NYS Music 2024

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  • Hearing Aide: Hilltop release new EP “Getting There Together”

    Albany based jam band Hilltop recently released their brand new EP, Getting There Together on February 16. This follows the 2022 release of Live Rips, and is their latest studio output since “Prophecy” – a stand alone single from July of 2022. 

    hilltop getting there together
    Artwork by Ryan Kerrigan

    The quartet is made up of brothers Reid and Stephen Perry on drums and percussion, along with Aris Nieuwkerk and David Klang on guitar and bass respectively. 

    Getting There Together is mixed bag of rock, funk, jam and country influences. The band defines Getting There Together as “a collection of 4 songs from our catalog that outline the importance of living in the moment and cooperating.” 

    hilltop getting there together
    Photo Courtesy of hilltoptheband.com

    The EP begins with “Beautiful”, a rock and jam inspired song introduced by its catchy unison guitar and bass riff. The song tackles lyrical themes of living in the present, stating “our future concerns and past regrets will all fade away.” It eventually transitions into spacey like ambience, which allows Aris the space to build a unique solo before returning back to the main unison riff to end the song. During their live performances, Hilltop is known for extending these sections, allowing the spontaneity of improvisation to lead the direction of the song. 

    “Sunshine” starts with an intro reminiscent of Pink Floyd, a quiet soundscape that slowly builds and crescendos into a funk-rock inspired groove. The bass and drums are locked in and really drive the feel of the song. The chemistry between the two are apparent on this recording. Hilltop’s use of vocal harmonies on the chorus add an additional layer of depth and power to their message. Sunshine contains a short, overdriven guitar solo that leads to a final chorus with the refrain “we’ll make our own sunshine today”, continuing with this trend of optimism and positivity in their lyrics. 

    The third song off the EP, “Something New,” contains beautiful guitar harmonies layered by Aris. These first three tracks are accredited to songwriting duo Aris and Reid.

    “Moonshine”, the final song on the EP, is heavily inspired by traditional country and bluegrass. Walking bass, a chugging train beat, and country guitar picking all meld to create the only David Klang (bass) original released on Getting There Together. David is also Hilltop’s Mastering Engineer for the entirety of the EP.

    Getting There Together by Hilltop is currently available on all streaming services here.

    Photo courtesy of www.hilltoptheband.com

    Hilltop 2024 Tour Dates: 

    03/29 – Electric Haze (Supporting Dead Man’s Waltz) – Worcester, MA

    03/30 – The Hollow (w/ Leon Trout) – Albany, NY

    04/18 – Nectars (Supporting Double You) – Burlington, VT

    More information can be found at www.hilltoptheband.com

  • Lola Vista Shines As One Of The Best Artist and Composer From London

    Lola Vista, a singer and composer who has been living in New York for almost 20 years, has been crafting a sound that transcends boundaries and resonates with genuine openness right to the heart of New Yorkers.

    Persistent and determination are two words fans could use to describe the London-based artist. Lola Vista has been playing and creating music for as long as she can remember. Drawing influences from the likes of Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell, Michael Jackson, Bob Dylan and Tracy Chapman, Lola’s journey as a musician began when she started playing the piano, recorder and saxophone and even writing her own songs at at a young age as she  quickly developed a deep appreciation for the power of storytelling through music.

    Desperate to learn about the music business, Lola spent a few years working in the UK music industry for large and indie companies after earning a degree in social and political science from Cambridge University. After that, the singer relocated to New York, where she rose to prominence as a social, political, and cultural writer, commentator, and broadcaster. She used her writing and voice to offer sharp insights on a variety of topics, including politics, race, and the black experience. 

    She has been an advocate for the ability of the arts as a catalyst not only for self-expression but for social change.“I believe in the power of expression and in the power of using one’s voice and the gift of music, in order to make this world a better place”.

    In her latest single “Get Up and Dance (Now)” the artist shared how she was inspired by 90s house music, acid jazz, funk and great vibes. “It’s a tribute to my musical influences as a kid of the 90’s and – more importantly – a celebration of life…I wanted to create a song that would make people happy and energized, and that would remind them of the joy of dancing and having a good time.” Lola believes in acknowledging issues and feelings and trying to find a solution which is where she got the inspiration from her single. “Essentially, “Get Up and Dance (Now)” is my solution to stress!”, the artist shared.

