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WNYC Studios Announce the Second Season of Podcast on the Puerto Rican Experience

WNYC Studios and Futuro Studios announced that a second season of the critically-acclaimed, pioneering dual-language podcast, La Brega: Stories of the Puerto Rican Experience, will premiere on Jan. 26.

La Brega: Stories of the Puerto Rican Experience was hailed as one of the “Best Podcasts of 2021” by The New Yorker and The New York Times. Each episode in season two will be devoted to an iconic Puerto Rican song, as the island has a dizzying breadth of musical expression. The second season of La Brega will concentrate on the lyrical boleristas of the 1930s, the electric salseros of the 70s, and the reggaetoneros of today who have taken this music and spread it globally.

Hosted by Alana Casanova-Burgess, the podcast will once again bring together a collective of Puerto Rican journalists, producers, musicians, and artists. Some notable people this season that are featured include Salsa legend Rubén Blades, Latin Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter Susana Baca, Puerto Rico-based hip-hop DJ, producer, and MC Andres “Velcro” Ramos, and Independent Puerto Rican journalist Bianca Graulau, best-known for her documentary, Aquí Vive Gente (People Live Here), featured as part of the music video for Bad Bunny’s “El Apagón.”

Kenya Young, Senior Vice President, WNYC Studios, spoke about La Brega in a statement.

La Brega was a pioneer of the dual-language podcast format, and it’s fitting that the second season spotlights and honors Puerto Rico’s influence on music and culture over time and across languages. These sound-rich and deeply reported stories embrace a nuance and beauty not always found in coverage of Puerto Rico. WNYC Studios is incredibly proud to partner with Futuro Studios to bring listeners a second season of La Brega.
Kenya Young

Burgess also said that the season will “shed light on the songs that reflect what it means to be Puerto Rican and part of the diaspora — about the pride and yearning we feel for home, and that resonates with people everywhere. They capture joy, frustration, love, loss, and wonder of the human experience — in short: la brega.” The Greene Space at WNYC and WQXR will be hosting a La Brega Season 2 Launch Party in New York on Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. featuring the host, the band Balún, and DJ Christian Mártir for a night of music and dancing in celebration of the new season. Tickets for that are on sale now.

La Brega: The Puerto Rican Experience in Eight Songs will be available in both English and Spanish here and on all other platforms where podcasts are available.

January 17, 2023
The Governors Ball 2023 – Lizzo, Odesza, Kendrick Lamar Headline Move to Flushing Meadows

The Governors Ball is moving down the block in 2023; shifting over to Flushing Meadows Corona Park for a stacked weekend headlined by Lizzo, Odesza, and Kendrick Lamar. The storied NYC music festival has had several homes over the years, spending the last two years in the parking lot of Citi Field. From June 9-11, the festival pops up in one of the most iconic green spaces in the city, host to two World’s Fairs and the annual US Open tennis tournament.

The Governors Ball 2023 Lineup

The Governors Ball 2023 lineup leans heavily into rap, hip hop, and R&B, bookending the weekend with performances by Lizzo and Kendrick Lamar. Friday and Sunday also feature performances from the School of Rock Queens and Brooklyn, respectively. The performance-based music schools provide lessons to people of all ages and will be presenting their house bands for two very special performances at the festival. Other New York natives on the lineup include Pusha T (Bronx), Joey Bada$$, and Phony Ppl (Brooklyn).

A music festival that calls Queens home has to meet certain requirements. The “World’s Borough” by itself is one of the most diverse metro areas anywhere in the world. Roosevelt Avenue sits right outside the festival grounds and it is estimated that nearly 300 languages and dialects are spoken in the neighborhoods Roosevelt cuts through. This year, The Governors Ball is partnering with the Queens Night Market to present a wide array of cultural vendors from Queens to be featured inside the festival. Fans will be able to sample the food, art, and cultural diversity of the borough while navigating the festival grounds in Flushing Meadows.

The Citi cardmember presale starts today, Jan. 17, and runs through Thursday, Jan. 19. You can also register for the fan presale, which begins on Jan. 19. Head over to GovBall.com to signup for the fan presale.

Stay tuned to NYS Music for more information about the festival, including the dates for the general sale which are yet to be announced. In the meantime, you can relive the 2022 edition (and the last at Citi Field) by checking out our Friday, Saturday, and Sunday recaps.

