NYS Music 2024

Author: nick motto

  • Ethnomusicologist Joseph Alpar to Perform Love Music of the Ottoman Middle East at Arthur Zankel Music Center in Saratoga

    Ethnomusicologist, performer, and educator Joseph Alpar is set to perform music of the Ottoman Middle East at Arthur Zankel Music Center in Saratoga Springs on November 16.

    Alpar explores the intertwined histories of Jews, Muslims, and Christians in the Ottoman Empire through music at Skidmore College’s Arthur Zankel Music Center. Admission is free and open to the public. The central theme of the concert, “Aşk: Music, Love, and Mysticism in the Ottoman World,” is love in all its forms.

    It will feature poignant songs of unrequited desire, lyrical wedding ballads about marital loyalty, bawdy tunes delighting in infidelity, driving Sufi and Jewish mystical songs about divine and earthly beloveds, and musical vignettes of everyday courtship, relationships, and separation.

    The concert will tell an inspiring story of shared musical traditions and intense cultural collaboration between the peoples of the Ottoman world in several languages — Turkish, Hebrew, Judeo-Spanish (Ladino), Greek, and Arabic. Alpar will sing and perform on several Turkish and Greek instruments, joined by a stellar ensemble. 

    The event is sponsored by Skidmore’s Jacob Perlow Series, Office of Special Programs, and departments of Music, Environmental Studies and Sciences, Religious Studies, Political Science, and History. Funding is provided by endowments established by Jacob Perlow, an immigrant to the U.S. in the 1920s who was committed to furthering Jewish education, and by a bequest from Beatrice Perlman Troupin.

    For more information on Joseph Alpar’s upcoming Nov 16 concert at Skidmore College’s Arthur Zankel Music Center and to purchase tickets, click here.

  • SPAC Announces 2024 “Sounds of the Season” Holiday Series

    Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) has announced that its popular “Sounds of the Season” holiday series will return from December 13-15 in Spa Little Theater.

    Sounds of the Season

    The show features genre-defying trio Time for Three (DEC 13), Damien Sneed (DEC 14) leading “A Gospel Holiday” celebration, and GRAMMY-nominated vocal ensemble VOCES8 (DEC 15). Time For Three is back by popular demand following their “Sounds of the Season” appearance in 2023. Known for energetic performances that seamlessly merge classical, Americana, modern pop, and singer-songwriter styles, the trio will bring special arrangements of holiday favorites alongside original music.

    Making his return to the Spa Little Theater stage on December 14 is multi-genre recording artist and instrumentalist Damien Sneed alongside his band. Sneed will present his new production of “A Gospel Holiday” featuring his original arrangements of gospel, jazz, and classical holiday favorites including Silent Night, The Christmas Song and Jesus, Oh What A Wonderful Child.

    The “Sounds of the Season” series will culminate on December 15 with 2023 GRAMMY-nominated British vocal ensemble VOCES8 for its “Winter Tales” program. Following their SPAC debut in 2019, the a cappella group will perform a mix of holiday music spanning centuries from Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungen to Let it Snow. The announcement marks the continuation of SPAC’s year-round programming in the Spa Little Theater, which is inclusive of a fall, holiday and spring season and is part of SPAC’s mission to present year-round programming.

    Sounds of the Season
    Time for Three

    “Sounds of the Season” Program Schedule:

    A Time For Three Holiday

    Friday, December 13 | 7 PM

    Defying conventions with genre-bending excellence, Time For Three’s captivating sound merges classical, Americana, modern pop, and singer-songwriter styles, and their charismatic performances push creative boundaries. In addition to incredible arrangements of Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Led Zeppelin and others, the trio featuring Charles Yang (violin, vocals), Nicolas “Nick” Kendall (violin, vocals), and Ranaan Meyer (double bass, vocals), will present original music and special arrangements of holiday favorites.  

    Damien Sneed: A Gospel Holiday

    Saturday, December 14 | 7 PM

    A multi-genre recording artist, Damien Sneed is a pianist, vocalist, organist, composer, conductor, arranger, producer, and arts educator. Sneed returns to SPAC with an all-new project, “A Gospel Holiday,” featuring his original arrangements of gospel, jazz, and classical holiday favorites like Silent Night, The Christmas Song and Jesus, Oh What A Wonderful Child.

    VOCES8: Winter Tales

    Sunday, December 15 | 7 PM

    Touring globally, the group showcases their diverse musical expression and versatility through an extensive repertoire ranging from the Renaissance to contemporary. Their program “Winter Tales” features a mix of holiday music spanning centuries from Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungen to Let it Snow.

