Category Archives: Concerts

ETA3 to shine in Nyack

The stellar trio ETA3.

ETA3, a hip, young classical trio formed at the The Juilliard School that takes its name from a star-forming nebula in our galaxy. The trio’s name also happens to use the first letter of the first name of each member: flutist Emily Thomas, pianist Tomoko Nakayama and clarinetist Alexey Gorokholinsky.

They bring their unconventional lineup of flute, clarinet and piano to the stage of GraceMusic this Sunday afternoon at 4 o’clock. (Full disclosure: Will You Miss Me When I’m Gone? recently joined the board of this Nyack-based concert presenter. My only pay for that job, like the job of maintaining this blog, is the satisfaction of fostering the arts.)

Since there’s little repertoire written for their particular instrumentation, the talented trio adapt and arrange music themselves, often distilling pieces from larger orchestral compositions.

Sunday’s program features Debussy’s Prelude to The Afternoon of a Faun, Bartok’s Romanian Folk Dance and Tchaikovsky’s Russian Dance,  as well as Trio in Three Movements by Khachaturian  and Carmen Fantasy, adapted from a famous transcription by Sarasate.

In some vocabularies, ETA also stands for estimated time of arrival. They’ll arrive onstage at GraceMusic at 4 pm this Sunday, Feb. 28. The concert is in the beautiful nave of Grace Church, 130 First  Ave., Nyack, NY. Tickets are $15 at the door ($10 for seniors and $5 for students). For more information about GraceMusic, go here, click on Music in the navigation bar at the bottom of the page and on GraceMusic at the top of the Music Page. Or check out GraceMusic’s facebook page and become a fan.

A Klezmer/Funkadelic storm hits (Le) Poisson Rouge

David Krakauer, Socalled and Fred Wesley are Abraham Inc.

Klezmer king David Krakauer, the tirelessly inventive clarinetist who leads Klezmer Madness!, trombonist Fred Wesley (whose credits include stints with James Brown, George Clinton’s Parliament/Funkadelic and the Count Basie Orchestra) and frequent Krakauer collaborator Socalled (a DJ whose real name is Josh Dolgin), are coming together at Manhattan’s (Le) Poisson Rouge tomorrow night to celebrate the release of Tweet Tweet, their debut CD as Abraham Inc.

If you’re one of those people who still thinks that the clarinet isn’t cool, and that klezmer is the music of your grandparents— something you’ve worked hard to escape — think again. Krakauer has been at the forefront of a modern movement to make klezmer cool, and he succeeds more every day.

Watch the video below, then check out this show, or get the CD, and you’ll be convinced. Sure, they’re three kinda goofy guys, but when they start grooving, they skillfully weave together elements of klezmer, funk and hip hop to create a really fresh sound.

Abraham Inc. with Girls in Trouble. 7 pm tomorrow (Thursday, Feb. 25) at (Le) Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker Street, Manhattan. $25 in advance. Tickets available here.

It’s time to Bang on a Can

Composer David Longstreth of The Dirty Projectors.

Tonight’s the night that Bang on a Can shows what it’s made of — and what its supporters are made of, too!

The People’s Commissioning Fund Concert kicks off at 7:30 pm at Merkin Concert Hall. The concept of the People’s Commissioning Fund is pretty simple, and pretty much what the name suggests. The lovely folk at Bang on a Can reach out to their supporters (that’s the people part of the equation) for donations (the fund) that they use to pay composer to write new works (the commissioning) for their super-talented house band the Bang on a Can All-Stars. The band is capable of playing just about anything off the shelf with a little arranging. But because of its particular lineup (piano, cello, clarinet, bass, percussion and guitar), it really shines on pieces written for it.

Christine Southworth

Of late, Bang on a Can has been using the fund to commission three new works. We’ll be hearing four commissions tonight, however. David Longstreth, the inventive composer and performer who created the pop band The Dirty Projectors, was awarded a commission last year, but was on tour and not around NYC for the PCF concert last April. So instead of premiering the piece without the composer, BoaC decided to delay it a week. That was disappointing to PCF supporters like me, but a real boon to Longstreth’s growing numbers of Dirty Projectors fans. I’m sure many will be in the audience tonight.