January 17, 2023
Renowned Pianist Philip Edward Fisher Reunites with Schenectady Symphony Orchestra

On Sunday, January 29, The Schenectady Symphony Orchestra will return to the main stage at Proctors with Philip Edward Fisher joining.

The performance will encompass illustrious pianist Philip Edward Fisher in Mozart’s “Piano Concerto in D Minor, along with Rossini’s “Overture to the Barber of Seville,” Salieri’s Sinfonia in D Major and Brahms “Variations on a Theme by Haydn.” Fisher’s first collaboration with SSO was during their 20-21 virtual concert season, which resulted in him being featured by the “Back to Basics” program.

Philip Edward Fisher began his music journey at the age of nine and made his first public appearance a year later. At age twelve, he performed “Shostakovich’s Second Concerto at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall”. Years later Fisher acquired degrees from the Royal Academy of Music and the Juilliard School, studying with Christopher Elton, Joseph Kalichstein, and Jerome Lowenthal.

When questioned about what audience members can expect from the upcoming concert, Fisher stated “This is a wonderful program and, although it is centered around the ‘great classicists,’ the audience will get a true taste of the move towards romanticism and the way in which each of these great composers influenced the music that would follow them.” Regarding his opinion about reuniting with The Schenectady Symphony Orchestra, Fisher said, “My first appearance with the orchestra was actually one of my very first performances during the COVID crisis… so I am particularly excited to return and play for a live audience. As enjoyable and fulfilling as the virtual concert was, there is simply nothing that can replace the thrill of making music for a live audience!”

Philip is globally acknowledged as a unique performer of urbane style and exceptional versatility. Touring as a prolific soloist and ensemble musician has allowed Fisher to travel from his home in the United Kingdom to Italy, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Switzerland, Norway, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Japan, Ukraine, and the United States.

Tickets are on sale and available through the Box Office at Proctors, or via phone at 518-346-6204. Tickets are also available online at www.proctors.org.

January 17, 2023
Aqueous Announce Hiatus Following Spring Shows

After a light 2022, Aqueous announced this past week that they would be going on hiatus, with only 7 performances remaining for the time being.

Earlier last summer, guitarist David Loss took time off the road from Aqueous, as he had just become a father and wanted to dedicate time to his family. At the time, Loss said: “When my son is born it’s going to be such a life changing experience that I want to fully be there for all of it. I don’t want to miss a thing! A lot of first time things and time you just can’t get back later.”

On Friday, January 13th, Aqueous shared the following message with fans:

An important message from Dave concerning the band’s future tickets to the remaining shows before we go on hiatus are on-sale now

‘These past 16 years with the band have been nothing short of incredible. It has been a journey that has shaped my life in more ways than I even know. I’ve traveled to so many amazing places and met so many incredible people along the way. Making friends that will last a lifetime and meeting musical heroes that I can now call peers. The 18 year old me wouldn’t believe some of things Aqueous was able to do. And not to mention, doing all this with your best friends?! Pretty damn cool if you ask me.

Music and this band have been the priority in my life for a very long time, but with the birth of my son that started to change. My wife and I love our son more than anything in this world and want nothing but to be the best parents possible. I want to be there for as much as I can and I don’t want to miss a thing. That being said, touring and being away from my family is just not something I can do right now.

I have decided that it is time for me to step away from the band to be home with my family. Although it was a very difficult decision, I know it is the right one for me. There will still be some music for me to play going forward, but the full-time touring musician gig is just not one that fits my life at the moment.

I would also just like to say that Aqueous has always had the most amazing and passionate fans. It seems like every other day I’m learning about someone else being a huge AQ fan. It fills my heart with such joy to know that our music has meant (and continues to mean) so much to so many people. That has been the greatest part of this experience hands down. So thank you, thank you to all of you for being here supporting us, and sending us friendly messages letting us know what our music means to you.

The band will be playing a handful of shows in 2023 that are listed here, but after that we will go on hiatus. It makes me sad to say it, but I do find comfort in knowing we are certainly not closing the door on Aqueous, but rather just taking some time away. We’re not entirely sure were the future will take us, but wherever that is we know there will be music.

Love you all more than you know. Let’s make these last few shows ones to remember!

