The Ithaca Reggae Fest family has announced the return of the much-loved Ithaca Reggae Fest, taking place June 20-21, 2025 in the picturesque Stewart Park, Ithaca.
This vibrant festival celebrates reggae music and culture, bringing together fans from all walks of life for an unforgettable experience. The event promises to be a highlight of the summer, showcasing an incredible lineup of artists, delicious food, and a family-friendly atmosphere.
Planning for the 7th Annual Ithaca Reggae Fest is already underway. As we reflect on the success of this past June’s festival, featuring unforgettable performances from John Brown’s Body, Sister Nancy, Pachyman, and more, the 2025 festival is set to be an even more magical experience.
In the spirit of celebration, there are a very limited number of Early Bird Tickets that are now available for purchase. As always, the Friday Welcome Party on June 20 is FREE for all attendees, and children under the age of 16 can join the festivities for FREE on Saturday, June 21, when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Don’t miss out on the chance to relive the magic of this incredible festival. With this beautiful thriving community, organizers can’t wait for you to celebrate at the 7th Annual Ithaca Reggae Fest in Stewart Park in June, 2025
The Cayuga Chamber Orchestra has announced “Holiday Celebration,” its annual holiday concert, to be hosted on December 14 at 3:00 pm.
The concert takes place at Ford Hall at Ithaca College under the baton of Guest Conductor, Grant Cooper. Cayuga Orchestra’s “Holiday Celebration” is the perfect performance to get settled into the festive spirit ahead of Christmas. The program will feature a side-by-side with the CCO Youth Orchestra. The Cayuga Chamber Orchestra was founded in 1976 and is officially designated “Ithaca’s Orchestra.”
Each season includes an Orchestral Series, Chamber Music Series, a Holiday concert, free Family Concerts, and the long-standing Willard Daetsch Youth Outreach Program, which earned the 2015 Yale Distinguished Music Educator award.
Grant Cooper served as Interim Music Director for two seasons, 2022-23 and 2023-24. Cooper had collaborated with the CCO a number of times previously, both as guest conductor and commissioned composer. He remains especially passionate about creating works designed to introduce young audiences to the orchestra and has created a substantial body of works for this purpose, including Rumpelstiltzkin, a Cayuga Chamber Orchestra commission. His wry sense of humor and meticulous dedication to detail, together with his considerable experience as music director and conductor, and thoughtful approach to music making, drew in audience members and musicians alike.
For more information on Cayuga Orchestra’s “Holiday Celebration,” and to purchase tickets online, click here.
New York City based synth-rock band The FMs have released their junior album 51122, a commemorative project for their late member Frankie Rex.
Photo: Dylan Mars Greenberg
Originally a musical partnership between high school friends Matte Namer and Frankie Rex, The FMs have curated a tight-knit community over the years with their synth-infused sound, unapologetically queer narratives, and underground shows held atop a ferry boat in the industrial canals of Bushwick.
Not only did the ferry shows introduce many to the sound of The FMs, the boat provided the duo a space to record and self-produce three full-length LPs. Debuting in 2017 with Machinacene Epoch, The FMs quickly established their ethos of a rather traditional album creation process in which each release exists with its own personality and sonic statement.
PINK + BLACK, the duo’s sophomore double-LP began taking shape quickly after Machinacene Epoch’s release in 2017 and saw promising progress into 2020, amassing 2,000 hours of recording, producing, and tinkering. However, PINK + BLACK was delayed after the news of a devastating loss. Frankie Rex passed away from an overdose in 2022, understandably putting the project on pause as the loss was processed.
This was not the end for The FMs, however. Matte Namer was determined to continue Rex’s legacy and prove that not even death could stop Frankie’s voice from being heard- a sentiment that came to fruition with the posthumous release of PINK + BLACK in 2024, which was met with acclaim from critics and LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations like GLAAD.
In preparation for this new chapter of The FMs, Namer gathered Ithaca-based trans musicians Bubba Crumrine on guitars, Basim Hussain on synths and keys, and Nick Scollard on drums. Now reformed, The FMs have returned for their newest album, 51122.
The title coincides with the date of Rex’s passing, and in many ways is a simultaneous goodbye and thank you to Rex’s incredible contributions to the band and the world as an artist throughout their life and musical career. 51122 contains the last recordings of Frankie’s voice to be published ever, including in a pre-release single that came in the form of a Joy Division cover– a tribute to one of the original duo’s favorite bands and Frankie’s favorite track of theirs.
