The Means of Production is a Brooklyn-based collective of artists interested in an output of experimental jazz. The group released the single “Silver Pools” on April 11, and see the release of their debut LP in June.
The Means of Production is a meeting point for six of Brooklyn’s most fearless, young musicians with musical backgrounds as divergent as you’ll find in any modern outfit. They are comprised of Matt Gibbs, Ben Pirani, Tre D’Ambrocia, Rafferty Swink, Pat Carr and Jay Mumford. Each of these artists have their own diverse, unique, and mind-expanding talents.
Rafferty Swink was entrusted with the job of arranging these group improvised, spontaneous compositions. The result is a potent, genre-defying kaleidoscope of electric jazz, psych, and soul. The Means Of Production can be described as nothing less than the raw and adventurous sound of the current.
“Silver Pools” by The Means of Production kind of slapped me in the face in the best way possible. The opening little diddly and soft drum kit fiddling followed by the burst of jazzy life took me for a ride. That old style organ, xylophone backing, indie-sounding guitar, smooth bass, and all the other intricate instruments combined to form some real soulful jazz.
There are elements of several artists and eras here. It is clear off the bat that this is heavily influenced by 30s-40s jazz. Not only that but 60s-early 70s rock, blues, and even some modern indie twists are heard here. The Means of Production are certainly performing in the spirit of free-form music and creative lightning.
Ben Pirani
“Silver Pools” was released as a single, and also as the second track on the band’s upcoming self-titled LP. The LP titled The Means of Production is set to release June 14.
The Means of Production Track Listing
1. Welcome 2. Silver Pools 3. Provence Avanti 4. In A Silent Jay 5. Sertraline 6. Positively 5th Street 7. Sun, Moon, Wind, Earth 8. (Di)stance 9. Beware Of The Midnight Special 10. Blank 11. The Lone Square 12. Well…
Rafferty Swink
To hear the bands recently released single, “Silver Pools” and to stay up to date on future releases, click here.
The Blue Note Jazz Club and Jazz at Lincoln Center are uniting to present the legendary Wynton Marsalis for six nights at Blue Note. June 11-16 sees the 2024 Blue Note Jazz Festival with historic performances.
These performances mark a historic event as Marsalis, Managing and Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center, headlines the Blue Note for the first time since 1991 as these two iconic cultural centers unite. Marsalis’ historic shows highlight this year’s Blue Note Jazz Festival, marking its 13 anniversary this summer with performances at venues across New York City.
The residency features the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis performing from June 11-13, and Marsalis with Future of Jazz Septet from June 14-16. As part of the Jazz at Lincoln Center residency events, two ensembles from the organization’s High School Jazz Academy will also grace the Blue Note stages. The Jazz at Lincoln Center Youth Big Band, directed by Julius Tolentino perform on June 15, and the award-winning Jazz at Lincoln Center Youth Orchestra, directed by Tatum Greenblatt perform on June 16.
As a composer, Wynton’s work includes over 600 original songs, 11 ballets, four symphonies, eight suites, two chamber pieces, two masses, a string quartet, and a violin and tuba concerto. For more information on Wynton Marsalis, the Blue Note Jazz Festival, and to purchase tickets, click here.
Texas singer songwriter Ruthie Foster brought her incredible cross-genre versatility to a standing-room-only house at Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs on Thursday, April 4.
Combining a long set of her own songs of contemporary blues, Americana, gospel and country blues, including “Singing The Blues,” “Brand New Day,” and “4am” with her truly unique arrangements of covers like Pete Seeger’s “If I Had A Hammer,” June Carter Cash’s “Ring Of Fire” and Patty Griffin’s “When It Don’t Come Easy,” interspersed with crowd-pleasing stage banter that ranged from where the ideas for some of her songs came from, to family stories, she delivered a truly energetic show to a highly appreciative crowd in an intimate setting.
With her brilliant flatpicking and fingerpicking on a hollow body electric guitar, which she introduced as “Pearl”, she delivered her well-crafted original songs in a solo performance that matched the legendary intimacy of the room at Caffe Lena, giving the audience a clear understanding of what lies behind her multiple Grammy nominations, Blues Foundation’s Koko Taylor Award, and induction into the Texas Blues Hall of Fame.
The show marked the start of a six-month tour for Ruthie Foster, covering the US and parts of Canada, immediately followed with an April 5 show at The Folkus Project in Syracuse, with other shows in the region in Massachusetts and New Jersey. The tour is followed by a multi-day blues cruise out of Florida.
