NYS Music 2024

Category: News Desk

  • Award-Winning Documentary “Swing 46: The Last Swingin’ Supper Club” Screening October 6 in NYC

    Swing 46 in NYC has announced the special screening of award-winning documentary on the venue, titled “Swing 46: The Last Swingin’ Supper Club.” The airing takes place on October 6 at the jazz club itself.

    The famous jazz and supper club Swing 46 prepares to host an honorable screening along with a Q&A session with the filmmaker. The night gives a snapshot of this historic music venue, which has been a home of music, performance, dancing, and memories for decades. The documentary tells the tale of a music venue born out of the retro swing renaissance of the late 90’s, hosting live music, diners, and dancers for nearly three decades.

    The COVID-19 Pandemic has taken its toll on this great music venue which features live music six nights a week, acclaimed food, and a stunning atmosphere that has drawn many globally. A portion of the funds raised will benefit Swing 46’s daily operations and expenses helping to sustain this iconic music and supper club.

    In addition to providing a home to the New York City Swing Dance Community and world
    renowned artists, Swing 46 became a beloved tourist destination, welcoming jazz fans and dancers from around the world. If funding does not become available to help this beloved club pay ongoing bills like rent, utilities, payroll to staff, and other necessities, it will not be able to continue to operate. Swing 46 may be forced to close its doors permanently and NYC will lose another precious live music venue.

    For more information on the impact and magnitude of the jazz club and to purchase tickets to the October 6 event, click here.

  • “La La Land” in Concert Featured at Carnegie Hall in February

    Composer of the Oscar award winning score for acclaimed 2016 film La La Land Justin Hurwitz will be conducting the Wordless Music Orchestra for a once in a lifetime live-to-film concert experience at Carnegie Hall on Saturday, February 1.

    La La Land Concert

    For one night only, the Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall will be hosting award-winning composer Justin Herwitz as he conducts his work for critically acclaimed film La La Land with the Wordless Music Orchestra. A collaboration with Hurwitz Concerts, a company started in 2022 to produce live concerts of Justin Herwitz’s film scores worldwide, the evening is perfect for lovers of La La Land, musical score, and everything in between.

    Most known for his work on the La La Land soundtrack that landed him two Academy Awards, A Golden Globe, and a BAFTA, Justin Herwitz is a longtime collaborator with director Damien Chazelle, scoring each one of his films- Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench, Whiplash, La La Land, First Man, and Babylon, with First Man and Babylon each earning him an additional Golden Globe for Best Original Score respectively.

    The Wordless Music Orchestra is the house band of New York’s Wordless Music series, founded by Ronen Givony. Presenting contemporary and classical concerts around the world, the Orchestra is composed of some of New York’s brightest young musicians who are incredibly familiar with performances of live scoring, with a repertoire including Barry Jenkins’ Moonlight, Paul Thomas Anderson’s Punch-Drunk Love, and Ryan Coogler’s Creed.

    Hurwitz and Wordless Music Orchestra will come together in a swoon-worthy live performance of the La La Land soundtrack in synchronization to the film, which will be shown on a big screen. Beginning at 8:00 PM on Saturday, February 1, this exciting musical movie experience is not to be missed. 

    Tickets prices are tiered, beginning at $59 plus applicable fees. Sales will begin on Friday, September 13 at 11:00 AM EST. For more information and ticket purchasing, please visit here.

  • New York State Blues Festival Returns in 2025

    The annual New York State Blues Festival has been confirmed and will once again return to the Chevy Court in Syracuse from June 12-14, 2025.

    New York State Blues Festival

    The annual free festival will take place on the New York State Fairgrounds (581 State Fair Blvd Syracuse, NY 13209) in mid-June of 2025. This will be the 32nd edition of the festival. Founded in 1992, every year the festival brings thousands of music fans from around New York and beyond to celebrate blues music and culture.

    A diverse line-up of local, regional, and national artists will take to the stage. In the past, acts such as Little Feat, Buddy Guy, Little Steven and The Disciples of Soul, and many more have headlined the festival. A variety of food vendors will be onsite and wine & beer will be sold. Retail & craft vendors will also be set up inside of the festival grounds.

    The team behind the New York State Blues Festival has said, “The mission of the NYS Blues Festival is to preserve, protect and promote blues music and culture. The Syracuse, NY festival entertains while educating on the role of the blues in the development of popular music in the US and around the world.”