“It’s also a bit somber being the last music that I think will ever be released with Frankie’s incredible, powerful, unique voice. I think there’s something about that that makes me remember they are really gone, like an orchid blooming from a coffin nail. 51122 is the date Frankie passed away, but is also a type of symbol in a way, or perhaps a word. I’m not sure what that meaning is yet, perhaps the orchid needs to grow.”
– Matte Namer
With influences ranging from lo-fi all the way to disco, 51122 is a dreamy, gritty, synth-y collection that stands as an undeniable testament to how far the band has come while simultaneously honoring where and with whom it all began.
Tracks like “You Feel Like God” and “A Means To An End” take listeners on a guitar-infused synth adventure through space and complex interpersonal relationships, while songs like the rock-ballad “Deviant” reflect upon and reject concepts of deviance and societal other-ing over acoustic guitar and floating piano.
Photo: Dylan Mars Greenberg
“Domino” cuts to the bone with unforgettable vocals, gritty guitars, and a sharp bass line, putting what The FMs can do when they lean full-on into the punk sound on full display- and the impact is undeniably felt.
Throughout 51122, the skills of Namer, Rex, Crumrine, Hussain, and Scollard are on full display- not a moment goes by where there’s a lack of sonic interest. Whether it be a dystopic cyber-future like in “Future Pope” or the wistful nostalgia of “Record Store”, each track off of the album paints a vivid picture effortlessly. 51122 is above all a triumph- a sign that The FMs will go on, and so will Frankie Rex and their unrelenting musical spirit.
In celebration of 51122’s release, The FMs have announced a set of album release parties on November 22 and 23. On Friday the 22, the band will pay a visit to Angry Mom Records in Ithaca, and on the 23 they’ll grace the stage of Berlin in Manhattan for a joint album release party and queer rock showcase. To learn more about these shows and how to attend, check out The FMs’ tour page here.
To learn more about The FMs, listen to their past releases, and keep up to date with all of their future ventures, be sure to explore their official website here.
Ithaca-based trio Pocket Bandits have released their Groovy third single “Second Drink” alongside the announcement of their debut LP.
A modern twist to the old-school organ trio, Pocket Bandits packs the musical punch of a large ensemble in a smaller unit. Members Joe Massa on guitar, Simon Bjarning on drums, and Samuel B. Lupowitz on organ, synth, and pedal keyboards combine their musical prowess into a final product that is full of infectious dancing energy.
Having performed separately in various groups across Central New York prior to the pandemic, when the group’s regular musical roster came to a halt they found themselves faced with a unique opportunity- and with that Pocket Bandits was born.
Since then, the trio has performed countless covers from Steely Dan to Chappell Roan with original compositions sprinkled throughout.
The unit debuted their first official release in April of this year, and since then have been hard at work writing, rehearsing, and recording. Returning for their third track to date, Pocket Bandits has released the infectiously funky “Second Drink.”
Clocking in at just over six and a half minutes, “Second Drink” capitalizes on each and every second with an overflowing, undeniable, stylish funk. Recorded almost entirely live at Redwood Lane in Ithaca, there’s some serious technical work at play hidden beneath the layers of boogy with shifting time signatures, a suitelike structure, and a gradual buildup to an organ solo that really bring the piece to life.
Even more exciting is the news that dropped alongside “Second Drink”- the reveal of Pocket Bandit’s debut EP. Releasing on January 24 is Nine– a set of nine vibrant originals from the trio that are sure to excite.
The group has also teased an album release show in their homebase of Ithaca with more dates across the Northeast to follow. To learn more about Pocket Bandits, find out about a show near you, and keep up to date with all of their latest endeavors, be sure to visit their official website here.
Ithaca-based band Rev Ezra is gearing up for the release of their second studio album with a brand new single titled “Edge of a Knife,” out everywhere today.
Rev Ezra is the brainchild of singer-songwriter Josh Chamberlain. The project takes many forms with Chamberlain performing both as a solo artist and with a full-band. “Rev” invokes Reverend, a calling to the many religious themes in Chamberlain’s work. Ezra is “just a cool name,” Chamberlain says.
In 2022, Chamberlain released his first album as Rev Ezra. The record, titled “These Days” garnered tens of thousands of streams after being placed on multiple official Spotify editorial playlists.
“I kind of lacked a little bit of a confidence to really take myself seriously as an artist,” Chamberlain said. “I’m so glad I did [release the album]. That changed, like, everything for me.” he said.
Two years later, Chamberlain is preparing for his second album set to release this December. “Edge of a Knife” is the first single off the record.
