The American Classical Orchestra will perform Bach’s infamous B Minor Mass at the Alice Tully Hall with the Aco Chorus on March 7.
Mass in B Minor, BWV 232 by Johann Sebastian Bach is a musical setting of the complete Latin Mass, the 1749 work includes nine arias and duets, 14 ensemble sections for vocal groups of various sizes, and a range of instrumental solos in numerous styles. The piece is one of Bach’s best-loved vocal works, the B Minor Mass is widely considered to be the crowning achievement of the Baroque era, since he completed it a year before his death in 1750.
The composition as it is known today did not originate as a titled whole in any of Bach’s surviving documents. It was uncovered by his son C.P. E. Bach as a collection of his father’s hand-written scores grouped together inside four folders. The manuscripts were organized in four parts: The Kyrie and Gloria, followed by the Credo, the Sanctus, and Agnus Dei. Once published, the four parts became known as the B Minor Mass. Of note, Bach managed to complete the Mass while nearly blinded by cataracts. He subsequently underwent two unsuccessful eye surgeries using questionable methods, which worsened his condition.
The performance will be directed by the founder and Artistic Director Thomas Crawford who founded two other Connecticut orchestras: the Fairfield Orchestra and the Orchestra of the Old Fairfield Academy, the period instrument offshoot of the Fairfield Orchestra, was later renamed the American Classical Orchestra in 1999. With the Fairfield Orchestra, Crawford conducted the world premiere of Keith Jarrett’s Bridge of Light at Alice Tully Hall, subsequently recorded on the ECM label.
Featured soloists are soprano and crossover artist Kristen Hahn, who recently appeared at the Kennedy Center in Hello Dolly, soprano Nola Richardson, hailed by The NY Times for her “beautiful tone;” countertenor Reginald Mobley, who has forged a stellar career across Baroque and Classical repertoire; noted Bach interpreter tenor Steven Soph, who was praised for his “impressive clarity and color” by the NY Times and Baroque music specialist bass Steven Eddy, a 1st Prize winner of the 2019 Oratorio Society of New York Competition.
Thomas Crawford will lead the American Classical Orchestra (ACO) in a performance of Bach’s monumental B Minor Mass with the acclaimed ACO Chorus at Alice Tully Hall on March 7 and the fans can find tickets at www.aconyc.org, or by calling ACO at (212) 362-2727, ext.4, or by visiting lincolncenter.org or calling CenterCharge at 212.721.6500.
In 1971, harpist/pianist Alice Coltrane performed at Carnegie Hall for a special gala benefiting the Integral Yoga Institute. Backed by an all-star group of musicians, Coltrane delivered a captivating set which will now be available in its entirety for the very first time.
On March 22, Alice Coltrane – The Carnegie Hall Concert (Impulse!), will finally bring the complete document of Coltrane’s Carnegie Hall performance to fans worldwide.
Held four years after John Coltrane’s untimely passing and recorded by Impulse!, this deeply spiritual performance marked Alice’s first as a leader at Carnegie Hall. The concert arrived at a pivotal moment in both Coltrane’s musical career and her spiritual journey. She had just released her fourth solo album, the universally acclaimed Journey in Satchidananda, and had deepened her spiritual quest over a five-week trip to India. Her band that night added two members from her teacher/guru Satchidananda’s circle — Kumar Kramer and Tulsi Reynolds, playing harmonium and tamboura, respectively. They provided a distinctly Eastern flavor to a large jazz ensemble largely comprised of collaborators with her late great husband, sax giant John Coltrane. The group included legendary saxophonists Pharoah Sanders and Archie Shepp, bassists Jimmy Garrison and Cecil McBee and drummers Ed Blackwell and Clifford Jarvis.
Coltrane’s set began with two transcendental tunes from the recently-released Journey in Satchidananda, the title track and “Shiva-Loka.”