    Lola Vista

    Lola’s music is characterized by surreal melodies and strong voices that connect with listeners profoundly. Her songs are both melancholic and hopeful, with a depth and emotional resonance that captivates the listener, he continues to be a dynamic artist who is constantly pushing the envelope and finding new methods to express herself via music that are true to her broad taste in music and her passion for trying new things. In 2022 she released a single titled “Down Time” which she wrote in light of some very stressful times she was going through personally as well as conversations she had been having with her friends about post-pandemic life. The singer shared how people were still “stressed out” and the general sentiment at the time was “we can’t go on like this”. 

    In celebration of her single release, Lola shared that her and Joey, the producer and keyboardist Joeydkeyz who produced “Get Up and Dance (Now)” are working on more music together and there will be some good stuff coming soon. Fans should also watch out for some live shows which she will be announcing in the not too distant future and  in the meantime, they can sign up to get more updates on her website here.

  • NYC Duo The Lemon Twigs Release Latest Album “A Dream Is All We Know” Featuring Sean Lennon

    NYC indie-rock duo The Lemon Twigs released their latest album titled A Dream Is All We Know. The LP sees a wonderful collaboration with Sean Ono Lennon, son of Beatles legend John Lennon and Yoko Ono.

    the lemon twigs

    The Lemon Twigs hail from NYC/Long Island area. The duo tours with two other band members that cover various instruments while on the road. The group draws inspiration from golden age classic rock, and modern indie rock music and they do a splendid job of merging both styles into something many can turn on to.

    The Lemon Twigs new LP was mixed and mastered by the duo themselves, brothers Brian and Michael. Sean Ono Lennon recorded and co-produced the track, “In the Eyes of a Girl” while at his Upstate New York recording studio.

    The album is hugely reminiscent of 60s and 70s classic rock like the Beatles, Beach Boys, Grateful Dead and others. It is very fitting that Sean Lennon collaborated on this album to homage the music his father birthed. The album has a vintage feel, and a summer-of-love vibe undoubtedly.

    The group performing on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon

    To learn more about The Lemon Twigs and all upcoming music, click here.

  • Swagger and Soul: St. Paul & the Broken Bones Captivate Albany 

    The human body is made up of 206 bones and on Wednesday, February 28th, the voice of Paul Janeway touched every single one of them during a dynamic, soul-shaking performance at The Egg in Albany. Along with his 7-piece powerhouse jazz ensemble, St. Paul & the Broken Bones cooked up a near perfect mix of colorful showmanship, joyful jams, and fantastic fan interaction as the band not only celebrated their third time playing the beloved venue, but also the ten year anniversary of their breakthrough debut album, Half The City. It was their first time back in the area since wowing the crowd last year at the annual Saratoga Jazz Festival.

    St. Paul and the Broken Bones
    Paul Janeway of St. Paul & the Broken Bones performing in Albany on 2/28/24.

    A wet and windy Wednesday night outside The Egg, things started cooking inside with an impressive opening set from Bowling Green, Kentucky’s Sugadaisy. Combining a modern grunge vibe with a healthy dose of psychedelic pop, the venue’s excellent acoustics made them sound huge right off the rip. Sparked by a Daniel Johnston Hi, How Are You T-shirt worn by one of the guitarists, there were moments you simply couldn’t help but think of Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain. Unsure what to make of Sugadaisy at first, by the time they finished their short, but energetic set, it’s fair to say they’d won the Albany crowd over and earned a slew of new fans. Following a brief set change, it was finally time for St. Paul & the Broken Bones to take over.

    St. Paul and the Broken Bones
    Sugadaisy opened the show for St. Paul & the Broken Bones on 2/28/24.

    Rising to prominence with over a decade of near constant touring, the Birmingham, Alabama-based rock n’ soul band boasts more than a million monthly listeners on Spotify, have released 5 studio albums and shared stages with a veritable who’s-who of music royalty that includes the likes of Sir Elton John and The Rolling Stones. Known for the signature falsetto voice of their flamboyant frontman Paul Janeway (aka St. Paul), The Broken Bones also consist of bassist Jesse Phillips, guitarist Browan Lollar, drummer Kevin Leon, keyboard player Al Gamble, trumpeter Allen Branstetter, trombonist Chad Fisher and Amari Ansari on saxophone. 