But let’s not shortchange this years commissions.

Christine Southworth (born in 1978),  has degrees in math from MIT and composition from Brown. She brings a scientific mind to bear on the challenge of composition. Her debut recording, Zap!, featured actual sparks and static from the Boston Museum of Science’s Van de Graaff Generator and Tesla Coils along with voices and instrumentation. She’s also co-founder and director of Ensemble Robot, a musical performance group that, you guessed it, features robots!

Nik Bärtsch

Swiss pianist-composer Nik Bärtsch (born in 1971)  performs in three guises — as a soloist, in a “zen-funk” group called Ronin and an acoustic group, Mobile. Loosely defined, he works in the jazz vein, and is known for his workshops that combine training in music and body movement.

U.K. native Oscar Betttison (born in 1975) works with invented instruments, finds unconventional uses for traditional concert instruments and combines them with rock instruments.

Oscar Bettison

This concert, which is part of WNYC’s New Sounds Live series, will also feature the All-Stars playing a recently commissioned (though not by PCF) work by Michael Nyman for film by the celebrated 1920s NY photographer Paul Strand and a selection from the group’s arrangement of Brian Eno’s Music for Airports.

Some tickets for tonight are still available at $25. Click here to buy. Showtime is 7:30 pm at Merkin Concert Hall in the Kaufman Center, 129 W. 67th St. (between Broadway and Amsterdam) in Manhattan. BoaC normally tops off the show by giving away collections of CDs from its Cantaloupe label.

If you can’t make it to the show, be sure to listen to it on WQXR’s Q2 internet feed.

The news at 11, Smithereens style

Jim Babjak, Severo "The Thrilla" Jornacion and Pat Dinizio of The Smithereens rock B.B. King's. (Photos copyright 2010, Steven P. Marsh)

Will You Miss Me When I’m Gone? has been preoccupied with paying the bills and going to shows in the first weeks of this year. As a result, we’re way behind in posting.

Sid Bernstein introduces The Smithereens at B.B. King's.

The Smithereens played their annual B.B. King’s show last month. It was a powerful set, the first half of which was a beautiful rendition of the hard-rocking band’s third official album, 1989’s 11. They opened the show with some early footage of the band performing and an introduction by Sid Bernstein, who brought the Beatles to Shea Stadium and who’s been a huge supporter of the Smithereens.

The band also played some of its superb cover of The Who’s Tommy, in anticipation of its participation in the March 2 Carnegie Hall tribute to The Who, in which The Smithereens have been invited to participate.

Dennis Diken keeps the beat.

Yes, this really is Pat DiNizio in the early days of The Smithereens.

The Smithereens have a great time.

Care Bears on Fire playing Nassau Coliseum

Care Bears on Fire, Izzy, Sophie and Jena (from left) rock Cake Shop on Saturday afternoon. (Photos copyright 2009, Steven P. Marsh)

Amazingly fun teen pop-punkers Care Bears on Fire pulled together the second in their series of Saturday afternoon showcases on Feb. 6 at Cake Shop on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. The tiny basement club is a perfect place for the girls to work on their sound and snarl in front of hardcore fans and with little to distract them from the music.

Things will be very differen this Saturday, when CBoF is on the Pop-Con bill at Nassau Coliseum opening for riot-inducing kiddie pop star Justin Bieber. Saturday’s show is probably one for parents to drop off their children and pick them up later. It’s not the kind of show that even I, a hardcore CBoF fan, will probably be able to tolerate. But it’s a great opportunity for the high-energy trio. And you can catch their next Let Them Eat Cake show at Cake Shop, 152 Ludlow St., on the Lower East Side on Saturday, March 6.

Check out more photos of the Cake Shop show and the other bands that performed at the showcase to benefit Haiti after the jump. Continue reading

Music raises money for Haiti

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The Young Peoples Chorus of New York City kicked off the evening at City Winery on Wednesday. (Photos copyright 2010, Steven P. Marsh)

John Wesley Harding

The Carolina Chocolate Drops

Michael Stipe didn't sing, but his mere presence got the crowd stirred up.

Patti Smith and Lenny Kaye are always there for a good cause.

Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, aka The Swell Season

Yo La Tengo

Joshua Bell and friends

There was a bit of irony in a crowd gathering at City Winery in TriBeCa to feast on great food and wine and listen to some of the most-loved bands around play to raise funds for those suffering in Haiti. But Wednesday night’s show, the first of four aimed at raising $100,000 for Haiti by charging $75 a head ($200 for VIP).

The irony quickly faded to the background once the part started Wednesday. There was a real feeling of joy from the performers and artists alike. This tremendous tragedy seems to have galvanized New Yorkers in gratifying ways.

The sets were all too-short, but consistently well-done. It was a very impressive effort.

Will You Miss Me When I’m Gone? didn’t have a prime spot for photography, but got some images that will help us remember the great night

Tim Griffin got some truly awesome photos, which you can check out by clicking here.

And please consider attending on of the two remaining shows. Mystifyingly, ticket prices are lower for the remaining shows than for the first. Rosanne Cash, Nada Surf, Tabou Combo and others are performing at 8 pm tomorrow (click here for more information and tickets at $50; $200 VIP), while piano-based singer-snogwriter Vienna Teng and guitarist singer-songwriter Ari Hest are two of the better-known indie artists on Monday night’s show, which also starts at 8 (click here for more information and tickets at $20; $75 VIP).

City Winery is at 155 Varick St. (between Spring and Vandam). Doors open for dinner at 5 pm. Seating is first-come, first-served, so if position matters, be early. Showtimes are pretty accurate.

Meanwhile, if the City Winery lineups do nothing for you, check out A Night of Comedy and Music to Benefit Haiti at the Music Hall of Williamsburg tonight. It’s presented by Bowery Presents and BrooklynVegan. It features short sets by: Zach Galifianakis, Britt Daniel (of Spoon), Justin Vernon (Bon Iver), St. Vincent, Janeane Garofalo, Wyatt Cenac (of the Daily Show), the live debut of John Shade (ex Dave Godowsky) & possibly more. Advance tickets appear to be sold out, but some may be available at the door for $40. The Music Hall of Williamsburg is at 66 North Sixth Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Beth Orton in the spotlight at The Bell House

Beth Orton charms at The Bell House on Monday night. (Photos copyright 2010, Steven P. Marsh)

Beth Orton is always charming and has a brilliant way with songs. She brings new life to the tunes she resurrects and covers, and has a unique sensibility on her new numbers as well.

At The Bell House in Brooklyn on Monday night, Beth pulled off a strong performance despite battling the remnants of what she described as walking pneumonia. Despite her vocal challenges, Beth’s understated vocals reminded the audience of her amazing ability as a song stylist.

As a performer, Beth comes off as a perfectionist and a bit awkward at the same time. She started a couple of songs over because she wasn’t satisfied with the way they were going.

Early on in her set, Beth deadpanned: “Hi, I’m shy.”

Sorry to disagree, Beth, but no, you’re anything but shy.

It feels like Beth rarely tours here. This visit one was tiny — one show in Los Angeles, at Largo, and two in New York, the first on Sunday night at Manhattan’s City Winery. But she did five shows in NYC less than a year ago. As I recall, she was getting over an illness that time, too.

This mini-tour took advantage of a budding partnership between Beth and her opener, Sam Amidon. Sam is a Vermont-born singer who has come to specialize in quirky interpretations of traditional American folk songs. Sam’s spare, airy, almost stumbling version of O Death is one of my favorite takes on the tune. He and keyboard player Thomas “Doveman” Bartlett worked together in the opening set, with a bit of help from Sam’s brother, Stefan. Beth joined them for a bit, too. Sam and Thomas returned the favor during Beth’s set.

A full set list and some of my photos also made it onto Beth’s official fan site. Thanks to the great webmaster, Tim, for that!

More photos of Beth, Sam and Thomas after the jump.

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Spoon is stirring the pot

Spoon will headline a show at Radio City Music Hall on March 26.

Is Spoon getting too big for its core fans? Give a listen to their new album, out next week, streaming now at NPR.org. From what I’ve heard so far, Britt Daniel and company have made their sound tighter and better focused than ever, without losing its identity.

