NYS Music 2024

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  • DOJ Launches Antitrust Lawsuit Against Live Nation

    On May 22, the Department of Justice sued Live Nation alleging it has a monopoly over concert ticketing and promotion.

    The lawsuit states that Live Nation used practices such as exclusive contracts, buyouts of independent promoters, and restriction of venues to crush its market competition. The DOJ filed the lawsuit in New York’s Southern District Court, with 30 states joining the suit. States involved include Florida, Texas, and Colorado, among others.

    Exterior of US Department of Justice

    This lawsuit comes after a 2019 DOJ investigation, which found Live Nation violated the terms set by the federal government after its merger with Ticketmaster. Among these violations, was the pulling of concerts from venues that refused to exclusively use Ticketmaster. The lawsuit also alleges that Live Nation cooperated with arena operator Oak View Group to eliminate competition.

    This lawsuit came after a period of increasing backlash to Live Nation’s practices. Following its 2010 buyout of Ticketmaster, Live Nation controlled up to 80% of major concert tickets. Additionally, the company directly controls 250 venues, 60% of venue promotion, and directly manages 400 artists nationwide. This control has led to issues such as increasing ticketing fees, poor customer service, and restrictions on resale. As a result of monopolization, the DOJ says American concert-goers are “deprived of ticketing innovation and forced to use outdated technology while paying more for tickets than fans in other countries.”

    These issues came to the forefront of public attention during Taylor Swift’s 2023 Eras Tour. During the presale period, glitches in the Ticketmaster website left millions unable to purchase tickets. 

    Following this debacle, there was increasing bipartisan action against Live Nation. In January 2023, senators from both parties grilled Live Nation CFO Joe Berchtold in a three hour hearing. This hearing brought to light Ticketmaster’s failings, but also the immense sway Live Nation had over the market.

    “For too long, Live Nation and Ticketmaster have unfairly and illegally run the world of live events, abusing their dominance to overcharge fans, bully venues, and limit artists”

    – Letitia James, New York Attorney General

    This lawsuit comes after the House passage of the TICKET Act in early May 2024. The bill, introduced by Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) requires ticket sellers to display the total ticket price-including fees-in all advertisements. This step towards ticketing transparency received support from the Recording Academy, and artists ranging from Billie Eilish to Dave Matthews. Along with this congressional action, comes a Federal Trade Commission proposal to ban hidden fees on concert tickets.

    Live Nation has pushed back against these criticisms. In an essay on their website, Head of Corporate Affairs Dan Wall has claimed that Ticketmaster does not set prices, being victim to high demand and low supply. These claims, however, come in tandem with record high lobbying by Live Nation. According to OpenSecrets, the company spent a record $2.4 million, as well as hosting a lavish gala, to influence lawmakers into opposing restrictions on its practices.

    This lawsuit would greatly alter the live music industry if successful. Although the DOJ has not said how they want to break up Live Nation, it is expected that they will separate its ticketing and promotional wings. The DOJ hopes that this suit will increase choice for concert-goers, while reducing price. Additionally, this breakup could open venue doors for artists that were restricted before. This lawsuit is just the latest in a string of antitrust suits launched by the Biden administration, which has included Meta, Apple, and Amazon.

  • Brooklyn Based Artist Middle Part releases Debut Album

    Brooklyn-based grunge-pop artist, Middle Part released his debut album, Disruptor, on April 26. The album is a sensitive raw look at mental health in a revolving corporate world. The sound of Disruptor pays homage to late 90’s and early 2000’s grunge rock.

    Middle Part or Andy Selkōw, moved from Alaska to New York City in 2019 where he met producer and collaborator Brian Zaremba. Shortly after Selkōw released his first EP in 2021, I Wish I Was Alive. One of its tracks “& Cry” gained lots of attention from fans with its 4 million streams on Spotify.

    Since then, Selkōw has found a place within the Bushwick, Brooklyn music scene opening for acts like Biig Piig and Yot Club. Middle part has appeared on Spotify’s Indie Fresh Finds playlist, exposing his sounds to indie listeners everywhere. 

