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January 2013 Music Calendar

Posted in Show Review, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 2, 2013| Leave a Comment »

January 2013 NYC Music Calendar

Calendar updated daily!

FESTIVALS

GLOBALFEST: Groundbreaking international music festival and a volunteer run non-profit organization dedicated to foster cultural exchange. globalFEST’s mission is cultural, social and political. It aims to bring down boundaries between countries and create cultural opportunities for individual artists and for governments, sponsors, scholars and critics to collaborate. Tours and cultural exchanges that result from globalFEST¹s showcases have helped to build an ever widening audience for world music and, by extension an increase in international cooperation and collaboration.

30th Next Wave Festival: returning for its 30th season, presenting an array of contemporary performance, artist talks, storytelling, visual art, and film that showcases work by emerging artists and innovative modern masters.

CONCERTS

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

  • ($18-$25) Joseph Arthur & Vernon Reid @ City Winery
  • ($20) Nigel Hall Band (Phish/Mule After-Party) @ The Blue Note
  • ($25) Rusted Root @ Stage 48
  • ($40-$75) Chris Botti @ The Blue Note (2 Sets)

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

  • (Free) Brooklyn Shakedown w/ Nutritious @ Bembe (Late Night Set)
  • ($10-$12) New York Funk Exchange w/ Jane Lee Hooker @ Mercury Lounge
  • ($20) The Louis Armstrong Centennial Band @ Birdland
  • ($35) “A Love Supreme” Azar Lawrence Quintet featuring Eddie Henderson @ Smoke Jazz & Supper Club-Lounge (7pm, 9pm, 10:30 sets)Sets)
  • ($40-$75) Chris Botti @ The Blue Note (2 Sets)

Thursday, January 3, 2013

  • ($5-$8) DJ ?uestlove Presents Bowl Train @ Brooklyn Bowl (late night set)
  • ($22) Howie Day @ City Winery
  • ($35) “A Love Supreme” Azar Lawrence Quintet featuring Eddie Henderson @ Smoke Jazz & Supper Club-Lounge (7pm, 9pm, 10:30 sets)
  • ($40-$70) New York Philharmonic @ Avery Fisher Hall
  • ($40-$75) Chris Botti @ The Blue Note (2 Sets)

Friday, January 4, 2013

  • ($8) Electic Method @ Knitting Factory
  • ($22) Howie Day @ City Winery
  • ($30) John Abercrombie Quartet @ Jazz Standard
  • ($40-$70) New York Philharmonic @ Avery Fisher Hall
  • ($40-$75) Chris Botti @ The Blue Note (2 Sets)

Saturday, January 5, 2013

  • ($8-$10) Ikebe Shakedown @ Cameo Gallery
  • ($20) Maurice Brown @ Ginny’s Supper Club (2 Sets)
  • ($30) John Abercrombie Quartet @ Jazz Standard
  • ($40-$70) New York Philharmonic @ Avery Fisher Hall
  • ($40-$75) Chris Botti @ The Blue Note (2 Sets)

Sunday, January 6, 2013

  • ($20) Earth, Wind & Fire @ B.B. King Blues Club and Grill (Celebrating 40 Years)
  • ($25) John Abercrombie Quartet @ Jazz Standard
  • ($30) Arturo O’Farrill Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra @ Birdland
  • ($40) Harlem Gospel Choir Brunch @ B.B. King Blues Club and Grill
  • ($40-$75) Chris Botti @ The Blue Note (2 Sets)

Monday, January 7, 2013

  • ($8) Jim Campilongo @ The Living Room
  • ($8) “Bowling for Justice”: A Residency with Leroy Justice @ The Brooklyn Bowl
  • ($10) Charlie Hunter @ The Living Room
  • ($10) Alecia Chakour Band: First Mondays @ Rockwood Music Hall
    • Join Alecia Chakour, Neal Evans, Sam Cohen, Alex Chakour, Miles Arntzen, Cochemea Gastelum and friends on the first Monday of every month at Rockwood Music Hall for their unique take on rock n’ soul…
  • ($18-$22) Diane Birch @ City Winery
  • ($25) “Mingus Mondays” w/ Mingus Orchestra @ The Jazz Standard

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

  • ($15) The London Souls @ The Bowery Ballroom
  • ($18-$22) Diane Birch @ City Winery
  • ($20-$35) Donald Harrison, Ron Carter & Billy Cobham Trio @ The Blue Note (2 Sets)
  • ($30-$35) Johnny Winter – The 3rd Annual Winter in Winter Residency @ B. B. Kings Blues Club
  • ($40-$60) Nas with Anthony Decurtis @ Kaufmann Concert Hall, 92 Street Y

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

  • (Free) Brooklyn Shakedown w/ Nutritious @ Bembe (Late Night Set)
  • ($20-$35) Donald Harrison, Ron Carter & Billy Cobham Trio @ The Blue Note (2 Sets)
  • ($25) Robert Glasper and Friends @ S.O.B.’s
  • ($25) Dr. Lonnie Smith Trio @ Jazz Standard (2 sets)
  • ($25-$30) Shuggie Otis, People Get Ready, Ofei, Joshua Nelson, & DJ Kool Herc @ Highline Ballroom

Thursday, January 10, 2013

  • ($5-$8) DJ ?uestlove Presents Bowl Train @ Brooklyn Bowl (late night DJ set)
  • ($10) Jamie McLean Band @ Rockwood Music Hall (10:15pm slot)
  • ($10-$13) Adam Ezra Group @ Mercury Lounge
  • ($20-$35) Donald Harrison, Ron Carter & Billy Cobham Trio @ The Blue Note (2 Sets)
  • ($25) Robert Glasper & Friends @ SOB’s

