailblazing trio offer a modern day take on country and Western Swing, doing so steadfastly and free of frivolous fanfare. Siblings Grace, Sophia, and Hulda are hardly newcomers, but rather harnass sensibilities coalesced as seasoned performers. The Dallas-based trio have spent the last 17 years merging three-part harmony and triple fiddles to put a youthful, jubilant spin on Bob Wills’ classic genre.

    The sisters’ four studio albums – 2003’s Texas Fiddlers, 2007’s Timeless, 2014’s Every Which-A-Way, and 2019’s The Quebe Sisters – serve as sonic proof that these ladies are fearless interpreters and innovators.
    There’s certainly no boxing the Quebe Sisters. Grace, Sophia, and Hulda Quebe see western swing as an ocean of possibilities.

    Bob Wills was all about experimentation – melding just about every style he heard. He hired the best musicians playing regionally traditional instruments, as well as players interested in experimenting on what were the cutting-edge instruments of the day. This spirit formed what we today call western swing, and it needs to be an ingredient in current iterations of western swing to keep the style fresh and vibrant for the present and future. So, for us it’s authentic to the style to introduce our own originals.

    Grace Quebe

    For these trailblazing women, performing before enthusiastic crowds means the deep, connected roots of country and western swing will be in full display. The Quebe siblings grew up in Texas surrounded by fiddles, bows, microphones, stages, and western swing tunes. Texas is the very reason Grace, Sophia, and Hulda Quebe ended up playing triple fiddle, Grace says. But in true trailblazing fashion, Texas couldn’t contain such immense talent and dedication. The Quebe Sisters took their sound beyond the boundaries of the Lone Star state into North America, Europe, and even Russia.

    I think our central ambition in playing music is to touch people’s hearts and souls—to make them feel beauty, to make them hear colors, to make them forget worries and have fun, to make them think about God. There is no time in history or culture that doesn’t need music in this way!

    Hulda Quebe

    Grace sees nothing odd about their progressive brand of western swing connecting with foreign audiences. “Nostalgia and curiosity play some role,” she says, “but particularly the syncopation and dance elements of the music we love and play make it timeless and universal. Everyone resonates with music that has a good feel. If it uplifts you and makes you want to dance, then we are doing our job right.”

    The trio’s current tour, dubbed “Bye, For Now,” wraps up at the end of 2023. After that? Well, as Sophia says, it is, “much-needed R&R and time off the road. For now, we are taking an undetermined hiatus. This isn’t retirement for us, just a nice break.”

    It is certainly a well-earned respite. The Dallas-based Quebe Sisters have steadfastly, completely free of frivolous fanfare, elevated the country and western swing genres for more than two decades. The Quebe Sisters stretched the boundaries of an old-timey style and made it newly relevant for fans of all generations.

    There is still plenty of time to bask in those Quebe originals onstage. Grace, Sophia, and Hulda have dates in the books through October 2023. More dates will be announced soon. For a detailed list of concert performances, check out their website. Do these ladies wish fans would come out in droves to catch them onstage before they take a little downtime?

    “Yes! We hope our fans will have a chance to come out and see us as we wrap up our touring through the end of 2023.”

    Hulda Quebe

    Modern, creative, and talented women that stretch the boundaries of country and western swing music become beacons. They light the path taking audiences on a trip to the past while keeping them firmly in the present and giving them a glimpse into the future.

    Doors will open at 6:30pm for a 7pm show on Thursday, June 22. Tickets cost $5-$28 for this all ages shows. Tickets can be purchased here.