Bandmate Mike Gantzer offered support for Loss, saying “Life can be unpredictable and beautiful, challenging and rewarding, and so many other wonderfully contrasting things, but I’m genuinely happy and excited for all of us on our current/respective paths in life. Embracing change has been one of the great lessons of my life (that i’m still learning) and I look forward to everything to come as I reflect on everything that has been with gratitude and love ♥️ ♥️♥️ thank you to everyone who has contributed to making our literal dreams come true, and know that every step I take in music moving forward seeks to honor that “

Aqueous got their start in 2009 in Buffalo and quickly rose to prominence in Western New York, gaining a fanbase well into the Midwest. As this era of Aqueous comes to a close, be sure to catch one of the final seven shows, with the first weekend of March the last chance to catch Aqueous in Albany and Syracuse, before hiatus.

2/03/23 Tuscon, AZ Gem & Jam Festival
3/03/23 Albany, NY The Hollow (with Litz)
3/04/23 Syracuse, NY Westcott Theater (with Litz)
3/11/23 Erie, PA King’s Rook Club
4/07/23 Baltimore, MD 8×10
4/08/23 Philadelphia, PA Ardmore Music Hall
5/27/23 Chillicothe, IL Summer Camp Music Festival

January 17, 2023
Syracuse Area Music Awards (SAMMYs) Announce 2023 Event Details

The Syracuse Area Music Awards (SAMMYs) announce details about the 2023 event, with the Hall of Fame Dinner happening on March 2, and the Award Show on March 3.

Syracuse Area Music Awards or more commonly known as the SAMMYs is an awards show that celebrates the work created by people in the music industry from the Syracuse Area. Everyone is encouraged to vote daily for their favorite Central NY Artist or Band, Music Series or Event, Academic or Musical Organization, and Venue, with the poll closing on Feb. 26.

Happening Thursdays at 10 a.m. on NewsChannel 9 Bridge Street will be the SAMMYs spotlight series, with different artists. The schedule is as follows: Jan. 26 with 315 Cash, Feb. 2 with J. Schnitt, Feb. 9 with Mark Nanni, Feb. 16 with Nick Fields Trio, Feb 23. with Plan Bee, the Baldwinsville High School School Pep Band, and March 2 with Larry Hoyt.

The Hall of Fame Dinner will be held on Thursday, March 2, 2023, Upstairs at the Dinosaur, and the Award Show will be on Friday, March 3, 2023, at the Palace Theatre. The Award Show will include musical performances by area artists/bands. Awards will be presented in 12 recording categories, in addition to the People’s Choice awards in four categories, the Brian Bourke Award for Best New Artist, the Jack O Bocchino Spirit of the Sammys Award, and our Community Spirit Award.

For more information about the 2023 SAMMYs award show, visit here.

January 17, 2023
Troy Music Hall Welcomes Bruce Hornsby in March 23

Legendary musician Bruce Hornsby will perform at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall on Thursday, March 23rd.

Originally from Williamsburg, VA, Hornsby first rose to national prominence with “The Way It Is”, his 1986 Grammy-winning debut album with The Range. The title track became the most-played song on American radio in 1987 while Tupac Shakur’s timeless song “Changes” builds on “The Way It Is” and set the stage for many subsequent versions of the track.

In 1991 Hornsby collaborated with Bonnie Raitt, playing on her iconic hit “I Can’t Make You Love Me.” Additionally, Hornsby was a part-time member of the Grateful Dead from September 1990 to March 1992, performing over 100 concerts in America and Europe.

The 13-time Grammy nominee has also solidified his status as a highly sought-after collaborator. Hornsby’s own 23 albums have sold over 11 million copies worldwide, and he has appeared on over 100 records including releases. His most recent studio album, ‘Flicted, was released this past May.

Read our review of Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers at Beak and Skiff Orchards in Lafayette, NY on June 16, 2021.

Tickets for Bruce Hornsby in Troy are on sale now at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall and online.

January 16, 2023
Raegan Sealy Drops Soulful Pop Hit “Make ’em Jealous”

Brooklyn soulful pop artist Raegan Sealy’s newest single “Make ‘em Jealous” just dropped on January 12^th, an upbeat, indie soul piece set out to reframe the cliché of being stuck in a toxic relationship, with a satirical spin.

“Make ‘em Jealous,” featuring The Gang of Angels, an all-female choir from Nottingham, UK led by Honey Williams. Taking her inspiration from a diverse range of artists like the Arctic Monkeys, Lana Del Rey, Marina, and more, Sealy fuses her soul-pop vocals with an infectiously recurring beat.

Sealy’s new single shines optimism on the self-delusion that so often keeps us from moving on. “Make ‘em Jealous” reclaims the hope of strength and courage in the healing part of a breakup. With lyrics such as, “Everyone wants a sip of my love, but they just get a taste,” Sealy shows off her undeniable confidence and spunk.

