Archive for June, 2015

Week in Review

Sunday, June 21st, 2015
World Refugee Day, Schiller Park

World Refugee Day, Schiller Park

Father’s Day

Sunday, June 21st, 2015

Here’s a great gift for Father’s Day: a sweet melody. This original composition was performed by Eric Sprague at the OCPL Masterclass Finale. He said it was inspired by his father.

Capture the Cuse (XXVII)

Saturday, June 20th, 2015
World Refugee Day Superhero: Jasenko Mondom (aka Flagman)

World Refugee Day Superhero: Jasenko Mondom (aka Flagman)

Cuse’ Got Talent: Ellen

Saturday, June 20th, 2015



Beautiful One from Syracuse in Focus on Vimeo.

The performance for this song was so well done we thought it was from an opera. During the OCPL Masterclass Finale 2, McCoy gave a short translation, then showed her vocal skills (in Italian).

Sounds over Sushi

Friday, June 19th, 2015
Melissa Gardiner, Will Gorman and Ronnie Leigh, along with Byron Cage (not pictured) served up a hot set at Tokyo-Seoul last night.

Melissa Gardiner, Will Gorman and Ronnie Leigh, along with Byron Cage (not pictured) served up a hot set at Tokyo-Seoul last night.

We got to see a few generations of musical performers at Melissa Gardiner’s gig at Tokyo-Seoul last night.  Her MG3 band, along with veteran vocalist Ronnie Leigh, made for a sweltering combination.

Leigh, who is the equivalent of a made guy in the music scene here (our version of Tony Bennett),  has been around for years and has multiple SAMMY Awards.  But don’t let his musical mileage fool you however, because he still had enough in reserve to close the show with a Fats Waller cut (“Aint Misbehavin”) that had the ebbing energy of a strong summer storm.

Our take-away question is this: has anyone recorded these sessions (which began in December)? They would make a great compilation CD.

Called & Chosen

Friday, June 19th, 2015
Jake Ford sat in with MG3 at Tokyo Seoul last night.

Jake Ford was called up to share the Tokyo-Seoul stage with MG3 on Thursday.

You have to be secure with your art & abilities to let someone share your stage. We thought it big-hearted for Melissa Gardiner and her new power group,MG3 (Gardiner, Gorman & Cage), to shine some light on guitarist Jake Ford last night.  Ford sat in briefly during the MG3 + Ronnie Leigh show at Tokyo Seoul.

This is only our second time seeing the Third Thursday’s series, but generally when it comes to the Syracuse scene, established musicians are quick to show love to up-and-coming talent.

Familiar Faces?

Friday, June 19th, 2015
Bass Player

James, guitarist for Angie Stone

At this year’s Juneteenth we had to do a double take. The guitar player for Angie Stone looked so much like Rod Little from the Blacklites…Glance again, the resemblance is uncanny.

R Little, the Blacklites

R. Little, the Blacklites (Jazz in the City event).

Throwback Thursday

Thursday, June 18th, 2015
Refugee Parade, Butternut Street (2013)

Refugee Parade, Butternut Street (2013)

Syracuse will celebrate World Refugee Day on June 20, 2015.

Throwback Thursday

Thursday, June 18th, 2015
We captured this photo of Malik Zachery during his middle school AAU days. We heard a report this week that he will be leaving Nottingham High to attend a prep school in North Jersey.

We captured this photo of Malik Zachery during his middle school days in a park not too far from the office.  A report was published this week that he will be leaving Nottingham High to attend a prep school in North Jersey.

Syracuse Architectural Digest: Facade Update

Wednesday, June 17th, 2015
University College

University College