    Damien Sneed

    For more information on “Sounds of the Season” at SPAC and to purchase tickets click here.

  • Sam Kogon Releases Politically Charged New Single “America”

    Sam Kogon has released his latest single “America”. The track arrives as a timely commentary on the current political landscape, just as the 2024 election season begins to heat up.

    “America” was born during the tumultuous period of COVID-19 lockdowns and widespread protests, capturing the zeitgeist of a nation grappling with its identity and future. The song’s lyrics touch on various hot-button issues, from voting rights and social justice to healthcare and reparations, all wrapped in Kogon’s signature blend of catchy melodies and thought-provoking wordplay. This single is a precursor to what’s next for Kogon, who recently completed recording a full album’s worth of material with Agnello this past spring.

    This new body of work promises to build on the success of his previous releases, including his self-titled EP from 2022, which garnered critical acclaim and expanded his fanbase. Kogon has collaborated with notable artists throughout his career, including Al Jardine of The Beach Boys and Grammy Award nominee Patty Smyth. He also fronted the revived baroque pop group The Left Banke, known for their classic hit “Walk Away Renee.” These experiences have enriched Kogon’s musical palette, allowing him to blend influences from various genres into his own unique sound.

    The track was co-produced by Jeff Berrall of the band Caveman and Zach Brewer, with Sam Kogon himself also taking on production duties. It features Kogon’s own vocals, guitar, and organ, alongside Graeme Gengras on piano and the rhythm section of Caveman providing bass and drums. The song was mixed by industry veteran John Agnello, whose credits include Dinosaur Jr. and Kurt Vile, adding a polished sheen to Kogon’s raw, emotive style.

    With its timely release and politically charged lyrics, “America” is poised to resonate with listeners as they navigate the complex landscape of the upcoming election year. The chorus encapsulates the frustration and hope that many Americans are feeling: “You bought it, you broke it / How come nothing gets done right around here? / You built it, now fix it / We can’t wait another 4 more years.”

    For more information on Sam Kogon’s music and to listen to his latest single, click here.

  • Maverick Concerts Announces New Green Room Project this Fall as Part of Multi-Step Fundraiser

    Maverick Concerts in Woodstock has announced their new Green Room Project as part of a multi-step fundraising project to revitalize and retain the historic hall.

    Maverick Concerts green room

    Maverick Concerts is the oldest ongoing summer chamber music festival in the U.S., attracting the best musicians in the world for 100 years. In addition to classical music, Maverick features jazz, contemporary, folk and world music. Maverick Family Saturdays offers free music, demonstrations and discovery for the whole family. The mainstay of the festival, which runs from June to September, is to be found in the Sunday chamber music concerts performed by renowned soloists and ensembles. Jazz and Contemporary Music presentations have been given more prominence in recent seasons.

    Maverick Concerts is located in Hurley on the outskirts of Woodstock, in Ulster County. TZHe barn-like, rectangular building with its gambrel roof was built by hand as part of the Maverick Colony in 1916 by the utopian writer and philosopher Hervey White.

    With a roof of wood shingles and a frame of heavy timber, to which the walls—sheaths of wide planks—are nailed directly, the wooden construction and luminous acoustics create an environment perfectly suited to the intimacy of live chamber music. Maverick Concerts, a multi-starred destination by the National Register of Historic Places since 1999, was awarded for Excellence in Historic Preservation by the Preservation League of New York State.

    This fall, the iconic venue plans to harbor new initiative in the creation of the new Green Room. Maverick Concerts has been awarded $457,000 in New York State grants for two capital projects vital to retaining the historic hall as an artistic home. The Green Room project starts this fall and as a first step in this multi-step fundraising project we are focusing on raising the full $257,000 of the New York State Council on the Arts matching grant. 

    The Green Room Project is an exciting new addition to the already fantastic venue. With the newly added Green Room, the Maverick Concert Hall expands their possibilities and capacity. $146,000 has been raised so far and with help they can raise the remaining $111,000 to better utilize the building for the expansion of musical legacy.

    For more information on Maverick Concerts, upcoming events, and the Green Room Project, click here.

  • The Great Salt City Blues Concert Comes to Syracuse in December for Eighth Edition

    The Great Salt City Blues Concert 8 has been announced for its annual return to Syracuse on December 26, this time at a new venue, the St. George Church Hall.