The live version of the title tune is the perfect scene setter. It begins with a hypnotic riff by the bass duo of Garrison and McBee, followed by celestial waves of harmonic washes from Coltrane’s harp. Sanders follows with a wonderful flute solo, with hummed and vocalized harmony, before Shepp brings it home with a bluesy, chromatic excursion on his piercing soprano sax. “Shiva-Loka” is another one chord modal romp which gets deeper with each passing minute.. It is underpinned by a repetitive riff which seems a tribute/lift to/from John Coltrane’s “Equinox.” Alice’s harp casts a heavenly backdrop for a skronking sax solo by Sanders and then a thunderous drum duet.
The remaining two tracks, “Africa” and “Leo,” are covers of latter-day classics by her husband John. For these long journeys, Alice is at the piano providing chordal colors and the occasional solos. “Africa” stretches out to 27+ minutes, with another explosive drum duet, bass solos and plenty of frenzied soloing by Sanders and Shepp in the Trane tradition– a sound that closely captures what John and his crew were conjuring on latter-day recordings like “Live in Japan.”
This year Impulse! and Verve Label Group have partnered with The John & Alice Coltrane Home to launch the “Year of Alice,” a year-long celebration of Alice Coltrane’s profound work. At the center of the celebration are Coltrane’s groundbreaking recordings for Impulse!, and the label will be working in tandem with The John & Alice Coltrane Home for varied activations throughout the year. To kick off the year-long celebration, there will be special night of performers and speakers that include Ravi Coltrane, Michelle Coltrane, Brandee Younger and more at the legendary Birdland on February 22.
Blues musician Marcus King has announced the release of his new album titled, Mood Swings releasing April 5. Along with the album, Marcus King plans to tour throughout North America and Europe starting March 7. The tour will kick off at Love Rocks NYC and feature 6 dates in New York State.
New album Mood Swings will feature 11 tracks and will be showcased during the upcoming tour. The album was produced by legendary producer Rick Rubin who says the singing and guitar playing on the album are “from another planet.”
Marcus King is known for his electro drum stomp, his richly soul vocals, and his bluesy, jazzy guitar playing. His new album, however, takes his audience down a new path of sound. King combines elements as diverse as modern pop, R&B, aughts hip hop, piano driven classic rock and the warm production and symphonic instrumentation of classic era soul, R&B and jazz.
The tour will feature six dates in NY including, Manhattan for the Love Rocks NYC benefit, Port Chester, Syracuse, Darien Lake, Albany, and Brooklyn.
Marcus King Mood Swings Tour Dates
March 7, 2024 – Love Rocks NYC – New York, NY
March 9, 2024 – The Capitol Theatre – Port Chester, NY
April 6, 2024 – U.S. Bank Stadium – Minneapolis, MN w/ Chris Stapleton
April 13, 2024 – 10 Annual Major Rager – Augusta, GA
April 19, 2024 – Moon Crush “Pink Moon” Festival – Miramar Beach, FL
May 06, 2024 – The Moore Theater – Seattle, WA
May 07, 2024 – Crystal Ballroom – Portland, OR
May 08, 2024 – Crystal Ballroom – Portland, OR
May 10, 2024 – The Masonic – San Francisco, CA
May 11, 2024 – Grand Sierra Ballroom – Reno, NV
May 14, 2024 – The Wiltern – Los Angeles, CA
May 15, 2024 – The Van Buren – Phoenix, AZ
May 17, 2024 – The Complex – Salt Lake City, UT
May 18, 2024 – Fillmore Auditorium – Denver, CO
May 22, 2024 – The Monument – Rapid City, SD w/ Chris Stapleton
May 24, 2024 – Denny Sanford PREMIER Center – Sioux Falls, SD w/ Chris Stapleton
May 25, 2024 – Harrah’s Stir Cove – Council Bluffs, IA
May 26, 2024 – EPIC Event Center – Green Bay, WI*