    The Quebe Sisters “Bye, For Now” Tour

    6/15: Murfreesboro, TN @ Hop Springs
    6/17: Floyd, VA @ Floyd Country Store
    6/20: New York, NY @ Rockwood Music Hall (Stage 2)
    6/22: Saratoga Springs, NY @ Caffe Lena
    6/23: Portsmouth, NH @ The Music Hall Lounge
    6/24: Brownfield, ME @ Stone Mountain Arts Center
    6/25: Shirley, MA @ Bull Run Restaurant
    7/22: Denton, TX @ Dan’s Silverleaf
    7/23: Dallas, TX @ Cafe Momentum
    7/24: Tomball, TX @ Main Street Crossing
    8/22: Berwyn, IL @ Fitzgerald’s
    8/23: Milwaukee, WI @ The Back Room at Colectivo
    8/24 & 8/25: Minneapolis, MN @ Minnesota State Fair
    8/27: Berthoud, CO @ Newell Farm Concert
    9/9: Decatur, GA @ Eddie’s Attic
    9/10: Bristol, TN @ Bristol Rhythm & Roots
    9/11: Nashville, TN @ City Winery
    9/12: St. Louis, MO @ City Winery
    10/21: Greenville, TN @ Greenville Municipal Auditorium
    10/28: Mountain City, TN @ Heritage Hall Theatre

  • Catskill Mountain Jubilee 2023 Announces Lineup Including The Disco Biscuits, Melvin of Seals, And More

    The Catskill Mountain Jubilee 2023 lineup has been announced, returning to Blackthorne Resort in East Durham from Aug. 10-12.

    Catskill Mountain Jubilee 2023

    The Catskill Mountain Jubilee 2023 features three nights of music, with two full performances from The Disco Biscuits, Melvin Seals with Karl Denson, and many more. Returning for the third year in a row, the event will take place from Aug. 10-12 at Blackthorne Resort in East Durham. In a recent announcement, new performers added to the lineup include two sets by Twiddle, BlueStar Radiation featuring Lotus’ Tim Palmieri with Rob Derhak, Nate Wilson and Vinnie Amico from moe., Mihali (solo), Sophistafunk, The Englishtown Project, Ben Silver & Allen Aucoin, Gratefully Yours and many more. Other performers include Dogs in a Pile, Desert Dwellers, Space Bacon, Beg Steal or Borrow, Rose Ganache, Eugene Tyler Band, The Laura Leigh Band, Hilltop, Newpy Hundo, Leila, SMInk, and more.

    Tickets and lodging packages for the Catskill Mountain Jubille 2023 edition are on sale through Tixr.com at CatskillMountainJubilee.com.

  • Benny Benack III premieres music video for single “Gary, Indiana” ahead of June 30 Album

    Jazz artist Benny Benack III has released the music video for his cover of “Gary, Indiana” ahead of his June 30 album Third Time’s The Charm. Additionally, the lead single for the project features pianist Emmett Cohen in the song and music video.

    The cover for Benny Benack III’s June 30 album “Third Time’s The Charm.”

    Benack’s rendition of “Gary, Indiana” from The Music Man holds a special place in his heart, with it being the first song he would ever perform as a professional. The performance truly comes full circle with the release of his new music video corresponding to the cover.

    The significance of the classic song can also be tied back to his younger years and the musical bond with his mother when learning how to sing/perform.

    “My mom played piano with me, and I would be like 8 years old, walking out onstage in the middle of my dad’s concert. My mom would hold my hand, and we’d go out and I’d sing ‘Gary, Indiana.’” 

    – Benny Benack III

    An Emmy-nominated jazz musician, Benack comes from a long line of notable jazz and bandleader talents that started in Pittsburgh, PA.

    Between His grandfather Benny Benack Sr., a trumpeter/bandleader, father Benny Benack Jr., a saxophonist/clarinetist, and mother Claudia Benack, a voice professor at Carnegie Mellon University, the family piles on the talent.

    Past Albums and Accolades

    Not only does Benack showcase his jazz and trumpeting skills, but he also pairs them with powerful vocals. Utilizing this dual talent has earned him accolades such as receiving second place for Rising Star Male Vocalist and winning Rising Star Trumpeter in the 2022 Downbeat Critics Poll.

    With the rising stardom in the jazz music industry comes the excitement for Third Time’s The Charm, his first solo album since 2020.

