New York multi-instrumentalist and producer Ben Cuomo has released two of four what he refers to as “single packs”, entitled “It’s still about you, Lucy” and “Smoke Sits.” Each single is accompanied by an additional intro and outro track, inspired by his background in ambient jazz.
Photo by @maevelovesyouu
“It’s still about you, Lucy,” officially released on February 7, 2024, was co-written by Cuomo and Brigid Hart. Cuomo says that “teaming up with genius folk singer-songwriter Brigid Hart helped me access the indie folk world after obsessing over artists like Blake Mills, Big Thief, Phoebe Bridgers, Nick Hakim and Luke Temple”.
Photo by @maevelovesyouu
Ben Cuomo recorded bass, piano, synthesizer, and percussion on the release. He is also the projects engineer, mixing engineer, and mastering engineer. Brigid Hart is accredited with vocals, guitar and shruti box (an instrument of the Indian Subcontinent which is known for its drone accompaniment). Shanne Garcia is also an accredited vocalist.
“Lucy’s Intro” immediately sets the soundscape and vibe for the single pack. A droning background paired with classical jazz paints the scene before perfectly transitioning into the single, “It’s still about you, Lucy”.
Hauntingly beautiful vocal harmonies paired with acoustic guitar just scratch the surface of this extremely well produced track. The vocals complement each other so well, and their strong musical chemistry creates this ethereal quality that transports you during the four and a half minute single.
“Lucy’s Outro” transitions into a solo jazz and classical influenced piano piece, painting the picture of watching the Sunday morning rain hit your windowsill. Cuomo’s recording technique and his ability to create these mental images in his music is powerful, and very well done.
Photo by @maevelovesyouu
The second “single pack” in Cuomo’s series, Smoke Sits features artists and co-writers JAYA and Ben Milstein. It was officially released on April 19th. Containing a mysterious introduction which notably features JAYA on bass clarinet and flute entitled “Smokes Sits Intro”, this once again perfectly transitions into the folk and indie inspired “Smoke Sits”, tackling the difficulties of leaving home and starting anew, featuring the samples of past works of Cuomo, as well as a poem written by his friend Coral.
Cuomo is a tremendous producer and engineer, and his work in the studio on these “single packs” is nothing short of outstanding and professional. Find out more about Ben Cuomo at linktr.ee/bencuomo1
“It’s still about you, Lucy” is currently available on all streaming services [here].
“Smoke Sits” is currently available on all streaming services [here].
Poughkeepsie-based jazz artist Cory Wong released his newest single, “Quotidian Fields,” on June 28. The second single off of his forthcoming album, Starship Syncopation, “Quotidian Fields” saw Wong collaborate with Metropole Orkest and piano icon Bruce Hornsby. Moreover, this newest single brings a bright, fresh sound to the world of jazz, and creates excitement for Wong’s newest album.
Known for his solo work with artists including the Dave Matthews Band, Vulfpeck, and many more, Cory Wong has been refreshing jazz since the late 2000s. In like manner, his newest single with Bruce Hornsby and Metropole Orkest, a jazz orchestra based in the Netherlands, is just the latest addition to his laundry list of fantastic collaborations.
After all, Cory Wong’s “Quotidian Fields” gives us a glimpse into his mind. In the early stages of the single, Wong and Hornsby used samples and previously discarded tunes to brainstorm their ideas. When Hornsby sent Wong the piano riff heard at the beginning of the single, he knew that it was the perfect symbol of what he envisioned in his mind: a grandfather clock in the middle of the desert with mountains in the background. Hornsby’s piano tunes represent the clock, as something classic, elegant, and easily recognizable. The additional guitars and bass represent the mountain ranges in the background: something strong, powerful, and grounding that doesn’t take away from the grandfather clock standing before it. As a result the orchestra parts, mainly brass and drums, are meant to represent the desert, where the whole landscape is.
Additionally, the arrangement and orchestration are inspired by a lot of classic American classical music. Inspiration from American classical composers like Aaron Copeland, George Gershwin, and Leonard Bernstein is obvious, as the single moves forward to a rising crescendo, then transitions into a full orchestra that still manages to uphold the elegance of Hornsby’s original piano riff.
Cory Wong officially begins his tour in October. In addition to his Fall Tour, Wong will be performing two shows at the 2024 Caroga Lake Music Festival from July 30-31. He will also be part of the Caroga Arts Collective on Wednesday, July 31, where a raffle for a limited edition Fender guitar will be held. Moreover only 100 raffle tickets will be sold at $100 each and can be purchased HERE.