Friday, January 11, 2013(Biggest Musical Day of the Month)

  • (FREE) Zongo Junction @ Rockwood Music Hall (11:45pm slot)
  • ($7) Klezwoods @ Spike Hill
  • ($10) Spanglish Fly @ NuBlu
  • ($10-$13) Apollo Run w/ Midnight Spin @ Mercury Lounge
  • ($15) Slick Rick: The Ruler @ Brooklyn Bowl
  • ($15-$18) Snarky Puppy @ Rockwood Music Hall (10pm slot)
  • ($15-$20) APAP Showcase w/ The Iguanas, Mia Borders, Colin Lake & Sasha Masakowski @ Hill Country
  • ($20-$25) Big Sam’s Funky Nation, The Stooges Brass Band, Mia Borders, Christian Scott Sextet & Flow Tribe @ The Cutting Room
  • ($20-$35) Donald Harrison, Ron Carter & Billy Cobham Trio @ The Blue Note (2 Sets)
  • ($25-$30) Alan Doyle (of Great Big Sea), The Dunwells, & Amy Helm @ B. B. Kings Blues Club
  • ($30) Dr. Lonnie Smith Trio @ Jazz Standard
  • ($35) Marcus Strickland & TWI-LIFE @ Sullivan Hall (2013 NYC Winter Jazzfest)
  • ($35-$70) INDELIBLE FESTIVAL: Meshell Ndegeocello presents Spirit Music Jamia @ @ Highline Ballroom
    • Featuring: Cecil Taylor, DJ Questlove, AYO, Guy Davis, Gregoire Maret, THE DUST RAYS featuring Kirk Douglas & Mark Kelley of the Roots & Ricc Sheridan from Earl Greyhound & Surprise Special Guests
  • ($40-$50) Betty LaVette @ City Winery
  • ($50-$55) CAKE @ Bowery Ballroom
  • ($50-$90) Morrissey @ Brooklyn Academy of Music
  • ($60) David Murray Big Band featuring Macy Gray @ The Iridium

Saturday, January 12, 2013

  • ($10) Stooges Brass Band @ Brooklyn Bowl
  • ($20) Arturo O’Farrill Trio @ Ginny’s Supper Club
  • ($20-$35) Ramsey Lewis & John Pizzarelli @ The Blue Note (2 Sets)
  • ($30) Dr. Lonnie Smith “In The Beginning” Octet @ Jazz Standard
  • ($30-$40) Paula Cole, Kris Allen, Brother Joscephus and the Love Revolution, Teitur, Leroy Bell and his Only Friends @ City Winery
  • ($40) Bettye LaVette @ Joe’s Pub
  • ($45-$75) Roberta Flack @ St. George Theatre
  • ($60) David Murray Big Band featuring Macy Gray @ The Iridium
  • ($68-$92) Def Squad and Method Man @ Hammerstein Ballroom

Sunday, January 13, 2013

  • ($10) Reggie Watts @ Grasslands Gallery, BK
  • ($20) Gregg Kallor Hurricane Sandy Relief Concert w/ Dave Eggar @ Culture Project
  • ($20-$35) Ramsey Lewis & John Pizzarelli @ The Blue Note (2 Sets)
  • ($25) The David Johansen Band @ Highline Ballroom
  • ($26-$64) Green Day @ Barclays Center
  • ($30) Arturo O’Farrill Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra @ Birdland NYC
  • ($30) Dr. Lonnie Smith “In The Beginning” Octet @ Jazz Standard (2 sets)
  • ($40) Harlem Gospel Choir Brunch @ B.B. King Blues Club and Grill
  • ($40) The Stooges Brass Band at globalFEST @ Webster Hall
  • ($45) Cassandra Wilson @ B. B. Kings Blues Club
  • ($50-$200) Idina Menzel @ Carnegie Hall
  • ($60) David Murray Big Band featuring Macy Gray @ The Iridium

Monday, January 14, 2013

  • ($8) Jim Campilongo @ The Living Room
  • ($8) “Bowling for Justice”: A Residency with Leroy Justice @ The Brooklyn Bowl
  • ($20) Jonathan Batiste @ Rockwood Music Hall
  • ($20-$40) International Guitar Night @ The Blue Note (1 Set)
    • feat. Martin Taylor (Scotland), Brian Gore (US), Solorazaf (Madagascar)
  • ($25) “Mingus Mondays” w/ Mingus Orchestra @ The Jazz Standard
  • ($30) Terence Blanchard Quintet @ Birdland

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

  • ($20-$40) John and Hank Green: An Evening of Awesome w/ The Mountain Goats @ Carnegie Hall
  • ($30-$35) Johnny Winter – The 3rd Annual Winter in Winter Residency @ B. B. Kings Blues Club
  • ($30-$35) The Airborne Toxic Event @ Webster Hall
  • ($35-$55) Little Feat / Leon Russell @ The Capitol Theatre, Port Chester, NY
  • ($40) Terence Blanchard Quintet @ Birdland
  • ($46-$85) Lynyrd Skynyrd @ Beacon Theatre

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

  • (Free) Brooklyn Shakedown w/ Nutritious @ Bembe (Late Night Set)
  • ($15-$20) Soundgarden @ Terminal 5
  • ($20-$25) Bob Schneider @ City Winery
  • ($20-$80) Meshell Ndegeocello @ BAM in Brooklyn, NY (Part of 30th Next Wave Festival)
    • When Past & Future Collide ~ Life Along the Borderline: A Tribute to Nico, Curated by John Cale
  • ($30-$35) Billy Cobham’s “Spectrum 40″ @ B. B. Kings Blues Club
  • ($30-$35) The Airborne Toxic Event @ Webster Hall
  • ($40) Terence Blanchard Quintet @ Birdland
  • ($40-$90) G. Love & Special Sauce @ Irving Plaza