    The cover from Benny Benack III’s first album “One Of A Kind.”

    The 2017 release One Of A Kind and sophomore 2020 project A Lot Of Livin’ To Do fully immerse the audience in his vocal and jazz music skills, something that will continue and display Benack’s full maturation in the music industry.

    Premiering the music video for “Gary, Indiana” with Emmett Cohen, Benack’s journey towards the June 30 album is just starting, and is proud to present a glimpse into his next body of work. Third Times A Charm will drop via La Reserve/Bandstand presents.

  • Weekend at Levon’s with Deer Tick

    On the cusp of releasing their latest album Emotional Contracts, Deer Tick performed two sold-out nights (June 9th and 10th) at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock. Both shows included performances of new songs while sharing favorites from the bands catalog. 

    Deer Tick

    Opening Saturday’s show, Rafay Rashid.  A Providence R.I resident by way of Islamabad, Pakistan. Introducing songs from his debut solo album Kitchen Weapons, Rahid and his band (including a few members of Deer Tick) had a melodic grove intensifying as their set progressed. His excitement opening for Deer Tick was evident, calling them out occasionally between songs. Rafay’s performance set the groove, readying the house for what was to come.

    Rafay Rashid
    Rafay Rashid

    With the intimacy of Levon Helm Studios, the vibe between band and audience is beyond palpable. The moment singer/guitarist John McCauley, guitarist Ian O’Neil, drummer Dennis Ryan, bassist Christopher Ryan hit the stage, it was on.  With dueling guitars, multiple lead vocals, a solid rhythm section, Deer Tick is a formidable part of rock and roll. 

    Deer Tick

    Opening with “Forgiving Ties” from their latest project, the night continued with a host of new material. Deeper into the set, the band maneuvered across the spectrum of Deer Tick. “Jumpstarting” from Dear Tick Vol. 2 had the crowd singing. It continued on from there with people clapping in time and jumping up to dance, because they had no choice.

    Deer Tick

    On night two, their makeshift encore (at Levon’s, it is not logistically feasible to step off the stage to a backstage area), La Bamba leaped out to start it off. Closing, McCauley and company shared “The Real Thing,” the final track from Emotional Contracts.

    Deer Tick with Robert Ellis
    Deer Tick with Robert Ellis

    As a bonus, the Texas Piano Man Robert Ellis sat in with the band. Tucked into the corner of the stage, Ellis’s ticking of the ivories helped take the night to an even higher level. For both Deer Tick and those in attendance, this was a special weekend. Experiencing new songs while pulling out favorites. Quenching the Deer Tick fan palate to the fullest. 

    Deer Tick

    Deer Tick
    Deer Tick
    Deer Tick
    Deer Tick
    Deer Tick
    Deer Tick
    Deer Tick
    Deer Tick

    Rafay Rashid

    Rafay Rashid
    Rafay Rashid
    Rafay Rashid
    Rafay Rashid
    Rafay Rashid
    Rafay Rashid
    Rafay Rashid
    Rafay Rashid

  • ‘PB&J’ Brings Great Blues and Jazz to Plattsburgh All Summer 

    Plattsburgh Blues and Jazz will host some of the biggest and most recognizable voices in blues this summer. It all starts on June 17 when Dawn Tyler Watson and Curtis Salgado visit downtown-venue Retro Live. Then, on July 7, Grammy-nominated blues and funk artist Sugaray Rayford will perform at The Strand Center for the Arts. 

    Plattsburgh Blues and Jazz

    Both events are put on by Plattsburgh Blues and Jazz (PB&J), a non-profit organization that looks to promote and cultivate the arts and music scene in the Plattsburgh area. PB&J has brought the likes of Kenny Neal, Southern Avenue, John Nemeth, and Vanessa Collier to shores of Lake Champlain. 