Ruthie referred to herself at one point as a country girl who grew up on a farm in Texas where she learned how to drive a car at eight years of age in the fields by sitting on phonebooks on the seat of her dad’s pickup truck, moving it slowly at his direction as farmhands loaded hay bales onto the back of the truck. She then segued into her beautifully fingerpicked rendition of Mississippi John Hurt’s “Richland Woman’s Blues” that brought her audience in for chorus sing-alongs.
Throughout the show, Ruthie’s energy fed the crowd and, in turn, was fueled by her audience’s response, both by her playing and singing as well as her eye contact and facial expressions. At the end of her single long set when she said she had only time for one more, she acceded to the the audience request of “Phenomenal Woman” saying “Okay, but that’ll be the encore,” and gave a stellar and moving performance that brought the crowd to its feet where they stayed and cheered until she returned for an a cappella gospel type tune with her appreciative audience joining in on.
There is something very special about a talented solo performance of well-crafted songs delivered to an audience in an intimate venue setting and this was just such an experience.
Stephane Wrembel is proud to announce that the highly anticipated Django a Gogo Music Festival is coming to New York City. This festival is held at The Woodland in Maplewood, New Jersey from May 1-3, and will culminate at The Town Hall in NYC on May 4.
Stephane Wrembel
The festival features performances by Angelo Debarre, Serge Camps, and Frank Anastasio, who are making their first American appearance. Django a Gogo is a celebration of the unparalleled music legacy of jazz guitarist and composer Django Reinhardt.
Django á Gogo has united some of the world’s most exceptional musicians to honor the timeless Sinti guitar style. This year’s festival promises a dynamic lineup, featuring renowned artists from France, Canada, and the United States. The event showcases the vibrant evolution of Reinhardt’s repertoire through reinterpretation, improvisation, and cross-cultural collaborations.
Django a Gogo 2024 Festival Dates & Features
Wednesday May 1, 2024 8PM The Woodland (Maplewood, N.J.) DJANGO NEW ORLEANS featuring: Stephane Wrembel and Josh Kaye on guitar, Adrien Chevalier on violin, Joe Correia on Tuba, Scott Kettner on drums, David Langlois on percussion, Nick Driscoll on sax/clarinet, Joe Boga on trumpet and Sarah King on vocals
Thursday May 2, 2024 8PM The Woodland (Maplewood, N.J.) THE GYPSY GUITARS TRIO Legendary Angelo Debarreâs trio Featuring: Angelo Debarre (guitar), Serge Camps (guitar), Franck Anastasio + many guests
Friday May 3, 2024 8 PM The Woodland (Maplewood, N.J.) STEPHANE WREMBEL BAND + GUESTS Featuring: Stephane Wrembel on guitar, Josh Kaye on guitar, Ari Folman-Cohen on bass and Nick Anderson on drums
Dynamic jazz-pop band Couch brought their Sunshine, Part 2 Tour to the Westcott Theater in Syracuse on Friday, March 29. It was a fittingly beautiful, sunshine-filled spring day in Central New York. The show was the second stop on a lengthy, cross country tour for the band, which features Sophia James as the opener.
Hailing from Boston, Couch have been turning heads since their formation in 2021. Described as a blend of jazz, rock, pop and R&B, the band has performed at major festivals like Boston Calling, and toured in support of Lake Street Dive. The seven-piece band is currently touring in support of the recently released Sunshower EP (October 2023).
Opener Sophia James rewarded those who arrived to the theater early this evening. James performed on stage solo, but brilliantly mixed in drum and vocal loops to build dramatic layers to her songs. She excitedly touted her upcoming release, Clockwork, due April 19, an EP that is sure to garner lots of listens from those who were in attendance tonight.
An excited energy filled the theater as Couch made their way to the stage. Opening with the energetic “Saturday,” all of the hallmark staples of a Couch show were immediately on display: the dramatic horn section of Jeffrey Pinsker-Smith (Trumpet) and Eric Tarlin (saxophone) which blended with singer Tema Siegel’s dynamic vocals. Throughout the set, each of the band members were given ample time at the center of the stage. Guitarist Zach Blankstein delivered a fierce guitar solo during the interactive “Poems,” while Jared Gozinsky (drums) and Will Griffin each took turns showcasing their talents. Keyboardist Danny Silverston added layers of synths and also took his turn at the mic, leading the audience in a three-piece layer of sing along harmony during “Poems.”
While much of the evening showcased the band’s high energy tracks, the band brilliantly weaved several slower ballads in to the mix. Siegel told the tale of finding love before performing “Autumn,” while later in the set the band performed the beautiful “Let Me Hold You.” In between their own songs, they worked in several cover songs, including Billy Joel’s “Vienna” and Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Have You Ever Seen the Rain,” the latter of which saw opener Sophia James returning to the stage to share vocals.