    Disruptor opens with “Get Fixed,” which samples sounds from what sounds like a home video invoking a sense of nostalgia as the song explains the emotional rollercoaster that comes with the realizations of ageing. Despite the dark subject matters of some of the tracks, the album is still incredibly catchy with upbeat guitar riffs and invoking choruses.

    One song that sticks out is “Spin For You.” Selkōw’s voice is distorted, and he uses some wacky instrumentals to represent the depressing and hopeless mood of the song. “Dial” is one of the most important songs on Disruptor. It tells the story of a suicide hotline call but the message is hopeful, encouraging people to seek out help. The track represents a low point in Selkōw’s that he wishes never to return to.

    The whole album is a vulnerable, darker approach to songwriting with its emotional lyrics. “I’m so sensitive and hate to show it, but it just bleeds through all of my music,” Selkōw says. 

    You can watch part of Disruptor on YouTube with its four-part performance series featuring singles from the album that were released in 2023. The videos resemble classic MTV rock videos with their gritty rageful visuals. You can check out Disruptor on Apple music or Spotify.

  • Indie band Juicer release “Retire The Fences”

    Indie-rock band juicer released their long awaited debut album Retire The Fences on May 10. The band formed in 2023 and have been blossoming in the NYC area. 

    Vocalist and Guitarist, James Watson moved to NYC in 2021 and he was inspired by his own personal journey as well as the new sounds of the city. Since 2023, the band including, Donovan Edelstein (drums), Carlo DiBiaggio (bass) and Greg Crotty (guitar) have performed in Boston and Philadelphia along with NYC venues. They released their third single “let go” earlier this year which got great feedback from fans. 

    Retire The Fences is a reference to lyrics off the Beach Boys song “feel flows,” a song from a more complex era of Beach Boys music, something that Watson was inspired by when recording this album. The harmony in the chorus of the track “Strawberry Life” resembles a Beach Boys song with its harmony and rolling effect of the rhythm. 

    Despite repetitive, plain lyrics the whole album overall has a great sound. It’s a perfect album for a summer drive, a walk outside or a chill dinner party. 

    Listening to Retire The Fences takes the listener straight to a classic inspiring Brooklyn show in a small intimate venue. One great aspect of the album is that it doesn’t feel over-produced or watered down with its editing. Fans will be able to imagine hearing these songs live. 

    One song that sticks out as a darker track is “Let Go.” It opens with grungy instrumentals with reminiscent lyrics. The song explains how changes in your life force you to reflect on your past.

    “Trickin” which starts the album and “Dream” which is the last song, both invoke a carefree, light feeling that introduce and tie off the album nicely. 

    You can check out Retire the Fences here on Spotify.

  • Levitation Room Lifts Off in Troy

    A night after receiving a warm welcome at Baby’s All Right in Brooklyn, genre-bending psych rockers Levitation Room brought their cosmic vibes up the Thruway to Troy’s No Fun on Tuesday, May 14. Delivering a captivating performance that took listeners to the other side and carefully back, the gravity-defying band showcased exactly why they’ve emerged as one of the leaders of their genre. Playing mostly songs from the recently released album Strange Weather, the cool cats from California made a colorful impression that first-time listeners won’t soon forget.  

    Kicking off the evening with Bob Forget of Schenectady’s The Abyssmals playing his first solo set, followed by a short, high energy set by the local rock trio Stroma, Levitation Room casually took the stage around 10pm. Getting their fingers loose with the technical and shifting rhythms of the opening instrumental “Pintura,” Levitation Room quickly found their groove with back-to-back bangers from their 2019 breakout album Headspace, “Warmth of the Sun” and “2025.”

    “I wonder if I’ll be living
    In the year 2025
    You know my futures uncertain
    I’m losing grip all the time”

    Lyrics from 2025

    Led by front man Julian Porte on vocals and guitar, alongside Gabriel Fernandez on guitar, Johnathan Martin on drums and Kevin Perez on bass, one look at this band and you could just tell they “weren’t from around here.” Casually dressed in retro threads, the music itself also sounded like a bit of a throwback. Blurring the lines of psych-rock, garage and surreal pop, every song felt catchy, like it could be a radio single, and it made you wonder why these guys aren’t more well known.