    The Great Salt City Blues

    The area’s best musicians will be paying tribute to the music of 4 Blues Hall Of Fame members: Michael Bloomfield (2012), Johnny “Guitar” Watson (2008), Ruth Brown (2002) & Big Bill Broonzy (a charter BHOF member). Michael Bloomfield was one of the first guitar heroes of his generation, who along with Eric Clapton, was considered an early influence on many aspiring Blues guitarist’s that followed the path of the Blues boom of the late 60’s and early 70’s. 

    The GREAT Salt City BLUES Concert 8 will also be paying tribute to, Johnny “Guitar” Watson, a Texas Blues guitar great who began recording in 1954 and later re-invented himself as a funk soul master, best known for writing and singing the classic 1977 R&B hit, “A Real Mother For Ya”. Ruth Brown is also a member of the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, inducted in 1993, mostly on the strength of 50’s classics Ruth recorded for Atlantic Records. Atlantic Records was then known as “the house that Ruth built” and Ruth a consistent hit maker and was their Queen of Rhythm & Blues.

    The Great Salt City Blues
    Michael Bloomfield

    On the acoustic stage, The GREAT Salt City BLUES Concert 8 will pay tribute to the legendary Chicago Bluesman, Big Bill Broonzy, a Blues Hall of Fame artist who began performing in the 1920’s and continued to record until his death in 1958. His prolific writing skills include over 300 copyrighted compositions, including many Blues classics that formed the bedrock of Chicago Blues. The great Muddy Waters was one of his biggest fans and recorded many of Big Bill’s classics for Chess Records in the 50’s and 60’s.

    This year’s GREAT Salt City BLUES Concert 8 will be limited to 400 seated patrons and there is plenty of free parking at the Macedonian Orthodox Church parking lot. Food & beverages will be available and served by the church staff. Tickets are $30.00 advance / $40.00 at door, if available and go on sale, Nov. 1. You’ll want to jump on tickets now, as this show is sure to get packed quick.

     A series of 10 GREAT Salt City BLUES Concerts will be presented. This is concert #8 and each concert has been performed in front of a full capacity audience. Each concert is unique and never to be repeated with a changing line-up of performers featuring some of the area’s greatest musicians. Each concert is a thematic show honoring some of our greatest Blues Artists with participating musicians chosen specifically because they are best fitted for the show.

    For more information on the upcoming GREAT Salt City BLUES concert and to purchase tickets, click here.

  • Legendary Comic Institution Second City Announces New York Comedy Debut at Brooklyn Outpost

    The iconic Second City Comic Institution announces the New York Comedy Festival’s debut at their Brooklyn outpost. The festival lasts from Nov 8 to 17.

    Following the successful launch of The Second City New York earlier this year, the iconic comedy institution is once again raising the bar. Building on the legacy of its renowned Chicago and Toronto siblings, the Brooklyn outpost is entering an exciting new chapter with a prime spot in the 2024 New York Comedy Festival.

    Second City New York’s highly anticipated debut at the 2024 New York Comedy Festival showcases over 20 guest performances, from Friday, November 8 to Sunday, November 17. From high-energy improv to hysterical stand-up, the festival’s schedule showcases The Second City’s signature mix of classic formats and fresh, boundary-pushing experiments.

    Second City opened its doors in 1959 as a small comedy cabaret and has since grown to become the world’s most influential name in improvisation and comedy, celebrating its 65th year in business in 2024. The Second City’s stages, Touring Companies, and Training Centers across North America have proudly been the launch pad and artistic home for many of the funniest performers, writers, directors, and comedic minds on the planet.

    In addition, due to the incredible response from New York audiences, the current Mainstage Revue production of Ruthless Acts of Kindness has been extended through Saturday, November 16. The added performances provide fans a few more opportunities to catch this immersive production featuring sketch and improv scenes diving into the absurdities of everyday life with a special nod to New York City’s quirks and characters.

    For more information on the upcoming New York City Comedy Festival, and to purchase tickets, click here.

  • Aloe Blacc Sets Out for Three-Night Residency at Iconic Blue Note Jazz Club in NYC from Jan 24-26

    Multi-platinum Hip Hop artist Aloe Blacc has announced his upcoming three-night residency at the iconic Blue Note Jazz Club in NYC. This residency takes place from January 24 to 26, 2025, ahead of the release of his upcoming new album.

    This series of intimate performances comes ahead of the release of his first album of original new music in five years, set to drop in February 2025. Known for his hits such as the diamond-certified global anthem “Wake Me Up”, as well as classics like “I Need A Dollar” and “The Man,” Aloe Blacc continues to fuse his soulful sound with a deep commitment to social change.

    This upcoming album pairs each track with a different charity or philanthropic initiative, showcasing Blacc’s ongoing efforts to use his music to make a tangible impact on the world.

