Musical Gotham

Exposing urban sounds in New York City

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A Jazz Fluegelhornist Takes On Ravel, Debussy and Dance

Tom Harrell expands his audience with the new album ‘First Impressions: Debussy and Ravel Project’ and a collaboration with BalletNext.

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All Brass All Week!

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Stop and Listen

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The ShowKase NYC

Our friend and fellow musician Anna (Kiddo) Chalon has been hosting monthly showcases of local singer-songwriters in a casual and intimate setting in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Since May Kiddo has been producing memorable evenings featuring a variety of different talents. She usually hosts around 4 bands or artists each month. Kiddo has created a welcoming community for aspiring artists, musicians and audiences. For more information on these wonderful events or for information about how to participate or perform at the ShowKase, visit http://theshowkasenyc.com

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All Female Electronica Showcase

Three electronic musicians, Alex June, EDH and Camilla Sparkss will be teaming up to perform at the beginning of next month in an 2 all Female Electronica Showcases as part of a tour of the East Coast. They will be playing on October 4th at the Flat in Brooklyn and also on October 6th at The Standard.

For more information visit:

http://theflatbkny.com/

http://standardculture.com 

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Great show from Raya Brass Band Friday 8/29 at Barbés in Brooklyn. Rayabrassband.com

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Leningrad

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Afro-Peruvian music at Flushing Town Hall

South American Voices of NY - TANGOLANDO & FESTEJATION

On Saturday May 24th, Tangolando and Festejation performed at Flushing Town Hall.  The first group combined Afro-Peruvian beats with the passion of tango singers into an interesting fusion of 2 of my favorite types of South American music. Sofia Tosello and Yuri Juárez started this project. The sounds are soothing and rhythms are deeply rooted in Peru. They performed original tunes, arrangements of Piazzola and renditions of traditional folk tunes from the Andes. The cajón (Hector Morales) gives the original music a very authentic sound. He and Shirazette Tinnin on the drum set blended their rhythms very well together and were in sync throughout the performance. The band is very well balanced and has a refreshing sound. Several members of this group also play with Gabriel Alegría's Afro-Peruvian Sextet. For more information on the band, go to http://www.sofiatosello.com/tangolando

Up next was a lively group that plays costal Peruvian music called Festejation. They performed with guest singer Ronald Polo. They had heavier more danceable rhythms and performed a lively set for the second half. This band is also worth checking out, especially if you're in the mood to move around. For more information go to https://www.facebook.com/festejation

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Singer Songwriter Showcase

On May 11th, our friend Kiddo put together a Mother's Day Singer Songwriter Showcase at Bizarre Bar in Bushwick. There were some familiar faces, some new faces and an excellent friendly communal vibe which we always like to see. 

The showcase started slightly after 6pm with Kiddo, featuring Alex Prol on guitar and Nick Mauro on trumpet.

Our man, Blessing Offor, Nashville Superstar, singer, piano player composer and most recently guitarist, brought his soulful sounds to tonight's showcase. He performed 3 beautiful original compositions 2 of which had an impromptu accompaniment by Nick Mauro on trumpet. Enjoy!

Chris Riffle took the stage after Blessing. His soft, soothing voice provided a nice dark tone to the evening. We've been chasing after Chris to perform in a singer songwriter showcase for sometime now (since we first heard him in early 2012 at the Living Room) but logistically, it just hasn't worked out. We are thrilled to finally do something with him. 

Odetta Hartman came on next. She arrived with her banjo over her shoulder in a cute white dress and cowboy boots to match her folky bluegrass style. Her voice is strong reminiscent of the psychedelic soul sounds of Janis Joplin and Amy Winehouse. Her upbeat melodies had an uplifting sound made evident by everyone clapping along to her tunes.

Josh Brocki performed after Odetta.

Sean Donovan, guitarist and singer from the band If But When, performed "Me and Patsy Cline" and this other song below that I didn't catch the name of.

The acoustic version fits well with this showcase. Check out the full band at IfButWhen.com

French rock/pop singer Nathan Zanagar, who recently made his USA debut in NY at the Bitter End. also performed a few songs for the showcase. 