    Levitation Room performing in Troy, NY 5-14-24.

    Far from a “new band”, the East Lost Angeles quartet has been around for nearly a decade now. Carving out a niche in the psychedelic-rock realm and releasing three full length studio albums, it’s perhaps their harrowing experiences from the road that have earned Levitation Room the most publicity. Whether that be coming face-to-face with an alleged U.F.O. while passing through Arizona, or a terrifying incident in 2022 when members of the band were allegedly kidnapped at gunpoint, dosed with unknown hallucinogens, and robbed of all their equipment, Levitation Room has somehow soldiered on and continued making great music. Making their Troy debut on this Tuesday night, the band briefly paused to introduce themselves and invite the crowd of mostly twenty-somethings to come closer to the stage.

    Levitation Room’s Julian Porte performing in Troy, NY 5-14-24.

    After taking “Mr. Polydactyl Cat” for a walk around the block, Kevin Perez’s infectious bass lines on “Cool It, Baby,” were so mesmerizing and playful that it nearly overshadowed the songs’ more serious lyrical themes.  Such was also the case on the follow-up song “Grand Illusion (Expectations), where the far-out pop sound seemed to mask the existential questioning of Porte’s words.

    Raise your glass, move your feet
    Are you dead or asleep?
    Talking heads on the screen
    Keeps you stuck in the dream
    Where the rat race is rigged
    And the presidents picked
    By the bankers who lend
    All that money you spend

    And I said cool it, baby

    Lyrics from Cool It, Baby

    Further captivating the audience by switching gears and showing off their tender side with a pair of love songs “Heaven,” and the well-received “Ooh Child,”  the waves of emotion swelled up like an ocean when Levitation Room uncorked what was perhaps the highlight of the set, an extended take on “Revelations,” a song about living in the moment, that saw the band firing on all cylinders and jumping around the stage, while guitarist Gabriel Fernandez navigated through a bevy of effects pedals during the song’s incendiary solo. It was refreshing to see the guys cutting loose, having fun and believing in what they were doing. 

    Levitation Room performing in Troy, NY 5-14-24.

    After reminding the audience to be weary of the CIA, FBI, and NSA keeping tabs on YOU during “The Other Side,” Levitation Room casually eased into their most well-known single, “Friends,” from their debut 2015 EP Minds of Our Own before the equally hypnotic and dreamy vibe of “Immoral Love” sent the entire room into a blissed-out trance.  Bathed in abstract visual projections and peering through a pair of old school 3-D glasses, the cool and steady hands of drummer Johnathan Martin mesmerized all evening long. Shifting tempos and playing up their strengths, “Loved” snapped the crowd out of it before the title track of “Strange Weather” brought the main portion of our sonic odyssey to a close. 

    Watch fan shoot footage of Levitation Room performing “Reasons Why” in Troy, NY 5-14-24.

    After walking off stage to an enthusiastic ovation, the band decided to treat the crowd to one more song, choosing “Reasons Why” as the lone encore of the evening, bringing the colorfully cathartic, rewarding and fun performance to a close.  Afterwards, the band could be found at the merch table taking selfies and signing records for the dozens of new fans they’d just won over.  No rest for the weary, Levitation Room would find themselves playing gigs in Canada less than 24 hours later. 

    Taking place at No Fun in Troy, it’s easy to be fooled by the venue’s tongue-in-cheek name.  A beacon for Capital Region counterculture since opening their doors in December 2021, the heady, 200 person capacity club known for its DIY punk-rock atmosphere and excellent craft beer selection, No Fun has proven to consistently contradict itself.  Booking bands you won’t find anywhere else and holding events nearly every night of the week, it’s shows like Levitation Room on a Tuesday night that stand out as making the place truly special. That’s why when the venue suddenly announced it’s looking for a new owner and operator this week it, it sent shockwaves through the local music community. Claiming a “work life balance thing” as the reason with a listing of $149,000,  the current owner wants it to be clear, No Fun is NOT closing, but rather opening the doors of opportunity for someone with the same spirit and passion to take over.  Stay tuned to NYS Music as we will be sure to keep you up to date on this developing story.