After a brief encore break, the band triumphantly returned to the stage to perform the upbeat “Easy To Love.” Clearly a fan favorite, the song offered fans one last opportunity to sing and dance before the spilling out in to the streets. The sunshine of earlier in the day was gone, but it was not lost in the mood of those who attended this evening.
The second annual Geneva Jazz Festival returns April 4-7, featuring 20 performances at nine venues over four days.
The Geneva Jazz Festival is held in Geneva, known for innovation and forward-thinking businesses. It is the gateway to the Finger Lakes, providing access to historical landmarks, natural beauties, wineries, breweries, food, shopping, and more.
The festival honors the late Scott LaFaro, who grew up in Geneva. At 18, he started learning to play the double bass. In 1961 he was killed in a car accident at age 25. He became the most influential jazz bassist ever after his performance with Stan Getz at the Newport Jazz Festival and subsequent recordings with the Bill Evans Trio, which still impacts jazz today.
The nine headline concerts are hosted at the historic Club 86, featuring a high-fidelity sound system by George’s Pro Audio for an immersive jazz experience. These performances represent some of the finest jazz musicians working and creating in New York State. Evening concerts on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday – plus matinee shows on Saturday and Sunday.
Schedule
On the opening night on April 4, the festival celebrates women in jazz at the historic Club 86. Trombonist and vocalist Melissa Gardiner brings her organ trio MG3 (8 PM), with singer Vanessa Vacanti & Jazz Mafia (6 PM) and saxophonist Ellen Pieroni & Encyclopedia of Soul (4 PM) performing. There also is a free concert at Ventosa Vineyards with Annie Wells Trio featuring Mike Kaupa (5 PM) and the free FLIMA Open Jazz Jam at 10 p.m.
On Friday, April 5, The Ryan Johnson Project performs at 2 p.m. It has become a known name in the music industry, featuring informed, professional, outgoing attitudes, and beautifully written pieces of music that have caught the ears of many worldwide. Ryan and his group have played with, opened for, and collaborated with artists such as Cabo Frio, Chuck Mangione, Maynard Ferguson, Soulive, Sharon Jones, Gary Clark Jr., and Robert Randolph.
At 4:30 p.m., The Mellow Warblers perform playful renditions of jazz standards and deviations – setting the perfect mood with an ever-mellow attitude. At 5, The Craig Snyder Trio plays a wide variety of jazz-rock material steeped in groove, ensemble unity, and melodic soloing. The Rochester band is fronted by veteran guitarist, teacher, and composer Craig S Snyder. Others include Tony Hiler + Giancarlo, A Tribute to Sam Venuti, Mike Melito Quartet, and the free FLIMA Open Jazz Jam.
On Saturday, April 6, the Greg Lofaro Quartet begins the day at 1 p.m., with the Mike Titlebaum Quartet preceding. Mike directs the jazz studies program at the Ithaca College School of Music, teaching jazz saxophone, arranging, improvisation, and theory. Before teaching, he lived in New York City where he played at the Blue Note, Smalls, Augies, Fez/Time Café, and the legendary CBGB’s. He has performed with dozens of internationally recognized artists and groups including John Hollenbeck, Gary Versace, Branford Marsalis, Jason Robert Brown, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra, and more.
At 3 p.m., the Banjo Juice Jazz band performs an eclectic blend of vintage blues, jazz, and swing. Founded by bandleader, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Tyler Westcott in 2017, the group features musicians from many notable bands. At 4:30, the Swordfish Trio brings a soulful, blues-infused, and high-energy improv experience that takes you on a journey from tight riffs and funky Afrobeat grooves to soulful jazz and subtle bass virtuosity.
At 8, the Bill Tiberio Sextet performs. In his 40th year as a music educator, he has been a band director at Fairport (NY) High School for 36 years, directing two concert bands and three jazz ensembles, and is also an adjunct faculty member at the Eastman Community Music School – directing the Educator Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble and a high school wind ensemble camp. He is an active saxophonist and clarinetist in the Rochester music scene and has recorded four albums with his contemporary jazz quintet, the Bill Tiberio Band.
The final day begins early at 11 a.m. with the Evan Dobbins Quartet feat. Bill Dobbins. At noon, the Dave Solazzo Duo plays modern interpretations of jazz standards and original compositions in the spirit of Oscar Peterson, Keith Jarrett, and Brad Mehldau. Dave Solazzo has been a mainstay of Central New York’s music scene for over two decades, working with artists from a wide mix of genres – jazz, fusion, R&B, and beyond.