Below are Cory Wong’s official Fall Tour dates. For more information and tickets, visit his official website.
On June 21, NYC-based punk rock band WYLDLIFE released their newest single, “Fast Dreams.” The new single is the band’s first release since their 2020 album, “Year of the Snake.” Complete with fast-paced guitar riffs, a moving bassline, and exciting, gritty vocals, “Fast Dreams,” WYLDLIFE makes headbanging-worthy rock and roll music fun again.
For over the last decade, WYLDLIFE has brought the 70s rock and roll style back to New York City’s music scene. Their fun-filled single and music video are the latest thing to come out of their label, Wicked Cool Records. WYLDLIFE has four members: Dave Feldman (vocals), Sam Allen (guitar), Spencer Alexander (bass), and Russ Barrnett (drums), each committed to bringing back the classic sounds of the 70s like Blondie and Ramones. Since 2009, WYLDLIFE has released 4 full studio albums and were nominated for an Independent Music Award for Best Rock/Hard Rock Song.
Their newest single, however, is a captivating mix of sounds from different eras. The 70s inspiration is absolutely prevalent, but upon first listen, it feels like a 2000s power anthem. The fast-moving bassline, combined with Feldman’s vocals, is reminiscent of alt-rock outfits like Palaye Royale, Arcade Fire, and The White Stripes. Amidst the current ever-popular trap and indie-pop scene, WYLDLIFE’s newest single is a fantastic juxtaposition that has all the right elements of nostalgia, yet still manages to sound fresh, original, and new.
The lyrics of “Fast Dreams” tell an incredibly relatable story about someone excited for their dreams to come true while having to wrestle with the mundane parts of life. “Fast Dreams” brings us a familiar narrative about someone trying to make their dreams come true as fast as possible because they are simply too excited for success. “Fast Dreams” feels like a song that would belong on the soundtrack of a coming-of-age movie, with the narrator’s contradictory feelings of angst and excitement.
Along with their newest single, the music video for “Fast Dreams” is also out for consumption. Animated in the style of a 2-bit arcade game, the music video features WYLDLIFE as video game characters, racing against reality and time to achieve their goal. The message of the single is executed perfectly, and it is obvious that the group had a blast when creating the video together. “Fast Dreams” was the best thing to come out of their four-year-long hiatus.
“Fast Dreams” is available on all streaming platforms. To watch their music video or check out any of WYLDLIFE’s other powerhouse anthems, check them out on Bandcamp. For any touring information, follow their Facebook page.
Rochester band, The Chesterfield Kings just released two new singles, “Fly The Astral Plane ” and a cover of one “So Sad About Us” from one of their inspirations, The Who.
The Rochester based band has released 11 albums.
The band’s frontman, Andy Babiuk says he wrote the song “with a more psychedelic approach.” Despite their east coast beginnings, “Fly The Astral Plane” sounds like the soundtrack to a 60’s San Francisco summer. “The lyrics can have a double meaning depending on what you’re into. But if you close your eyes and listen, you’ll get there,” Babiuk said.
“So Sad About us” is more uplifting with its production than The Who’s version but still stays true to the band’s sound. The 7-inch cover is reminiscent of the hey-day of psychedelic rock.
The band formed in the late 70’s, are bringing back the classic rock sounds. Together the five piece band have released 11 albums and made appearances on Jimmy Kimmel Live, as well as Late Night with Conan O’Brien. In 2009, they hiatus but recently came back to record and perform together.
Thus, next year, the band will join a lineup of other bands and artists from May 9-13 as part of Little Stevens Underground Garage Cruise. Rock fans will have the opportunity to sail from Miami to Nassau, Bahamas while listening to punk and classic rock bands. You can stream The Chesterfield King’s singles on any streaming service and find more information on their website.
Electric Forest 2024 friends and family all gathered from thousands of miles away to experience the magic that resides in the middle of the woods in Rothbury Michigan. The festival ran from June 20 to June 23 but people gathered days before this to set up camp and embrace the full forest experience.
DRAMA, Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
Early arrivers got treated to pre-party sets at the Evolve Afters stage where performances by Super Future and Tripp St. wooed the crowd. Their experimental bass music gave people the perfect hype to kick off this festival weekend.