    The lineup for this year has yet to be announced. Learn more about the festival here.

  • Eid Fest Comes to the Buffalo Central Terminal September 14

    A celebration of Buffalo’s 50,000+ Bengali people and culture, Eid Fest will bring members of the community and beyond to the grounds of the Buffalo Central Terminal on Saturday, September 14.

    eid fest

    From 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, Central Terminal will be transformed to a celebration of everything Bengali- food vendors, musicians, clothing and jewelry shops, and more. Vendors for the day’s celebrations include food from RFC, clothing from Mimi’s Fashion, jewelry from Mochak Fashion, henna by Farhana Fiha, and much more

    In addition to the shopping and eating opportunities, the soundtrack for the day’s festivities will be provided by artists Moshin Reza, Sabiha Chowdhury, Reni Seddiqui, and Shurojit Roy.

    To join the Eid Fest celebration of all things Bengali community and culture, visit the grounds of Central Terminal at 495 Paderewski Drive, Buffalo on September 14 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. For more information, visit here.

    This event is free and open to all.

  • Troy Savings Bank Music Hall Announces Appointment of Stacey Bridge to Managing Director

    Troy Savings Bank Music Hall has announced the appointment of Stacey Bridge to the position of Managing Director. Stacey’s contributions have been crucial to the growth of several projects presented by the Music Hall.

    Stacey Bridge

    In her new expanded role, Stacey is directly responsible for day-to-day operations in addition to a significant role overseeing the Renaissance 150 expansion project. Stacey Bridge has held a wide range of roles, specializing in finance and operations and has over 25 years of valuable experience in the industry.

    In addition to her role at Troy Music Hall, Stacey currently serves as a Board Member for the Hart Cluett Museum. She is also a member of the Lending Committee of the Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region. 

    The Troy Savings Bank Music Hall has been a prestigious venue for arts and performance in the Capital Region since the late 19th century. Stacey Bridge has played an instrumental role in contributing to the music hall’s projects for the last decade. There is no better acquisition to the music hall than Stacey.

    With the new appointment, the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall looks to expand their prestige and reach even further. Stacey is surely one to contribute to this goal given her experience, capabilities, and prestige herself.

    “We are preparing our organization for its next phase with the arrival of project Renaissance 150 and the opening of the Capital Region Music Hub. As a part of this preparation, Stacey Bridge has been appointed Managing Director of the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall Corporation. Stacey’s contributions have been instrumental in our organization’s growth journey and will continue to be crucial as we move ahead.”

    Jon Elbaum, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall Executive Director

    For more information on Troy Music Hall such as upcoming events, click here.

  • Doom Flamingo and SunSquabi to Co-Headline Putnam Place on Sept 14

    Electric funk group SunSquabi and rock band Doom Flamingo will be performing a co-headlining show at the Putnam Place in Saratoga Springs on September 14, both with 90 minute sets.

    Doom Flamingo SunSquabi

    Bands Doom Flamingo and SunSquabi are teaming up for this double bill show Saturday, September 14. Both incredible performers in their own right, the show is sure to be a sonic adventure.

    The first of two acts for the evening, Doom Flamingo is self-described as “80’s guilty pleasure vampire stripper rock.” Forming through friendships and previous collaborations, the band boasts a multitude of sounds and skills. With an energy that channels Miami Beach poolside lounges and the eerie sounds of old John Carpenter films, Doom Flamingo has carved their own corner of the music world out in the ever-admirable intent of simply making people dance.

    The second act of the evening, SunSquabi has made it a habit to bend the rules of genre and sound to their own will. Best described as an “Electronic Hydro Funk Experience”, SunSquabi offers a unique live performance experience with their improvisational works that are performed so seamlessly it almost feels rehearsed. It’s no wonder why their shows are described as an atmospheric trip through space.

    Tickets for this incredible evening at the Putnam Place are on sale now, priced at $22 in advance or $25 on the day of the show. For more details and ticket purchasing, please visit here.

  • Unreleased Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young “Live at the Fillmore East” Hits in October

    Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young’s 1969 Live at the Fillmore East performances are set to release this October as a double live album. The album boasts recordings from the group’s 1969 concert at the Fillmore East in NYC.