    St. Paul and the Broken Bones
    St. Paul & the Broken Bones performing at The Egg on 2/28/24.

    Kicking off their headlining set in style, each member of The Broken Bones came out one-by-one to the darkened stage, seamlessly picking up their instruments to join in on the opening “Marvin Jam” before the always dapper-looking Janeway sauntered out of the shadows to a massive applause. Instantly turning up the funk with “Flow With It (You Got Me Feeling Like), St. Paul & the Broken Bones wasted no time getting right to their biggest chart topping hit, “Call Me,” which the crowd immediately recognized and sang along to.  All warmed up and feeling good, Janeway would take a brief moment to acknowledge the audience and make note that their debut album, Half the City, had been released ten years ago this week. Thanking the crowd for helping give them a career, the band would then play the album’s title track followed by an emphatic, soul-wrenching rendition of “I’m Torn Up,” the album’s opening song.

    “I can’t let it down, this hope I feel

    Oh this city has made me cry but I still can’t leave her

    The streets paved with pain of all my past loves

    Please don’t let it die cause I have had enough”

    Lyrics from “Half the City”

    From something old to something new, St. Paul & the Broken Bones would change things up a bit with a pair of songs, “Wolf in Rabbit Clothes” and “Sea Star” from their most recent album, 2023’s Angels in Science Fiction. Growing up on a steady diet of gospel and soul music like The Stylistics, Sam Cooke and old school Marvin Gaye, it’s easy to see where St. Paul & the Broken Bones draw their influences from, but it’s not often you hear a white man that sings falsetto with the power and control of Janeway. What really sets him apart, however, is the way he’s able to command the entire stage. Working both sides while simultaneously showcasing some fancy footwork (and fancy shoes), Janeway’s presence was mesmerizing.

    St. Paul and the Broken Bones
    St. Paul & the Broken Bones performing in Albany on 2/28/24.

    Singing falsetto from the depths of his soul, so hard in fact, that at times it had him dropping to his knees reaching for the notes, like he did on “Grass is Greener.” After receiving a huge ovation for his efforts, Janeway quietly disappeared back into the shadows. Far from a one-man-show, The Broken Bones took over from there with an extended “Roach Clip” jam that saw each member taking turns soloing in the spotlight and the energetic Amari Ansari running from one side of the room to the other wailing away on his saxophone to the delight of the ultra-attentive Albany crowd. 

    The powerful horn section was heavily featured once again during “LivWithoutU,” before the dirty, slowed-down groove of “Minotaur” put the audience in a near euphoric trance. Building the energy back up with a pair of tunes from 2018’s Young Sick Camellia, “GotItBad” > “Apollo” would bring the main portion of the show to a close and leave fans hollering for more.

    Baby

    Is there a right when all is wrong?

    Is there a partner when we’re left all alone?

    Oh, but I wanna feel something real

    Lyrics from “Sanctify”
    St. Paul and the Broken Bones
    St. Paul & the Broken Bones performing in Albany on 2/28/24.

    Returning to the stage now wearing a sparkling sequin cape, Janeway would take his theatrics to the next level. First falling to floor and rolling around like a guitar-less Marty McFly as he crooned the lyrics to “Like a Mighty River,” the crowd who had largely remained seated to this point, finally got up on their feet when Janeway suddenly jumped off the stage to join them.

    St. Paul & the Broken Bones performing in Albany on 2/28/24.

    As fans quickly grabbed their phones to snap obligatory selfies, the connection between the artist and the audience here felt completely authentic.  Singing “Sanctify” while climbing all the way up to the soundboard area of The Egg’s backrow, the man who once thought he wanted to be a preacher found his Albany congregation in the palm of his hand. High-fiving as many of them as he could on the way down, the entire room seemed to be smiling ear to ear. Back on stage for the disco-vibed “Last Dance,” the energy in the Egg had reached its boiling point. Already three songs into the encore, fans were given one last treat and one final song from Half The City as “Broken Bones and Pocket Change” would bring the stellar performance to a close. After a well-deserved standing ovation, even the seasoned ushers were left commenting on just how good of a show this was. 

    St. Paul and the Broken Bones
    St. Paul & the Broken Bones performing in Albany on 2/28/24.