    Levitation Room | May 14th, 2024 | Troy, NY | No Fun

    Setlist: Pintura, Warmth of the Sun, 2025, Mr. Polydactyl Cat, Cool It, Baby, Grand Illusion (Expectations), Heaven, Ooh Child, Revelations, The Other Side, Friends, Immortal Love, Loved, Strange Weather

    Encore: Reasons Why

    /
    /

    Bob Forget (of Abyssmals) | May 14th, 2024 | Troy, NY | No Fun | First Solo Set

    Stroma | May 14th, 2024 | Troy, NY | No Fun

  • The Bridge Street Theatre Brings Indie Productions to the Hudson

    In the heart of the Hudson Valley, just 30 minutes south of Albany lies Catskill’s Bridge Street Theatre. The theater is a non-profit seeking to enhance the cultural life of Greene County through the independent production of musical and theater performances. 

    Exterior of the Bridge Street Theatre

    Greene County’s seat of Catskill is home to the Bridge Street Theatre opened in 2014. Since its founding, the theater has sought to set itself apart from the region’s other performing arts centers, with a focus on accessibility. The theater’s board focuses on highlighting overlooked musical and theater artists, even commissioning new works for the stage. They also strive to keep ticket prices low to make sure their performances can reach the widest possible audiences.

    Since 2014, the Bridge Street Theatre has been a haven for cutting edge performance art. The theater has hosted over 62 musical performances, 84 plays, and 33 dance performances. It has staged productions of Monty Python’s Spamalot, Frankenstein and the Epic of Gilgamesh. Amongst these productions was The Shaggs’ Philosophy of the World, a stage retelling of The Shaggs’ legendary outsider music career. Additionally, the theater has also hosted a decade’s worth of musical performances ranging from classical to bluegrass. These concerts include San Francisco’s award winning Zelos Saxophone Quartet, and Capital Region folk band Ramblin Jug Stompers. 

    Downtown Catskill, NY

    The theater’s story begins with its founder John Sowle. Following decades of acting and theater production in both San Francisco and Manhattan, Sowle relocated to Catskill in 2008. Following the move, Sowle focused his attention on finding a permanent home for his nomadic theater production company Kaliyuga Arts. 

    This plan came to fruition in 2013, when Sowle purchased a derelict air curtain factory just outside of downtown Catskill. After a year of renovations, the abandoned factory was transformed into a state of the art 12,000 square foot center for performing arts. 

    The Curtron factory that became home to the Bridge Street Theatre
    The derelict air curtain factory on the site of the theater, 2009

    The theater’s premises house many venues for performing arts. At the center of the theater, is the Charles and Priscilla Patterson Mainstage. This auditorium has seating for 84 people, making it a perfect setting for the theater’s major productions. 

    There is additionally a smaller cabaret-style concert space, known as “The Speakeasy.” This area also currently serves as the theater’s lobby, but can be quickly converted into a performance space, with a small raised stage allowing for intimate shows. The venue also houses “The Big Room,” a space to host sculpture and art exhibitions. The theater values the comfort of its performers, housing dressing rooms, a lounge and living spaces for visiting artists.

    The theater prides itself in collaboration with Catskill’s local youth. As it is located next to Catskill High School, the theater provides opportunities for local students to get involved in theater production and performance, getting a new generation involved in music and the arts. 

    The Bridge Street Theatre has a busy upcoming Summer season, with a host of performances set for the near future. On June 1, the theater will welcome world-renowned sitarist Ustad Shafaat Khan. Khan is famous for his simultaneous vocals, sitar, and tabla playing, which has spread appreciation for Indian classical music across the world. His performances have taken him around the globe, playing with legends like Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles.

    On June 8, the theater will be hosting the local magician Thomas Baker for an all-ages journey through the history of magic. The Saugerties-based illusionist puts a modern twist on classic magic tricks, all while sharing fun stories from throughout his life. 