“What is it that we tell ourselves in order to ‘stay?’ How does our ego react to accommodate disrespect? And how hilarious is that, when you think about it? This emotional push and pull in these dynamics is truly often like a Laurel and Hardy sketch,”
Raegan Sealy, on her new single.

Outside of music, Sealy is an advocate and teaching artist, and received a Fulbright Scholarship in 2015, one of the most prestigious academic scholarships in the world, along with her MFA from The New School. Continuing to sing and perform her own poetry, she has opened for Shane Koyczan, Kae Tempest, and Ice T. She even gave the first official TED Talk entirely in rhyming verse in 2019 which you can watch down below.

Now officially based in Brooklyn, Sealy has beautifully fused her musical and writing talents to tell her story as a soul-pop singer-songwriter. “Make ‘em Jealous” is the first in a series of singles Sealy will be releasing throughout 2023. But this new soulful single is sure to leave her listeners feeling more confident than ever.

To listen to Reagan Sealy’s new single “Make ’em Jealous,” click the link here.

To find more information on upcoming releases from Reagan Sealy, click the link here to access her website.

January 16, 2023
Beetlejuice Breaks Box Office Record During Final Week on Broadway

On January 8, Beetlejuice, the smash hit musical, took its final bow after 679 performances on Broadway. The widely loved musical set a new box office record at the Marquis Theatre for the second week in a row. After eight weeks of performing, Beetlejuice earned a gross of $2,462,667.

Through Tiktok, YouTube and other social media platforms, Beetlejuice has attracted a new and engaged crowd to Broadway. For a total of 679 Broadway performances, the production had 313 regular performances and 366 performances at the Winter Garden Theatre.

Beeetljuice first premiered on Broadway on Thursday, April 25, 2019. It was presented by Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, Mark Kaufman and Langley Park Productions, Kevin McCormick. The musical won Drama Desk Award and Outer Critics Circle Award due to David Korins’ scenic design. Beetlejuice was nominated for eight Tony Awards including “Best New Musical.”

Beetlejuice is based on the 1988 Academy Award®-winning Geffen Company motion picture presented by Warner Bros. and directed by Tim Burton. The musical tells the story of Lydia Deetz, an unconventional teenager whose life changes after encountering a recently deceased couple and the white faced green haired demon, Beetlejuice. When Beetlejuice is called by Lydia to frighten anyone with a pulse, this double-crossing specter unleashes a (Nether)world of pandemonium, and the biggest sandworm Broadway has ever seen.

The production was directed by the Tony Award winner, Alex Timbers. Beetlejuice’s lyrics were written by Tony Award nominee Eddie Perfect and a book was authored by Tony award nominees Scott Brown and Athony King.

Beetlejuice starred two-time Tony Award nominee Alex Brightman, Elizabeth Teeter, Tony Award nominee Kerry Butler, David Josefsberg, Obie Award Winner Adam Dannheisser, Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer, Michelle Aravena, Kelvin Moon Loh, Zonya Love, Danny Rutigliano, and Dana Steingold. It also features Kate Bailey, Will Blum, Julian DeGuzman, Natalie Charle Ellis, Brooke Engen, Eric Anthony Johnson, Jesse Jones, Katie Lombardo, Andrew Kober, Elliott Mattox, Mateo Melendez, Maxx Reed, Graham Stevens and Michael Bryan Wang.

Launched on December 7, 2022 Beetlejuice will be taking the show on the road with a 26- City Tour. Performances begin on Tuesday January 10, at the Cleveland’s Playhouse Square. Tickets for the Beetlejuice national tour are available now.

January 16, 2023
CNY Jazz Black History Cabaret Presents Female Double Bill in Syracuse

CNY Jazz will bring the 2023 Black History Month Cabaret with Althea Rene and Jeanette Harris to Syracuse on Sunday February 26th.

The roof of the Marriott Syracuse Downtown’s Finger Lakes Ballroom will host a 5:00 p.m. concert performance. This event will also include honoring the 2023 Pioneer Public Service Award to George Kilpatrick, media pioneer and community affairs activist.