May 29, 2024 – The Pageant – St Louis, MO
May 30, 2024 – GLC Live at 20 Monroe – Grand Rapids, MI
May 31, 2024 – Blossom Music Center – Cleveland OH w/ Chris Stapleton
June 01, 2024 – Railbird Festival – Lexington, KY
June 02, 2024 – Salt Shed – Chicago, IL
June 04, 2024 – College Street Music Hall – New Haven, CT*
June 06, 2024 – Freedom Mortgage Pavilion – Philadelphia, PA w/ Chris Stapleton
June 07, 2024 – Jiffy Lube Live – Bristow, VA w/ Chris Stapleton
June 08, 2024 – Landmark Theatre – Syracuse, NY
June 10, 2024 – Ruby Amphitheater – Morgantown, WV*
June 12, 2024 – T-Mobile Center – Kansas City, MO w/ Chris Stapleton
June 13, 2024 – Thunder Ridge Nature Arena – Ridgefield, MO w/ Chris Stapleton
June 14, 2024 – The Criterion – Oklahoma City, OK
June 15, 2024 – Globe Life Field – Arlington, TX w/ Chris Stapleton
July 11, 2024 – Darien Lake Amphitheater – Darien Center, NY w/ Chris Stapleton
July 12, 2024 – The Pavilion at Star Lake – Pittsburgh, PA w/ Chris Stapleton
July 13, 2024 – Palace Theatre – Albany, NY
July 16, 2024 – Egyptian Room – Indianapolis, IN
July 18, 2024 – Huntington Center – Toledo, OH w/ Chris Stapleton
July 19, 2024 – Schottenstein Center – Columbus, OH w/ Chris Stapleton
July 20, 2024 – The Fillmore Detroit – Detroit, MI
September 04, 2024 – Orpheum – Vancouver, BC
September 06, 2024 – Grey Eagle Event Center – Calgary, AB
September 07, 2024 – Midway Music Hall – Edmonton, AB
September 09, 2024 – Burton Cummings Theatre – Winnipeg, MB
September 13, 2024 – Massey Hall – Toronto, ON
September 14, 2024 – London Music Hall – London, ON
September 17, 2024 – Kemba Live! – Columbus, OH
September 19, 2024 – Warner Theatre – Washington, D.C.
September 20, 2024 – Warner Theatre – Washington, D.C.
September 21, 2024 – The Ritz – Raleigh, NC
September 24, 2024 – Avondale Brewing – Birmingham, AL
September 26, 2024 – Riverside Theater – Milwaukee, WI
September 28, 2024 – The Sylvee, Madison, WI
September 29, 2024 – Vibrant Music Hall – Des Moines, IA
October 07, 2024 – Roxian Theatre – McKees Rock, PA
October 09, 2024 – State Theatre – Portland, ME
October 11, 2024 – House of Blues Boston – Boston, MA
October 12, 2024 – The Fillmore – Philadelphia, PA
October 13, 2024 – Brooklyn Paramount – Brooklyn, NY
October 17, 2024 – La Riviera – Madrid, Spain
October 18, 2024 – Sala Apolo – Barcelona, Spain
October 20, 2024 – Fabrique Milano – Milan, Italy
October 21, 2024 – Komplex 457 – Zurich, Switzerland
October 23, 2024 – Le Transbordeur – Lyon, France
October 25, 2024 – Essigfabrik – Cologne, Germany
October 27, 2024 – Markthalle – Hamburg, Germany
October 28, 2024 – De Roma – Antwerp, Belgium
October 29, 2024 – AFAS Live – Amsterdam, Netherlands
October 31, 2024 – Metropol – Berlin, Germany
November 01, 2024 – The Grey Hall – Copenhagen, Denmark
November 03, 2024 – Bataclan – Paris, France
November 05, 2024 – Eventim Apollo – London, UK
November 06, 2024 – Albert Hall – Manchester, UK
November 07, 2024 – Barrowland Ballroom – Glasgow, UK
November 09, 2024 – O2 Institute – Birmingham, UK
November 10, 2024 – The Great Hall – Cardiff, UK
November 12, 2024 – Olympia – Dublin, Ireland
Tickets for Marcus King’s North America dates will be available starting with Citi presale beginning on Monday, February 12. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general on-sale beginning on Friday, February 16 at 10 am at LiveNation.com.
For More information on Marcus King or his upcoming tour, click here.
Bluegrass Hip-Hop group Gangstagrass has released a music video for their latest single, “The Only Way Is Through.” The release of the new video featuring musical icon Jerry Douglas, as well as their recently dropped single is propelling the group forward and further narrowing the gap between bluegrass and hip-hop.