    With contributions from notable producers like Hunter Hayes, DJ Khalil, and Stargate, this album promises to be both musically innovative and socially significant. At the Blue Note residency, fans will experience an up-close performance, blending his classic hits from albums like Lift Your Spirit and Good Things with previews of his forthcoming album.

    Aloe will also perform one of his latest singles, “Shine”, a moving track inspired by his work with the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, which he debuted at the 2024 Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity Ceremony in Los Angeles.

    For more information on Aloe Blacc’s upcoming three-night residency at the Blue Note Jazz Club and to purchase tickets, click here.

  • Alt-Rockers Badfish Announce 2025 ‘Gimme the Gold Tour’, 3 NY Dates

    Alternative/Reggae group Badfish have announced the “Gimme the Gold Tour 2025” which sees dates in Buffalo, Saratoga and Brooklyn in February.

    For nearly 25 years, Badfish have channeling the music and live performance of reggae/punk/ska legends Sublime with a reverence to the ingenuity of Sublime’s songs – and a vibe all their own. Sublime is arguably one of the most influential and enduring acts of their generation. In 2001, Rhode Island-based Badfish was formed as a fun project with one goal: to perform the Sublime songs they knew and loved for fans who shared that love. It didn’t take long for this “fun project” to develop into a full-time touring endeavor that persists to this day. 

    Badfish regularly tallies over a hundred shows per year, performing at large-scale festivals and headlining theaters across the US. Now after two decades of celebrating the music of Sublime, Badfish is ready to kick into another gear with the release of some exciting new original tracks on Ineffable Records. Badfish recently released its second new track – the anthemic “F You Pay Me” (featuring Grieves) – as the follow up to the band’s first single “High With You” (featuring Little Stranger). The crowd’s enthusiastic response to these new songs makes them feel right at home alongside Sublime staples in the Badfish set.

    Harnessing this new creative energy, Badfish is set to gear up for their 2025 “Gimme the Gold Tour.” The tour takes the boys around the country where they’ll surely keep the vibes high for some familiar faces and many new ones as well. Badfish’s tour sees three dates in NY on this tour. Firstly, in Buffalo at Town Ballroom on February 2, next in Saratoga Springs at Putnam Den on Feb 20, and lastly on Feb 21 at Brooklyn Bowl in NYC.

    Badfish 2025 Gimme the Gold Tour Dates

    1/23: Ardmore, PA | Ardmore Music Hall
    1/24: New Haven, CT | Toad’s Place
    1/25: Sayreville, NJ | Starland Ballroom
    1/29: Charlottesville, VA | Jefferson Theater
    1/30: Falls Church, VA | State Theater
    1/31: Virginia Beach, VA | Elevation 27
    2/1: Charlotte, NC | Amos Southend
    2/2: Charleston, SC | Charleston Pour House
    2/5: Oklahoma City, OK | Tower Theater
    2/6: Tulsa, OK | Cains Ballroom
    2/7: St Louis, MO | The Pageant
    2/8: Fort Wayne, IN | The Clyde Theater
    2/12: Columbus, OH | Newport Music Hall
    2/13: Pittsburgh, PA  | Thunderbird Music Hall
    2/14: Buffalo, NY | Town Ballroom
    2/15: Cleveland, OH | House of Blues
    2/16: Wyandotte, MI | District 142 
    2/19: Killington, VT | Pickle Barrel
    2/20: Saratoga Springs, NY | Putnam Den
    2/21: Brooklyn, NY | Brooklyn Bowl
    2/22: Boston, MA | Paradise Rock Club

    For more information on Badfish and to purchase tickets to their upcoming 2025 “Gimme the Gold Tour,” click here.

  • Albany Symphony to Present Wondrous New Program for November Series

    Albany Symphony has announced a dazzling new program for the month of November which features outstanding and captivating works presented November 16 and 17. The concerts take place at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall.

    The November concert features Smetana’s “Moldau”, Joan Tower’s Cello Concerto, “A New Day” and Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9, “From the New World.” These shows take place on November 16 at 7:30 PM and November 17 at 3:00 PM. The evening opens with the flowing, lyrical, “Moldau,” by Czech composer, Bedřich Smetana, which evokes the Vlatava River (the Moldau). The piece evokes the composer’s deep love of his homeland.

    “A New Day,” written in 2021 by GRAMMY Award-Winning composer Joan Tower, will feature cellist Raman Ramakrishnan. The piece is an appreciative, hopeful, and nostalgic work of art reflecting on love and a long, fruitful relationship. Joan wrote the piece with the thought in mind that this life of love lasts only a limited time, and a duo must appreciate every moment together until the end. Joan Tower is widely regarded as one of the most important American composers living today. Her works have been commissioned by major ensembles, soloists, and orchestras across the country and the world.