“One of the lyrics is ‘How long can you live at the edge of a knife before you get cut too deep,’” Chamberlin explains. “It’s all about having too many late nights, not taking any breaks working every day… just feeling like I was at my wits end.”
At least that’s how Chamberlin says he felt before making a major change this year: namely, quitting his job of five years and making music his top priority. “Man it frees up your mind,” Chamberlain said. “I knew that I put in my time and that I was ready to be done with that chapter … and I’m a lot less stressed now.”
Rev Ezra performing at Red Ants Pants Music Festival in Montana. Photo by Nicole Rossi
This new chapter sees Chamberlain with his hands full of numerous projects including his upcoming second album, as well as a second record he has planned for a group he co-founded called Cast Iron Cowboys. Since leaving his job, Chamberlain has also played several music festivals including the Finger Lakes GrassRoots festival in Trumansburg, NY and Red Ants Pants Music Festival in Montana.
Although originally from Pittsburgh, Ithaca has become Chamberlain’s new home since he moved there in 2021.
“This place has an incredible music scene, and I knew kind of pretty quickly that it was somewhere where I wanted to stay,” Chamberlain said.
The Cast Iron Cowboys pose for a photo (From left to right: Nate Marshall, Joe Hayward, Josh Chamberlin, Max Moses, Margaret Harper and Zeb Whitford.) Photo by Jessie Koch
The town has popular live music venues such as the Deep Dive as well as the State Theater. However, in recent years, other popular music establishments like the Haunt, Lot 10 and the Range have closed their doors to the dismay of many locals. Chamberlain has worked to expanded his reach to many of the wineries in the Finger Lakes region.
The Cast Iron Cowboys performing live at the Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival. Photo by Jessie Koch
Chamberlain says living in Ithaca has affected his songwriting in more ways and one.
“Life transitions make their way into songwriting, whether you like it or not, so living in a new place and being surrounded by different things absolutely impacted me,” Chamberlain said. So in a way, ever since I moved here, every song I’ve written is about Ithaca in one way or another, and it’s also about the people that I know here.”
The new album also has ties to Ithaca, recorded at Electric Wilburland in the nearby town of Newfield. The Cast Iron Cowboys also released a live EP released earlier this year, recorded primarily at Deep Dive.
When he’s not doing music, Chamberlain works part-time on a few small farms, baling hay, spreading manure, chainsawing downed trees and occasionally wrangling horses. In short, he’s not afraid to put in hard work to accomplish his goals.
“I saved up a bunch to make it viable, but now I’m able to work part-time, and I’m able to treat music as my number one thing, and I really like that better.” he said.
With music at the forefront, Chamberlain has been able to really focus on his second album, which he says delves into themes of personal growth and supporting others in a sustainable way.
It’s a lot of introspection and taking a critical look at how life looks and saying … what kind of ground work do I want to lay for future generations,” Chamberlain said. “I don’t know what the future holds but I know that I want to make it better than it is.”
Photo by Zach Ulibarri
As far as Chamberlain’s own future, he has big plans for the coming year and hopes to do more music festivals and perhaps even a tour. Additionally he plans on releasing a full album with Cast Iron Cowboys in 2025.
“I’m kind of asking myself, you know, how far can I take this?” Chamberlain said.
Chamberlain will be releasing a single ever single week (besides Thanksgiving) leading up to his album release in December. He will also be having a single release party for cuts like knife at South Hill Cider in Ithaca on November 2nd from 6-8pm.
Ithaca trio Pocket Bandits have announced the release of their sophomore single “Midway” and their debut performance in Buffalo on September 27. Listen to premiere of the track below.
Pocket Bandits, the dynamic instrumental organ trio that emerged on the Central New York music scene in the fall of 2023, release “Midway,” on Friday, September 27. The band also makes their Buffalo debut that evening, hitting the stage at Nietzche’s with award-winning Boston soul singer-songwriter Jill McCracken and Buffalo local artist Sara Elizabeth.
Equal parts light and dark, shiny and grungy, melodious and angular, the new single captures all the intensity and fun of the trio. On the heels of their debut release from the spring of 2024, “The Pocket Bandit,” the progressive funk-fusion trio return with another live show favorite. “Midway” deftly splits the difference between inviting danceability and avant-garde exploration, synthesizing the extremes of the three-piece’s identity into one jubilant track.
The track is captivating to the ears of many genre-enjoyers. “Midway” encapsulates every persona and sound that each member possesses. It is dynamic, powerful and diverse in taste. There’s a little something for everyone here, and this is a staple of Pocket Bandits’ style.
