Renowned jazz vocalist Nancy Kelly will inaugurate the Jazz at Richardson Jazz series in Buffalo on Aug 16. Her performance will be inside the Richardson Hotel as part of the “pre-fall” preview performance. Thus Kelly will sing alongside a band including saxophonist Jerry Weldon, organist Dino Losito, and drummer Carmen Intorre, Jr.
Nancy Kelly began her career in her hometown of Rochester.
Namely, Kelly started her career in her hometown of Rochester, NY studying piano, clarinet and voice at the Eastman School of Music. She became a house singer at Jewels, a jazz venue in Philadelphia. Currently, she often appears in other iconic venues such as Birdland, The Blue Note and The Rainbow Room all in NYC.
Moreover, she performs in clubs in Los Angeles, Miami and even around the world including France, Switzerland and Turkey just to name a few. She’s released chart topping recordings and in 2020, she was inducted into the Rochester Music Hall of Fame.
Markedly, Jazz at Richardson is the “central hub” for jazz within the buffalo music scene. It is JazzBuffalo’s collaboration with the Richardson Hotel and the Douglas Development Corporation, inviting artists to perform indoors and outdoors at the hotel. JazzBuffalo or Greater Buffalo Jazz Society, mission is to make more performances like this possible. The non-profit organization has continued to build a new jazz audience since it was founded in 2011.
To purchase tickets to the star-studded performance, you can purchase tickets on eventbrite.
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.
Five For Fighting kicked off Independence Day with a performance on Live With Kelly and Mark at “Live’s 4th of July Family Party” in New York City. In addition the Grammy-nominated soft-rock star has announced an upcoming 4-month nationwide tour beginning in July until October. Moreover the tour will be split into two separate legs; a full-band Tour and a string quartet leg of the tour.
John Ondrasik’s top-40 Billboard hit “Superman” earned him a Grammy nomination in 2002. Credit: Nikolai Puc
FFF — also known as John Ondrasik — will be joined by experienced banmadates; drummer Randy Cooke, bassist Sean Hurley, and guitarist Peter Thorn for the first 2 months of the tour. Comparatively he will be joined by the likes of violinist Melissa Tong –who toured with Post Malone in 2023, Tony-winner Katie Kresek on violin, Broadway’s own Chris Cardona on viola and cello player Peter Sachon for the tours finals two-months. Markedly FFF’s eclectic style has brought out a wide-arrange of highly decorated performers.
“If it’s summer, the Five for Fighting rock band is back in the bus! It’s always a thrill for me to play with such amazing musicians, Pete, Randy, and Sean,” said Ondrasik. “We look forward to playing songs people know and love and some of the newer songs like ‘OK (We Are Not Ok)’ and telling some stories along the way. See you this summer!”
– John Ondrasik
All dates for the Full Band and String Quartet shows are listed below. For more information and tickets, as well as to request a show, visit Five For Fighting’s website linked here.
FIVE FOR FIGHTING FULL BAND TOUR DATES:
Thus, July 11: Hot Summer Nights Concert Series @ Municipal Lawn in Sherman, TX (Free Show)
Saturday, July 27 @ Mystic Lake Casino, Mystic Amphitheater in Prior Lake, MN (Free Show)
Tuesday, August 6 @ Ardmore Music Hall in Ardmore, PA
Thus, August 8 @ Electric City in Buffalo, NY
Friday, August 9, 2024 @ House of Blues, Cambridge Room in Cleveland, OH
Saturday, August 10, 2024 @ St. Andrew’s Hall in Detroit, MI
Sunday, August 11, 2024 @ Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, MI
Tuesday, August 13, 2024 @ Lincoln Theatre in Washington, DC
Wednesday, August 14, 2024 @ Oceanfront Concerts Series, 24th Street Park in Virginia Beach, VA
Friday, August 16, 2024 @ Cabot Theater in Beverly, MA
Saturday, August 17, 2024 @ The Wolf Den At Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT (Free Show)
Sunday, August 18, 2024 @ Tarrytown Music Hall in Tarrytown, NY
Five For Fighting Quartet Shows
Thus, September 26, in Homer, NY, at the Center for the Arts of Homer
Fri, September 27, in Saratoga Springs, NY, at Universal Preservation Hall
Sat, September 28, in Corning, NY, at Corning Museum Of Glass
Sun, September 29, in Bethel, NY, at The Event Gallery at Bethel Woods
Tuesday, October 1 in Oneonta, NY, at Foothills Performing Arts Center
Thursday, October 3 in Nashua, NH, at Nashua Center for the Arts
Friday, October 4 in Laconia, NH, at The Colonial Theatre Laconia
Saturday, October 5 in Bethlehem, NY, at The Colonial Theatre
Sunday, October 6 in Waterville, ME, at Waterville Opera House
Tuesday, October 8 in Newport, RI, at The JPT Film & Event Center
Wednesday, October 9 in Red Bank, NJ, at Count Basie Center for the Arts – The Vogel
Thursday, October 10 in Port Washington, NY, at Landmark on Main Street
The fourth edition of the Summer Gods Tour 2024 with Arizona, Yellowcard and the headliner Third Eye Blind took action at the Darien Lake Amphitheater on July 3.