Althea Rene and Jeanette Harris

Established in 1998, CNY Jazz Central provides scholastic and public jazz programs for the Upstate New York. Their annual performances are more than 150 to a total annual audience of 50,000. Besides their shows of all kinds at their Jazz Central theater in downtown Syracuse, they present handful festivals and concerts including the Northeast Jazz & Wine Fest and Jazz in the City; the CNY Jazz Cabaret Series, a busy arts-in-education service, the SummerJazz Workshop, the Jazz at Timber Banks and Jazz On Tap Series, and other events in summer.

Detroit-born flutist Althea Rene, is known as a Motown music legacy, daughter of Dezie McCullers of the original Funk Brothers. She gained musical inspiration from her father and released her hit CD titled “In the Flow” in May 2013 collaborating with Grammy award-winning producer Michael Broening.

California-native saxophonist Jeanette Harris is an instrumentalist and songwriter who played saxophone and piano from grade school to high schoo. She won numerous awards and accolades, which led to her Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Performance in Berklee College of Music in Boston. Furthermore, she has co-written hits with Norman Brown and Gerald Albright, with international touring experience with the legendary Teena Marie. Both artists log many thousands of miles annually, appearing in festivals and clubs worldwide.

Dubbed the “Queens of Soul Jazz”, the combination of Althea Rene and Jeanette Harris is a rare all-female smooth jazz double bill. They are a different take on collaboration and do not only perform together as artist. It is not their first collaboration and they have performed “We Are One” in 2019.

“This by far the most groundbreaking duo we’ve ever presented to honor Black History Month and the powerful legacy of Black America’s music. Rene and Harris are pioneers in every way as jazz instrumentalists, singers, and songwriters, inspiring a new generation who thought it couldn’t be done. They’re already stars, and will become superstars in soul jazz for the 21st century. Come see history in the making for yourself.”
Larry Luttinger

The other event is the awarding this year’s Pioneer Public Service Award to George Kilpatrick who is the radio and television host for iHeart Radio and WCNY. He is widely known across Upstate New York as the “progressive voice” of regional media, tireless community advocate, spokesperson for Syracuse Community Health Jazz in the City public health concert series, and founder of Syracuse’s Juneteenth celebration.

CNY Jazz supporters Bill and Nancy Byrne have again graciously underwritten the buffet for the event, offered at no extra cost to all attendees.

The concert will be hold at Marriott Syracuse Downtown, 100 E Onondaga St, Syracuse on Sunday February 26th. Doors open at 4:00 p.m. and the show starts at 5:00 p.m. $35 advance sale tickets include a free buffet and are now available, $40 at the door at here. Parking is available in the garage directly to the southeast of the hotel. Patrons are cautioned that the former Hotel Syracuse garage no longer connects to the hotel via the overhead walkway.

January 16, 2023
Rochester-Based Chamber Ensemble fivebyfive Impress in Performance at Chamber Music America Conference in NYC

Rochester’s collaborative chamber ensemble fivebyfive impressed the crowd at the Chamber Music America Conference in New York City during their performance on Jan. 6.

fivebyfive, photo by Becky Yee.

fivebyfive, the artist-led Rochester-based ensemble, formed in 2015 with a simple mission, to engage audiences by performing music of leading and emerging composers. Composed of a flutist, clarinetist, electric guitarist, bassist, pianist, and audio/video engineer, the group advocates for creators who are underrepresented in the field and chooses to collaborate with artists across disciplines, while staying committed to performing new music.

Laura Lentz, the flutist and Artistic Director for the group, said that the group likes conveying messages beyond the music. “Our goal is always to push boundaries while creating community-building experiences. We often use video and animation or poetry—even glass-blowing–to convey a message,” she said. She was elated to be performing at the Chamber Music America Conference on January 6.

The national conference was held January 5-8, 2023 at the Westin New York in Times Square to bring ensemble music professionals together to network and share information. Fourteen ensembles were chosen to perform off-site at DROM, fivebyfive included. At the CMA conference performance, fivebyfive’s repertoire included two commissioned works, “a tiny dream” composed by Anthony R. Green and Of Breath and Fire by composer/harpist Amy Nam. In a statement, Nam said that she was “thankful for the privilege to work with a team of musicians who share my motivation of igniting curiosity and joy in their audiences.”

The ensemble members are now back in Rochester, preparing for a 3-day residency next month at SUNY Fredonia where members of the ensemble will teach, play, and guide developing artists. Lentz said that the group “love[s] working with enthusiastic students and expect to meet many at Fredonia. We’ll share sessions on topics like creating videos and forming a musical group such as ours.” To keep up to date on the group and their future shows, go here.

January 15, 2023