At 2 p.m., Dennis Winge + John Viavattine perform, with the Nancy Kelly Quartet following. Over her 40-plus-year career, Nancy Kelly has perfected her signature swing/bop take in front of audiences all over the U.S.A. and abroad. She performs regularly in New York City, including at The Blue Note and Birdland, The Rainbow Room, and Dizzy’s Jazz Club, Lincoln Center. Finally, at 6 p.m., The Pickle Mafia, a dynamic trio from New York, performs their unique brand of Arena Jazz Fusion. The visual appeal the band brings to audiences across the globe is an important element that adds to their musical artistry.
To purchase tickets for the many performances at the Geneva Jazz Festival, visit here.
On an otherwise cold and snowy day, things heated up quickly inside the Westcott Theater on Saturday, as blues rock icon Samantha Fish brought her Bulletproof Tour to Syracuse, with JD Simo served up as the opening act this evening.
Fish, 35, has been a major player on the modern blues-rock scene since launching on to the circuit in 2009. The Kansas City native has become a favorite in the Central New York area, headlining several shows in the area over the last fifteen years. Fish most-notably served as direct support for Buddy Guy at the 2023 New York State Blues Festival, which took place in Syracuse last summer. (Get the scoop on the 2024 lineup here!)
The evening started with a set by blues guitarist, JD Simo, who gifted the early arriving crowd to a set that showcased his diverse style. Showcasing himself as more than just dabbling in blues rock, Simo’s 40-minute set also displayed elements of jazz and psychedelic rock, while performing tracks such as “Mortgage My Soul” off of his 2022 release Songs From the House of Grease.
After a brief set change over, Samantha Fish took to the stage. Armed with her signature cigar-box guitar and flanked by her bandmates, Fish launched in to the high energy “Bulletproof”. Fish paced the stage and took turns showcasing her guitar skills for those on each side of the theater. “The jewelry is coming off!” Fish proclaimed early in the set, hinting to the audience there was much more guitar prowess to come this evening.
Fish dazzled the crowd with her diverse musical catalog. Late in the set, Fish donned an acoustic guitar for three songs (two of which featured Fish on stage, solo). Certainly there are instances in the concert world where this would remove the energy from the venue, however this was not the case on this evening. Fish maintained captive hold of the audience all the while.
After a near 90-minute set, Fish and her bandmates would return to the stage with opener JD Simo. “Let’s party for one more song” Fish would announce, before launching in to “Bitch on the Run”. Fish and Simo would trade guitar solos through out the track while the packed theater took their last opportunity to dance about. Soon the show would be over and the packed theater would spill back out in to the cold Syracuse air.
On Friday, March 22, UK-born singer-songwriter Matt Maltese took the stage at Irving Plaza for his sold-out show as part of his “Touring Just to Tour” NY run. The beautiful stage truly set the vibe of the concert—the lights, the vines, the street lamps—they all created a cozy and whimsical experience that complemented Matt’s soft and buttery vocals.
Matt Maltese — Photographed by Sarah Hyun
Matt Maltese got his start with music in Reading, Berkshire, where as a young kid he took a particular interest in songwriting. Drawing inspiration from the blues and jazz genres, Maltese wrote about heartbreak, falling in love, and the world ending—in a way like no other modern artist. His raw, poetic, and deeply heartfelt lyrics revealed his experiences navigating adolescence and adulthood. Maltese is halfway through his American leg of tour, where he has twelve more dates at venues in Massachusetts to California. He previously played at the Governors Ball Music Festival.
Matt Maltese — Photographed by Sarah Hyun
Prior to Matt’s entrance onto the stage, opener The Army, The Navy, put on a beautiful acoustic show for the crowd of twelve hundred. The pre-show playlist included jazzy background music that excited concertgoers swayed back and forth to. Upon Matt’s entrance, the crowd screamed in excitement. One fan yelled, “Matt you’re so British!,” where he responded with, “Yes, I am very British.”
Matt Maltese — Photographed by Sarah Hyun
During his opening song, “You Deserve an Oscar,” Maltese kept impressive eye contact with the audience as he belted sincere lyrics and beautifully played his piano. Halfway through the show, he played a game with the audience where he asked which out of three statements about his bassist, Jamien, was true—1. He fed his friend’s pet koi fish chips and chili oil, causing them to die; 2. He pretended to be a waiter at a random restaurant in order to get a woman’s number; and 3. He was fired from his ice cream job for using a single spoon to try every flavor there. He later revealed that all three were true.
