Robert Randolph at the New York State Fair
Robert Randolph, master of the steel pedal guitar, danced while he played with his bad at the New York State Fair tonight. Randolph’s performance reminded me that the last time I covered a steel pedal performance was by the late Leonard Stephens, Jr. of Syracuse, during Gospel Weekend a few years ago.
J. J. Hairston and Youthful Praise at the Fair
J. J. Hairston
“Real faith has perfect peace and joy and a shout at any time. It always sees the victory.”
–Smith Wigglesworth
En Vogue--at 20
It’s hard to fathom that the ladies of En Vogue released their first album Born to Sing 20 years ago. The original group members performed Thursday to kick-off the New York State Fair concert series at Chevy Court.
Columbus, OH-based Urban Jazz Coalition brings an unofficial end to the outdoor live jazz season in Syracuse on Thursday. They performed in Little Italy for the season finale of Jazz in the City, a neighborhood concert series produced each summer by Larry Luttinger and the Central New York Jazz Orchestra.
Jackiem Joyner playing in Eastwood
Syracuse City School District (Fowler) alum and smooth jazz star Jackiem Joyner returned to Syracuse this week to play two concerts for the Central New York Jazz Arts Foundation’s Jazz in the City.
Donald Harrison
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.
The 28th Annual Syracuse Jazz Fest took place again at Onondaga Community College last weekend. I got cover the final day, which featured Natalie Cole, Toph-E, Sheryl Bailey, and Michael Kaeshammer. One fan I spoke with said the Friday night Jam Session was the best set he’d seen at this particular event (he’s been attending for over 20 years).
Michael Kaeshammer and Marc Roberts
Other artists who performed on days one and two of the festival (who I missed) included Gil Scott Heron, Boz Scaggs and Jeff Lorber.
It was also good to see, photograph and talk with piano tuner Kenneth Williams. According to Jazz Fest Producer Festival Frank Malfitano: “[Williams] is the best in the business and a very dear friend of the festival, he’s indespensable.”
Natelie Cole
To see more photographs of Syracuse Jazz Fest, Day 3, click here.
Musician Byron Cage sent me this video he made in tribute to his father, Pastor J. Alfred Cage.
Canadian artists’ K-OS and Drake, along with N.E.R.D. performed at Syracuse University’s Block Party Concert on Friday. Francis and the Lights opened. The sold-out show brought over 10,000 people to the Carrier Dome.
Fans, Block Party
K-OS
P Williams, N.E.R.D
Fans, Block Party
Drake
Your Brain Being Washed
Media personality and executive George Kilpatrick sent me a link to his recent interview with author Tom Burrell.
Burrell is author of a book about the myth of black inferiority called Brainwashed. In the book Burrell, an award-winning ad exec, tackles subjects such as Neo-Buffoonery, King James v. King Kong, Oscar- nominated films such as Precious, Fratricide, Hip Hop videos, and the cumulative effect of negative images.
To hear Burrell’s conversation on NIFTN, click here.