Thursday, January 17, 2013

  • ($5-$8) DJ ?uestlove Presents Bowl Train @ Brooklyn Bowl (late night set)
  • ($12) Jeff Bujak @ Sullivan Hall
  • ($36-$40) Lalah Hathaway @ B. B. Kings Blues Club

Friday, January 18, 2013

  • ($25) Toshi Reagon and BIGLovely @ Joe’s Pub
  • ($30-$40) Alejandro Escovedo with The Mastersons @ City Winery
  • ($30-$65) Umphrey’s McGee @ Beacon Theater
  • ($36) Guster & Yellowbirds @ The Capitol Theatre, Port Chester, NY
  • ($40) Terence Blanchard Quintet @ Birdland

Saturday, January 19, 2013

  • ($10) Driftwood @ Rockwood Music Hall
  • ($15) John Brown’s Body @ Maxwell’s Hoboken, NJ
  • ($20) Cracker & Camper Van Beethoven @ Stage 48
  • ($25) Toshi Reagon and BIGLovely @ Joe’s Pub
  • ($30-$40) Alejandro Escovedo with The Mastersons @ City Winery
  • ($40) Terence Blanchard Quintet @ Birdland
  • ($50) Morrissey @ The Capitol Theatre, Port Chester, NY

Sunday, January 20, 2013

  • ($20) Talib Kweli @ S.O.B.’s
  • ($25) Toshi Reagon: Sacred Music Show w/ Bernice Johnson Reagon @ Joe’s Pub
  • ($30) Arturo O’Farrill Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra @ Birdland NYC
  • ($30-$55) Béla Fleck BANJO SUMMIT @ Michael Schimmel Center for the Arts
    • Banjo mastermind, Béla Fleck will be joined by Tony Trischka, Bill Keith, Richie Stearns, Eric Weissberg, and Noam Pikelny.
  • ($40) Harlem Gospel Choir Brunch @ B.B. King Blues Club and Grill
  • (???) Juan Maclean DJ Set @ Le Bain at The Standard

Monday, January 21, 2013

  • ($8) Jim Campilongo @ The Living Room
  • ($8) “Bowling for Justice”: A Residency with Leroy Justice @ The Brooklyn Bowl
  • ($25) “Mingus Mondays” w/ Mingus Orchestra @ The Jazz Standard
  • ($30) Tim Reynolds of the Dave Matthews Band @ Iridium Jazz Club
  • ($35) Living Colour @ Highline Ballroom (For The Million Man Mosh II)

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

  • ($10) Zen Tricksters @ The Brooklyn Bowl
    • Special Guest: Rob Barraco (Phil Lesh & Friends, The Dead, Dark Star Orchestra) & Keith Kenny
  • ($30-$35) Johnny Winter – The 3rd Annual Winter in Winter Residency @ B. B. Kings Blues Club
  • ($65-$76) Soundgarden @ Hammerstein Ballroom

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

  • (Free) Brooklyn Shakedown w/ Nutritious @ Bembe (Late Night Set)
  • ($20) The Louis Armstrong Centennial Band @ Birdland NYC
  • ($30-$35) Papa Roach @ Terminal 5
  • ($40) Trey Anastatio Band @ The Capitol Theatre, Port Chester, NY
  • ($66-$80) Soundgarden @ Hammerstein Ballroom

Thursday, January 24, 2013

  • ($5-$8) DJ ?uestlove Presents Bowl Train @ Brooklyn Bowl (late night set)
  • ($15) FLOODWOOD (feat. Al Schnier & Vinnie Amico of moe.) @ Rockwood Music Hall (9pm slot)
  • ($15) The Wailers (performing Survival & more) @ The Brooklyn Bowl
  • ($25-$45) Dirt Farmer Band featuring Larry Campbell, Amy Helm, Byron Isaacs, Justin Guip and Teresa Williams @ City Winery
  • ($40) Trey Anastatio Band @ The Capitol Theatre, Port Chester, NY
  • ($42.50) Austra @ Hammerstein

Friday, January 25, 2013

  • ($5) Austra (DJ Set) @ Glasslands Gallery
  • ($10) #1 Kid (feat. members of Rubblebucket) @ Rockwood Music Hall ~ Stage 2 (11pm Slot)
  • ($15-$20) Ryan Montbleau Band @ City Winery
  • ($25-$30) Sister Hazel @ B. B. Kings Blues Club
  • ($30-$42) Robert Earl Keen @ Irving Plaza powered by Klipsch
  • ($42.50) Austra @ Hammerstein

Saturday, January 26, 2013

  • ($10-$12) The Nigel Hall Band @ Sullivan Hall
  • ($15) Marion LoGuidice @ Joe’s Pub
  • ($15-$20) Ryan Montbleau Band @ City Winery
  • ($25-$30) Lotus w/ Moon Hooch @ Best Buy Theatre
  • ($30-$35)  Femi Kuti & Positive Force @ Webster Hall
  • ($42-$46)  Loudon Wainwright III @ Zankel Hall
  • ($50-$90) Pat Benatar @ The Capitol Theatre, Port Chester, NY

Sunday, January 27, 2013

  • ($30) Arturo O’Farrill Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra @ Birdland NYC
  • ($40) Harlem Gospel Choir Brunch @ B.B. King Blues Club and Grill