The composition showcases the meshing of expert banjo artistry, dynamic production, and the unique facets of Gangstagrass music. The vocals are whisked through an inspiring chorus, complete with the Lowdown Brass Band on horns.
Gangstagrass was birthed as a studio experiment in 2006 by Brooklyn-based producer Rench. The combination of country/bluegrass vocals, guitar, and hip-hop beats allowed for Gangstagrass to evolve. The group grew into a vibrant and improvisational band, forging unity and creative diversity from the most unexpected of origins.
The group harmonizes an array of talents from Rench, R-SON the Voice of Reason (MC), and Dolio the Sleuth (MC, Vocals), in addition to featuring Dan “Danjo” Whitener (Banjo, Vocals), and B.E. Farrow (Fiddle, Vocals), among other brilliant instrumentalists.
Gangstagrass has culminated various sounds from across the country. The ensemble has skillfully blended the traditional sounds of fiddles and banjos with contemporary hip-hop beats. This unseen blend and innovation have propelled the band to worldwide success.
The music video for the recently released single, “The Only Way Out Is Through” shows the members of the group performing the song whilst facing the camera. Throughout the video, random objects like silly string, paper balls, cardboard, foodstuffs, etc. are being hurled at each person in the spotlight.
The music video is meant to be humorous, wacky, and borderline absurd. The directors of the video, Tough Dumplin and MZ.ICAR did an excellent job at conveying the groups fun spirit and goofy nature, while also showcasing the grand musicianship with the single played throughout.
To learn more about the group Gangstagrass, visit their website here.
A true hootenanny was held in the Catskill town of Olivebridge over February 2-4 at the Ashokan Center’s Winter HOOT. The weekend-long event brought together a diverse crowd of music and arts lovers, taking in the beauty of the Ashokan Center’s idyllic setting, while enjoying sets of music from The Mammals, Lau Noah, Mikaela Davis and Southern Star, Jeremy Schonfeld and many more.
Afternoon Square Dancing – photo by Mickey Deneher
Friday evening’s HOOT festivities started with a delicious dinner shared by Ashokan supporters, family and friends. Jay & Molly delighted a packed audience with storytelling and songs for the duo’s first-ever evening performance at a Hoot. The night concluded with a community jam-along where everyone got a moment to shine and solo in the spotlight with a world-class backup of musical support.
The acoustic stylings of many were heard over the course of Saturday, beginning with Little Roots – music for the kids and parents alike – a Family Square Dance, followed by piano man storyteller Jeremy Schonfeld taking the stage at 2pm. The Evening Bells shared enchanting harmonies in their hour long set, including a unique song from the late Vic Chesnutt.
Mikaela Davis and Southern Star – photo by Mickey Deneher
Rochester’s Mikaela Davis and Southern Star graced the stage for a powerful set of songs, many from their recent release, And Southern Star. A gorgeous set of music unfolded, starting with the first single, “Cinderella,” setting a tone for a smooth, flowing set that varied slightly in tempo but never lost the beauty of harp mixed with a live band including steel pedal, guitar, bass, drums and saxophone. Davis gave a nod to jazz harpist Alice Coltrane, and showed her vocal range on songs “Home in the Country” and “Don’t Stop Now,” the audience of 200 grooving along in their seats. Catch the group on tour with Circles Around the Sun this winter, with shows in Brooklyn, Ithaca and Albany.
With a brisk evening outside, amid fires to warm tots and parents, a set of Catalan guitar music inside featured old-timey songwriter fare from duo Lau Noah. Following this was the crowd being introduced to sponsors of the weekend’s Hoot, naturally in the form of song. “The NYS Music Song” was written last February and performed for the third time ever by The Mammals ahead of their set, in gratitude for NYS Music’s sponsorship of Ashokan Center events.
The Mammals – aptly described on their show poster as “Too rock for the folk show, too folk for the rock show” – were presented as advertised, and as host band, headlined the evening. Full of upbeat Americana and deceptively mellow, The Mammals fall into the Donna the Buffalo subset of the genre, sans accordion.