    Crosby Stills Nash and Young Fillmore East

    A newly discovered multi-track recording of the band’s September 20, 1969, concert at the historic Fillmore East in New York City captures an early moment from that first tour is releasing as a double live album on October 25.

    Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young were heavily involved in the creation of this never-before-heard live show. Stills and Young compiled and mixed the original eight-track concert recordings at Sunset Sound Studios in Los Angeles.

    The album was recorded only a month after Woodstock. The concert was the band’s fourth in two days at the Fillmore East and featured both acoustic and electric sets. The setlist spotlights soon-to-be classics from CSN’s self-titled debut and Young’s Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere. “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes,” “Helplessly Hoping,” and “Down By The River” to name a few.

    Stills delivers a stunning solo acoustic performance of his introspective ballad “4 + 20.” Nash follows, alone at the organ, singing “Our House” to its inspiration, Joni Mitchell, who was in the Fillmore audience.

    “Hearing the music again after all these years, I can tell how much we loved each other and loved the music that we were creating. We were four people reveling in the different sounds we were producing, quietly singing together on the one hand, then rocking like f**k for the rest of the concert.”

    Graham Nash

    The electric set is powerful and intense, highlighted by expansive versions of “Wooden Ships,” “Long Time Gone,” and “Sea Of Madness.” The band closes the show with “Find The Cost Of Freedom.” This song by Stills would later be released as the B-side to the protest anthem “Ohio.”

    Live At The Fillmore East, 1969

    LP Tracklist

    Acoustic Set

    Side One

    1. “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes”

    2. “Blackbird”

    3. “Helplessly Hoping”

    4. “Guinnevere”

    5. “Lady Of The Island”

    Side Two

    6. “Go Back Home”

    7. “On The Way Home”

    8. “4 + 20”

    9. “Our House”

    10. “I’ve Loved Her So Long”

    11. “You Don’t Have To Cry”

    Electric Set

    Side One

    1. “Long Time Gone”

    2. “Wooden Ships”

    3. “Bluebird Revisited”

    4. “Sea Of Madness”

    Side Two

    5. “Down By The River”

    6. “Find The Cost Of Freedom”

    CD Tracklist

    Acoustic Set

    1. “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes”

    2. “Blackbird”

    3. “Helplessly Hoping”

    4. “Guinnevere”

    5. “Lady Of The Island”

    6. “Go Back Home”

    7. “On The Way Home”

    8. “4 + 20”

    9. “Our House”

    10. “I’ve Loved Her So Long”

    11. “You Don’t Have To Cry”

    Electric Set

    12. “Long Time Gone”

    13. “Wooden Ships”

    14. “Bluebird Revisited”

    15. “Sea Of Madness”

    16. “Down By The River”

    17. “Find The Cost Of Freedom”

    To pre-order the CD of “Live at the Fillmore East” click here. To learn more about the vinyl record, click here.

  • New York City Opera Installs Constantine Orbelian as Executive Director & Music Director

    The board of New York City Opera announces the appointment of Constantine Orbelian as the organization’s new Executive Director & Music Director. Constantine succeeds General Director Michael Capasso.

    Constantine Orbelian

    Four-time Grammy-nominated conductor Constantine Orbelian has been called “the singer’s dream collaborator” by Opera News. He has toured and recorded with some of the world’s greatest singers, such as American stars Renee Fleming, Sondra Radvanovsky and Lawrence Brownlee. He also toured with the great Dmitri Hvorostovsky and other renowned singers in European, North American, and Asian music centers.

    Orbelian’s accomplishments include being Music Director of the Moscow Chamber Orchestra and the Philharmonia of Russia. He founded the annual Palaces of St. Petersburg International Music Festival and was Chief Conductor of the Kaunas City Symphony Orchestra in Lithuania. He was the first American to become music director of an ensemble in Russia.

    NYC Opera’s 2024-25 season is poised to captivate and inspire with dynamic repertoire that celebrates resilience, history, and community. The season also features the long-awaited revival of William Grant Still’s Troubled Island. It is presented 75 years after its 1949 premiere at City Opera.

    “I am honored and excited to take on the role of Executive Director in addition to my current role as Music Director and Principal Conductor of the New York City Opera, a company with such a rich legacy and profound history in the world of music. This opportunity allows me to blend my passion for artistic excellence with mindful and positive stewardship, ensuring that the cherished traditions of this great institution continue to thrive. Together with this wonderful community, we will embark on a journey that honors the past while boldly shaping the future of this iconic opera company.”