Monday, January 28, 2013

  • ($8) Jim Campilongo @ The Living Room
  • ($8) “Bowling for Justice”: A Residency with Leroy Justice @ The Brooklyn Bowl
  • ($22.50) Reel Big Fish @ Irving Plaza
  • ($25) “Mingus Mondays” w/ Mingus Orchestra @ The Jazz Standard
  • ($30) Johnny Winter – 3rd Annual residency @ B. B. Kings Blues Club
  • ($35-$50) Robert Earl Keen @ City Winery
  • ($40-$75) Tegan and Sara @ The Beacon Theater (SOLD OUT)

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

  • ($20) Alice Smith (Residency Week One) @ Rockwood Music Hall ~ Stage 2
  • ($40-$45) Ladysmith Black Mambazo @ Highline Ballroom
  • ($40-$75) Tegan and Sara @ Beacon Theatre
  • ($50-$63) An Evening of the Blues Feat. Ben Harper & Charlie Musselwhite @ Irving Plaza

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

  • (Free) Brooklyn Shakedown w/ Nutritious @ Bembe (Late Night Set)

Thursday, January 31, 2013

  • ($5-$8) DJ ?uestlove Presents Bowl Train @ Brooklyn Bowl (late night set)
  • ($25-$30) Gin Blossoms @ B. B. Kings Blues Club

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Bowlive III: Night Eight – Soulive w/ George Porter Jr., Zach Deputy, Citizen Cope and Alice Smith ~ Extended Review + Media (03.08.12)

Posted in Residencies, Show Review, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 9, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Bowlive III: Night Eight – Soulive w/ George Porter Jr., Zach Deputy, Citizen Cope and Alice Smith ~ Extended Review + Media (03.08.12)

For the eighth night, Soulive members, Eric Krasno, Alan Evans and Neal Evans, performed at the Brooklyn Bowl for their annual residency, Bowlive.  In its third year, Bowlive has become one of the most interesting, engaging, educational and smoking residencies in New York City. There are some, who might argue, in America. Each night has gotten heavier, deeper, tighter, and energetically more invested with each guest who joins the stage to breath more life into the already amazing trio.

The Alecia Chakour Band opened last night to a huge crowd. Chakour joined the Bowlive rooster last year.  In the masculine crew that makes up the artists on the Royal Family Records Label, Alecia Chakour is a breath of fresh female energy. With a voice and range as powerful as Aretha Franklin, Chakour rightful deserves to be on stage with the talented musicians who make up Soulive. Chakour’s band members consisted of trumpeter Igmar Thomas (The Cypher), organist Neal Evans (Soulive), bassist and brother Alex Chakour, drummer Miles Arntzen (Antibalas), guitarist Sam Cohen (Apollo Sunshine), and saxophonist James Casey (6figures).  A highlight was when surprise guest artist Kofi Burbridge (The Derek Trucks band) lent his fluttering flute to the bunch on their new tune, “Surely.” The Alecia Chakour Band is a sick, tight, funky crew who fit right into the rotation of amazing acts that we have so far seen over the two week run.

Soulive members (guitarist Eric Krasno and soul brothers Alan Evans on drums and Neal Evans on clavinet) welcomed numerous guests on stage last night, some announced and some a surprise. This is always to be expected and they never disappoint. “Steppin” was the only song Soulive ever stood alone on stage for. After that, the flood gates opened with Kofi Burbridge jumping in on “El Ron” with the Bowlive Horns: saxophonist James Casey, trumpeter Eric Bloom and tenor saxophonist Ryan Zoidis. Special guest and Brooklyn resident Citizen Cope was next to join the stage to perform his original “Bullet and a Target,” and “Something to Believe In.” Cope’s raw, uncommon chords and proactive lyrics have been recognized and covered by likes of Carlos Santana, Dido, Sheryl Crow and Slipknot. His vocals transformed the bowl into a new vibe, a slower yet passionate part of the set. Alice Smith, the second vocalist billed that night, joined for Cope’s last tunes, “Ain’t Gonna Stand for It” and “107 Degrees.” Alice Smith’s voice melded beautifully with Cope’s the same way that Alecia Chakour’s voice melds perfectly with Nigel Halls. She is aggressive, serious, powerful, and passionate with a 4-octave vocal range and stunning stage presence. Cope exited the stage and Alice Smith, with the Soulive trio backing her, performed Cee Lo Green’s, “Fool For You.” The Bowlive Horns helped closed out the set with “Tuesday Night Squad,”as trumpeter Eric Bloom’s excitement spilled out of his animated solo and Nigel Hall took over the keys.

The second set was dedicated exclusively to the musical power of New Orleans yet contained special guests of varying styles. This was definitely one of the best sets of the entire run. Special guests, world renowned New Orleans bassist George Porter, Jr. (The Meters), drummer ?uestlove (The Roots), Billy Martin (Martin, Medeski and Wood), flautistKofi Burbridge and saxophonist Skerik, out for his third night, piled on stage with Soulive and the Bowlive horns. Covering New Orleans and Meters favorites “Just Kissed My Baby, “Hey Pocky Way,” “Come Fly with Me,” and “Funkify Your Life,” the musical entourage on stage was the definition of a Jam Room. George Porter, Jr. brought such life to the younger musicians who were surrounding him. Each artist took their turn power housing their instruments because Porter believes in the journey of the song and allowing it to unfold, which is exactly what happened on “Africa,” when Skerik took his solo and the classic song turned into a completely different creature.

