NYS Music 2024

Tag: Music News

  • The Sembrich Gives and Receives Wondrous Awards This Fall

    The Sembrich in Bolton Landing has announced they have given the Marcella Sembrich Memorial Performance Prize to American tenor Michael Butler. The venue has also received an award from the Greater Hudson Heritage Network.

    Sembrich
    Michael Butler

    The Sembrich features museum exhibitions and an annual summer festival with an exciting mix of world-class musicians, noted musical scholars, a free film series, and the opportunity to enjoy it all on the beautiful shores of Lake George. Listed on the National Historic Register, The Sembrich was once the teaching studio of Polish soprano Marcella Sembrich, one of the most famous musicians at the turn of the 20th century.

    Visitors can discover her storied legacy, which includes over 400 performances at the Metropolitan Opera and faculty positions at both the Juilliard Graduate School and the Curtis Institute of Music. With a treasured museum, performance series, and over four wooded acres of nature paths to explore, The Sembrich is truly a unique cultural experience.

    The Marcella Sembrich Memorial Performance Prize awarded to Michael Butler exemplifies the artistic legacy of Polish soprano Marcella Sembrich. The prize guarantees the selected singer a solo performance at The Sembrich, the famed singer’s former lakeside teaching studio in Bolton Landing on Lake George, during an upcoming season. The auditions were held on the weekend of October 12-13 at the Kosciuszko Foundation’s house in NYC.

    Michael Butler hails from Washington, D.C. and is American lyric tenor. Of nearly 120 applicants, 34 singers were admitted to participate. Butler placed second in the overall competition and won the award for the best performance of a Polish work by a non-Polish entrant. The grand prize was awarded to Polish-American soprano Magdalena Kuźma, and third prize was awarded to Canadian contralto Rose Naggar-Tremblay.

    Along with awarding a prize, The Sembrich has also received an award of their own. The 2024 Award for Excellence was given by The Greater Hudson Heritage Network (GHHN) for The Sembrich’s recent efforts to preserve Marcella Sembrich’s “Queen of the Night” costume. The museum staff attended the annual GHHN conference on Tuesday, October 15 to accept the award and present at an awardee poster session. The conference “Embracing Innovation,” was held at Manhattanville College in Purchase New York and was attended by museum professionals from across New York State.

    GHHN is New York State’s ‘go-to’ service organization focusing on interpretation, collections care programming, and the conservation and preservation of objects in collecting institutions statewide. Its programming and professional development training programs, webinars, hands-on workshops, web-based resources, responsive technical assistance, and grant opportunities provide the tools so that historical societies, historic house museums, heritage centers, historic sites, archives, and libraries may better care for their own collections.

    Greater Hudson Heritage Network’s Awards for Excellence program seeks to recognize and commend exceptional efforts among GHHN members. Awards are made to projects that exemplify creativity and professional vision resulting in a contribution to the preservation and interpretation of the historic scene, material culture, and diversity of the region.

    The Sembrich Staff at the Awardee Poster Session

    For more information on The Sembrich, Marcella Sembrich Memorial Performance Prize, and the GHHN, click here.

  • Amy Zou, Looi, and T Shan to Perform at The Sultan Room in Brooklyn on November 17

    NY-based indie/alternative artists Amy Zou, Looi, and T. Shan are set to perform at The Sultan Room in Brooklyn on November 17.

    All three featured artists create indie/alternative music and are based out of New York. Amy Zou is a singer-songwriter, musician, and producer based in Brooklyn. She spent her formative years playing classical piano and flute, before channeling her love for singing, reading, & writing into songwriting. Now, she crafts genre-bending songs, layering in sonic complexity with sometimes cerebral metaphors & fictional worlds into her lyrics. Her upcoming EP I’ve Been Looking For You captures an ambient, avant-pop-leaning sound sieved through an experiential lens of self-discovery. It is a classic hero’s journey turned inward – a search for adventure within the confines of your bedroom, half-remembered dreams, and in the place between decisions.

    Raised between China and both coasts of the US, T. Shan’s music blends increasingly wide genre influences united by his biting, confessional lyrics. His music reflects the highs and lows of modern love, yet never loses sight of where he and his family came from.On his latest EP “Flowers & Spice,” released in 2023, T. Shan sought to explore a host of new sonic terrains, from indie rock ballads to house rap dance tracks, all while telling a love story from its blossoming to its post-mortem. Intimate and hectic, saccharine yet bitter, the record braids together reflections of diving headfirst into love while hesitant from the aches of past scars, numbing yourself amidst strobe lights and D&B, and coming to peace with the good and bad of a bygone affection.