The evening at Darien Lake opened up with pop rock and electropop band Arizona carrying out a sensational performance, warming up the crowd and they handed over to the 90’s rock band Yellowcard.
“Lights and Sounds” was the opening song from Yellowcard, greeted by fans. Punk rock music stirred up the crowd as they played “Cut Me, Mick”, “Southern Air”, “One Bedroom”, “Keeper”, “The Hurt Is Gone”, “Lift a Sail”. They ended the show with “Ocean Avenue”, set the audience to enjoy the head liner Third Eye Blind.
Third Eye Blind, fronted by Stephan Jenkins, showcasing their musical talent and fascinating stage performance. Opening with iconic song “Motorcycle Drive By”, the band instantly had the crowd singing along the lyrics. After they performed “Shipboard Cook”, the band took a short break to start an acoustic session.
Jenkins played an acoustic solo after the song “Slow motion”, and Brad, the drummer, played awesome drum solo at the end of the song “Jumper”. As they ended the show with “How’s It Going To Be”, the crowd erupted into cheers, marking the end of a memorable evening.
Summer Gods Tour with Third Eye Blind, Yellowcard and Arizona will keep taking these amazing bands across the country. More info can be found here.
Third Eye Blind Setlist: Motorcycle Drive By, Dust Storm, Never Let You Go, Narcolepsy, The Kids Are Coming(To Take You Down), Wolf Like Me/ Company of Strangers, Graduate, Wounded, Weightless / Faster / Water Landing, Shipboard Cook, The Background(Acoustic), Palm Reader(Acoustic), Slow Motion(Stephan Solo Acoustic), Jumper (Brad Drum Solo at end), Semi-Charmed Life Encore: How’s it Going to Be
Yellowcard Setlist: Lights and Sound, Cut Me, Mick, Only One, Southern Air, Transmission Home, One Bedroom, Lift a Sail, Childhood Eyes, Keeper, Be The Young, The Hurt Is Gone, Ocean Avenue.
Ned Evett, a pioneer in the world of fretless guitarists, makes his return to upstate New York for the first time in over two decades this August.
Evett kicks off a string of live performances with a live concert at the Westcott Theater in Syracuse, on August 6. Immediately following, is his show at The Lounge at Revolution Gallery on August 7. Evett finishes off his New York stops with a live show at the Spirit Room in Rochester.
Over the last two decades, Ned Evett has cemented himself as an influential figure in the world of guitar players. In the early 1990s, Evett smashed his guitar after playing a show and handcrafted his own fretless guitar. Since then, Evett has mastered the style of fretless playing, which requires an immense understanding of the instrument’s sound and impeccable perfect pitch.
During his career, Evett has performed in over 30 countries with hundreds of touring artists, including Joe Satriani, Leon Russell, Kansas, Eric Johnson, George Thorogood, and John Scofield. Despite his extensive touring history, he has not made a return to upstate New York in over two decades. His name might be familiar to longtime guitar fans in the region, though. In 2003, Evett won the North American Rock Guitar Competition at the University of Buffalo. Since then, Evett has received massive critical acclaim. Described by Guitar Player magazine as “the world’s first fretless guitar rockstar” and dubbed “the king of the glass-necked guitar” by USA Today, Evett is the inventor of the glass-necked fretless guitar and the glass slide capo.
Evett will perform in a trio, with Rochester-based Steve Imburgia on drums and percussion and Brian Barr on bass for the New York shows. He will perform songs from his forthcoming record, Strange Kind of Freedom, which is set to release on November 8, as well as several fan favorites from his 12 prior solo releases.
Information for the New York shows are listed below.