Experimental jazz percussionist Billy Martin was left to his own devices with a pile of instruments to create sounds with after drumming for “Hey Pokey Way.” Martin is the drumming member of his own jazz, funk trio so his addition to Soulive allowed for experimental sounds that enhanced the layers of the music. “Everything is Everything” closed the set with Nigel Hall on vocals and another night of Bowlive ended, this time without and encore.  ?uestlove’s Bowl Train DJ set saw out the rest of  the night and everyone danced their way through funky, old skool tunes until their weary bodies said enough.

It’s unbelievable to think that the members of Soulive have been going full speed for eight crazy nights. What a testament to their level of stamina, creativity, and their ability to surprise and entice their audience.  For those who can’t make the last two nights, check out the live feed on iClips.net. For those of you with the ability to make it this weekend, you won’t be disappointed. Continuing his New Orleans flavor from last night, special guest George Porter Jr. will be joined by Ledisi with Nigel Hall and Alecia Chakour opening. We can only speculate who the surprise guests will be, but you can be sure they will bring in Bowlive’s final weekend in FULL RAGE!!!

BUY SINGLE DAY TICKETS NOW!
Can’t make the LIVE RAGE? Stream It on iClips.net!

– Karen E. Dugan
– Photo courtesy of Phrazz

Youtube Videos

Soulive feat. Citizen Cope – “Bullet & a Target” : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoFGGhF_z2s

Soulive feat. George Porter & Nigel Hall – “Come Fly Away” : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azUKgsH7ztY

Soulive feat Alice Smith & Citizen Cope – “107 Degrees” : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdVFSkp-YEg

Soulive feat. George Por ter, Nigel & Kofi – “Voices Inside” : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cRBqKlyAHc

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Lettuce @ Brooklyn Bowl (12.14.11)

Posted in Show Review, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 20, 2011| 1 Comment »

FEEL THAT RAGE!!!! SEE THAT RAGE!!! Pic by Josh Raskin

FEEL THAT RAGE! SEE THAT RAGE! ~ Pic by Josh Raskin

Blast Off: Lettuce’s new material leaves Rage in the dust…

Eric Krasno – Guitar
Adam Deitch – Drums
Neal Evans – Organ/keys
E.D. Coomes – Bass
Adam “Shmeens” Smirnoff – Guitar
James Casey – Alto Sax
Ryan Zoidis – Tenor Sax
Eric Bloom – Trumpet
Rashawn Ross – Trumpet
Nigel Hall – vocals/keys
Mel Flannery – Vocals
Alicia Chakour – Vocals
Happy Holiday Rage! Pic: by Josh Raskin

Happy Holiday Rage! Pic by Josh Raskin

As the funk super group Lettuce began the familiar strains of Curtis Mayfield‘s “We’re a Winner,” which morphed, as it usually does, into Mayfield’s “Move on Up” to close out Wednesday Night’s Royal Family Holiday Party at the Brooklyn Bowl,  I couldn’t help but laugh because it was a perfect bookend to a new chapter in the life of this fantastic band. This dynamic tune, with Nigel Hall jumping up to deliver some soul shaking melodies on vocals, has been one of the band’s most consistent the last couple years, and it made me think about how far this band has come.

THE MAN! Pic: by Josh Raskin

THE MAN! Pic by Josh Raskin

Rewind three and a half years! I’ve returned home from my first New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and was itching for great live music to stem the withdrawal tide. I headed to the Bowery Ballroom to see this band I had skipped at Fest because I knew they were playing at home later…and I dug it.  Great band, busy, Rube Goldberg type funk (you know, lots of moving parts coming together to make awesome, think of the Charles Mingus track “Moanin'” and you’ll see what I mean), high energy, great musicians, even had this awesome dude come up and sing a few classics, including a great Curtis Mayfield cover.  Nice stuff, liked it a lot.  Snagged the new (at the time) album, Rage and really liked most of the tracks. It actually spent a lot of time in rotation in the car and the Ipod.

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Get Some Jesus ~ Pic: by Josh Raskin

Get Some Jesus ~ Pic by Josh Raskin

But here is the thing, if you don’t know the Lettuce story, then you don’t get the power of the whole picture.  Unlike bands who stay together and tour often like Galactic, the members of Lettuce only gather for small periods of time throughout the year. When you are Lettuce, you record a quick album, maybe you see each other a couple times a year for a few gigs, but that’s largely it, you’re not necessary wood-shedding together a whole lot.

Case in point: On archive.org, Lettuce has eight recorded sets in 2002, one recorded set in 2003, no recorded sets from 2004-2007.  None!  Then, moved by the passing of James Brown and J-Dilla, the fellas recorded Rage and started out on the road again in 2008. This is not to say these guys aren’t monster players on their own, because they are. But there’s a difference between rocking out with old friends and playing sets with increased regularity, rehearsing and getting into the groove, finding and exploring new places. You gotta know who else is there to really get there! That’s why I like seeing shows at the end of the long run instead of beginning, because players will have gotten a little more comfortable, a little more familiar, and will be able to stretch out. That’s the band we saw on Wednesday night.

James Casey and Ryan Zoidois kilin it! ~ Pic: by Josh Raskin

James Casey and Ryan Zoidois kilin it! ~ Pic by Josh Raskin

A couple Royal Family Ball throwdowns in New York and New Orleans, a Royal Family Ball tour, two Bowlive runs, the first ever Royal Family Affair (which I sadly missed), two Royal Family holiday concerts, Bear Creek Arts and Music Festival, Jam Cruise, prep for the CRAZY set with Dr. John and Maceo that kicked off this year… it’s been a big couple years for Lettuce.  Each performance felt a little stronger, a little tighter, a little more impressive.

