Archive for March, 2015
Downtown Funk
Tuesday, March 17th, 2015Better to Give than Receive
Monday, March 16th, 2015
A spoonful of the brownie waffle makes the funk go down.
Mike Heagerty makes no excuses when it comes to hospitality as he shares a James Brownie Waffle Sundae with musicians at the tribute to James Brown “Doin’ It to Death” (DITD) last week.
Emanuel Washington gets a taste of the James Brown Waffle Sundae during the second set.
Week in Review: Fungiere
Sunday, March 15th, 2015
Gregory Collins: The Mr. Please, Please, Please of the local Funk Scene
We wish you knew what it was like to experience something this funky. We’re not talking uptown, but strictly some downtown, alleyway, outside of Armory Square, dumpster funk. Emanuel “never miss a beat” Washington organized “Doin It to Death,” a tribute to James Brown and the show had people nearly climbing the walls inside Funk-n-Waffles (downtown) on Thursday. We don’t know if the band (including a killer horn section) rehearsed or had a previous gig, but on this night the force (of funk) was with them indeed. The only thing that would have made this a better outing is if they had been scheduled during the NCAA Regional Finals weekend.
Making short cameo appearances during the two-hour plus show were Washington’s band mates from Sophistafunk, Adam Gold and Jack Brown.
Mike Spadaro: All about the bass
E. Washington, drummer, and a crowd jammin’ on the one.
The multi-generational crowd also roared when Washington announced that he would be putting together a Beastie Boys Tribute in June.
This was a first show at the new Funk-n-Waffles location and the place definitely has the potential to make some noise on the Downtown music scene.
The tight horn section was a Fields sandwich (Dan on trumpet and Nick on tenor sax) punctuated by the book ends of Melissa Gardiner (trombone) and 17-year old Dunham Hall (alto sax).
Week in Review
Sunday, March 15th, 2015
Anjela Lynn, ladies first
When it comes to bringing the crowd to the Sitrus Lounge, and making them get off their feet and dance, or in some cases sing, nobody does it like Michael & Anjela Lynn. Their second show for the season at the Sheraton Hotel was a perfect celebration of the roots of smooth R&B and the gift of musical enjoyment on Friday. They were backed up superbly by the next generation, aka the Talented Ones.
Deyquan Bowens
John Buda Bowens
Michael Houston
Al Cutri
Anjela gets some help on vocals during the second set
Green with Energy
Saturday, March 14th, 2015
They even had on green tennis shoes (not pictured).
Capture the Cuse (X)
Saturday, March 14th, 2015
Piece of the Pi, Jefferson Street
Cold Sweat
Friday, March 13th, 2015“Funk is not fast, it’s not slow…it’s just funky…”
-Gregory Collins
Gregory Collins captured the energy, moves and mannerisms of Mr. Please, Please, Please, Mr. Dynamite and the Hardest Working Man in Show Business at the Tribute to James Brown at Funk-n-Waffles (Downtown) last night.
Verse by Verse by Verse
Friday, March 13th, 2015
Warren-Moore, Johnson and Popoff shared their work at the Atrium at Clinton Square on Thursday.
Throwback Thursday
Thursday, March 12th, 2015
Dwele at Awful Al’s Cigar Bar (circa 2003)
Freemium
Wednesday, March 11th, 2015Free event + Premium content=Freemium.
Bravo to Frank Malfitano for putting together what sounds like another great line up for Syracuse Jazz Fest. This year’s festival features Aretha Franklin, Wynton Marsalis, and Lake Street Drive.
Once again the festival is free.
The Friday night shows at Jazz Fest have become legendary (Trombone Shorty, Gregory Porter, Preservation Hall Jazz Band), and this year we are particularly interested in seeing the evening sizzle with a combination of Marsalis and Buckwheat Zydeco.
To see Buckwheat Zydeco at a New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Fest back in the day check this out:
To get some background on Creole music and the culture of SW Louisiana, listen to one of our favorite DJ’s, historian Cowboy Texas Fred: