World Refugee Day Superhero: Jasenko Mondom (aka Flagman)
Capture the Cuse (XXVII)
June 20th, 2015Cuse’ Got Talent: Ellen
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
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.
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
June 19th, 2015
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?
June 19th, 2015
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).
Throwback Thursday
June 18th, 2015
Refugee Parade, Butternut Street (2013)
Syracuse will celebrate World Refugee Day on June 20, 2015.
Throwback Thursday
June 18th, 2015
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
June 17th, 2015
University College
Cuse’ Got Talent: Seeing Stars
June 16th, 2015
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
Cuse’ Got Talent : C is for Czajkowski (or Tchaikovsky)
June 16th, 2015
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.