With Nigel Hall and Alecia Chakour in the mix, Lettuce can grow to as many as twelve or thirteen folks on stage at a time, and making that sound tight ain’t easy. Some of the fellas putting down roots in Brooklyn really allowed for a base of operations for the group, particularly at the Brooklyn Bowl, and it shows.  Lettuce has done more gigging, rehearsal, and playing together than they have done in a while. As 2011 winds down, they’ve started dropping new tunes in shows, tunes that feel deeper and stronger than any of their previous material. Again, I dig Rage, a lot. However, this is no longer old friends putting together some real solid grooves and giving props to the giants who’s shoulders they stand on. Lettuce is now a fearsome unit ready to flex their own muscles.

Mel Flannery and Alicia Chakour ~ Pic by Josh Raskin
Mel Flannery and Alicia Chakour ~ Pic by Josh Raskin

The band is tight as hell.  Everybody sounds awesome. I was loving Adam “Shmeeans” Smirnoff leading a couple tunes and laying out a great solo.  Adam Deitch is locked in on the drum kit and he and E.D “Jesus” Coomes combine to make one killer rhythm section! The Shmeeans/Deitch beatboxing was HOT as well!  Eric Krasno keeps growing, which seems preposterous for someone as good as he is. Neal Evans always brings that extra something to kick the songs up (though as much as I love Neal, the clavinet was a little up in the mix, and I had to abandon my normal front right spot to make sure I could hear the horns).  And while Sam Kinninger was missed, the horns did sound awesome, with Ryan Zoidis leading the pack, Rashawn Ross and Eric Bloom on trumpet, and sentimental favorite James Casey (see: ridiculous solo on “Get Back” from Bowlive 1) on tenor.  In fact, due to Kinninger’s absence, Casey could be seen upstairs with headphones on learning Kinninger’s parts right up until the show began. True dedication! I would have loved for the band to give the horns some more spotlight. Either way, they were solid as always.  Vocalists Nigel Hall  impressed the most this night having grown so much as an artist and a dude in the last two years.  Alecia Chakour and Mel Flannery are also great additions to the krewe.

I’ve seen these musicians before, but not like this.  I kept turning to people and saying, “What?!” The new grooves are chest-thumping, gut-busting, smack the person next to you and say “Damn, that shit is dope!” kind of tracks. “If I Was Jack Spade That Would Be My Theme Music” kind of tracks. KILLIN!! I can’t say it any plainer than this: the new material Lettuce is playing is FIRE!  Nasty, literally jaw-dropping funk not to be messed with. Of the five or six songs I heard Wednesday night, four of them would be my favorite track on Rage! right now, and that’s an album I really like!

My advice to other amazing funk/soul/jam bands I know and love, especially when playing anywhere near Lettuce, STEP YA GAME UP!  2012 is a year of a lot of eagerly awaited album releases: Galactic, Antibalas, Soulive + Karl Denson EP, even hip hop legends Black Star are getting into it.  But if Eric Coomes’ warning to me on my walk out of the Brooklyn Bowl holds true: “Dude. Wait till you hear the other shit, you don’t even know.” The best one of all could be coming from the Royal Family straight out of Brooklyn.

At last, that blessed day has come.

Set-List: Madison Square, Fast Kraz, Play, By Any Shmeeans Necessary, Last Suppit, Slow Zap, Mean Funk, Slippin’, Dilla, Let it Ride, Kings of the Bergs, GoGo and Makin’ My Way Back Home (w/ Nigel Hall), Blast Off

Words by Russ Agdern
Pictures by Josh Raskin
Video by Bill Giordano

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Rock & Roll Resort ~ Media Overview (04.01-03.11)

Posted in Festival Review, Music Festival, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 21, 2011| 1 Comment »

The Rock & Roll Resort kicked off the NY festival season in Kerhonkson, NY on April 1, 2011.  It was my birthday weekend and I raged my face off.  I covered this fun-filled weekend for Music Marauders.  If you want the in-depth overview you can read about the music filled weekend here!

I found a few other reviews along the way as well:

I also covered the sets for Royal Family Records to include Lettuce, Sam Kininger Band, Break Science, Chapter 2 and The Nigel Hall Band.  For an in-depth overview of each of these acts, please check out my article for The Royal Family Records website.

I actually met the creator of Music Marauders at Rock The Resort around the same time last year.  We clicked immediately and I have supported his site ever since.  If you haven’t checked out Music Marauders, just go ahead right now and do it!  There is so much info about music from our scene being pumped continuously through the site.

What separates Music Marauders from other music news websites is that they don’t place restrictions on their writers.  We are allowed to write in our own voice, evoke emotions and be as opinionated as we like.   The backbone of Music Marauders lies on true music fans who run it out of love and passion for the scene.  They want nothing more then to bring our scene to you, in all it’s music-saturated glory.  They expose the good, the bad and the groovy and it’s a pleasure working with them.

Event though I wrote an overview for Music Marauders, there is some more information that I want to blast out to yall that would have just made the MM article too long.  This isn’t so much an article as a collection of media from the weekend for your enjoyment and perusal.

Who: Rock & Roll Resort

What: Billed on their website as “the ultimate, high-end music destination event.”

When:  April 1st – 3rd 2011

Where:  Hudson Valley Resort and Spa in Kerhonkson, NY.

