NPR has the Tiny Desk Concert, but here in Syracuse, thanks to the CNY Jazz Arts Foundation, we have events such as Jazz in the Plaza (Le Moyne College). Yesterday, Grupo Pagan Lite (Edgar Pagan, Bill DiCosimo and Jose Varona) served up some smooth jazz seasoning just outside the bookstore, while students and others took a leisurely lunch. Check out the clip from the show, particularly DiCosimo’s work on the keys.
The folks at Newhouse told us big things were on the horizon for Larry Wilmore when he appeared here as part of the Conversation on Race and Entertainment Media series. Wilmore just celebrated his 100th episode of “The Nightly Show” earlier this week. Here’s an interview he did on “Fresh Air.”
In a recent media story Arturo O’Farrill talked about bridging cultures using music. O’Farrill appeared at the Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival in Syracuse a few years ago.
We all like a good story about overcoming odds and transforming misfortune into triumph. That’s the story Rosie Perez talked about during an interview today (publicizing her book on NPR). Perez went from Soul Train dancer to actor, to victim rights advocate and motivational speaker. She is pictured above during a visit to the Southwest Community Center, where she was a keynote speaker (2011).
Matthew Chase, sings in the Dairy Building at the NYS Fair
National Public Radio (NPR) recently featured the work of photographer Henry Horenstein, who reminds us that country music is rural music, not only Southern music.
Musician-turned actor Ice-T gives a behind music view of the rap game in the new documentary “The Art of Rap.” He spoke in a recent interview about the changes in Hip Hop and the evolution of MCs.
Below listen to the unique flow of Big Daddy Kane. Kane came to Syracuse a few years ago and is included in the film.
I heard a story today on NPR about the distinct voice of rapper Biggie Smalls (they described his sound as wheezy and humid). I also learned that jazz musician Donald Harrison, who played a concert here last summer, provided some early musical mentorship for BIG.
Harrison also talked about their connection in an interview on Afropop.