Day 1 – Welcome to the Forest
First time Forest attendees and vets quickly entered the grounds the first day in a heavy anticipation of what the festival had in store for them this year. Art installations encompassed the scene including beautiful murals, interactive games, light installments, huge statues, and more. So many people are seen embracing their creative spirit from checking out vendor shops, to watching live painting, and exploring the art spread across the trees.
The heat was booming which made The Observatory stage set in the middle of the trees the place to be. It also helped that international electronic producer CloZee’s Odyzey label was doing a stage takeover. This featured performances from Dixon’s Violin, Redrum, Zen Selekta, Super Future, Tripp St., Zingara, and Marsh.
Zen Selekta’s energy at the Observatory was insane. She knows exactly how to handle a crowd and leave them wanting more. Her music intertwines dark vibes with ethereal melodies and ethnic influences.
Zen Selekta, Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
Over on the Ranch main stage though DRAMA had a soulful performance. This multicultural collaboration is between producer Na’el Shehade’s chic house-infused production style and vocalist Via Rosa’s inspirational delivery. Their dynamic is so complementary it plays on patterns of hip-hop and bossa nova.
Back at the Observatory Zingara made her return to Electric Forest, but this time with a night time set. Fresh off of her Code of Dreamz tour, she gave the crowd tons of new music and remixes to listen to. She performed her tracks, “Unlock Your Keys,” and “Up is Down.” Seeing a Zingara set transports music through the mind and body in a unique way.
Zingara, Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
The Observatory stage had a round of insane performances from some of the most talented producers. After countless artists played, the electronic rhythmic figure CloZee came on stage for a secret set. She shared she always wanted to play at this specific stage but with her status now it became difficult with the available capacity around that area. This made her secret performance even that much more special and intimate for the lucky fans who got to experience it.
CloZee, Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
Day 2 – Bass Rush
It’s a Forest tradition that on the second day bass-heads camp out at the Tripolee stage for the numerous dubstep artists that throw-down hard one after the other. People brought out their chill-bos and flow toys for the hard-hitting tunes.
Up and coming artist Canabliss kicked off this day with her pink visuals. She plays on funky beats and is constantly remixing booming tracks. Canabliss even remixed the latest Irish hit “The Spark” making people go crazy. She did mix in some of her own tunes including “Saudade.”
Canabliss, Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
More talented women steam-rolled the crowd with their high energy. The bass that day was flourishing to say the least. Dubstep producers Level Up and ALLEYCVT each had a set that was unbelievable. Level Up brought Subtronics out for their latest collab they’ve been working on together.
ALLEYCVT’s visuals and pyro took her performance to the next level. This was her debut at Electric Forest and it did not disappoint. Headbangers were going wild during her set and moshing at any chance they got. Many people left her performance immediately wanting to see more.
ALLEYCVT, Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
Later into the night Pretty Lights had their comeback performance at Ranch Arena. After 10 years Pretty Lights came back to the fields in Michigan and they left zero crumbs. They brought their own fusion of electronic beats, poetic samples, and modular synthesizers. This musical project is transformative and definitely leaned into more of a jam experience in the Forest.
Back at the Tripolee stage though the late-night dubstep DJs were still giving hard-hitting performances. Boogie T, ATLiens, Wooli, and BTSM finished the round up. BTSM closed out the stage with their mesh of heavy bass and techno. Lately they have been performing with their new anime visuals from Attack on Titan and watching that from the crowd is insane to see.
Boogie T, Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
Day 3 – Rain Rain Go Away
Okay maybe it’s not the rain so much as the storms that Forest goers had to undergo this day that needed to go. Many started off their day at the Brainery getting in their daily dose of positive affirmations and good vibes. All week different classes were held there including meditation, yoga sessions, and shuffling courses.
Others who entered the festival grounds early attended a party at the Chapel where people got to celebrate their freaky unique selves. And if some attendees got there at the right time special wedding ceremonies would take place.
Super Future, Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
Unfortunately though this day ended quite early as everyone inside the festival grounds was told to evacuate to their campsites due to severe storms coming in. The intense thunder storms lasted for hours flooding campsites with heavy rain and creating so many mud pits. Many artists didn’t get to perform their set due to this.
They didn’t open the festival back up until after midnight pushing so many artists to now overlap with one another. When the gates opened back up fans ran to the stages to get a good spot for the few late night producers who didn’t lose their set. Subtronics got to throw down at Ranch. His tesseract visuals are stunning and his mixing is top of the EDM game by a landslide. He got to play his flip of Hozier’s song “Too Sweet” and his latest single “Sploinky Dub.”
