1. Kinan Azmeh

Date: Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Time: 7:30pm
Venue: Joe’s Pub (425 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10003, 212-967-7555)
Tickets: $20
Genre: between Jazz, classical music, and the music of his homeland, Syria

Syrian clarinetist and composer Kinan Azmeh is the first Arab to win the first prize at the Nicolay Rubinstein international competition in Moscow 1997. A graduate of the Juilliard School in New York, the High Institute of Music and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering in Damascus. He is currently working towards his music doctoral degree at the City University of New York.

Kinan has appeared as soloist, composer and improviser worldwide including The Library of Congress, The Kennedy Center, Opera Bastille, Berlin’s Philharmonie, The Mozarteum, Carnegie Hall, UN’s General Assembly and the Damascus Opera for its opening concert. He has shared the stage and recorded with artists such as Yo-Yo Ma, Daniel Barenboim, Marcel Khalife, Aynur and Zakir Hussein.

Continue reading →

1. Lakecia Benjamin and Soulsquad

Date: Monday,  August 26, 2013
Times: 10:30 pm
Venue: Blue Note (131 West 3rd St., New York, NY 10012, 212-475-8592)
Tickets:  $10/$15
Genre: jazz/funk

A streetwise New York City native born and raised in Washington Heights, Lakecia Benjamin has become one of the most highly sought-after players in soul and funk music. Charismatic and dynamic as both a saxophonist and bandleader, she has worked with Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, The Roots, Macy Gray, and more. She has performed on four continents, and her extensive recording credits include saxophone and arrangements for Santigold, Maurice Brown, the Clark Terry Big Band, Krystle Warren, and Talib Kweli, among others.

Lakecia Benjamin – alto sax, Jesse fisher – keys, Chris Rob – keys, Jameison – guitar, Solomon Dorsey – bass, Joe Blaxx – drums and Jonathon Powell – trumpet. Nicole Phiefer – vocals, Akie Bermiss – vocals and Collette – vocals. Continue reading →

1. “Diablo Love” w.  Tomás Doncker Band

Date: Monday, August 19, 2013
Time: 8pm
Venue: Central Park/Mainstage (69th St. & 5th Ave, map)
Ticket: free, but $3 donation
Genre: musical

Diablo Love is a fantastical love story featuring live music that re-imagines songs made famous by American Blues singer, guitarist and harmonica player, Howlin’ Wolf along with original compositions by Tomás Doncker. This production provides audiences with a masterful live soundtrack of Blues/Soul music and sets the stage for a dynamic performance.

What would you do for love? In the pits of Hell, Baliel, a lost soul, must prove his worth or else spend the rest of eternity in the lake of fire. In order to spare his own horrific demise, Baliel goes out in search of a willing person to swap spots with him, and as a result comes upon Emma, a fledgling Harlem Gospel singer from a troubled background with big dreams of fame. As Emma works through the trials and tribulations of erecting a career with her group, Baliel appears with big promises and a plan for fame and fortune. The two embark on a joint quest to achieve both of their missions, and what once began as a task for Baliel to find his replacement quickly takes a complicated turn as he must decide between unconditional love and Diablo Love. Continue reading →