A brief Pete Seeger history lesson offered an interlude, recognizing the famous former local Hudson Valley resident who wanted to be remembered, above all, for teaching people to sing. With that, the crowd sang along to “I Like the Way it Feels,” to drive home the communal nature of the weekend, giving true surround sound inside the Ashokan Center lodge.
The Mammals – photo by Mickey Deneher
After Storey Littleton’s midnight set, Sunday began with a revitalizing yoga session lead by Sara Trapani – Ashokan’s Development Director – and an Ashokan tradition to sign off every program and camp with a community sing and “Ashokan” Farewell.Â
The Ashokan Center’s Winter Hoot was a rousing success from the smiles on all the faces of all ages across the room each day. Don’t miss the Summer Hoot this coming August!
The sixth annual Ithaca Reggae Fest returns to Stewart Park from June 21-22. With a wide range of activities and music, the festival is dedicated to the protection of Cayuga Lake through a conscious celebration of Ithaca’s legendary reggae community and its history.
Kicking off the weekend this year is the Puerto Rican king of smooth dub beats Pachyman, with his live band. There will also be an opening set from Ithaca Reggae Fest original team member DJ ha-MEEN spinning some lively tunes to get things started at the free Friday Welcome Party. Spin magazine cites Pachyman as “a breezy, fun-loving, and freedom-seeking artist… His works are a well sonically seasoned mix, in which his Puerto Rican roots shine bright.”
The big day Saturday, June 22 begins with setting the intention with an interactive yoga workshop led by the Yoga Farm before celebrating Cayuga Lake with a cultural celebration led by the Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫʼ. The music gets going on Saturday with Ithaca’s own Ghanian-led roots reggae favorites, Mosaic Foundation, followed by the lively and big sound of Syracuse’s own, Root Shock. As the sun goes down, Jamaica’s living legend and first female dancehall DJ & writer/singer of the top sampled reggae song of all time Sister Nancy performs.
Also, festival co-founder Kevin Kinsella reunites with the internationally renowned and legendary Ithaca-based pioneering reggae band he started – John Brown’s Body – for a once-in-a-lifetime experience on the shores of Cayuga Lake.
Tickets are on sale now at Advance Rate 1 so purchase yours today before prices increase to Advance Rate 2 on April 23!
Usher has announced his nationwide “Past, Present, Future” tour, featuring four nights at Barclays Center on Sept. 6, 7, 9, and 10.
The tour announcement comes just days ahead of the multi-platinum-selling artist to headline the Apple Music Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show on Feb. 11 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
With the new tour dates, Usher will also release his ninth studio album titled Coming Home on February 9. Coming Home is the singer’s first solo album in nearly eight years since Hard II Love (2016) and his first studio album in six years since A (2018), marking the longest gap between the two albums. The album will be his first independent album and will feature collaborations with Burna Boy, Summer Walker, 21 Savage, Latto, The-Dream, H.E.R, Pheelz, and Jungkook from BTS.
The “Caught Up” singer first released his self-titled debut album in 1994 at the age of sixteen and rose to fame in the late 1990s following the release of his second album My Way (1997). His third album, 8701 (2001), saw continued success with the number-one singles “U Remind Me” and “U Got It Bad”, as well as the top-three single “U Don’t Have to Call”. It sold eight million copies worldwide and won the artist his first two Grammy Awards as Best Male R&B Vocal Performance in 2002 and 2003.
In addition to music, Usher has made numerous TV and film appearances, including as a Guest judge on Star Search in 2003 and also the iconic cameo as himself in the 2019 film Hustlers directed by Lorene Scafaria. He holds an entire strip club in his thrall, his song “Love in the Club” playing as he lavishes attention on the dancers. His 2022 NPR Tiny Desk Concert gained over 20 million views, making it one of the series’ most popular installments.
Since he made his professional debut, Usher has achieved nine No. 1 singles and released eight studio albums. His 2004 hit track “Confessions Part II” was crowned by Rolling Stone as the “best R&B song of the 21st century.” His 2004 album Confessions, achieved the highest certification from the Recording Industry Association of America, Diamond, as it surpassed 10 million sales in 2008, which made him the first and last R&B artist since Stevie Wonder, whose 1976 album Songs in the Key of Life was certified in 2005, to receive this distinction. He’s also the last Black artist in any genre to achieve this.
