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Music Features

Name: Robin Axel
Start: 2019-11-22T17:00:00
End: 2019-11-22T19:00:00
Location: Record Archive

Music school project gets creative with fundraising

It's 8 p.m. on a snowy Wednesday night in November, and a crew of musicians is gathered in the cozy third-floor attic of Ben Morey and Katie Morey-Preston's home, which doubles as a recording studio and rehearsal space. The group is gathered to rehearse for a rather unconventional event: a live performance of Harry Nilsson's "The Point!," which will take place at the Cinema Theater on South Clinton Avenue on November 23 and 24.

By Leah Stacy Nov 18, 2019

The Submarine School Of Music The Point Ben Morey Katie Morey-Preston Cinema Theater Harry Nillson

RPO and Ward Stare's recording up for two Grammys

The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and Music Director Ward Stare's recording of composer Jennifer Higdon's "Harp Concerto,” featuring the classical harpist Yolanda Kondonassis, has been nominated for two Grammys.

By Jeff Spevak Nov 20, 2019

Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra Ward Stare RPO 2020 Grammy Awards Jennifer Higdon Contemporary Classical Grammys

Joe Locke at The Little, and celebrating Joe Dady

From Jeff Spevak's 'Across the Universe' column

Jeff Spevak previews vibraphonist Joe Locke's return to The Little Theatre and shares more on Saturday's memorial concert for Joe Dady.

By Jeff Spevak Nov 20, 2019

Jeff Spevak Across The Universe Joe Locke Joe Dady A Show For Joe Dustbowl Revival The Little Theatre Hochstein Performance Hall Nazareth College

Joe Dady’s still here, as are Buddy Holly and Roy Orbison

From Jeff Spevak's 'Across the Universe' column

Jeff Spevak reports on a memorial concert for the late Joe Dady, a "hologram performance" by Roy Orbison and Buddy Holly, and more.

By Jeff Spevak Nov 13, 2019

Jeff Spevak Across the Universe Joe Dady Buddy Holly Rock 'N' Roll Dream Tour Sonny Landreth Cindy Cashdollar Ying Quartet Tinsley Ellis Tommy Castro And The Painkillers Joan Shelley Miss Tess and The Talkbacks

Interview: Jimbo Mathus

Ancestor worship

Guitarist Jimbo Mathus became a household name as a founding member of the swing-revival band Squirrel Nut Zippers. But Mathus's latest album, the aptly titled "Incinerator," is a righteous romp through the swamp.

By Frank De Blase Nov 11, 2019

Music Interview Jimbo Mathus Incinerator Squirrel Nut Zippers Southern Rock Abilene Bar and Lounge

Vanishing Sun teases 2020 collab with Strasenburgh Planetarium

"Impressions of the Infinite" to feature renovated Star Theater, live music

In a teaser video released today, Rochester funk-fusion band Vanishing Sun announced a 2020 collaboration with the Strasenburgh Planetarium and Director Steve Fentress.

By Daniel J. Kushner Nov 8, 2019

Vanishing Sun Strasenburgh Planetarium Steve Fentress Ian Sherman Matt Ramerman Impressions of the Infinite

Classical review: ‘Bach to Bartók’ an RPO journey worth taking

Arnold Schoenberg, Anton Webern, and Alban Berg – great composers but only occasional visitors to Kodak Hall at best — finally made it on the same Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra program last night.

By David Raymond Nov 8, 2019

Classical review Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra RPO Ward Stare Tessa Clark Arnold Schoenberg Anton Webern Alban Berg Bela Bartók

Opera review: the dark satire of Eastman Opera Theatre’s fall double bill

In staging its 2019 fall double bill, Eastman Opera Theatre and director Stephen Carr had the challenging task of linking two musical theater pieces with seemingly contrasting plots and moods to create a fluid narrative. But the subtle similarities in theme are what bind "Mahagonny Songspiel" and "Der Kaiser von Atlantis" in this highly intelligent presentation.