    Finally, on June 22, the theater will host the 7th Bridge Street Belly Dance event. This event will weave together dance,  music, and poetry  to tell a story of how pain and beauty go together in life. Featuring dance from multi-disciplinary artist Jesse Sykes, and the poetry of Alysia Quinn, the event will tell a story of innovation and personal growth.

    For more information, visit the Bridge Street Theatre website here.

  • Basilica Hudson Announces Summer Events

    Basilica Hudson announced their lineup of events for the 2024 season. Basilica Hudson is celebrating their new renovation with an action packed 2024 season. Summer events were kicked off May 18 & 19 with their 24 hour drone. Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the 24 hour drone is a non stop 24 hour concert. A nearly religious experience, listeners challenge their endurance with the non stop music.

    The Climate Action Film Festival will also be returning to Basilica’s North Hall on May 31st. The Festival showcases international stories of human bravery in the face of climate change. The Basilica will also be hosting Jupiter Nights throughout the summer. The event offers live music, food, art, and beautiful views of the sunset at Hudson Valley.

    Additionally, the Basilica will be throwing two parties over the summer: (Freak) Flag Day and All The Bodies. (Freak) Flag Day will be a dark, gothwave dance party under the fireworks. All The Bodies will be hosted at Lil Deb’s restaurant on June 21 in celebration of Pride Month. Soundscape, a weekend of art and music, will also be returning this September. Farm & Flea will be returning this year for the summer and the holiday season. Farm & Flea offers a sustainable, local alternative to the mania of Black Friday.

    Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth will be performing at the Basilica as part of her upcoming Collective Tour. Tickets to the above events and many more will be available at the following link. A trailer for this year’s Climate Action Film Festival is also available below.

  • Phish Releases Another Track From New Album, “Oblivion”

    Phish has officially unleashed “Oblivion,” the second song released from their forthcoming new album Evolve. The band’s first album in over four years, Evolve, is set to arrive via JEMP Records/ATO on Friday, July 12. But now two tracks from it have been unveiled before its official release next month. First, the album’s title track “Evolve” premiered last month. And now “Oblivion” has been made available to the public – with both studio cuts able to be heard below.

    oblivion phish

    Evolve, Phish’s 16th studio album, is produced by Vance Powell and Bryce Goggin. It was recorded in the fall of 2023 at the band’s now famous Vermont recording studio, The Barn. True to Phish’s unique creative process, the album’s 12 tracks were selected from arrangements shaped by the band’s dynamic live performances. Some, like the fan-favorite “A Wave Of Hope,” have become springboards for Phish’s most soaring improvisation.

    Phish seems to be giving “Oblivion” the same treatment. The song first debuted last summer and has already been played ten times, with a few serious jams attached to the back end. This includes a standout performance in Syracuse just a few weeks after its debut. And a huge arena rock version as only Madison Square Garden can supply.

    This new album seems to have a fitting title as Phish’s distinct musical language is on vivid display; still pushing boundaries, still very much continuing to evolve. The cover of Evolve and gatefold feature paintings by Mehdi Ghadyanloo. The track “The Well” is only available on the vinyl version of the album.

    Phish Dry Goods has three different exclusive pressings of Evolve available for pre-order, including a “Crimson Robed Edition” (neon-pink/maroon colored wax), “Pillow Jets Edition” (transparent/blue colored wax), and an “Eco-Onyx Gates” 180g Audiophile Edition pressed on recycled eco-black wax. T-shirts, CDs, and hats are also available.

    Evolve Tracklist

    1. Hey Stranger 4:47
    2. Oblivion 6:03
    3. Evolve 4:12
    4. A Wave Of Hope 5:04
    5. Pillow Jets 5:57
    6. Lonely Trip 6:00
    7. Life Saving Gun 4:25
    8. Monsters 5:15
    9. Ether Edge 4:06
    10. Human Nature 2:54
    11. Valdese 3:36
    12. The Well 4:30*
    13. Mercy 4:11

    *track available only on the vinyl version

    Pre-orders for Evolve are available now in all formats – including digital, CD, and double LP vinyl – via the Phish Dry Goods store: https://dry.gd/evolve.