Tickets for his “Past, Present, Future” Tour will begin on February 7. Additional pre-sales will be available throughout the week ahead of the general on-sale beginning on February 12 at LiveNation.com
Usher: Past Present Future North America Tour Dates:
Tue Aug 20 – Washington, DC – Capital One Arena
Wed Aug 21 – Washington, DC – Capital One Arena ADDED DATE
Fri Aug 23 – Baltimore, MD – CFG Bank Arena ADDED DATE
Sat Aug 24 – Baltimore, MD – CFG Bank Arena
Tue Aug 27 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
Wed Aug 28 – Boston, MA – TD Garden ADDED DATE
Fri Aug 30 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center
Sat Aug 31 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center ADDED DATE
Mon Sep 02 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
Tue Sep 03 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
Fri Sep 06 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center
Sat Sep 07 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center
Mon Sep 09 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center ADDED DATE
Tue Sep 10 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center ADDED DATE
Thu Sep 12 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena
Fri Sep 13 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena ADDED DATE
Tue Sep 17 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena
Wed Sep 18 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena ADDED DATE
Sat Sep 21 – Los Angeles, CA – Intuit Dome
Sun Sep 22 – Los Angeles, CA – Intuit Dome
Tue Sep 24 – Los Angeles, CA – Intuit Dome ADDED DATE
Wed Sep 25 – Los Angeles, CA – Intuit Dome ADDED DATE
Sat Sep 28 – Oakland, CA – Oakland Arena
Sun Sep 29 – Oakland, CA – Oakland Arena
Fri Oct 04 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center
Sat Oct 05 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center ADDED DATE
Mon Oct 07 – Austin, TX – Moody Center ATX
Tue Oct 08 – Austin, TX – Moody Center ATX ADDED DATE
Fri Oct 11 – Miami, FL – Kaseya Center
Sat Oct 12 – Miami, FL – Kaseya Center
Mon Oct 14 – Miami, FL– Kaseya Center ADDED DATE
Thu Oct 17 – Atlanta, GA– State Farm Arena
Fri Oct 18 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
Sun Oct 20 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena ADDED DATE
Tue Oct 22 – Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center
Wed Oct 23 – Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center ADDED DATE
Fri Oct 25 – St Louis, MO – Enterprise Center ADDED DATE
Sat Oct 26 – St Louis, MO – Enterprise Center
Mon Oct 28 – Chicago, IL – United Center
Tue Oct 29 – Chicago, IL – United Center
Thu Oct 31 – Chicago, IL – United Center ADDED DATE
The Hip-Hop Education Center and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (LCPA) will present the inaugural Fresh, Bold & So Def Symposium: A Tribute to Women in Hip-Hop on April 5 at the Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall. This will be the first conference of the three-part series that will spotlight the often-unsung heroines who have played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of Hip-Hop culture.
The mission of the Hip-Hop Education Center is to empower individuals and communities by catalyzing social change and equity through research, curated curricula, collaborative programming, career and leadership training, and the development of a living archive.
The Fresh, Bold & So Def Symposium aims to showcase the rich tapestry of talent and innovation that these trailblazing women offers in a male-dominated industry as a means of empowering future and seasoned artistic leaders to push Hip-Hop culture forward with new perspectives and daring insight, backed by prominent leaders in the community.
“The Hip-Hop Education Center is extremely proud to elevate the achievements and contributions of women in Hip-Hop at one of the most prestigious performing arts institutions in our country,” Martha Diaz, the Chief Curator for Hip-Hop Education Center shared, “Having a platform where our history is honored and can be shared, documented, and made accessible to the masses is not only monumental, it is empowering!” She added.
B Girl G.I.Jane
The morning sessions will focus on mostly educating local high school students on the elements of Hip-Hop culture through hands-on workshops, a career cipher, and more, while the afternoon symposium, tailored to industry professionals, will offer panel discussions, fireside chats, performances, and networking opportunities.