By Daniel J. Kushner Nov 8, 2019

Eastman Opera Theatre Mahagonny Songspiel Der Kaiser von Atlantis Kurt Weill. Viktor Ullmann Stephen Carr Wilson Southerland Steven Daigle opera review

Kings of the mountain

Rochester rock trio King Buffalo plays the heavy and finds success abroad.

By Frank De Blase Nov 6, 2019

King Buffalo Longing to Be the Mountain Sean McVay Scott Donaldson Dan Reynolds Rock Psychedelic Rock Orion Repeater Cover Story Video

Eastman Opera Theatre presents intriguing double bill

Life and death

From November 7 through 10, Eastman Opera Theatre's Stephen Carr directs the group in a dual production of composer Kurt Weill’s pre-World War II cantata “Mahagonny Songspiel” and Viktor Ullmann’s “Der Kaiser von Atlantis” — written while the composer was a prisoner of the Nazis at the Terezín concentration camp.

By Daniel J. Kushner Nov 6, 2019

Eastman Opera Theatre Mahagonny Songspiel Der Kaiser von Atlantis Stephen Carr Wilson Southerland Rachel Kobernick Kurt Weill Viktor Ullmann Opera

2019 RMHOF inductee Christine Lavin plays Café Veritas

Endearing folk

Folk singer-songwriter Christine Lavin is a bon vivant. She is a born entertainer, but the SUNY Brockport graduate is also a connector with a tremendous social circle.

By Roman Divezur Oct 29, 2019

Christine Lavin Singer-songwriter Rochester Music Hall Of Fame Folk Music Cafe Veritas Bob Dylan Dave Van Ronk

Publick Musick explores Dido myth in season-opening concert

Love and death

Dido, Queen of Carthage, is one of the most memorable women in ancient lore. Seduced and jilted by the Trojan War hero Aeneas, Dido took her own life rather spectacularly, building her own funeral pyre and stabbing herself as she lay on it. But Dido if was only a temporary inspiration to Aeneas, she proved to be a much more lasting inspiration for composers of the Baroque era, as Publick Musick's October 27 concert demonstrates.

By David Raymond Oct 22, 2019

Publick Musick Boel Gidholm Christopher Haritatos Madeline Apple Healey Baroque Music Dido And Aeneas Michel De Monteclair Bernardo Pasquini

Meredith Monk visits U of R for artist residency

Songs without words

Meredith Monk is a living legend in the world of contemporary classical music. Monk will bring her Vocal Ensemble to the University of Rochester for a residency entitled “Dancing Voice/Singing Body” from Sunday, October 20 through Wednesday, October 23.

By Daniel J. Kushner Oct 16, 2019

Meredith Monk Dancing Voice/Singing Body University of Rochester Residency Meredith Monk & Vocal Ensemble Cellular Songs University of Rochester Eastman School of Music

The vinyl word

Once upon a time, from around 1975 to 1995, the Rochester music scene was stuck in analog limbo, with a dubious digital solution waiting in the wings. It was a growing scene that fed off itself: Local musicians put out records, which would inspire their peers to issue their own records to supplement their income and further express their art.

By Frank De Blase Oct 9, 2019

Rochester music vinyl records Greg Prevost Mike Murray Todd Bradley Rob Filardo Roy Stein The Chesterfield Kings New Math GaragePop The Priests The Essentials The Fertility Rite Brothers Distorted Levels Cover Story

Interview: Amy Helm

Take a load off, Amy

Singer-songwriter Amy Helm — daughter of The Band's late drummer Levon Helm — does little to keep a lid on her joy, even as she tosses plenty of bittersweet heartbreak into her lyrics. She'll play Three Heads brewing on October 10.

By Frank De Blase Oct 4, 2019

Music Interview Amy Helm Singer-songwriter Americana Rock Levon Helm Three Heads Brewing

Bat McGrath, an iconic part of the Rochester music scene, has died

Bat McGrath died Tuesday night, in much the same way as he wrote and sang. With no drama, no fuss, quietly, at his mountainside home in Tennessee with his wife Tricia Cast, all on his terms.

By Jeff Spevak Oct 2, 2019

Bat McGrath Obituary Audio