    Amy Zou

    A singer, songwriter, guitarist, producer, and seasoned performer, Looi is working to release her debut EP — an intergenerational exploration of her Chinese-Malaysian heritage, which exists within the soundscapes of neo-soul, alt-indie, and r&b pop. Her cult following of listeners keeps up with her journey through enchanting performances of unreleased music, private demos, and select public releases. The November 17 show follows the release of her latest single, “Cherries.”

    The show begins at 7:00 PM on Sunday November 17. The event is 21+ and tickets are currently at $22. The Sultan Room in Brooklyn is standing room only, with very limited seating available on a first come, first served basis. It is highly recommended arriving early to secure one of the few seats. Each of these artists plan to rock the house in their own unique ways, and the performances are ones you’ll not want to miss.

    Looi

    For more information on the upcoming show at The Sultan Room on Nov 17 featuring Amy Zou, Looi, and T.Shan, click here.

  • Ethnomusicologist Joseph Alpar to Perform Love Music of the Ottoman Middle East at Arthur Zankel Music Center in Saratoga

    Ethnomusicologist, performer, and educator Joseph Alpar is set to perform music of the Ottoman Middle East at Arthur Zankel Music Center in Saratoga Springs on November 16.

    Alpar explores the intertwined histories of Jews, Muslims, and Christians in the Ottoman Empire through music at Skidmore College’s Arthur Zankel Music Center. Admission is free and open to the public. The central theme of the concert, “Aşk: Music, Love, and Mysticism in the Ottoman World,” is love in all its forms.

    It will feature poignant songs of unrequited desire, lyrical wedding ballads about marital loyalty, bawdy tunes delighting in infidelity, driving Sufi and Jewish mystical songs about divine and earthly beloveds, and musical vignettes of everyday courtship, relationships, and separation.

    The concert will tell an inspiring story of shared musical traditions and intense cultural collaboration between the peoples of the Ottoman world in several languages — Turkish, Hebrew, Judeo-Spanish (Ladino), Greek, and Arabic. Alpar will sing and perform on several Turkish and Greek instruments, joined by a stellar ensemble. 

    The event is sponsored by Skidmore’s Jacob Perlow Series, Office of Special Programs, and departments of Music, Environmental Studies and Sciences, Religious Studies, Political Science, and History. Funding is provided by endowments established by Jacob Perlow, an immigrant to the U.S. in the 1920s who was committed to furthering Jewish education, and by a bequest from Beatrice Perlman Troupin.

    For more information on Joseph Alpar’s upcoming Nov 16 concert at Skidmore College’s Arthur Zankel Music Center and to purchase tickets, click here.

  • SPAC Announces 2024 “Sounds of the Season” Holiday Series

    Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) has announced that its popular “Sounds of the Season” holiday series will return from December 13-15 in Spa Little Theater.

    Sounds of the Season

    The show features genre-defying trio Time for Three (DEC 13), Damien Sneed (DEC 14) leading “A Gospel Holiday” celebration, and GRAMMY-nominated vocal ensemble VOCES8 (DEC 15). Time For Three is back by popular demand following their “Sounds of the Season” appearance in 2023. Known for energetic performances that seamlessly merge classical, Americana, modern pop, and singer-songwriter styles, the trio will bring special arrangements of holiday favorites alongside original music.

    Making his return to the Spa Little Theater stage on December 14 is multi-genre recording artist and instrumentalist Damien Sneed alongside his band. Sneed will present his new production of “A Gospel Holiday” featuring his original arrangements of gospel, jazz, and classical holiday favorites including Silent Night, The Christmas Song and Jesus, Oh What A Wonderful Child.

    The “Sounds of the Season” series will culminate on December 15 with 2023 GRAMMY-nominated British vocal ensemble VOCES8 for its “Winter Tales” program. Following their SPAC debut in 2019, the a cappella group will perform a mix of holiday music spanning centuries from Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungen to Let it Snow. The announcement marks the continuation of SPAC’s year-round programming in the Spa Little Theater, which is inclusive of a fall, holiday and spring season and is part of SPAC’s mission to present year-round programming.