Tripp St., Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
LSZEE, also known as the project by LSDREAM and CloZee, made their first ever debut as a duo this night. They performed so many unreleased songs and fun remixes. The euphoric energy these two artists brought is unmatched. The two know how valuable certain sound wave frequencies play on mood and they utilize this to take their audience on a journey. These renowned producers got to perform their songs “FRENCH DREAM” and “CHRYSALIS” for the first time as well. A night that people thought might not happen throughout the day was finished with an absolute breathtaking experience.
Day 4 – The Forest Family
Despite the third day having quite the unexpected journey, so many people were ready to fully embrace what the final day of Forest had to offer. Many who missed out on the scavenger hunt the days before went to the “Time Travel Agency” to receive their quest and start their excursion. Others went inside the Dream Emporium to watch a wrestling match, roller-skate, and even go kayaking.
An absolute highlight of the final day, if not the entire weekend, was the return of Lightcode by LSDREAM. In the afternoon at Sherwood Court, LSDREAM presented his sound healing and ambient bliss-inspired project. This meditative experience is one that no words can do justice. It truly is so transformative that it left so many people in tears. The exercise is unlike no other that sets to reopen peoples’ hearts and minds to what not only the festival, but the human experience should consist of.
Level Up, Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
Later in the day, the up and coming trio Levity performed a set at the Observatory. This group first started taking off last year at Electric Forest when the festival needed someone to cover a slot at the Honeycomb stage and one member just so happened to bring his USB. Their 2023 last minute set ended up popping off online and caused this group to get so much commotion behind their name. It truly is a full circle moment watching Levity grow from a last minute fill-in to a night time set at forest. This group encompasses what Electric Forest is all about and their performance was nothing short of eccentric.
Levity, Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
Experimental bass artist INZO also had a performance that was exceptionally moving. He played on Sherwood Court and of course utilized his signature Alan Watts verbiage. Some tracks fans got to hear were “Overthinker” and “Drift Like a Cloud, Float Like Water.”
Into the night, fans gathered at Ranch Arena for GIGANTIC NGHTMRE. This is a project by Big Gigantic and NGHTMRE that has such heavy hitting beats. The layered sound from the drums, saxophone, and mixing on stage blends effortlessly. The trio definitely know how to pump up a crowd and provide that much needed energy boost. The pyro matched with the fun visuals and fireworks were captivating. The group also performed a good amount of riddim which is exactly what the Forest family needed.
GIGANTIC NGHTMRE, Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
After GIGANTIC NGHTMRE ended many gathered up for a performance from the dubstep king himself, Excision. However, this was shortly met with an evacuation announcement due to another wave of severe storms that were coming in. Unfortunately there was no re-entry after the evacuation notice and this sudden goodbye left many upset.
As much as the storms were such an inconvenience to people it didn’t ruin the Forest family’s time. You can’t control the weather, but you can control how you respond to the weather. And how people responded to it was by dancing in the rain, creating parties at campsites, and enjoying this time everyone got to spend together in the middle of the woods in Michigan.
ALLEYCVT, Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
That is exactly what Electric Forest is all about. As much as you can play out how your weekend is going to go and schedule what artists you’re going to see, you truly can’t plan for everything. Surrendering to those moments of disarray and wonder can lead you to some of the best times. “While timing is everything, the present is where true discovery lies.” Electric Forest has always provided those moments of discovering what is really important and serves as a reminder of why we’re all here on this Earth: to let go and enjoy our time together. Maybe we didn’t get to see an Excision Electric Forest set, but at least we got to dance in the rain with our friends.
DRAMADRAMAEquanimousZen SelektaZen SelektaZen SelektaSuper FutureTripp St. Tripp St. ZingaraZingaraZingaraZingaraCanablissCanablissALLEYCVTALLEYCVTALLEYCVTLevel Up
The 2024 Caramoor American Roots Festival was held on Saturday, June 29, 2024. The festival featured blues, Americana, folk, and bluegrass music with a stellar lineup featuring Lizzie No, Solomon Hicks, Fantastic Cat, Poor Monroe, Hopalong Andrew, and headliner Madison Cunningham. Attendees were treated to a day of entertainment in a distinctive setting.
Milton opening the festival
Nestled in a secluded part of northern Westchester County, the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts welcomes its visitors as they pass through a gate which reveals the sprawling 90-acre property. This welcoming gesture sets the tone for the immersive Caramoor experience.