They are a modern twist on the old-school organ trio: the power of a big band in a tiny package. The group is also performing a free hometown show that weekend, on the final day of the Ithaca Apple Harvest Festival, Sunday, September 29 at 4pm on the Dewitt Park Stage.
With “Midway,” Pocket Bandits expand on “The Pocket Bandit” in their grand ambitions for their new collaboration. With more shows and more music on deck as 2024 moves into 2025, Pocket Bandits invite you to hop aboard and follow along for the ride.
Thrilling your senses and filling the dance floor, the trio engage their audiences with melodic, dynamic original compositions, as well as crowd-pleasers by The Beatles, Chappell Roan, Steely Dan, and even the Super Mario Brothers.
For more information on the Pocket Bandits, their new release “Midway” and to purchase tickets to their show in Buffalo, click here.
Hailing from Ithaca, six-piece funk band NEO Project dazzles audiences with their energetic stage presence and hypnotic fusion music. Their unique, high-energy sound and performances have blown crowds away for the better part of a decade. With an interesting mix of genres and insatiable chemistry, NEO Project is sure to put on an unforgettable performance.
Since 2012, the band has been on a mission to make crowds dance with their stellar improvisation and musicianship. NEO Project is made up of Elly Holiday and Jimbo Scott as lead vocalists, John White on keyboards and backup vocals, Dwight Carroll on electric guitar and vocals, Franklin Henry on electric bass, and Mike McCoy on drums. As well-decorated veterans of the music industry, including past careers as music professors, soul practitioners, and even a former Motown sideman, they each hold a deep love and passion for funk, soul, jazz, and R&B music.
In their many years of touring and making music, NEO Project has worn many hats when it comes to performing. Originally, they began as a funk band, but soon after realized their true potential in becoming an all-out dance band that blends a multitude of genres. Bringing in inspiration from Afro-Caribbean music, as well as soul, jazz, and R&B, NEO Project combines the genres that were truly inspirational to them, with their own improvisational twist.
Eventually, through years of fine-tuning their sound, NEO Project became exemplary of the great diversity within the music industry, proving that genres can absolutely coexist and share the spotlight at the same time. Along with their own original music, NEO Project reinterprets some of the best soul, jazz, and funk music out there with their own unique twist, covering a wide range of artists from Deee-Lite to James Brown. Their unique sound has brought thousands from all over the state to bars, concert halls, and festivals to enjoy some new-age fusion in classic old-fashioned styles.
Throughout the last ten years, the NEO Project family has performed all over New York, bringing the energy to music festivals and concert series alike. On July 11, the band headlined a performance at the Ithaca Summer Concert Series; their most recent surmounting success right from their hometown. Their most recent gig at the Finger Lakes Cider House brought the house down with their incredibly dynamic and original performance.
NEO Project’s funky, charming tunes have brought them widespread critical acclaim, from magazines to newspapers and more. “There’s a new band based in Ithaca, NY that will have you tapping your toes and shakin’ your groove thing to its unique, fun style of Neo Soul, Funk, Jazz, Rock, and Afro-Caribbean world grooves,” says Roger Theies of What’s Hot? magazine. Harry Segal of The Dock calls them “the tightest funk fusion band in the land!”
After a rousing ten-year anniversary, NEO Project’s reign is far from over. Catch NEO Project at The Range, 119 E State St, Ithaca, for a surefire performance that will never make you want to throw away your dancing shoes. The end of a busy season awaits the band as August begins, with headlining performances at the Geneva Lakefront Summer Concert Series on Wednesday, August 14. On September 2, NEO Project will perform for a private member’s exclusive event at the Ithaca Yacht Club, followed by a headlining performance at the Corning Harvest Fest on Saturday, September 21.
For any information on the band, be sure to visit their official Facebook page, linked here.
On May 19, the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra, located in Ithaca, announced its next Music Director: Guillaume Pirard.
The news of Pirard’s selection was revealed at the CCO’s Passing the Baton concert. Pirard will begin his endeavor as Music Director by conducting the first concert of the 2024-2025 season.
Photo Credit: Sarah Blodgett – 1
Guillaume Pirard was born in Belgium and studied at the Brussels Conservatory of Music and Den Haag. While attending, he studied classical, Baroque, and romantic styles. He continued his studies at Julliard and the New School, where he earned his master’s in Orchestral Conducting. During his studies, he played in various period ensembles and chamber music series in Europe and the United States. These include the Helicon Foundation, the Smithsonian Chamber Players, the Chamber Music Society of Central Virginia, the Staunton Festival, Les Muffatti and the Context series at Rice University.