    Sounds of the Season
    Time for Three

    “Sounds of the Season” Program Schedule:

    A Time For Three Holiday

    Friday, December 13 | 7 PM

    Defying conventions with genre-bending excellence, Time For Three’s captivating sound merges classical, Americana, modern pop, and singer-songwriter styles, and their charismatic performances push creative boundaries. In addition to incredible arrangements of Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Led Zeppelin and others, the trio featuring Charles Yang (violin, vocals), Nicolas “Nick” Kendall (violin, vocals), and Ranaan Meyer (double bass, vocals), will present original music and special arrangements of holiday favorites.  

    Damien Sneed: A Gospel Holiday

    Saturday, December 14 | 7 PM

    A multi-genre recording artist, Damien Sneed is a pianist, vocalist, organist, composer, conductor, arranger, producer, and arts educator. Sneed returns to SPAC with an all-new project, “A Gospel Holiday,” featuring his original arrangements of gospel, jazz, and classical holiday favorites like Silent Night, The Christmas Song and Jesus, Oh What A Wonderful Child.

    VOCES8: Winter Tales

    Sunday, December 15 | 7 PM

    Touring globally, the group showcases their diverse musical expression and versatility through an extensive repertoire ranging from the Renaissance to contemporary. Their program “Winter Tales” features a mix of holiday music spanning centuries from Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungen to Let it Snow.

    Damien Sneed

    For more information on “Sounds of the Season” at SPAC and to purchase tickets click here.

  • Sam Kogon Releases Politically Charged New Single “America”

    Sam Kogon has released his latest single “America”. The track arrives as a timely commentary on the current political landscape, just as the 2024 election season begins to heat up.

    “America” was born during the tumultuous period of COVID-19 lockdowns and widespread protests, capturing the zeitgeist of a nation grappling with its identity and future. The song’s lyrics touch on various hot-button issues, from voting rights and social justice to healthcare and reparations, all wrapped in Kogon’s signature blend of catchy melodies and thought-provoking wordplay. This single is a precursor to what’s next for Kogon, who recently completed recording a full album’s worth of material with Agnello this past spring.

    This new body of work promises to build on the success of his previous releases, including his self-titled EP from 2022, which garnered critical acclaim and expanded his fanbase. Kogon has collaborated with notable artists throughout his career, including Al Jardine of The Beach Boys and Grammy Award nominee Patty Smyth. He also fronted the revived baroque pop group The Left Banke, known for their classic hit “Walk Away Renee.” These experiences have enriched Kogon’s musical palette, allowing him to blend influences from various genres into his own unique sound.

    The track was co-produced by Jeff Berrall of the band Caveman and Zach Brewer, with Sam Kogon himself also taking on production duties. It features Kogon’s own vocals, guitar, and organ, alongside Graeme Gengras on piano and the rhythm section of Caveman providing bass and drums. The song was mixed by industry veteran John Agnello, whose credits include Dinosaur Jr. and Kurt Vile, adding a polished sheen to Kogon’s raw, emotive style.

    With its timely release and politically charged lyrics, “America” is poised to resonate with listeners as they navigate the complex landscape of the upcoming election year. The chorus encapsulates the frustration and hope that many Americans are feeling: “You bought it, you broke it / How come nothing gets done right around here? / You built it, now fix it / We can’t wait another 4 more years.”

    For more information on Sam Kogon’s music and to listen to his latest single, click here.

  • Maverick Concerts Announces New Green Room Project this Fall as Part of Multi-Step Fundraiser

    Maverick Concerts in Woodstock has announced their new Green Room Project as part of a multi-step fundraising project to revitalize and retain the historic hall.

    Maverick Concerts green room

    Maverick Concerts is the oldest ongoing summer chamber music festival in the U.S., attracting the best musicians in the world for 100 years. In addition to classical music, Maverick features jazz, contemporary, folk and world music. Maverick Family Saturdays offers free music, demonstrations and discovery for the whole family. The mainstay of the festival, which runs from June to September, is to be found in the Sunday chamber music concerts performed by renowned soloists and ensembles. Jazz and Contemporary Music presentations have been given more prominence in recent seasons.

    Maverick Concerts is located in Hurley on the outskirts of Woodstock, in Ulster County. TZHe barn-like, rectangular building with its gambrel roof was built by hand as part of the Maverick Colony in 1916 by the utopian writer and philosopher Hervey White.

    With a roof of wood shingles and a frame of heavy timber, to which the walls—sheaths of wide planks—are nailed directly, the wooden construction and luminous acoustics create an environment perfectly suited to the intimacy of live chamber music. Maverick Concerts, a multi-starred destination by the National Register of Historic Places since 1999, was awarded for Excellence in Historic Preservation by the Preservation League of New York State.