Taryn Chory also performed this evening. She took to the stage with her trio backing her up. We love Taryn's powerful vocals and ability to make any situation sexy!

Taryn started by singing the classic jazz standard "Fools Rush In" Here's a clip of what you might have missed.

To close out the show, Jon Bell performed accompanied by Alex Prol.

For more information about the performers in this showcase, visit

http://www.kiddomusic.com

http://www.sojournrecords.com/artist/blessing_offor

http://odettahartman.com

http://www.joshuabrocki.com/#!

http://www.chrisriffle.com

http://ifbutwhen.bandcamp.com

https://soundcloud.com/nathanzanagar

https://www.youtube.com/user/tarynalayne

http://jonbellmusic.com/

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Jeannine Hebb at Caffe Vivaldi

            On 3/28 our friend Jeannine Hebb performed at Caffe Vivaldi in Greenwich Village.  Caffe Vivaldi was mobbed with people that evening. It was toasty from all the bodies crammed into the tiny venue. Luckily they didn't have a fire going. Caffe Vivaldi is a quaint romantic little venue that hosts a variety of music running the gamut from singer/songwriters, bluegrass and jazz to latin and occasionally hip-hop. 

Jeannine had a short 1 hour set and performed her rendition of the Aretha Franklin tune "I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You" and hits off of her album Whileaway. She has a powerful, memorable voice and performs well-written original catchy songs that will be stuck in your head for months. Jeannine performs both solo and with her band. For this gig, she performed her set along with percussionist Dan Wintersteen. Dan is a great compliment to Jeannine. The duo is balanced, together and tight at all times. It's as if they share the same brain on stage. Dan played this set on cajon and  other auxiliary percussion. 

While I was disappointed not to get video from this gig, here are some clips of the duo from the first Musical Gotham showcase at Sidewalk Cafe.

Both of these songs get stuck in my head for weeks after every time I see Jeannine play.

For more information on Jeannine's upcoming performances, visit

http://jeanninehebb.com

For more information on Caffe Vivaldi, visit 

http://caffevivaldi.com

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Raya Brass Band at Mercury Lounge 3/22/14

On 3/22 I was fortunate to catch Raya Brass Band performing the early set at the Mercury Lounge. I first discovered Raya this year at Golden Festival in Brooklyn. They opened their set performing in the crowd, as you often see with Balkan Bands, before moving up to the stage. I enjoy when bands perform in the audience. It enhances the audience's connection to the musicians and makes for a better show.

As soon as Raya started their set, people joined hands and danced the  traditions of the Balkan peninsula. They performed for about an hour. Raya also gives away a free track to those who subscribe to their mailing list. (And why would you not want to know when they're playing?) This show was the perfect way to welcome the spring season. They conjure up a party every time they play. They are certainly a memorable experience. 

I like the Mercury Lounge space. It's big enough for a couple hundred people to dance but small enough for the audience to interact and meet the musicians performing. 

For more information about Raya Brass Band visit their website at

http://rayabrassband.com

http://www.mercuryloungenyc.com/

RI had the gre

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Boom Bits on Music and Arts

Boom Bits

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Mondays with Breakdown Brass 3/17/14

                       On St. Patrick's day I traveled out to The Plank in Williamsburg, Brooklyn (216 Bedford Avenue) to see Breakdown Brass, a bumping, grooving, funky brass band led by trombonist Nadav Nirenberg.

The Plank is a friendly cash only dive bar with comfortable couches to relax and a small space where everyone can dance and get down while absorbing the heavy beats.

Nadav arranges everything from A Tribe Called Quest to Joe Henderson but adds a fat sound and funky new rhythms that hit the passersby causing them to see what's going down in this little dive.

Breakdown Brass puts on a free great show every Monday night. Get out and get down.

For more information, visit http://breakdownbrass.bandcamp.com/

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Carnegie Hall/Slavic Soul Party at Horizons Detention Center

Teens in detention create music with the Slavic Soul Party! with the Carnegie Hall Musical Connections Program.