The inaugural celebration will include over seven different panels that will include the DiSRUPTERS: Women Who Dare To Be Different, the first panel moderated by author and journalist Kathy Iandoli on paving new career pathways with trailblazers Erica Ford, founder of violence prevention organization LIFE Camp, also a renowned graffiti artist and designer Claw Money, legendary DJ and radio host Jazzy Joyce, and Rosa Clemente, the first Afro-Latina to run for Vice-President of the United States on the Green Party ticket.
BOSS UP! The Art of Negotiation, will be a lecture with Wendy Day, the founder of the Rap Coalition, a not-for-profit organization helping artists navigate the industry more advantageously. GAME CHANGERS: Trailblazer Mentoring The Next Generation of Girls & Women in Hip-Hop, featuring legendary stylist and fashion designer Misa Hylton of Misa Hylton Fashion Academy, Tiffany Miranda of Girls Make Beats, Ladies of Hip-Hop founder Michele Byrd-McPhee, music industry veteran Sophia Chang of Unlock Her Potential, and Shyvonne Sanganoo of Lower East Side Girls Club.
Straighten Your Crown: Staying Grounded and Centered in Self-care, a fireside chat with artist and Hip-Hop ambassador Toni Blackman and music industry executive Shanti Das on how community and mental health affect quality of life
Blow the Whistle: Culture Shifting Women, will be a panel discussion on navigating misogyny in the culture with filmmaker and scholar Rachel Raimist, pioneering MC and author Sheri Sher of the Mercedes Ladies, Elizabeth Mendez-Berry, Vice President and Executive Editor of One World, May Praseuth, Founder and Executive Director of The Good Foot Arts Collective, Juana Sperling of female rap group JJ Fad, and writer and producer Kim Osorio
Mic Check: First Ladies Cypher, a fireside chat with pioneering MCs Sha-Rock, Pebblee Poo, Debbie D, and Lisa Lee, moderated by Martha Diaz
The award winning journalist Dr. Joan Morgan will present Hip-Hop Feminist Futurism and later fans will be able to participate in workshops rooted in breaking, beat-making, graffiti, and oral history with Community for Urban Dance & Art, Girls Make Beats, Ladies Love Project, and Lower East Side Girls Club. The panel will host performances by Ladies of Hip-Hop and Full Circle Souljahs of world-renowned Hip-Hop dance duo Kwikstep and Rokafella.
Fresh, Bold & So Def Symposium will take place on April 5, 2024, inside Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall. Tickets are Choose-What-You-Pay and go on sale on February 22, and fans can view the full schedule by visiting LincolnCenter.org/SoDef.
Jonathon Linaberry’s stage name, The Bones of J.R. Jones, conjures a haunting image that sets a melancholic tone fitting for the depths of his latest album, Slow Lightning. Linaberry’s first full-length release in five years, and the deluxe version, out February 9, plunges listeners deeper with covers of Bruce Springsteen’s “My Hometown” and a Bones of J.R. Jones original “Out For Blood.”
Linaberry’s cover of Springsteen’s 1985 hit “My Hometown” sets a clear expectation for the mood of the fourteen-track album. A heavy song to begin with, Slow Lighting’s producer Paul Kolderie substitutes lap steel for Roy Bittan’s Nord synthesizer, adding an atmosphere of pastoral mournfulness that makes sense for an artist from the farmlands of Delhi, New York. The wailing lap steel leads to a cinematic arrangement that rolls out of speakers in a dense fog.
Strong arrangements are a hallmark of Slow Lightning. The album sounds larger, and if you close your eyes, it’s easy to imagine a larger room of musicians playing whatever they have on hand, from steel top resonator guitar to a washboard. From its sound alone you would never expect that the titular artist is just one man, that is a credit to expert production from Linaberry and Kolderie who created a seamless soundscape for the album
“Blue Skies” exemplifies this bucolic folk sound. Through a reverberating banjo twang Linaberry’s echoes lyrics that come to a tragic climax of despair, overcoming a prayer for better days and blue skies. In the video for his 2023 Tiny Desk Contest Submission, Linaberry is joined by dual backup vocalists Hannah Milnes and Maggie McDowell who add a harmonic nature to the song.