Jamien Randall Pepper (right) and Madden Klass (left) — Photographed by Sarah Hyun
Towards the end of the show, he played his most well-known song, “As the World Caves In,” singing lyrics like “And here is it, our final night alive / And as the earth runs to the ground / Oh girl it’s you that I lie with / As the atom bomb locks in / Yes it’s you I welcome death with.” Anyone who has listened to Matt Maltese would not deny his true talent in crafting lyrics and melodies.
Matt ended the night with an encore, singing “Strange Time” and “Everyone Adores You (At Least I Do).” Although Matt does not have any New York dates left for this tour, he will likely return during his next run.
Matt Maltese – Irving Plaza – March 22, 2024
Setlist: You Deserve an Oscar, Mother, Irony Would Have It, Curl Up and Die, Hello Black Dog, Little Person, Mystery, Madhouse / Jupiter, Krystal, Krakow, Driving Just to Drive, The Earth is a Very Small Dot, Kiss Me (Sixpence None the Richer Cover), Rom-Com Gone Wrong, Nightclub Love, As the World Caves In / Intolewd
Encore: Strange Time, Everyone Adores You (At Least I Do)
The Syracuse Jazz Festival 2024 lineup has been announced, returning from June 26-30, 2024 with headliners Kenny G, The O’Jays, The Mavericks, and more.
Syracuse Jazz Fest is an annual four-day free admission jazz festival staged outdoors in downtown Syracuse at historic Clinton Square Park and indoors on opening night at various clubs, bars, restaurants, and hotels in Armory Square, Havorver Square, and the Downtown Entertainment District.
The festival kicks off on June 26 from 5-10 p.m. Artists include Marissa Mulder & Jon Weber, Joe Magnarelli Organ Band featuring Akiko Tsuruga, Tish Oney’s Salute to Sarah Vaughan, Wayne Tucker & The Bad Motha’s, Avenue, Sam Wynn’s All-Star Tribute To Donny Hathaway, and so many more.
Thursday, June 27 brings icons to the historic Clinton Square Park, including The Mavericks from 9:30-11 p.m., an Americana music band that originated in the late 1980s in Miami, Florida. The core band today consists of Cuban-American Raul Malo (lead vocals, bass guitar), Paul Deakin (drums), Eddie Perez (lead guitar), and Jerry Dale McFadden (keyboards).
Other artists that day include McKinley James, the Catherine Russel Band, Bill O’Connell’s Latin Jazz All-Stars, and The Katz Pajamas Jazz Band.
The Syracuse Jazz Festival 2024 continues on Friday, June 28 with the SU Student Jazz Combo Orange Juice from 4-4:45 p.m. Other acts include Jane Bunnett & Maqueque, Freda Payne Big Band, Gunhild Carling Big Band, and headliner Kenny G from 9:25-11 p.m.
Kenny G is a living legend and iconic American jazz saxophonist, composer, and producer, and one of the best-selling artists of all time, with global sales totaling more than 75 million records. He is making his third headline appearance at the festival, where he delighted audiences with back-to-back performances in 2012 on the OCC Campus, and in 2013 at the 30th Anniversary edition staged at Jamesville Beach State Park.
The final day begins with the SU Faculty Jazz Ensemble starting at 5 p.m. Other artists include the James Carter Quintet, Gino Vanneli, and headliners The O’Jays. They are an American R&B group from Canton, Ohio, formed in the Summer of 1958 – originally consisting of Eddie Levert, Walter Lee Williams, William Powell, Bobby Massey, and Bill Isles. The O’Jays made their first chart appearance with the “Lonely Drifter” in 1963, and their greatest level of success once the producers Gamble & Huff signed them to their Philadelphia International label in 1972. In 2024, after 66 years of recording, touring, and performing globally, the O’Jays are making The Last Stop on the Love Train.
For more information about Syracuse Jazz Festival 2024, visit here.
Barry Entertainment & Three Chord Bourbon proudly present the 3rd Annual Buffalo Blues & Roots Festival Saturday, April 20, at Buffalo RiverWorks.
This all-day event features the best in national, regional and local blues and roots acts, as well as over 20 local vendors and artisans, food/drinks and more. Some of the acts include Victor Wainwright & The Train, Tas Cru, Miller & The Other Sinners, and more.
The Buffalo Blues & Roots Festival returns for its 3rd year this April. The lineup is hefty with names like Patti Parks, Tonemah, The Growlers, Dave Thurman and more. GRAMMY-nominated Victor Wainwright & The Train see the stage to dazzle and move the audience with their immense soul, and creative fire.
Victor Wainwright & The Train
VIP tickets run for $60, while general admission tickets are selling for $30. For more information on the Blues & Roots Festival and to purchase tickets, click here.