Hopalong Andrew entertaining children in the Sunken Garden
The festival was divided into two sessions: daytime and nighttime. During the day, performances were spread across multiple locations within the center, while the evening session culminated with Madison Cunningham’s performance in the Venetian Theater.
Friends Field
Daytime performers had the chance to showcase their talents twice by performing in two of the four distinct show spaces throughout the day. This two-set format allowed attendees to catch every act without having to choose who to listen to. A map is provided to guide you through the vast expanse of the Caramoor Center. Each show location is sufficiently distant from the other and offers aunique listening experience.
Lizzie No with a young fan enjoying her performance
The Sunken Garden presented the most intimate setting, as it is nestled in a clearing among the trees. This charming location allowed the music to resonate in its purest form. Many at the festival brought their children. The garden proved to be an ideal spot for Hopalong Andrew’s family-oriented set, which encouraged interaction with the children in a tranquil setting. Poor Monroe, a bluegrass band that followed Andrew, equated the location to the origins of their musical genre and the natural materials of their instruments.
Fantastic Cat performing in the Spanish Courtyard
The Spanish Courtyard is situated inside the Rosen House, a Mediterranean-style stucco villa built in the 1930s. Originally the summer home of the Rosen family, the property was donated and converted into a center for the arts and music after the death of their son in World War II.
The Spanish Courtyard is described by Caramoor as “Spanish under the influence of the Italian Renaissance.” The picturesque courtyard with its arched walkways and central fountain, provided an unusual yet enchanting setting for a rock show. Fantastic Cat embraced this unique space with, as they dubbed it, a âspayed and neuteredâ acoustic set, before delivering a full-on electric performance later in the day at the Venetian Theater.
WFUV’s John Platt introducing performers
The third location, Friends Field, offered a spacious environment. Visitors could relax on blankets or chairs and enjoy great sightlines to the large stage. The grassy field also served as a soft dance floor for those so inclined. Singer-songwriter Milton opened this stage, and was followed by Lizzie No and Poor Monroe, with Harlem blues aficionado Solomon Hicks closing out the daytime session.
After the conclusion of the day session, Grammy Award winner Madison Cunningham and her band closed outthe evening with a heartfelt performance in the open-air Venetian Theater, leaving the audience thoroughly appreciative.
Bluesman Solomon Hicks closing the day session
Festivals bring to mindcrowds, long lines, and tight spaces. Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts started presenting music in 1945. They have learned the best use ofthe 90 acres offering space for the attendees, performances that do not compete against each other, as well as providinga special place for everyone to enjoy the arts.
Headliner Madison Cunningham / Photo : Gabe Palacio
The American Roots Music Festival is just one of the many curated musical events that take place at Caramoor. Caramoor has a full lineup of musical happenings throughout the year. Check their website for more details.
Long Island based Hip-hop artist and producer, Jesse Eplan released his single, “Sunburst,” on June 21.
Eplan releases music under his own name and produces all of his work, including pop, rap and trap music and works in every aspect of production from writing to mixing and mastering. Eplan attempts to push boundaries and create unique genre blending beats.
His interest in music started with more of a classic rock discography when he was 9 years old. “I was learning to play drums and guitar. I was listening to some of the classic rock bands such as Led Zeppelin, ACDC, The Rolling Stones and The Who” Eplan told NYS Music. “As I got into middle school, my friends and I started listening to Rick Ross, Kanye West and Chris Brown. I was DJing at local parties. All I wanted to do was make beats. So, my classic rock roots and rap-trap/pop, met somewhere in the middle and I’ve been making beats and music ever,” he said.
Eplan’s projects venture beyond his music productions. He currently owns and operates The Sound Lab, a recording studio in Bellmore, Long Island. He engineers in both studio rooms and works with other up and coming artists in the area.
After he released his first two LPs, Trap Harmony and Purple Wave at the University of Tampa the Hip Hop world took notice of the young star. He collaborated with similar artists like Wacotron, Famous Dex and Kontraversy. Although his music started to blossom in Tampa, he ultimately decided to attend The Los Angelos film school where he studied audio engineering. His range of sounds spans across his seven albums and many singles like “Sunburst.”
“Sunburst” has a catchy hook and exposes his vocals over a simple beat. It has a relatively slow tempo making it an easy-going song. Along with Sunburst, he released a “Sunburst remix,” a song with a more dance friendly tempo. The new single is accompanied by a music video featuring Eplan performing the song at a beautiful sunset lit beach.