With the exception of a few tempo-pushing moments, this is not an album you will dance to. While the album’s opening track, “Animals” has an upbeat, soulful groove, these songs sound more fitting for contemplation than celebration. A long drive through a sun-soaked countryside is a fitting place for this album, which presents itself as too dour to be enjoyed over a few drinks with some friends.
Slow Lightening is an album loaded with heartbreak. The lyrics echo with lovesick despair through lines like ‘All my love, Pouring out of my eyes, Is drowning me tonight’ on “Heaven Help Me” and ‘You ain’t good for me, And you ain’t ever gonna be, But I ain’t through with you’ from “I ain’t through with you.”
Misery Loves Company spoke Mephastophilis, so there must be a catharsis in repeating “love is the kind of thing that will keep you warm” alongside strangers. Maybe at Bones of J.R. Jones broken hearts come together to reform. Linaberry’s skillful guitar playing and melodic delivery certainly give you reason to believe.
Tickets for The Bones of J.R. Jones tour are available now.
On January 13, Empire Live hosted the first-ever Extreme Music Awards 2024, announcing winners in 22 categories. Albany became a headbanger’s paradise as the elite of the Capital Region’s heavy music scene descended upon it in waves.
Extreme Music Awards 2024 – Empire Live – Photo by Jon Monaghan
From up-and-coming talent to wild antics in the mosh pit, the EMAs celebrated the diversity of heavy music in Upstate New York in style. Additionally, the evening was made extra special by a star-studded lineup of presenters. The night finished with an incredible all-star jam that rocked Empire Live to its core. The EMAs made a huge mark in the Capital Region music scene with their booming debut.
The Black Carpet – Extreme Music Awards 2024 – Photo by Stephanie J. Bartik – IG: @nyrockstarphotographer @518scene)
Reflecting on the eight-month journey that became the EMAs, Brendan Manley looked back, measuring success by the beaming faces, including organizers, presenters, performers, nominees, and audience. The smiles were the real currency of the evening, perfectly capturing the spirit behind the creation of the EMAs.
Ralph Renna, a force in the local music scene, praised the teamwork that made the EMAs possible.
“It took five forces in the local music scene to get it together: myself, Mike Valente, Art Fredette, Fuzz and Brendan Manley. It also took the support of the music scene that we’ve all been involved in for more than 30 years, which got right behind us. I honestly thought there was too much hype behind this whole thing; that it wouldn’t come off the way we expected. It exceeded all our expectations, and we are already working on 2025. We don’t do this for a paycheck. We do this for the love of heavy metal, hardcore and punk rock in Upstate NY.”
Ralph Renna
The Extreme Music Awards 2024 have not only made an impact on the local music scene, but have also set the stage for an even more remarkable chapter in 2025. The Capital Region’s heavy music scene is expected to experience many groundbreaking events in the future thanks to the passion of all those involved.
For more information and post-event coverage, click here.
The Extreme Music Awards Winners
Best Death Metal Band – Skinless
Best Black Metal Band – Malefic
Best Doom/Goth/Stoner Band – Gozer
Best Power Metal Band – Frozen Sun
Best Prog/Math Metal Band – The Phoenix and the Raven
Best Hair/Glam/Sleaze Band – The Erotics
Best Thrash Metal Band – Faced
Best Grindcore Band – Escuela Grind
Best Metalcore Band – Downswing
Best Punk Band – The Hauntings
Best Hardcore Band – Violent By Design
Best Hardcore Beatdown Band – Wrong Move
Best Hardcore Punk Band – Murderer’s Row
Best Metal Video – Downswing (“Bound To Misery”)
Best Live Performance – Joe Mansman and the Midnight Revival Band
Most Brutal Mosh Pit – Invoke Thy Wrath
Best Merch – Alloy Reign
Album of the Year – Blackbraid – (Blackbraid II)
Lifetime Achievement Award – Bob Riley (Murderer’s Row)
Best New Band – Flatwounds
Best Veteran Band – The Erotics
Most Influential Musician – Jason Bittner (Overkill)