But with a headlining gig at Radio City Music Hall on March 26 (tickets go on sale this Saturday), I have to wonder whether they’ve really broken through or if they’re over-reaching.

I plan to be there at Radio City to decide for myself. See you there?

Happy 63rd, Patti!

Patti Smith, sharper and more focused on her birthday. (Photos copyright 2009, Steven P. Marsh)

Patti Smith was still as giddy as a little girl last night, for the second of her three New Year’s shows at The Bowery Ballroom. She had reason to be happy — it was her 63rd birthday, or “burfday,” as she so charmingly says it.

But, unlike the first night, Patti brought a bit more snarl and a lot  more focus to the show. (She mentioned that The New York Times said she did some “bad things” on the first night. Check out that review, by Ben Ratliff, here.) The only slight disappointment last night was that the set list largely repeated the first night’s set. It was a spirited evening, though — good enough to make me regret my decision to skip tonight’s show to avoide the craziness of a Manhattan New Year’s Eve.

It didn't look like there were 63 candles on the cake that Jesse Smith brought onstage for her mom. But who's counting!

The evening had a few surprises. For me, the best came when James Mastro of Hoboken’s The Bongos, resplendent in a red hat, materialized onstage to assist on a cover of Neil Young’s Powderfinger. Last night’s version was much stronger than the opening night’s tepid effort, and Mastro’s professional attitude, great guitar work and solid vocals made a huge difference. (It would have been helpful if somebody had bothered to introduce James when he came onstage. While plenty of people in the audience recognized the local hero, his name wasn’t announced from stage until after he was done playing.)

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Patti Smith: The original Punk Princess

Patti Smith and longtime collaborator Lenny Kaye kick off the the first of her 2009 New Year's shows with an intimate version of "Southern Cross." (Photos copyright 2009, Steven P. Marsh)

Patti Smith assured the sold-out crowd at the Bowery Ballroom last night that 2010 is going to be a better year. Not a perfect one, maybe, but better than 2009. And I think I can safely speak for the crowd when I say I sure hope she’s right. She reminded us that we’re having a blue moon this New Year’s Eve, and suggested it’s a sign of good luck.

Patti shows off a copy of her new book, Just Kids, at the beginning of last night's show.

Patti, who turned 63 today, kicked off her annual New Year’s run at the Bowery last night with a reading from her new book about her friendship with Robert Mapplethorpe, Just Kids, which is due out Jan. 19. She wandered onstage wearing a knit cap and a heavy black hoodie snatched right from her merch table because it was so cold backstage — and outside — last night.

“I just got it on my way here tonight,” she told the crowd with her crooked smile. “It’s not like I’m trying to do a commercial. I’m just excited. … (But) I know you can’t download it. It was a bit about her first days in New York back in 1967, a perfect vignette.

The evening quickly, but briefly, turned bittersweet as she memorialized three like-minded artists who died this year — including rock poet Jim Carroll and singer-songwriter Vic Chesnutt — by performing a beautiful acoustic version of Southern Cross with help from her longtime guitarist Lenny Kaye.

After a round of applause, Patti surrendered the stage to daughter Jesse Smith, who said not a word during her 25 minute piano ramble, accompanied by drums. glockenspiel and tubular bells. Jesse seems to be a competent player, but is visibly uncomfortable and uncertain onstage. Every time I see her perform, I wonder why she’s up there. Unlike her brother Jackson, who did not play guitar with his mom’s band last night as he often does, Jesse does not give the impression that she was born for the stage.

Jesse Smith and her band was the first-night opener.

Later, Patti reminded us that “Lenny Kaye played in Jim Carroll’s band. I did other things with Jim,” as she introduced Lenny for a version of Jim’s Still Life. That one drew a laugh. It was the first of two songs the band did without Patti – the second being a Tony Shanahan-led cover of Powderfinger in honor of Vic Chesnutt.

There were plenty of other charming moments and laughs throughout the evening as Patti plowed through at least one song from just about ever album. And even though she told the crowd she was still fighting the residue of illness, she sounded great and never faltered — except when she forgot the words to songs from time to time as she inevitably does at every show.

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