Magic is in the Air...
The divine is all around in the beautiful music in beautiful venues all over the city
Last week, I indulged in the New Year by attending three separate musical events with some of my favorite musicians in some of my favorite venues. My niece was in town, which helped drive me. To show off the amazing talent that fills the city every night of the week is always a great pleasure, and she loved it.
Saxophonist Stacy Dillard (top) played at Bar LunAtico on Tuesday, an event I hadn’t even put in the calendar. It seems to happen that there’s A LOT I don’t see when putting this together. YOU can help by dropping me a line about cool events!
It was, by the end of the second set, a thrilling stand-up-and-holler show. Dillard and I had spoken the week before, when he joined Caleb Wheeler Curtis on stage at Bar Bayeaux, about the shift in set times for the music scene over the years, reminiscing about the old dark dingy Nublu, whose music would go into the wee hours. He talked fondly of the days when the jam at Smalls started at 4:30 am, shaking his head in disappointment at how it’s slipped earlier and earlier over the years. I went up to him after the show on Tuesday laughing. His playing had become increasingly intense as the night wore on and I wondered out loud to him how he must have sounded once upon a time by 4:30 am…
I made it out Thursday over to Barbes, bringing along my niece, my son and his girlfriend, introducing the next generation to the beautiful Gnawa music of my friend Samir Langus (bottom left.) They were wowed, and it thrilled me to watch them move so happily to the rhythms that I so often snuck out late to listen to in the far corners of the city when my kids were young.
My second regular First Friday Sacred Bloom sound bath at YogaSole was a big success, filled to capacity with those eager to find new ways of relaxing and connecting to themselves and others through sound in the new year. The word “magic” occurred to me as I looked out at all the still, tuned-in beings. I sent them each my intention for a magical year. The February sound bath is already filling up so register now.
YogaSole February 2 at 5:30 Registration
Sunday night was a snowy upstate trek to Woodstock’s longstanding music venue, Colony, to see my friend Ben Zwerin, bassist extraordinaire play with drummer and songwriter Jason Ewald, with Andy Stack on guitar. For the second time, Ewald’s songs struck such a true chord, and the trio’s incredible musicianship coupled with their awesome on-stage rapport and connection made me wish they could have played far longer!! Great end to a fabulously musical first week of the year…
Onward into the year, for more magical musical nights!!!
ListenUpNYC Calendar
Monday, January 8-Sunday, January 14
Winter JazzFest runs January 10-18 so go to winterjazzfest.com to check out the lineup!!
monday, jan. 8
Sacred Bloom Sound Bath
The Local
6 PM-7 PM
If you happen to be in or around Saugerties tonight, or want to drive up to see all the pretty snow, pop over to the cool new upstate venue The Local. Bring a mat, blanket, pillow, whatever you need to get comfy, and join me for a relaxing sound meditation…
Beyondo Band
Lowlands Bar
8:30 PM & 10 PM
Eric Biondo is a force I’ve written about here before, trumpet master, composer, a very funny guy (as you see in the pic above.) This band of great musicians he has put together will blow you back from the long Lowlands bar, so hold on tight. Hopefully you see this before the show is over…if not, keep Beyondo Band on your radar for future gigs!! A regular occurrence at this Brooklyn neighborhood jazz staple.
tuesday, jan. 9
Ornithology Jazz Club, Brooklyn
Earlybird Show/Jazz Dialogue Open Jam
6:30 - 8:30 Early, 9 PM-12 AM Jam
Go for the early show with Kazuhiro Yokoshima on piano, Miles Sloniker on bass, and Steve Nelson on drums and stay for the late guys — Dan Weiselberg on bass, Tardo Hammer on piano and Evan Sherman on drums. If you haven’t been to this newish Bushwick addition, you should hang here and get a delicious cocktail. It’s cool.
wednesday, jan. 10
Jessie Kilguss’ Holiday Show/Party
Branded Saloon, Brooklyn
7 PM-10 PM
Miss the holidays already? Head over to the old west Branded Saloon on Vanderbilt for a mash-up of super-talented singer songwriters herded annually by the inimitable Jessie Kilguss, singer/songwriter and former executive director for the non-profit Musicambia. Jessie, whose great songwriting skills will also be on display, promises a fun-filled night of inspirational music AND holiday cookies (which you know you can’t wait til next year to savor again.) So go!!
ALSO ON WEDNESDAY, JAN. 10, LIKELY TO SELL OUT!!
Houston Person with Emmet Cohen
Smoke Jazz & Supper Club
Sets at 7 PM & 9 PM
See soul jazz legend Houston Person (born 1934) along with phenom jazz pianist and composer Emmet Cohen, and Joe Laratt (guitar) and Joe Farnsworth (drums) at this super cool Uptown supper club. A wow one-night only, first set is nearly sold out so aim for the second set. BUY NOW!
thursday, jan. 11
SOLD OUT/Sacred Bloom New Moon Sound Bath at The Shirley Project Space
My sound bath alongside Melissa Capasso’s undulating rhythmic paintings in this lovely gallery space is sold out. Email Sarahmay06@gmail.com if you’d like an opportunity to participate in another night before the show closes!!
Instead, try:
Billy Childs Quartet
Smoke Jazz Club
Through sunday, jan. 14
7 PM & 9 PM Dinner Shows
Come see renowned pianist and composer Billy Childs, discovered at 16 by trumpet legend Freddie Hubbard, as he plays with this star-studded quartet: Steve Wilson on sax, Hans Glawischnig on bass, Ari Hoenig on drums.
friday, jan. 12
VKB Band
Pangea
9:30 PM
If you haven’t had the pleasure of seeing this fabulous trio, also known as Vicki Kristina Barcelona, you should run not walk…I haven’t actually seen them play since Mamie Minch replaced my friend Terry Radigan, but I’ve heard that the combo of the longtime NYC blues guitarist Minch with amazing singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalists Rachelle Garniez and Amanda Homi is still spectacular and highly entertaining as they offer up their renditions of Tom Waits songs. At the cool supper club Pangea downtown. Fun.
ALSO ON FRIDAY, JAN. 12
Winter Folk & Friends
The Owl Music Parlor
Doors at 7:30 PM
Brooklyn folk songwriter Jean Rohe, who recently won the 2022 Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk songwriting contest, joins fellow songwriters R.O. Shapiro, Lyd Marie & unnamed Special Guest in a fun folk evening in this cozy Brooklyn space. Feels to me always like an old hidden speakeasy. Nice space on a winter’s eve.
saturday, jan. 13
Ember
Bar Bayeaux
Sets at 8 PM & 9:30 PM
Catch this fab Brooklyn trio featuring Caleb Wheeler Curtis on sax/trumpet, Noah Garabedian on bass and Vincent Sperrazza on drums. Called “adventurous,” and “explorative,” Paul Rauch in All About Jazz says, “The union of the three is in many ways emblematic of the jazz scene growing in Brooklyn that often crosses lines of genre in joyous and innovative ways…” Cool. Sounds like a fun Saturday night!!
sunday, jan. 14
Pedrito Martinez Presents Cross Currents & Tribute to Camarón
Drom
8 PM
In homage to influential Flamenco Cantaor Camarón De La Isla, Pedrito Martinez offers up his own Afro Cuban rumba version with “otherworldly” vocals. Part of the Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP) Showcase.
PHEW!! I’m overwhelmed just WRITING about all these events, but also completely inspired by the unbelievable talent that shines in NYC every single day!! Get out there and take some in! Brave the elements and go inside to these warm inviting venues. You will be glad you did!!
XX
Steph