Better late than never, we celebrate Black Music Month with some photos from performances in and around Syracuse over the past decade.
Second Line Syracuse, an interactive, roving community jazz band is the brainchild of musician & composer Melissa Gardiner. Sunday afternoon the group marched thru the streets of the Near Westside to the delight of neighbors and passersby.
Competition obviously makes for plenty of invention.
We finally got to see the Second Line Syracuse project (winner of the Salt City Dishes prize) up close yesterday, and we were impressed. We hope their dedication to the craft (they marched in the rain) is a reflection of the shape of jazz to come here in the city. Maybe they will show up at the Downtown Syracuse Arts Festival or a street party near you soon.
Jam session in the streets.
Second Line Syracuse: Strollin’ on Tioga Street.
Ronnie Leigh, live at Tokyo-Seoul (with MG3)
Our performance of the week goes to Ronnie Leigh and Melissa Gardiner’s MG3. Below is a clip from their final number (Aint Misbehavin‘ with Leigh on vocals), which is so rich and velvety it gets stuck between your ears.
Thanks again to Byron Cage for the invite.
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).
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.
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 (Jazz in the City event).
Kerryanna Kershner
Here are a few of the vocalists who participated in last night’s OCPL Masterclass Finale. Another show is scheduled for tonight at LeMoyne College.
Keith Dallas Ward
Rochelle Gilbert
Maka Rouge
Lawrence Czajkowski performed his original composition “Electric Fancy” at the Onondaga County Public Library Masterclass “Finale 2” on Monday. Czajkowski (chy-KAWF-skee ) was the closing act. The event featured nearly 20 artist performances and was held at Le Moyne College. The third finale will be held tonight.
Thanks to Larry Luttinger for inviting us to this event last night. The OCPL Masterclass sounds like a great way to expose emerging and under represented talent. We also found out that the Masterclass is a free program. Check out below, as Larry (Luttinger) introduces another Larry (Czajkowski), and reminds us that CNY is also home to some great composers.
The program will be available via video/audio at ocplmasterclass.com.
Angie Stone, Syracuse Juneteenth