As the co-concertmaster and founding member of The Knights, Pirard has performed on tours all over North America and Europe. These performances include festivals in Tanglewood, Ravinia, Caramoor, the Festival-de-Paques in Aix-en-Provence, the Salzburg Festpiele, the Tonhalle in Zurich, the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, and the Muziverein in Vienna.
In addition to his European tours, Pirard has conducted all over the United States. These include The New York University and Cornell University Orchestras, the Orlando Philharmonic, and the Mannes Orchestra and School of Opera at the New School. Aside from conducting, Pirard has served on multiple university faculties across the United States. While working for the New York University ensembles, he also served on the violin and chamber music faculty. He has presented guest master classes at Cornell University and the University of California at Santa Barbara. Furthermore, he has served as a panelist for several arts organizations. This includes the Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, the New York Youth Symphony, and the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University.
Formed in 1976, the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra is designated as “Ithaca’s orchestra.” Over the years, they have performed hundreds of concerts through a variety of programs. During the season, these performances include the Orchestral Series, Chamber Music Series, holiday concerts, and free Family Concerts. However, most notable is the Willard Daetsch Youth Outreach Program, which provides school students around Tompkins County with instruments and instructors.
Further information regarding the 2024-2025 season and Subscription options will be available in June. For more information, fans can visit CCOithaca.org, contact the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra Box Office at 607-273-8981 or info@CCOithaca.org.
Funk/rock-fusion trio Pocket Bandits have announced the release of their debut single, “The Pocket Bandit,” on April 5. The trio hails from Ithaca and hopes to dazzle listeners with their upcoming track.
The debut single is set to put Pocket Bandits out there once and for all. The single is a bold opening volley from a band of experienced musicians with big ambitions for their new collaboration. The trio is comprised of Joe Massa, Samuel B. Lupowitz, and Simon Bjarning. Joe and Samuel have played together for a decade.
The group practices a fusion of sounds from funk, progressive rock, and jam-blues. The music sees a funky guitar-organ combo that keeps the listener entranced. The trio can be described as a fun, funky fusion of R&B grooves, jazz improvisation, rock intensity, and catchy-yet-unpredictable songwriting.
The single is to be marked with a record release at The Downstairs in Ithaca on Saturday, April 6. Pocket Bandits plays two sets of original material, and a third set backing up Marlyand-based post-rock singer-songwriter Mark Hennessey.
The group aims not merely to show off, but to fill the dance floor with their engaging original compositions, as well as the occasional crowd-pleaser by artists from The Beatles to Billie Eilish. Their debut single showcases the groups experience, talent, and ability to make groove ensue.
To stay up to date on Pocket Bandits’ upcoming releases and to find out more about the trio, click here. Make sure to check out their upcoming shows as well.
Classical wind quintet WindSync is set to perform in Ithaca at the Hockett Family Recital Hall in the James J. Whalen Center for Music on April 10. The group plays their own unique approach to honoring one of the most influential boy bands of all time, NSYNC. Not only this, but the group plans to play original works, as well as covered works by various other artists.
WindSync is made up of five classically trained virtuoso musicians who approach artistry, education, and community building with the charisma and openness of the boy band that inspired their name. The concert is free and open to the public. Earlier that afternoon at 4pm, WindSync will also offer a masterclass in the Hockett Family Recital Hall.
The show celebrates the release of the group’s WindSync Plays Miguel del Aguila album which is set to be released five days prior on April 5. The album features music by Miguel del Aguila, a contemporary composer whose sound is highly influenced by his Latin American roots.
The April 10 program takes place at the James J. Whalen Center for Music as part of the Robert G. Boehmler Community Foundation Series. The program features the woodwind rendition of various artists, along with the group’s original compositions.
April 10 Program:
Shawn Okpebholo: Rise – premiered this season, the Nigerian-American composer’s work explored racial injustice.
Mozart, Serenade in C minor K. 388 – this is a different kind of wind serenade. It’s brooding versus chipper, and Mozart wrote it at a time when wind music was trendy in Vienna.
Marc Mellits: Apollo – in honor of the 2024 total solar eclipse – WindSync commissioned Marc Mellits to write Apollo in connection with the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing.
Dieterich Buxtehude: Passacaglia in D minor, BuxWV 161 – hear how the wind arrangement of this solemn piece makes it even more haunting.
For more information on the upcoming program by WindSync hosted at the James J. Whalen Center for Music, click here.