Ran By:  Team NorthEast and Wicked Cool Productions

Line Up:  Lettuce • Deep Banana Blackout • The New Riders of the Purple Sage (2 Sets) • Max Creek (2 Sets) • G.F.E. (Granola Funk Express) • Eric Krasno & Chapter 2 • Rubblebucket • Spiritual Rez • The Pimps of Joytime • The Nigel Hall Band • The Breakfast • Break Science • Caravan of Thieves • Sam Kininger Band • Kung Fu • Jeff Bujak • Mark Mercier Project • Nephrok! Allstars • The Alchemystics • Nutritious • Sauce • Holy Water Undertoe • Darian Cunning Band • Domino Theory • The Rev Tor Band • The Tony Lee Thomas Band • Fever Train • The Primate Fiasco • Lespecial • The Problemaddicts • Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds • Sophistafunk • Coppertonic • KONG • Nardy Boy • I Anbassa • Sushi Grade Panda • The Kings • Kevin Crane & Co. • DJ Theory • Michael Greenberg •

#15 Heart and Soul at Sauce

This is the piece Josh purchased on site for my birthday present!! Heart, Soul and Sauce: Painted live to Sauce at the Rock N Roll Resort on 04/0/211 in Kerhonkson, New York by Jonathon "CrazyRedBeard" Blake

One of the greatest elements of our scene are the tapers.  Name another scene that has free trade in music the way our Jam Band community does!!  A taper by the name Corey (The Groundhog) was good enough to tape a good number of the best sets that took place over the weekend.  Enjoy!!

DOWNLOADABLE SETS

Friday 4/01:

Saturday 4/02:

Sunday 4/03:

#17 Lettuce

Lettuce: Painted live to Lettuce and the Super Jam at the Rock N Roll Resort on 04/02/11 in Kerhonkson, New York by Jonathon "CrazyRedBeard" Blake

Throughout this media bundle you are seeing wonderful paintings by Jonathon “CrazyRedBeard” Blake.  During music performances, Jonathon sets up his canvas on sides of stages and proceeds to paint what he feels as the musical reaches through him.  Over the course of the Rock & Roll Resort weekend, Jonathon painted numerous canvases with images derived from the feelings evoked from the music he encountered.  He is available for hire for weddings as well as all events that might spark creativity through music, love or spirituality. I most certainly will have him at my wedding when the day finally comes.

Kinds Suds Soap  is a product that I first learned about while on Jam Cruise. Cruisers received them in our gift bags and I have been a fan ever since. Upon entering R&R, laid out across the check-in table was a colorful pile of soap offered to festival goers as a free gift.  The psychedelic wrapper draws the eye immediately and the smell and quality of the product are just as stimulating! I encourage you all to grab a few bars off their website.

Visual stimulation

Visual stimulation performed by Oh My Goddess Entertainment

Music is not the only form of entertainment found at these wonderful festivals.  Those of us who embrace our musical culture know that visual stimulation is just as important as what stimulates our ears.  The lights, the projection screens and the other elements that go into supplementing these musical sets are just as important as the music itself.

For Rock & Roll Resort, Oh My Goddess Entertainment was hired to provide outstanding visual performances through dance to enhance the environment and the stages.  I was able to sit and speak with Michelle Sarah, owner and head choreographer of Oh My Goddess Entertainment, during a brief meal over the weekend.  This kind spirit is also the lead singer of CopperTonic which I will speak of later in this article.

Visual Stimulation!

Visual Stimulation!

Over the weekend, Oh My Goddess Entertainers performed fire dancing outside in the court yard, two aerial silks artists, Kate Brown and Sarah Kaye, performed with Break Science (as seen in the picture above) and…

“…in case that wasn’t enough sexy for the stage, the guys had me bring on my burlesque performer, Donell Wicklund, to do that cabaret style Ohh La La-ness you hopefully didn’t miss 😉  ~ Michelle Sarah “

#14 All The King's Horses

All The King's Horses: Painted live to the New Riders of the Purple Sage at the Rock N Roll Resort on 04/02/11 for the NRPS Brunch by Jonathon "CrazyRedBeard" Blake

Strangers Helping Strangers

Strangers Helping Strangers

Strangers Helping Strangersis a non-profit organization based in Massachusetts and operating throughout the country conducting food drives at concerts and music festivals, and delivering the items collected to a local food bank near the point of collection.  It’s another amazing way of giving back to the communities where these concerts and music festivals take place.

#16 The Theory of Relativity

The Theory of Relativity: Painted live to Kung Fu, Deep Banana Blackout and Break Science at the Rock N Roll Resort on 04/02/11 in Kerhonkson, New York by Jonathon "CrazyRedBeard" Blake

Last Fair Deal glassblowers was on sight as well.  The Last Fair Deal is an artisan vending co-operative. Some of the finest glass artists in New England team up to demonstrate their skills with live glassblowing performances at events over the summer! Setting up shop in the outside courtyard, glass blowing artisans could be seen through the windows as we made our way between the stages.  There was something very cool about this set-up and you were able to purchase things blow only a few hours later once it was dry.  I ended up purchasing numerous pairs of earrings from their booth later in the weekend, greeted warmly and had a fantastic time checking out their intricate pipes and jewelry.

#13 Moving the Elephant

Moving the Elephant: Painted live to Max Creek at the Rock and Roll Resort by Jonathon "CrazyRedBeard" Blake

And finally, I leave you with an excerpt from the Music Marauders Overview. One of the beautiful things about these smaller, regional musical events, is the ability for up and coming musical acts to be recognized, realized and, by music lovers like myself, dissected.  There are a few new acts that need some special recognition.

Caravan of Thieves

Caravan of Thieves

Caravan of Thieves: Fuzz Fuzzman (Deep Banana Blackout), his wife Carrie Sangiovanni and their band mates kicked off the festival Friday afternoon bringing the unique sound of Django Reinhardt to the ears of our community. No one in our scene has even attempted to modernize acoustic gypsy swing, let alone sound so great doing it.  This group is an absolute gem and is delivering this antique sound to our scene with a twist as they cover modern songs amongst their new compositions.