    After playing in Buffalo the next night, St. Paul & the Broken Bones officially wrapped up their year-long Angels In Science Fiction tour in Charlottesville, VA on March 3rd.  After taking a couple weeks off, the band will return to their stomping grounds of Birmingham, Alabama for a hometown throwdown on March 23 before setting off on a lengthy European tour later this summer.  

    St. Paul & the Broken Bones | February 28,2024 | The Egg | Albany, NY

    Setlist: Opening Marvin Jam, Flow With It (You Got Me Feeling Like), Call Me, Half the City, I’m Torn Up, Wolf in Rabbits Clothes > Sea Star, Grass Is Greener, Roach Clip, Livwithoutu, Minotaur, GotItBad > Apollo.

    Encore: Like a Mighty River, Sanctify, The Last Dance, Broken Bones & Pocket Change.

    St. Paul and the Broken Bones
    St. Paul and the Broken Bones
    St. Paul and the Broken Bones
    St. Paul and the Broken Bones

    Photos of Sugadaisy:

    St. Paul and the Broken Bones
    St. Paul and the Broken Bones
    St. Paul and the Broken Bones

  • Barbie The Movie: In Concert Hosted by Jones Beach and Darien Lake Amphitheaters this Summer

    Jones Beach and Darien Lake have announced Barbie The Movie: In Concert sees the stage this August. The shows are a part of the Barbie In Concert 2024 Summer Tour, led by Macy Schmidt and the Barbie Land Sinfonietta.

    Barbie The Movie Concert darien lake jones beach

    Fans across North America will have the opportunity to be transported to Barbie Land this summer and experience Barbie like never before. The tour will include an all-women orchestra which will accompany the record-smashing film’s display on a giant LED screen. The tour sees 37 dates across the United States.

    “We can’t wait for fans of all ages to join us in this immersive experience, celebrating the biggest movie of 2023 and bringing the magic of Barbie to life like never before. The incredible talents of Macy Schmidt and The Barbie Land Sinfonietta guarantee an unparalleled and unforgettable adventure.” 

    Josh Silverman, Chief Franchise Officer at Mattel

    Shows span from July 2 to August 18, where the tour closes out at the Jones Beach Amphitheater in Long Island. Barbie The Movie: In Concert showcases the talent of The Barbie Land Sinfonietta. The orchestra is conducted by Tony Award winning producer Macy Schmidt. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, Schmidt recently became the first woman of color orchestrator in Broadway history.

    For more information on Barbie The Movie: In Concert at Darien Lake, Jones Beach and elsewhere, click here. Presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general on-sale beginning on Friday, March 8 at 10 am via ticketmaster.com.

    Barbie: The Movie In Concert Dates: 

    Date                City                             Venue 

    July 2              Tampa, FL                  MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre

    July 3              Alpharetta, GA           Ameris Bank Amphitheatre

    July 5              Raleigh, NC                Coastal Credit Union Music Park

    July 6              Camden, NJ                Freedom Mortgage Pavilion

    July 7              Bristow, VA               Jiffy Lube Live

    July 8              Virginia Beach, VA    Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater 

    July 9              Charlotte, NC             PNC Music Pavilion

    July 10            Burgettstown, PA       The Pavilion at Star Lake

    July 12            Milwaukee, WI           American Family Insurance Amphitheatre

    July 13            St. Louis, MO             Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre STL

    July 14            Noblesville, IN           Ruoff Music Center

    July 15            Kansas City, MO        Starlight Theater

    July 17            Denver, CO                 Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre

    July 18            Salt Lake City, UT     Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre

    July 20            Ridgefield, WA          RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater

    July 21            Auburn, WA               White River Amphitheatre

    July 25            Mountain View, CA   Shoreline Amphitheatre

    July 26            Wheatland, CA           Toyota Amphitheater

    July 27            Los Angeles, CA        Hollywood Bowl

    July 28            Chula Vista, CA         North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre

    July 30            Phoenix, AZ                Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre

    July 31            Albuquerque, NM      Isleta Amphitheater

    August 2         Houston, TX               The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion 

    August 3         Dallas, TX                  Dos Equis Pavilion

    August 4         Rogers, AR                 Walmart AMP

    August 6         Birmingham, AL        Oak Mountain Amphitheatre

    August 7         Nashville, TN             Ascend Amphitheater

    August 8         Tinley Park, IL            Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre

    August 9         Cincinnati, OH           Riverbend Music Center

    August 10       Clarkston, MI             Pine Knob Music Theatre

    August 11       Toronto, ON               Budweiser Stage

    August 12       Cuyahoga Falls, OH   Blossom Music Center

    August 14       Darien Center, NY        Darien Lake Amphitheater

    August 15       Hartford, CT               The XFINITY Theatre

    August 16       Mansfield, MA           Xfinity Center

    August 17       Holmdel, NJ               PNC Bank Arts Center

    August 18       Wantagh, NY              Northwell Health at Jones Beach

  • Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band and Noah Kahan Headlining Sea.Hear.Now 2024

    Sea.Hear.Now 2024 has announced its lineup, bringing Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band to the beaches of Asbury Park, NJ for a historic headline performance on Sunday, Sept.15, along with another first-time headliner set from Noah Kahan on Saturday, Sept. 14. 

    The Gaslight Anthem, Trey Anastasio Band, The Black Crowes, Norah Jones, 311, The Revivalists, Kool & The Gang, The Hives and more will perform at the world-class two-day festival in North Beach and Bradley Park. Sea.Hear.Now celebrates music, surf, and art with over 25 artists, three stages, a professional surf contest, and art installations throughout the weekend. 

    Fans can watch some of the biggest East Coast surf legends catch waves between the jetties. This year’s surf contest returns with the ocean calling the winner; the “North Beach Sessions” pro surfer who catches the “wave of the day” will take home the prize purse. The 2024 esteemed surf lineup includes surfers: Balaram Stack, reigning champ Cam Richards, Sam Hammer, Cassidy McClain, Rob Kelly, Pat Schmidt, Mike Gleason, Tom Ihnken, Jamie DeWitt, Logan Kamen, Cole Deveney, and Audrey Iglay. Stay tuned for future announcements!

    Stoke Henge, located in the sand just off the boardwalk, is once again the center of all things art. Asbury Park visual artist Pork Chop will return with his iconic jellyfish and surfboard arch serving as the festival’s visual centerpiece.

    Photo by Ismael Quintanilla III.

    Ocean County-based muralists and artists Jasen Mack and Tim Sramowicz are the featured artists on the beach. A special nod this year will be given to legendary surf photographer Dick “Mez” Meseroll.

    Over in Bradley Park, the Transparent Gallery will feature artwork from participating festival musicians, a special surfboard collaboration, and special pop-up performances.

    Presale for one-day or two-day tickets for Sea.Hear.Now 2024 begins Thursday, March 7 at 10 a.m. ET and is the best chance to purchase 2-Day General Admission, GA+, VIP, Platinum, or Ultimate Experience tickets. Fans can sign up now for a presale passcode.  

    GA+ allows unlimited access to the GA+ Lounge with relaxed seating and air-conditioned restrooms, a private bar with drinks for purchase, complimentary water, and a dedicated GA+ Concierge to assist with festival needs. VIP Tickets provide an exclusive viewing area with elevated sightlines of the stages, VIP Lounges, and more. Platinum Tickets offer all GA+ and VIP amenities, plus exclusive front-of-stage viewing at the Surf, Park, and Sand stages, and much more.

  • Circles Around The Sun Perform at Brooklyn Bowl with Mikaela Davis and Southern Star

    On Saturday, March 2, alternative funk band Circles Around The Sun performed at Brooklyn Bowl featuring singer-songwriter and harpist Mikaela Davis and Southern Star.

    Perri Sage Photography

    Mikaela Davis and Southern Star band is made up of harpist and vocals Mikaela Davis, drummer Alex Coté, guitarist Cian McCarthy, bassist Shane McCarthy and steel guitarist Kurt Johnson. The band have been playing together for over a decade, their performance on Saturday included an array of instrumental elements that cohesively created an atmospheric musical landscape. The blend of the harp sounded ethereal, dreamy, celestial and created a harmonic union to accompany a feminine fluidity on psychedelia and folk rock.

    Perri Sage Photography

    Circles Around The Sun was born in 2015 when lead guitarist Neal Casal was invited to compose a handful of Grateful Dead influenced instrumentals to play between sets at the Dead’s ‘Fare Thee Well’ concerts. Since, the Los Angeles-based band formed and influenced by contemporary instrumental rock.