  • Hearing Aide: Dasychira’s “Undead”

    NYC-based electronic artist Dasychira has released their second LP and first release in 3 years, Undead, on May 10. The album explores themes of transformation and adaptation, giving listeners a glimpse into Dasychira’s personal development.

    Undead

    Dasychira was raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, but has been a New Yorker for the last decade. Studying at NYU’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music, they took on their pseudonym allowing them to write and produce music while exploring their own identity. Since then, Dasychira has released works of all sizes, including the most recent, Undead.

    After releasing their first EP Immolated in 2017, Dasychira went on to co-found the label unseelie in 2018, where they released their last two albums, Hollywood Forever and Undead.

    This album represents Dasychira’s navigation through the drastic changes the world has faced over the past few years. These songs articulate their mental journey through COVID-19, war, environmental disasters, and rising technologies. Undead walks you through a dream-like state using a mix of synthesizers and a variety of instruments such as electric guitar, gamelan, and violin, blurring the lines between humans and technology.

    Dasychira

    The album opens with “Bleed and Glow,” which establishes the feeling of being lost through its lyrics. Using electronics and synths, Dasychira conveys the need for fantasy during such a confusing time. The title track, “Undead,” features ballad-like violin and synth arrangements to express longing and desperation during a personal struggle.

    The album’s closer, “Expand Yourself,” signifies the progress of Dasychira’s search for contentedness in the now. By making the electric guitar more prominent than the synth, the music becomes grounded in reality. This completes the album’s goal of accepting personal growth while their surroundings evolve out of their control.

    To learn more about the context of Undead and hear the full album, click here

  • New Rochester Recording Studios Listening Event with Sarah De Valliere

    A new recording studio, Tones Studios, has opened in Irondequoit, NY and to welcome the community into the new space, the studio will host a listening event of artist Sarah De Vallière‘s new album on May 31.

    Tones Studios

    This state of the art studio which was founded in 2017 was constructed in 2019 in a renovated church just outside of Rochester giving a chance for artists in the local area to connect with each other as well as high quality recording technology. 

    Tones offers a variety of production suites, including a live recording studio, a video and photo recording suite and even a fully functioning kitchen. Tones also has an editing suite to bring production to live after a recording session. 

    The studio has been widely used by the community including to film live performances, Joe Bean commercials, and cooking videos as well as recording music. 

    De Vallière’s album, The Healing is a 10-song concept album that explores growing and changing from trauma. The album is set to release on June 7 but guests at the listening event will be able to get a preview of the album on the ATC SCM50 monitoring system, as well as guided tours of the facilities. De Vallière herself will be in attendance as well as Tones Studios project managers.

    You can listen to her music and find more information here on her website. You can RSVP to the free event here.

  • Skidmore College Stewart’s Signature Series Lineup Announced

    The annual Stewart’s Signature Series at Skidmore College is back for 2024, with an exciting list of public summer events, starting June 24 and running until July 16. Events will take place between four different venues, which include Saratoga Performing Arts Center and the Arthur Zankel Music Center.

    The series will kick off on Monday, June 24, with a reading by novelist Cristina Garcia and poet Megan Fernandes. The event will begin at 8 p.m. in Murray-Aikins Dining Hall, second floor, on Skidmore’s campus. Additional highlights include a performance by Grammy Award-winning Panamanian pianist, Danilo Pérez and a reading given by Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Paul Harding.  Events will be held on the Skidmore College campus, or locally at Saratoga Performing Arts Center and Caffe Lena.

    “Stewart’s and the Dake family are proud to support Skidmore’s contribution to Saratoga’s arts community,” said Bill Dake, chairman of the board of Stewart’s Shops. “Saratoga’s eclectic mix of live events, from the excitement of horse racing to the enchantment of theater, dance, and music, encapsulates the essence of our city’s charm. The Stewart’s Signature Series plays an important part in the Saratoga summer experience, and we strongly encourage everyone — local residents and visitors — to seize the opportunity to attend these unique events at Skidmore.”  

    Stewart’s Signature Series has been an essential part of the Saratoga Springs summer cultural scene since 2017.    