Jesse Eplan’s upcoming album Jetty Life 3 is set to be released on July 14 – you can find his music on any streaming service – list to “Sunburst” below.
On Friday, June 21, Manhattan-based singer-songwriter Morley released her newest single, “It’s Hard to Stop.” The single is the first off of her forthcoming album, Follow the Sound, set to release on September 27.
In collaboration with her husband, Chris Bruce, “It’s Hard to Stop” is a soft, soothing recollection on the tenderness of the human condition and heartbreak.
Over the course of the last decade, Morley has received widespread critical acclaim for her contributions to the arts. Before releasing her first album, Morley worked for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, a modern dance company based in Manhattan, as a choreographer. During her tours with the dance center, she began writing and composing original music.
Morley’s style combines elements of jazz, folk, and classic Americana glued together by free-flowing improvisation. “It’s Hard to Stop” is no different. The single incorporates elements of acoustic folk and indie with her bluesy voice reminiscent of Nina Simone.
Since then, she has used her music to become a widespread advocate for social justice. Morley has performed all over the world, including for and alongside prominent activists, charities, and religious figures, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela, and Virgin Unite. In 2019, Morley released the album Borderless Lullabies, which continues to raise funds for K-I-N-D (Kids In Need Of Defense).
Now, Morley is ready to unleash her creativity through a combination of her iconic folk and jazz-inspired sounds. Along with her husband, producer Chris Bruce, Follow The Sound has contributions from several artists and instrumentalists. Meshell Ndegeocello (bass), Shara Nova a.k.a. My Brightest Diamond (vocals), Toumani Diabaté (kora), Jon Cowherd (piano), Chris Bruce (guitar, bass), Arun & Trina Ramamurthy (violins), Jack DeBoe, Jay Bellerose and Abe Rounds (drums), and Cole Kamen (trumpet) all contributed to the highly-anticipated album.
‘It’s Hard To Stop’ arose from an improv, a stream of consciousness while Chris and I were playing in our apartment one night. Looking out the window at all those city lights got me thinking about all the dreams and tender hearts striving to have a beautiful life inside them, glimpses of our highest possibilities came to mind, and how hard it is to stop from wanting things to be different in the world than the way they are, right now.
Morley
For more information on the artist and future releases, visit their website. To Stream “It’s Hard To Stop,” click HERE.
Year 21 of the Rochester International Jazz Festival kicked of this weekend, with 13 indoor venues as well as four open air stages being used during the nine-day event.
Bad Sneakers
Starting on June 21, streets around the famed Eastman School of Music were closed and transformed into a music lovers haven, with Gibbs St being becoming Jazz St for the next 9 days. The hub of the festival, Jazz St has a large stage with viewing from 180 degrees around, a large air-conditioned merchandise shop, beer trucks, and culinary promenade the opposite end. There are also info booths around to help visitors navigate and get questions answered.
Kingfish Ingram
Also conveniently located along Jazz St are four indoor venues, including Kodak Hall (Eastman Theatre), which hosted the legendary Taj Mahal on Friday night and Lee Ritenour on Saturday.
Mahal brought a show that mixes old school stripped down blues with tropical vibes, as he played the keyboard, guitar, and banjo. With steel drum, bass, and drums to add to the sounds, Taj and crew energized the crowd on the first of nine amazing nights of music.
Christie Dashiell
The following night, Ritenour took the stage and wowed yet another packed house of music fans. With sixteen Grammy nominations and one win (1985 “Early A.M. Attitude”), Ritenour’s music has not gone un-noticed, as he showcased his guitar skills with specials guests Randy Brecker and Bill Evans for roughly two hours.
Across the street from Kodak Hall is Max Rochester, which provides an airy atrium setting, with amazing acoustics for more casual sets, such as the soulful sounds of Christie Dashiell and Franck Amsallem‘s perfectly arranged piano pieces. Stop by Max at Eastman this week for some amazing culinary delights and perfect ambient sounds as you sip your spirits.
One of my favorite venues during the festival is The Little Theatre. Just outside the perimeter of the festival, this nostalgic theatre greets you with the aromas of classic popcorn as you make your way across the hall to the 1929 300 seat theater. A step back in time, indeed. As with recent years, The Little hosts Roots and Americans acts. Small acts, with minimal gear to set up, but amazing sounds and stories. This weekend, Thunderstorm Artis stopped by and told stories of being one of eleven kids (number 7 to be precise) and island life in Oahu. His laid-back personality, smooth and poignant vocals, and witty rizz paired perfectly the crowds for each of his 2 shows as well the venue itself. A finalist from The Voice, Artis is quickly making his name known.