    The tour kicks off for their fourth studio album release, Language, welcoming guitarist John Lee Shannon, a longtime peer who joins bassist Dan Horne, keyboardist Adam MacDougall, and drummer Mark Levy. The six song release builds on a 70s groove with cosmic-disco and synth sounds that compliment extra percussion and bass riffs. This album allowed the band to explore a new-found sound that encourages a psychedelic and hypnotic feel. The audience was floored by the atmospheric presence they brought to the stage this past weekend. The new material harnesses soul-jazz, funk, rock and allows an exhilarating new path for Circles Around The Sun.

    Perri Sage Photography

    Overall, the band blew the crowd away with their incredible stage presence and new tune transformation. Influenced by free-form and fusing transformational instrumental elements to extend their art as musicians. New York looks forward to see what else the group has is in store for upcoming shows in Albany at Lark Hall on March 9, and in Buffalo at Iron Works on March 12.

  • Ani DiFranco’s “Baby Roe” Strikes Back at Patriarchy

    Just in time for Women’s History Month, Ani DiFranco – singer, songwriter, feminist, and author – has graced listeners with her impactful new release, “Baby Roe“.

    With this, Ani fearlessly tackles the topic of reproductive freedom in the face of constant threats to women’s autonomy. While being known for her vocal activism, DiFranco believes that the right to an abortion is a basic civil right.

    “As a society, it is time to acknowledge that unless a woman is in control of her own reproduction, she is not free, and it is the responsibility of our American government to protect and ensure the freedom of all American citizens”

    Ani DiFranco, as told to Huff Post

    “Baby Roe” is inspired by Joshua Prager’s book “The Family Roe“. Prager’s book covers the unfolding of events surrounding the Roe v. Wade ruling of the Supreme Court in 1972. DiFranco shines on the life of Norma McCorvey’s adopted adult child, who was born and raised during her fight for the right to an abortion. Despite her historical role, Baby Roe came to grasp her importance as an adult becoming an advocate for a woman’s freedom of choice.

    In addition to her musical pursuits, Ani takes center stage in the Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical Hadestown as “Persephone.” This Grammy winner and feminist icon launched her own record label in 1990, helping to kickstart the DIY movement. First known as the “Little Folksinger,” her career has spanned punk, funk, hip hop, jazz, soul, electronica, and more. Later this year, her 23rd album will be released. Ani DiFranco is also notable for opening Babeville, a live music venue in Buffalo.

    As “Baby Roe” echoes across the radio, it serves as a call to action while simultaneously being a music masterpiece. Ani DiFranco’s dedication to civil rights, in the vein of a true feminist icon, is a reminder that art can spark social change.

  • I’m Going To Marry Your Dad Announces Amusing Debut Single “The Friendship Song”

    News is brewing as I’m Going To Marry Your Dad announces the March 5 release of their first ever single “The Friendship Song” under the House of Feelings in the center of New York City.

    The creative force behind the performance art project “I’m Going To Marry Your Dad,” Xalvador, is well-known for his work with drag icon Christeene. This artist has been getting more and more recognition, especially in the LGBTQ+ community and elsewhere.

    “The Friendship Song”, while on the surface seems innocent, is actually a critique of the shallow nature of modern friedships. As produced by Derek Walsh, the song allows listeners to look deeper into our relationships.

    The artist boldly asserts that friendship and professional success are often linked, as it changes into a campfire singalong. The humorous line, “Grab your friends and say hello, how are you, how can you further my career?” expresses how some personal relationships are seen as a possibility for career advancement.

    I'm Going To Marry Your Dad

    Although this idea may seem cynical or even controversial to some, the artist argues that it is an economic reality. For instance, what others may consider to be horrible, they see as economical. This clever wordplay adds a layer of satire to the song. ‘The Friendship Song’ is a definite add to your playlist.

    A release show with a stellar lineup that includes I’m Going To Marry Your Dad, Christeene, Josephine Network, and Le Bang will take place on March 8 at 7 pm at TV EYE, located at 1647 Weirfield St, Ridgewood

    The satirical “Friendship Song”, with a focus on the absurdity of humankind, will be available on all streaming services on March 5. Get tickets to the March 8 release show here.