    Composer Joan Tower

    The evening concludes with one of the most beloved symphonies of all time, Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9, “From the New World.” The piece was composed in 1893 while Dvořák was the director of the National Conservatory of Music in New York City. It premiered at Carnegie Hall to ecstatic acclaim. Dvorak conceived the piece as a blueprint for future American composers to find their uniquely American voices.  It is an anthem to America and reflects Dvorak’s great interest in Spirituals and Native American Music.

    The 2024-2025 season runs through the American Music Festival in June. It includes the Water Music NY: More Voices Festival, a Symphony Side-by-Side with the Empire State Youth Orchestra (ESYO), Magic of Christmas, Tiny Tots concerts for young people, and more. The shows on Nov 16 and 17 are ones you’ll certainly regret missing. These shows highlight legendary classical pieces that have shaped the way composition is done. Seeing an art form like this is timeless.

    For more information on the Albany Symphony and to purchase tickets for the upcoming November 16 and 17 concerts, click here.

  • Greensky Bluegrass Winter Tour Dates Include Stop at Brooklyn Paramount in February

    Bluegrass-Americana troubadours, Greensky Bluegrass have announced 17 new tour dates that will bring the band coast to coast. The tour includes a stop at Brooklyn Paramount on February 13.

    The newly announced dates kick off on January 16 in Blue Lake, CA and include stops throughout California, Nevada and Arizona. Following their West Coast leg, the band will make their way to the East Coast for several shows, including two nights in Washington, D.C. and a stop at NY’s very own Brooklyn Paramount.

    Fans can expect an unforgettable experience highlighted by their cross-genre blend of bluegrass, Americana, rock, and beyond. Greensky Bluegrass are widely known for their thoughtful lyricism, edgy and genre-expansive sound, dazzling live performances and relentless touring schedule. Some of the newly added dates include performances by Fruition and Railroad Earth.

    However, that is only the tip of the complex tale of the five musicians that make up Greensky Bluegrass: Anders Beck [dobro], Michael Arlen Bont [banjo], Dave Bruzza [guitar], Mike Devol [upright bass], and Paul Hoffman [Mandolin]. The five are connected through a deep bond, just as they are seasoned road warriors, they’re a band of brothers who have seen each other through decades of ups and downs, personal and collective highlights, and the moments when life turns it all upside down. 

    GREENSKY BLUEGRASS ON TOUR 

    October 31 @ The Refinery | Charleston, SC

    November 1 @ The Underground | Charlotte, NC

    November 2 @ The Eastern | Atlanta, GA

    November 8 @ Avett Moon | Miramar Beach, FL

    November 9 @ Highlands Food & Wine Festival | Highlands, NC

    November 10 @ The Mill & Mine | Knoxville, TN

    November 12 @ Tipitina’s | New Orleans, LA

    November 14 @ White Oak Music Hall | Houston, TX

    November 15 @ Granada Theater | Dallas, TX

    November 16 @ Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater | Austin, TX

    December 12-16 @ Strings & Sol | Puerto Morelos, MX

    December 30 @ The Mission Ballroom | Denver, CO*

    December 31 @ The Mission Ballroom | Denver, CO*

    January 16 @ Blue Lake Casino | Blue Lake, CA

    January 17 @ The Crystal Bay Club | Crystal Bay, NV

    January 18 @ Fox Theater | Oakland, CA^

    January 19 @ The Catalyst | Santa Cruz, CA

    January 22 @ Orpheum Theater | Flagstaff, AZ

    January 23 @ The Van Buren | Phoenix, AZ

    January 24 @ The Wiltern | Los Angeles, CA

    January 25 @ The Sound at Del Mar | Del Mar, CA

    February 5 @ F.M. Kirby Center | Wilkes-Barre, PA

    February 6 @ The Fillmore | Philadelphia, PA

    February 7 @ The Anthem | Washington, D.C.

    February 8 @ The Anthem | Washington, D.C.

    February 11 @ Count Basie Center for the Arts | Red Bank, NJ

    February 13 @ Brooklyn Paramount | New York, NY

    February 14 @ College Street Music Hall | New Haven, CT

    February 15 @ House of Blues | Boston, MA

    February 16 @ State Theatre | Portland, ME 

    * with Fruition

    ^ with Railroad Earth

    For more information on Greensky Bluegrass’ upcoming tour and to purchase tickets, click here.