Aug. 7 — Buffalo @ The Lounge at Revolution Gallery tickets: free doors: 5:30 p.m. show: 6 p.m. start address: 1419 Hertel Ave, Buffalo, NY 14216
Aug. 8 — Rochester @ The Spirit Room doors: 7 p.m. show: 8:30-10:30 p.m. address: 139 State St., Rochester, NY 14614
8/2 Friday Syracuse NY Funky Town Comics & Vinyl 8/6 Tuesday Syracuse NY The Lounge at Revolution Gallery 8/7 Wednesday Buffalo NY Iron Works 8/8 Thursday Rochester NY The Spirit Room 11/8 Friday Okinawa Japan Kadena Festival 11/14 Thursday San Pedro CA Alvas Showroom 11/16 Saturday Mill Valley CA Sweetwater Saloon 11/23 Saturday Boise ID Sapphire Room
Any additional information and tickets are available on Ned Evett’s website linked here.
Organizers for Buffalo’s Music is Art festival have announced the event’s relocation to the Outer Harbor. This move is the second time the festival has changed venues this year. The concert will take place on Saturday, September 21st.
The Music is Art festival began in 2003 in North Buffalo. Led by Goo Goo Dolls bassist Robby Takac, the festival board has continually worked with volunteers and local organizations to hold the event. Since its start, Music is Art’s goal has been to “encourage people to find their musical voice [and] think about how music touches their lives.”
Previously, Buffalo Riverworks and the neighboring Riverfest Park had hosted the festival. However, in early Spring 2024, the festival organizers announced that the festival would return to North Buffalo. This move had the Buffalo AKG and Buffalo State University hosting. Despite initial enthusiasm for this move, issues quickly began to arise.
In an Instagram post, Takac announced “After months of planning, Music is Art Festival organizers and AKG staff have agreed that too many challenges stand in the way of presenting our annual music festival on the grounds of Buffalo’s AKG and Buffalo State University without compromising the energy and character of the event.”
As a result of these challenges, the Music is Art festival will move to Buffalo’s Outer Harbor. The Outer Harbor hosts Buffalo’s newest concert venue Terminal B, as well as a large lakeside lawn to hold concerts. Despite the change of venue, the festival organizers will continue to work with the AKG and BSU to showcase local artists. With this change in location, festival organizers are “filled with excitement and anticipation for what this yearâs festival will bring.”
The Outer Harbor will host Music is Art on Saturday, September 21st from 11am-11pm. Across its 17 acres, the festival will host 26 concert stages with over 200 performers. The artist lineup has not yet been announced. In addition to musical performance, the festival will also feature visual artists, food trucks, local vendors, and more. These activities ensure MIA’s mission of being “a beacon of artistic expression and a truly inclusive cultural gathering in Buffalo showcasing the vibrant energy and diverse talents of the local and regional art and music scene” as per executive director Tracy Fletcher.
Admission for Music is Art is free for all guests. Additionally there will be both free and paid parking options, shuttle services, and bike accommodations. To learn more, visit the Music is Art website here.
A night of country music at Artpark amphitheater, Orville Peck, accompanied by the Goldie Boutilier and The War And Treaty, graced the stage on July 1. Where everyone felt like an outlaw cowboy for the night.
Orville Peck
Goldie Boutilier, a Canadian singer-songwriter, started the evening as one of the two opening acts for the night. Goldie has a unique sound blends country and a hint of Americana with alternative music. Although this may not seem like a good combination, Goldie can pull it off and stand out from the rest of the genre. She sang all her hits on her set, from Body Heat and The Actress to her most famous song, Cowboy Gangster Politician. From the moment she took the stage, She had the crowd on her side.
Goldie Boutilier
The second opener of the night was The War And Treaty, a husband-and-wife duo of Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Blount. Michael and Tanya were so much fun to watch perform. Seeing them be silly with each other while performing was refreshing and cute. The duo brought so much soul into their set that you felt every lyric they sang. They performed Hey Driver, a Zach Bryan song that they are featured on. After these amazing openers, the crowd was ready for the main act.
Orville Peck took the stage as the sun set, bringing a contagious energy from when he appeared. He had a fantastic stage presence and kept the crowd entertained from start to finish. One thing that stood out was his gesture of giving roses to people in the crowd who caught his attention, whether it was for their outfits or for singing and dancing during the set. It was a friendly reminder that he was genuinely engaged with the crowd and noticed everything.
The War And Treaty, Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Blount
Peck performed songs from his previous albums, Pony and Bronco, as well as his latest album Stampede. A highlight of his performance was covering “Cowboys Are Frequently, Secretly Fond of Each Other,” a song he had previously recorded with Willie Nelson.
By the end of the night, I truly felt like an outlaw cowboy with the amount of country music I’d listened to. I’m not a huge country fan, but truthfully, by the end of the night, all three of these artists may have turned a new leaf for me. I’m starting to like country music just a little bit more than before.