Coppertonic

Coppertonic

Copper Tonic: Looks like we have another female voice to start paying attention to ladies and gentlemen.  For a jamming scene cluttered with male musicians and rough voices, this group of musicians fires on all cylinders and is led by vocalist Michelle Sarah, the owner/head choreographers of Oh My Goddess Entertainment.  Her soulful range drew to mind SusanTedeschi and Grace Potter but her dance moves and connection with the audience made her more accessible.  The guitarist, Andy Mowatt, was on fire and was easily my favorite new guitarist who hooked many over the weekend with his talent.

Jeff Bujak!

Jeff Bujak!

Jeff Bujak: Having first experienced Jeff Bujak at last year’s resort, I have watched him closely over the year and grown more fond of him with every performance.  This classically trained keyboardist/producer/composer has no boundaries for his act and is invested in every aspect of it.  From creating and maintaining his own beats, manipulating multiple contraptions with his hands on top of playing, working the lights and smoke effects with his feet and using every inch of his body to create a one-man full on solid electronic performance, Bujak is someone who is going to go far in our scene and is creating something our scene hasn’t seen before.  He is the kind of artist that people find themselves stopping in their dancing tracks to watch perform.  As my fellow Jam Cruise buddy said “I’ve never been interested in watching someone perform electronica, with this guy, I am entranced”

Nephrox! Allstars: With a wild lead singer named Nephtaliem McCrary at the helm, this vocal heavy Funk band is a real treat.  Comprised of some of Boston’s most well-known musicians, such as Aaron Bellamy on bass and renown legend Jeff Lockhart on guitar, they touch on multiple genres always falling back on James Brown for guidance.  And with Amy Bowells (The Sam Kinninger Band) on keyboards, all is right with the world.

Dixie FUNK!

Dixie FUNK!

Primate Fiasco: I was checking out a handmade beaded purse in the lobby when my ear was caught by what sounded like a New Orleans second line with it’s instruments dipped in Texas.  Psychedelic Dixieland or Dixie Funk.  Which ever way you slice it, this was my favorite new act of the weekend.  The could be seen jumping on and off stages throughout the weekend in second line form with a tuba, clarinet, trumpet, and drums all being led by a banjo! Excellent collection of instruments being played by a very happy group of musicians.

Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds

Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds

Sister Sparrow and The Dirty Birds: The only thing about Arleigh Kincheloe that is small is her figure. Her powerful, seductive vocals, backed by an even better band has placed this group in the forefront of soul/funk bands to be recognized.  Housing a powerhouse horn section, rocking harmonica and shredding guitar, The Dirty Birds are a tight Brooklyn-based group that is plowing it’s way through our scene.

Thank you Hudson Valley Resort and Spa as well as A Wicked Cool Productions for taking a broken musical streak and fixing it.  Thank you for listening to your guests and taking the time to support their concerns and helping grow this musical event for us to enjoy.  You will most certainly be seeing this eager music fan again next year!

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Royal Family Records @ Rock N Roll Resort (04.01-03.11)

Posted in Music Festival, Show Review, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 6, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Oh My Goddess aerial performers during Break Science

Oh My Goddess aerial performers during Break Science

The start of festival season is an exciting time in our musical community!  The cold of winter melts off our dancing legs and the anticipation of weekend and week-long non-stop musical events become reality.  For New Yorker’s, the New York festival season kicked off in Kerhonkson, NY on April 1, 2011with the Rock & Roll Resort.

ED "Jesus" Combes (Lettuce)

ED "Jesus" Combes (Lettuce)

There were many acts, but the main acts of the weekend consisted of multiple musical groups from The Royal Family record label.  The members of The Shady Horns, The Sam Kininger Band, The Nigel Hall Band, Break Science, Chapter 2 and Lettuce headlined each night over the three day musical event.

Sam Kininger (The Sam Kininger Band)

Sam Kininger (The Sam Kininger Band)

The different acts brought an amazing array of musical talent and diversity, from the beautiful vocals of The Nigel Hall Band, to the funky grooves of The Sam Kininger Band, Eric Krasno & Chapter 2 as well as Lettuce and the late night beats of Break Science.  The Royal Family left their mark on Rock and Roll Resort 2011 in a deep way.

Eric Krasno (Lettuce & Chapter 2)

Eric Krasno (Lettuce & Chapter 2)

For an in-depth overview of each of these acts, please check out my article for The Royal Family Records website

Use this link – http://www.royalfamilyrecords.com/news/post/royal-family-reigns-rock-n-roll-resort – if link above doesn’t work!

Downloadable Sets:

Eric Krasno & Chapter 2
The Nigel Hall Band
The Sam Kininger Band
Lettuce

————————

And for an in-depth overview of Rock N Roll Resort, please keep your eyes out for the posting on Music Marauders in the next 48 hours! Rage!

Neal Evans (Chapter 2 & Lettuce)

Neal Evans (Chapter 2 & Lettuce)

Chris Loftlin (Chapter 2)

Chris Loftlin (Chapter 2)

Jeffrey Lockhart (The Sam Kininger Band)

Jeffrey Lockhart (The Sam Kininger Band)

Nigel Hall (The Nigel Hall Band)

Nigel Hall (The Nigel Hall Band)

Adam Deitch (Break Science)

Adam Deitch (Break Science)

** Special thanks to Chris Monaghan for photography.  You can check out his phenomenal photography at http://www.monaghanphotography.com **

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