    This fall, the iconic venue plans to harbor new initiative in the creation of the new Green Room. Maverick Concerts has been awarded $457,000 in New York State grants for two capital projects vital to retaining the historic hall as an artistic home. The Green Room project starts this fall and as a first step in this multi-step fundraising project we are focusing on raising the full $257,000 of the New York State Council on the Arts matching grant. 

    The Green Room Project is an exciting new addition to the already fantastic venue. With the newly added Green Room, the Maverick Concert Hall expands their possibilities and capacity. $146,000 has been raised so far and with help they can raise the remaining $111,000 to better utilize the building for the expansion of musical legacy.

    For more information on Maverick Concerts, upcoming events, and the Green Room Project, click here.

  • The Great Salt City Blues Concert Comes to Syracuse in December for Eighth Edition

    The Great Salt City Blues Concert 8 has been announced for its annual return to Syracuse on December 26, this time at a new venue, the St. George Church Hall.

    The Great Salt City Blues

    The area’s best musicians will be paying tribute to the music of 4 Blues Hall Of Fame members: Michael Bloomfield (2012), Johnny “Guitar” Watson (2008), Ruth Brown (2002) & Big Bill Broonzy (a charter BHOF member). Michael Bloomfield was one of the first guitar heroes of his generation, who along with Eric Clapton, was considered an early influence on many aspiring Blues guitarist’s that followed the path of the Blues boom of the late 60’s and early 70’s. 

    The GREAT Salt City BLUES Concert 8 will also be paying tribute to, Johnny “Guitar” Watson, a Texas Blues guitar great who began recording in 1954 and later re-invented himself as a funk soul master, best known for writing and singing the classic 1977 R&B hit, “A Real Mother For Ya”. Ruth Brown is also a member of the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, inducted in 1993, mostly on the strength of 50’s classics Ruth recorded for Atlantic Records. Atlantic Records was then known as “the house that Ruth built” and Ruth a consistent hit maker and was their Queen of Rhythm & Blues.

    The Great Salt City Blues
    Michael Bloomfield

    On the acoustic stage, The GREAT Salt City BLUES Concert 8 will pay tribute to the legendary Chicago Bluesman, Big Bill Broonzy, a Blues Hall of Fame artist who began performing in the 1920’s and continued to record until his death in 1958. His prolific writing skills include over 300 copyrighted compositions, including many Blues classics that formed the bedrock of Chicago Blues. The great Muddy Waters was one of his biggest fans and recorded many of Big Bill’s classics for Chess Records in the 50’s and 60’s.

    This year’s GREAT Salt City BLUES Concert 8 will be limited to 400 seated patrons and there is plenty of free parking at the Macedonian Orthodox Church parking lot. Food & beverages will be available and served by the church staff. Tickets are $30.00 advance / $40.00 at door, if available and go on sale, Nov. 1. You’ll want to jump on tickets now, as this show is sure to get packed quick.

     A series of 10 GREAT Salt City BLUES Concerts will be presented. This is concert #8 and each concert has been performed in front of a full capacity audience. Each concert is unique and never to be repeated with a changing line-up of performers featuring some of the area’s greatest musicians. Each concert is a thematic show honoring some of our greatest Blues Artists with participating musicians chosen specifically because they are best fitted for the show.

    For more information on the upcoming GREAT Salt City BLUES concert and to purchase tickets, click here.

  • Legendary Comic Institution Second City Announces New York Comedy Debut at Brooklyn Outpost

    The iconic Second City Comic Institution announces the New York Comedy Festival’s debut at their Brooklyn outpost. The festival lasts from Nov 8 to 17.

    Following the successful launch of The Second City New York earlier this year, the iconic comedy institution is once again raising the bar. Building on the legacy of its renowned Chicago and Toronto siblings, the Brooklyn outpost is entering an exciting new chapter with a prime spot in the 2024 New York Comedy Festival.

    Second City New York’s highly anticipated debut at the 2024 New York Comedy Festival showcases over 20 guest performances, from Friday, November 8 to Sunday, November 17. From high-energy improv to hysterical stand-up, the festival’s schedule showcases The Second City’s signature mix of classic formats and fresh, boundary-pushing experiments.

    Second City opened its doors in 1959 as a small comedy cabaret and has since grown to become the world’s most influential name in improvisation and comedy, celebrating its 65th year in business in 2024. The Second City’s stages, Touring Companies, and Training Centers across North America have proudly been the launch pad and artistic home for many of the funniest performers, writers, directors, and comedic minds on the planet.