Orville Peck setlist: Big Sky, Turn to Hate, Roses Are Falling, The Hurtinâ Kind, Câmon Baby, Cry, No Glory in the West, Hexie Mountains, How Far Will We Take It?, Conquer the Heart, Drive Me, Crazy, Blush, The Curse of the Blackened Eye, Lafayette, Any Turn, Cowboys Are Frequently Secretly Fond of Each Other (Willie Nelson cover), Outta Time, Kalahari Down, Dead of Night, Daytona Sand Encore: Bronco
Upstate meets the boroughs in this latest track between New York mainstays. 38 Spesh and Grafh team-up with Talib Kweli and Halie Supreme on “Right Now.” The first single from the duo’s upcoming collaborative album, God’s Timing.
Grafh and Talib Kweli go back-and-forth on “Right Now.”
“Right Now” is an ode to hip hop‘s backpack era with the drums as laidback and soothing as the lyrics are ferocious. Grafh and Kweli take turns attacking the track as their verses sees them have a career full-circle moment and acknowledge their place in hip hop while giving haters and doubters a piece of their mind. Additionally, Halie Supreme’s bridge and background vocals aide in the record’s ambience and add to the record’s intellect, providing a soothing backdrop to the hard-hitting lyrics and flow.
Set for release on July 26, God’s Timing features production in its entirety by 38 Spesh. With the Rochester native also providing several verses. The project also includes appearances from Jim Jones, Talib Kweli, Method Man, Vado, Freeway, Memphis Bleek and Peedi Crakk.
Moreover, “Right Now” showcases 38 Spesh’s versatility as a producer. After all on this latest track his slower, sample-heavy production gives way to a more upbeat, minimalist style. With Spesh curating his sound to mesh with Kweli, the possibilities are endless with the remaining features.
Dispatch performed on a cloudy summer evening at Artpark on Friday, June 28. Thousands gathered at the outdoor venue, located on the edge of the Niagara Gorge to see Dispatch, a band that performs a mixture of indie, reggae, rock and folk. Stolen Gin opened the show.
Stolen Gin has been around for 5 years and they are known for indie, pop, funk and rock, said the drummer, Josh. This is their first show touring with Dispatch in 2024. Stolen Gin gave the crowd a unique taste of their music throughout the show and set the stage for the Dispatch.
As the sun went down, Dispatch took the stage as the gentle breeze carried into the crowd. They seamlessly transitioned between genres, and the band members swapped instruments throughout their set. The memorable moment was when Brad Corrigan wrote a song about the moon on the stage after he saw the street light and thought that it was a full moon. The lyrics went “I see three moons, maybe four. There are more coming for more, we eat berries in the woods”. He said I will keep working on that song until we all sing together. Fans were singing along and dancing along as they played their iconic songs “The General”, “Bang Bang”, “Only The Wild Ones” and “Bond By Love”. Dispatch ended the show with a Birthday song for the band member Matt Embree who play guitar and bass.
Dispatch will continue their US tour throughout 2024. They will come back to the gorgeous vanue Artpark to singalong with their audience in near future.
Westside Gunn keeps making wrestling cool again. The FlyGod made an appearance on All Elite Wrestling Collision at Buffalo’s KeyBank Center. The episode — taped on Wednesday but aired this past Saturday night — saw WSG come out in support of Swerve Strickland, iced out and decked in a print of the AEW world champion’s bloody face from his wrestling inspired Fourth Rope brand. The Buffalo native served as part of Strickland’s corner during his weigh-in with Will Ospreay ahead of their heavyweight title bout at AEW Forbidden Door on Monday night at UBS Arena.
Westside Gunn came out to a big pop on AEW Collision. Photo: X/@wwerealone
However, despite coming out to a big pop from the hometown crowd, it wasn’t a happy ending for FlyGod and crew as their pal Swerve Strickland was laid-out by Will Ospreay in a “scuffle” that saw Westside and friends quickly escorted from the ring stage.
AEW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION
Swerve Shows up like a boss. The feeling swerve gives off is wild he really is one of the best champs i ever seen.
— Forbidden Door PodCast (@ForbiddenDoor_) June 30, 2024
A longtime wrestling fan — with countless song tittles named in ode to his favorites — Westside Gunn remains a familiar presence in AEW universe making appearances at several live shows and ppv’s. The cultural curator has gone on to create his own wrestling inspired brand– Fourth Rope. Despite his success outside of the booth fans remain vigilant on new Westside Gunn music with his last project being October, 2023’s And Then You Pray For Me.