  • Innovations of Jazz’s Small Swing Groups of the 1940s-1960s Explored in New Book “Jazz with a Beat”

    It was equal parts the lingering Depression economy and the wholesale enlistment of musicians during WWII that ended the Big Band era of jazz.  What emerged in its wake were radically downsized swing ensembles that took one of two roads at this fork in the developmental history of jazz.  The first was the crowd-pleasing, danceable sounds of artists like Louis Jordan and Illinois Jacquet, something that would lead to the emergence of R&B and rock-n-roll.  The second was a more challenging idiom typified by frenetic tempos and advanced harmonic structures. It was a genre pioneered by Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk and a handful of others at late night jam sessions at Minton’s Playhouse in Harlem – the fiercely virtuosic and intellectually-rich genre called bebop.

    Jazz with a Beat

    In his new book, Jazz with A Beat (SUNY Press), Tad Richards provides an exhaustively-researched but eminently readable look at this under-explored and under-appreciated flavor of small group/post-Big Band swing, and the new styles it would birth.

    Still cooking on several burners at 84 years of age, Richards is a true Hudson Valley original.  He is author of more than three dozen books, a much-published poet and journalist, visual artist and sometimes songwriting partner of local legends like John Hall of the band Orleans. Tad was even the screenwriter of two soft-core sex comedies of the ‘70s that are now considered cult classics, The Happy Hooker Goes to Washington and The Cheerleaders!

    But Richards may be best known for his long-running role as Artistic Director and President of Opus 40, the famed sculpture park/renowned earth artwork singlehandedly built by his stepfather, Harvey Fite.  Tad came to Opus 40 in 1944 when his mother married Fite. After Fite and his mother passed, Tad and his wife ran the park, from 1987 through their retirement in 2018.  For three decades, Richards also worked to present some of the most memorable concerts in the Hudson Valley at Opus 40.  They included the dramatic performance by jazz great Sonny Rollins captured in the documentary, Saxophone Colossus.  You can read my  feature on this legendary event here.

    Jazz with a Beat

    With the move to small groups, jazz soloists came to the fore. Most notable was tenor saxophonist Illinois Jacquet, a Texas virtuoso who set the template for “honking” soloing on “Flying Home,” first with Lionel Hamptons’ band and later with his own ensemble. Unlike in large bands, in these compact quintets and sextets, there was no music being read on stage; the magic was made when soloists like Jacquet cut loose and fired up the audience. There’s also a lengthy look at the career of Louis Jordan, a man widely regarded, and noted in his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, as the “Father of Rhythm & Blues.” Jordon and his Tympani Five were huge stars in the 1940s and 1950s, thanks to a string of hits including “Choo Choo Ch’Boogie,” “Is You Is or Is You Ain’t My Baby” and “Saturday Night Fish Fry.”  The latter was one of the first tunes to feature the word “rocking” in its chorus, and a distorted electric guitar as well.  Jordon’s “jump blues” style and captivating stage demeanor would be a huge influence on rock-n-roll’s first superstar, Chuck Berry.

    Richards’ investigation largely focuses on the influence small band swing had on the development of R&B and proto rock-n-roll in the fertile music scene around Central Avenue in Los Angeles. A host of small independent record labels fueled this evolution. Jump blues tunes like Joe Liggins’ “The Honeydripper” (1945) and Wynonie Harris’s “Good Rockin’ Tonight” (1947) are often credited as the first true rock-n-roll songs.  Schooled musicians like Big Jay McNeely, who could’ve pursued more challenging bebop, went for more mainstream R&B styles.  His over-the-top soloing and stage antics are best captured on “The Deacon’s Hop,” maybe the most sax-honking-ist song of all-time and a #1 R&B hit (1949).  According to the book, McNeely was playing a raucous gig in Berlin on November 9, 1989, the night the famous wall came down.  Coincidence?

    Richards’ journey continues to connect the dots to other music scenes across America.  He addresses everything from Dave Bartholomew’s early works with Fats Domino and Little Richard in New Orleans to the Xerox copy works of white artists like Bill Haley’s and his “Rock Around the Clock.”  White artists like Haley and Elvis would strike gold mining the styles, sounds and even many songs composed and first recorded by early R&B and jump blues practitioners.

    “Jazz with a Beat” is a deeply informative yet easily digestible trip back to the days when jazz explored new beats and ferocity, ones that were perhaps the truest and deepest roots of modern day R&B and rock.