    Constantine Orbelian

    To learn more about NYC Opera’s new executive director and music director Constantine Orbelian, please click here.

  • NY Harvest Fest Returns October 11-13 In Bainbridge

    The 27th Annual NY Harvest Festival & Freedom Fair Returns to the Electric Echo Lake in Bainbridge October 11-13, 2024.

    Originating as a “protestival”, the Harvest Festival is a celebration of cannabis culture and the community it brings. Now, 27 years into the festival, it has grown from an event under the shadow of prohibition to an annual cornerstone of community, togetherness, and all-around good times.

    This year, visitors can expect multiple stages, a diverse musical lineup, a vendor village and fine art gallery, the return of the country’s longest running public and celebrity cannabis and edible cups, workshops, activist and educational speakers, a drum circle, a dedicated kids/family space, a farmer’s market, onsite camping, and much more. 

    The soundtrack for this year’s Harvest Festival will be provided by artists Dr. Jah and The Love Prophets, Black Sabbath Tribute EARTH, Gratefully Yours, Steal Your Face, Grateful Upstate Toodeloo, Ramona Lane, Papa MUSE, Patchwork Down, Spunday Morning, CC-13, Trapper & Friends, and BlahsuM.

    In addition, there will be laser light shows featuring the music of the Grateful Dead, Pink Floyd, and the sounds of Woodstock 1969.

    To learn more and take part in community, education, and celebration, you can visit the Harvest Fest’s website here. Tickets are on sale now.

  • Phish to Play MVP Arena in October; Shows Benefit Divided Sky Residential Recovery Program

    Phish surprised fans today with the announcement of a trio of fall shows at MVP Arena in Albany, slated for Friday, October 25, Saturday, October 26 and Sunday, October 27. The fall weekend shows will benefit The Divided Sky Foundation.

    photo by Derek Java

    Phish has a storied history in Albany, having played 17 shows in the city since 1989, starting at Pauly’s Hotel, and last having played in the Cradle of the Union in 2018. There are of course a history of shows in Saratoga Springs, both at Skidmore along with shows at SPAC, most recently in 2023 when Derek Trucks showed up, which was also a benefit, in that case for flood victims and recovery in Upstate New York and Vermont.

    These October shows, however, will be the first ever three night run for Phish in Albany. Read more in our history of Phish in Albany – Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.

    shirt design by Drew Suto

    100% of profits from the two shows will benefit the Divided Sky Foundation, which was established in 2020 during the Beacon Jams (held by Trey Anastasio at the Beacon Theatre over eight weeks during quarantine), to build and support a residential recovery program created for people who want recovery. With a non-clinical model, Divided Sky Foundation is designed to motivate and inspire without judgment, recognizing that addiction is a disease and not an absence of willpower.

    Housing up to 46 guests, the Divided Sky facility is a newly-remodeled former hotel with a stunning view of nearby Okemo Mountain, offering a non-clinical program anchored in the 12 Steps, emotional sobriety, and mindfulness. The Albany benefit concerts will enable Divided Sky to continue to make its immersive Residential Recovery Program affordable to all, with partial scholarships available to those who demonstrate need. 

    A limited number of complimentary “Gratitude Tickets” will be made available to recovery professionals, recognizing their essential work helping individuals and families affected by addiction. Anyone who works in recovery or a related mental health field may request tickets at DividedSky.org/benefit. (Priority will be given based on geographic location, with an emphasis on New York State and New England.)

    The Phish shows will take place at Albany’s MVP Arena (née Knickerbocker Arena, a.k.a. Pepsi Arena, Times Union Center), in downtown Albany on South Pearl Street. The weekend shows, while just before Halloween, are not implied to suggest any Halloween shenanigans as Phish is known for, but you can never rule out surprises with a pair of fall shows like this.

    A ticket request period is open here until Monday, September 16 at 12pm. Tickets go on sale Friday, September 20, at 12pm. Travel packages are available here starting on September 11. A special pre-show reception will be held on Saturday, October 26. Tickets will be available for this event both during the Phish ticket request period and during the public on-sale.

    Stay tuned for plenty of pre and post-show events lined up for October 25-27 when Phish returns to Albany.