    “Skidmore is excited to present the 2024 Stewart’s Signature Series,” said Auden Thomas, director of Skidmore’s Special Programs and Summer Academic Programs. “We are thrilled to play a part in bringing these amazing artists to our community during the vibrant summer months.”  

    The series’ full lineup and ticket information are available on the Skidmore Summer Events 2024 website.

    Stewart’s Signature Series 2024 lineup:

    Cristina Garcia and Megan Fernandes 

    Monday, June 24, 8 PM 

    Murray-Aikins Dining Hall, second floor 

    Presented by the New York State Summer Writers Institute, novelist and Guggenheim Fellow Cristina Garcia, author of eight novels including “Dreaming in Cuban,” a finalist for the National Book Award, will read with poet Megan Fernandes, associate professor of English and writer-in-residence at Lafayette College. 

    A Conversation with New York Times Columnist John McWhorter 

    Friday, June 28, 8 PM

    Murray-Aikins Dining Hall, second floor 

    John McWhorter is the author of 20 books and a regular columnist for The New York Times. His most recent book, “Woke Racism: How a New Religion Has Betrayed Black America,” critiques the way antiracism is often viewed and enacted in the leftist cultural sphere. McWhorter is in residence with the New York State Summer Writers Institute and will be joined by Institute Director Robert Boyers, professor of English at Skidmore College and editor of Salmagundi Magazine. 

    Skidmore Jazz Institute Faculty All-Stars 

    Sunday, June 30, 11:30 AM 

    Saratoga Performing Arts Center 

    In collaboration with Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival, Skidmore Jazz Institute faculty members Clay Jenkins (trumpet), Steve Wilson (saxophone), Steve Davis (trombone), Mike Moreno (guitar), Bill Cunliffe (piano), Todd Coolman (bass), and Dennis Mackrel (drums) will be performing. 

    Danilo Pérez Trio  

    Tuesday, July 2,  7:30 PM 

    Arthur Zankel Music Center 

    Danilo Pérez

    Danilo Pérez, a Grammy Award-winning Panamanian pianist and composer, is considered a paragon of creativity in contemporary music, blending influences from his Panamanian roots with Latin American folk music, West African rhythms, and European impressionism. In this concert, presented by the Skidmore Jazz Institute, he leads a trio featuring talented performers Ian Ashby (bass) and Adam Cruz (drums).  

    Jenny Offill and April Bernard 

    Thursday, July 4, 8 PM 

    Murray-Aikins Dining Hall, second floor 

    Novelist Jenny Offill will join April Bernard for a reading of fiction and poetry. Offill’s second novel, “Department of Speculation,” was named one of the 10 Best Books of 2014 by the New York Times. Bernard is a poet and professor at Skidmore College and a past recipient of the Walt Whitman Award from the Academy of American Poets. The event is presented by the New York State Summer Writers Institute. 

    Poetry & Jazz: An Evening with Robert Pinsky, Todd Coolman, and Bill Cunliffe, with special guest Pat LaBarbera 

    Friday, July 5, 8 PM

    Caffe Lena 

    A collaboration between the Skidmore Jazz Institute and the New York State Summer Writers Institute yields an evening with former U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky, Grammy Award-winning musicians Todd Coolman (bass) and Bill Cunliffe (piano), and special guest Pat LaBarbera.  

    Alexa Tarantino Quartet 

    Tuesday, July 9, 7:30 PM

    Arthur Zankel Music Center 

    Alexa Tarantino

    The Skidmore Jazz Institute presents Alexa Tarantino, a rising alto saxophone star, educator, and composer, who will be performing alongside Grammy Award-winning musician Steven Feifke (piano) and Mark Whitfield Jr. (drums) and sought-after jazz player Raviv Markovitz (bass).  

    Paul Harding and Karan Mahajan 

    Tuesday, July 16, 8 PM 

    Murray-Aikins Dining Hall, second floor 

    Paul Harding

    Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “Tinkers,” Paul Harding, will read with novelist Karan Mahajan. Mahajan’s 2016 novel, “The Association of Small Bombs,” was a finalist for the National Book Awards. The event is presented by the New York State Summer Writers Institute. 

    Visit here for more information and to purchase tickets for the signature series.