    In addition, due to the incredible response from New York audiences, the current Mainstage Revue production of Ruthless Acts of Kindness has been extended through Saturday, November 16. The added performances provide fans a few more opportunities to catch this immersive production featuring sketch and improv scenes diving into the absurdities of everyday life with a special nod to New York City’s quirks and characters.

    For more information on the upcoming New York City Comedy Festival, and to purchase tickets, click here.

  • Aloe Blacc Sets Out for Three-Night Residency at Iconic Blue Note Jazz Club in NYC from Jan 24-26

    Multi-platinum Hip Hop artist Aloe Blacc has announced his upcoming three-night residency at the iconic Blue Note Jazz Club in NYC. This residency takes place from January 24 to 26, 2025, ahead of the release of his upcoming new album.

    This series of intimate performances comes ahead of the release of his first album of original new music in five years, set to drop in February 2025. Known for his hits such as the diamond-certified global anthem “Wake Me Up”, as well as classics like “I Need A Dollar” and “The Man,” Aloe Blacc continues to fuse his soulful sound with a deep commitment to social change.

    This upcoming album pairs each track with a different charity or philanthropic initiative, showcasing Blacc’s ongoing efforts to use his music to make a tangible impact on the world.

    With contributions from notable producers like Hunter Hayes, DJ Khalil, and Stargate, this album promises to be both musically innovative and socially significant. At the Blue Note residency, fans will experience an up-close performance, blending his classic hits from albums like Lift Your Spirit and Good Things with previews of his forthcoming album.

    Aloe will also perform one of his latest singles, “Shine”, a moving track inspired by his work with the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, which he debuted at the 2024 Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity Ceremony in Los Angeles.

    For more information on Aloe Blacc’s upcoming three-night residency at the Blue Note Jazz Club and to purchase tickets, click here.

  • NYCLU and ACLU Produce 22nd Annual “No Matter What We Sing Out for Freedom” Concert

    “Keep Marching On”- the closing number’s titular command that beautifully presented the recurring theme of the evening at the “No Matter What We Sing Out For Freedom” concert on October 28 at the NYU Skirball Center.

    Presented by the New York Civil Liberties Union and the American Civil Liberties Union, the production featured an uplifting setlist sung by a who’s who of Broadway greats. The event also celebrated this year’s recipient of the Michael Friedman Freedom Award: Busy Philipps.

    Sara Bareilles, Busy Philipps, and Katie Couric. Photo provided by NYCLU.

    As the house lights went down to begin the concert, the NYCLU and ACLU sought to conjure the positive energy and love that was synonymous with Gavin Creel, the Broadway actor and civil rights advocate who passed away in September at the age of 48. Creel opened the show via a video of his 2011 “Sing Out For Freedom” performance of his original song “Noise”. The cautious optimism and hope expressed in his act would continue throughout the evening.

    Sara Bareilles. Photo provided by NYCLU.

    As the show went on, host Katie Couric introduced musical performances from Jasmine Amy Rogers, Jenna Bainbridge, Sara Bareilles, Ally Bonino, Nadia Dandashi, Eden Espinosa, J Harrison Ghee, The Good Liars, Hawley Gould, Christine Heesun Huang, Alex Newell, Liana Stamper, and Monica Nulia Ramirez. Following Bareilles’ stirring rendition of Kate Bush’s “This Woman’s Work”, she introduced her close friend and Girls 5eva costar Busy Philipps to receive the Michael Friedman Freedom Award.

    Honoree Busy Philipps. Photo provided by NYCLU.

    The Freedom Award, inaugurated in 2017 to recognize the work of people or organizations as humanitarians and activists, was presented to Busy Philipps on behalf of her advocacy and support for women’s rights. For all of her work in the civil rights realm, Busy Philipps joined an impressive roster of Freedom Award recipients including Shaina Taub, Harry Belafonte, and Alan Cumming.

    Busy is the definition of ‘put your money where your mouth Is

    Sara Bareilles

    As the United States rapidly approaches Election Day, the speakers and musicians of the NYCLU and ACLU “No Matter What We Sing Out For Freedom” concert shared a message of simultaneous hope and urgency to make their voices heard.

    J. Harrison Ghee. Photo provided by NYCLU.

    Through music and speeches, audiences were motivated to take full advantage of their right to vote and make change. However, the organizations’ work will not end on November 5th. Katie Couric summarized the mission best when she exclaimed “whatever happens, we stand for freedom”. Regardless of what the next chapter holds, these organizations will in fact keep marching on.