    Plattsburgh Blues and Jazz

    Dawn Tyler Watson

    Dawn Tyler Watson is a Canadian Jazz and Blues artist that has been making music since the early 2000s. Through her career she’s captivated audiences with her energetic and passionate onstage performances. Her 2019 project titled Mad Love earned a Juno Award for Best Blues Album. She’s also picked up six Maple Blues Awards and a BMA nomination for Best Vocalist. Watson brings an impressive vocal range and hints of R&B to her music to create a truly unique and powerful sound. 

    Curtis Salgado, Carlos Santana and Buddy Guy

    Curtis Salgado 

    Salgado has established himself as one of the most notable and respected blues musicians in the world. Salgado has featured in several influential and important blues groups including The Nighthawks, The Robert Cray Band, and Roomful of Blues. He has won multiple awards including Soul/Blues Album of the Year at the 2019 Blues Music Awards for his album “Damage Control”. Salgado was also nominated for a Grammy in 2018 for Best Traditional Blues Album. 

    Sugaray Rayford

    Sugaray Rayford is an American blues artist who has found the perfect balance between jazz, soul, funk, R&B, and of course blues. Rayford began singing in his local church at the age of 7, by 15 he was already the lead singer of San Diego band. His project Somebody Save Me was nominated for a Grammy for Best Contemporary Blues Album. He’s also won three Blues Music Awards, including B.B. King Entertainer of the Year. 

    Tickets for Sugaray Rayford.

    Tickets for Dawn Taylor Watson and Curtis Salgado.

  • Karina Rykman Releases “Joyride” Single and Video, debut Album due in August

    Standout singer, songwriter, and bassist Karina Rykman dropped her first single and title track from her upcoming debut album JOYRIDE. The project is set to be released on August 18 and marks Rykman’s first collection of songs since she’s put out a slew of acclaimed singles dating back to 2019. 

    Karina Rykman was born and raised in New York City. She found music at an early age, making her way around the city performing at and attending live music venues. By the end of her time at NYU she had appeared on America’s Got Talent and the TODAY show. As part of Marco Benevento’s band, Rykman performed dates with Vulfpeck, Dispatch, and The Claypool Lennon Delirium. 

    Photo Credit: Brantley Gutierrez

    Rykman’s own band is made up of Adam November (guitar, loopers, effects) and Chris Corsico (drums). Together the group has made a name for themselves due to their strong instrumentation, funky groove, layered production, and often genreless sound. 

    All these elements help to make “Joyride” such an interesting and fun listen. The track features a strong vocal performance from Rkyman, whose breathy voice and wistful lyrics could compete with any indie-pop record. The song’s tasteful synths and syrupy bass drive the beat toward an almost psychedelic sound. Joyride also features a guitar performance from JOYRIDE co-producer Trey Anastasio. 

    ’Joyride’ is about being driven insane as you’re kept awake by music in your head all night – so much so that eventually, you give up and ask your partner to take you on a joyride instead of tossing and turning

    Karina Rykman

    The connection between Rkyman and Anastasio goes back to childhood. Rykman went to middle school with the Phish star’s daughters and became family friends because of it. However, the two had no musical relationship until they both performed at Peach Music Festival in Scranton. Anastasio became interested in being a part of Rykman’s first album, offering the use of his iconic Vermont studio “The Barn.”

    When I first heard the early demos, the first thing I said was more Karina… Turn up the bass, sing more, and step out. What makes me most happy about the finished album now is that to my ears, it sounds like Karina unapologetically. It has her nature. It has her incredible joyous outlook that I know is real because I saw it in her when she was a kid.

    Trey Anastasio
    Photo Credit: Jesse Faatz

    JOYRIDE was written and recorded with Rykyman’s childhood friend, producer Gabe Monro. Trey Anastasio’s guitar appears on five of the album’s nine tracks. Legendary mixer Bryce Goggin (Pavement, Swans, Ramones) also helped to create the project. 

    “You only get to make your first album once,” she adds, “and I couldn’t be prouder of what we created with this one. It’s a moment in time – the first of what I hope to be a lifetime of making records and touring behind them.

    JOYRIDE pre-order can be found here.