You want free shows? They are plentiful each night of the festival. The blues serenaded the intersection of East Ave and Chestnut St for nearly three hours as Christone “Kingfish” Ingram and Chris Beard played on Saturday night to a packed street that stretched nearly a full block out and half block each way. This festival is more than grammas jazz records, as it encompasses many genres and takes.
The Jazz St Stage hosts free shows from 330pm until 10 every night. Local high school jazz bands get showcased, the Army band, and various other young local ensembles have opportunities. Later on, more noticeable acts will shake the stage, as Miss Emily did.
Hailing from Prince Edward County in Ontario, Miss Emily has a powerful soulful voice that resonates to every corner of the room she is in. Playing songs she wrote for her daughter and about mother nature (ironically as the winds picked up around the area), Emily played 2 sets for the Sunday evening crowd. Chatting with her after her first set, she says said she was amazed at the festival and the area in general and would love to come back with a full band in the future. This night was just her and the keyboardist.
âMiss Emilyâs voice has got to be heard to be believed – raw, expressive, transitioning flawlessly from a plaintive cry to a sonorous growl, weaving blues, country and rock while she does it. Miss Emily is unafraid to dig deep when she sings, tackling big, messy feelings in her songs – and you can feel it in every note.â
â Rob Baker (The Tragically Hip)
New venues for this year’s festivities are The Duke and Inn on Broadway. The Duke sits just outside the perimeter of the festival, and it is taking up space in a former retail mecca that is growing back up with the area around it. 18 sets will adorn the small stage over the week. It is the fourth business for ownership who also own a small plate venue right across the hall.
The Inn on Broadway is 95-year-old, 25 room boutique hotel and steakhouse that many visitors will pass as the make their way to the main event. The musical venue is an elegant second floor ballroom, with great sound and lots of natural light.
With the first weekend in the books, the Rochester Jazz Festival is primed for a strong finish as acts such as Sheila E, Brubeck Brothers Quartet, Bill Charlap, Samara Joy, and John Oates roll into town. Local favorite, Joy, is making her first appearance as a headliner at the festival, after playing smaller stages in recent years. The festival concludes Saturday night, June 29.
Four decades since its creation, the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival has not just survived but flourished. The beloved five-day celebration of all bluegrass music is set to return to Oak Hill, NY, this summer, from July 17â21.
The Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival is one of the oldest continuously running bluegrass festivals in the U.S. Now, the festival is celebrating its 40th anniversary and the 16th year of Oak Hill as its home. Throughout its many years of operation, Grey Fox has grown into a community essential, now being a foundational annual event for locals in the Oak Hill area. For anybody who enjoys bluegrass music, or even just live music for that matter, Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival should be on your list of New York’s summer festivals to visit.
One of Grey Fox’s specialties is the variety they put into every year’s lineup. “We want to have a wide and diverse lineup. We consider ourselves a really big umbrella to bluegrass and roots music,” said Grey Fox Festival Executive Director Mary Burdette. Don’t come to Grey Fox expecting just traditional bluegrass. There’s so much more to discover. “We do embrace all sorts of bluegrass, from traditional to contemporary, jamgrass and jazzy,” Burdette said.
One of the most diverse groups coming to Grey Fox this year is the South Korean bluegrass band Country GongBang. Country GongBang won the International Band Performance Grant in 2023, which gave them the financial assistance they needed to tour in the U.S., with the Grey Fox being one of their stops. Country GongBang’s unique take on contemporary bluegrass music with a mix of English and Korean vocals has already garnered them international attention, with the group already playing festivals in Japan and France. The quintet is set to play Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Grey Fox.
Le Vent du Nord, a French-Canadian folk band, is another standout in the lineup. The seasoned quintet, with more than 2,500 performances all across the globe, has an upcoming album that will celebrate their 20th anniversary as a band and “promises to be a vibrant testament to their evolving artistry.” Shows from Le Vent du Nord often include elements of audience participation and should be a must-see for anybody at Grey Fox looking for a lively set.
Wyatt Ellis, a 14-year-old bluegrass prodigy, is a show that any and all true bluegrass fans can’t miss. Ellis, who played at the Grand Ole Opry just eight months ago, has already garnered major attention in the bluegrass community. His debut single, “Grassy Cove,” even went to #1 on the Bluegrass Today charts. “He’s an old soul in a young body,” Burdette said. Ellis is set to play at Grey Fox on Saturday, the 20th.
On top of the festival’s lineup, every year the Grey Fox Festival designates an artist or group as that year’s artist-in-residence, who will spend the festival bouncing between different stages, playing with other artists on the setlist. This year’s artist-in-residence is Grammy-nominated all-women string band, Della Mae.
Della Mae has long been closely associated with Grey Fox, with one of their first gigs ever being at the festival nearly 15 years ago. Celia Woodsmith, the guitarist and vocalist of Della Mae, even met her husband at Grey Fox. “They love, love, love Grey Fox, and we’re really excited to have them,” Burdette said.
While the music is certainly the highlight of the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival, there’s much more that comes with the experience.
The festival is held on the scenic Walsh Farm in Oak Hill, NY, right next to Catskill Creek. There is ample space for both quiet camping and picker’s paradise camping, where you can expect after-midnight jammin’, along with the six separate performance stages. All the other essentials, like first aid, security and information booths, are present as well. A map of the full grounds can be found here.
Grey Fox has been held at Walsh Farm for 16 years, so naturally, the grounds have become special to those who come every year. With the festival itself celebrating its 40th anniversary, enough time has passed that generations of families have grown while attending Grey Fox. “One year I sent our media team out to find a good story, and they stopped at this campsite, and there was an infant, parents, grandparents and a great-grandmother all at that campsite, and they’d been coming all those years,” said Burdette.
A massive appeal of Grey Fox and one of the reasons why multiple generations of families can all come together is the festival’s family-friendly nature. Besides the billed artists, which people of any age can enjoy, kids have an entire stage dedicated to them, Family Stage. The Family Stage is home to a myriad of child-friendly activities, including tie-dying, instrument making, nature crafts, yoga for kids, family concerts, dances, sing-alongs, storytelling, puppetry, ventriloquism, movies and more. “We also have a bluegrass academy for kids, and we’ve had as many as 120 kids from ages eight to 17 learning to play, sing and perform bluegrass music,” Burdette said.
For those who have never been to the Grey Fox Festival, there isn’t too much to worry about. Take the time to learn the lay of the land. There’s no reason to rush, so get acquainted with the stage layouts and where all the other essentials are. “If you don’t really know the music that much, you can just kind of wander around, and you’ll hit something that you love,” Burdette said. No matter where you go on the grounds, music and good times will be happening, so the specifics are not too important.
The music even continues throughout the night, with countless families and groups jamming out in the picker’s paradise camping sections seemingly endlessly. According to Burdette, people will usually be jamming until 6 a.m.
And if the atmosphere gets the best of you and you think about joining in, you’re in luck. The Slow Jam Tent, which runs Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, is primarily for musical novices and features beginner instrumental classes, vocal workshops, and slow jams meant to help anybody with any level of experience. “Every day, all day long, they’re teaching people how to play, and then how to jam, and how to take solos if they’re ready. How to be in the background if they’re not, and just how to play well with others. The people around the campgrounds are just really, really friendly,” Burdette said.
So if you’re looking for a culture-filled music festival with something for all ages, look no further than the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival this July.
See below for lineup.
Full Lineup:
Della Mae (Artist-in-Residence) Del McCoury Band Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway Yonder Mountain String Band The Steeldrivers Hawktail The Travelinâ McCourys The Gibson Brothers Sister Sadie I Draw Slow Shadowgrass Sam Grisman Project Wyatt Ellis Darol Anger & Bruce Molsky Charlie Parr The Mammals SCYTHIAN Chris Jones & The Night Drivers Pine Leaf Boys Charm City Junction Casey Driessenâs Red Shoe Stringjam Brennen Leigh The Faux Paws Joe Newberry Twisted Pine Mike+Ruthy (of The Mammals) Pictrola Zoe & Cloyd Unspoken Tradition John, Trish & Quickstep Jim Gaudet & The Railroad Boys Mark Gamsjager & The Lustre Kings Mild Goose Chase Niamh Parsons & Graham Dunne Country GongBang The Cross-Eyed Possum Rachel Sumner & Traveling Light Into The Fog The Clements Brothers Berklee American Roots Music Showcase
Tickets to the full festival with camping are available here. Single-day tickets will be available soon as well.
