by Andrew Frisicano

Nellie McKay playing piano (more by Chris La Putt)


Highline Piano Series, eight nights of piano-centric pop and jazz at Highline Ballroom, kicks off Wednesday night (8/18, tonight) with a performances by Vienna Teng & Alex Wong and songwriter Joey Ryan. Tickets are still on sale. One highlight of this year's series will be Nellie McKay on August 29th (tickets are on sale). Nellie's only other upcoming NYC performance comes October 15th as part of Broadway Melody Makers (multiple performers doing Broadway tunes) at Town Hall. Tickets are on sale.

Last year, Highline Piano series hosted jazz legends like McCoy Tyner and Cecil Taylor. This year, Tyner will play his second free outdoor show of the summer (the first was June 23rd at Central Park SummerStage) on Saturday, August 28th at Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem. That's the first day of the Charlie Parker Jazz Fest, which features Jason Moran and the Bandwagon, JD Allen Trio, and Revive Da Live, who'll be performing a special Charlie Parker tribute set. The next day (8/29), Jimmy Scott, Vijay Iyer, The Cookers and Catherine Russell continue the fest at Tompkins Square Park. Both shows are free and start at 3pm.

The full Highline Piano Series schedule and Nellie McKay's tour dates are posted below...

Continue reading "the Highline Piano Series, Nellie McKay dates, Jimmy Scott"

We need your help to raise $100,000 in four nights to help the victims of Haiti's catastrophic earthquake. No country in the Western Hemisphere has been battered more than Haiti in the last 500 years--the nearly complete annihilation of its native population over two decades, a brutal slave regime, ongoing foreign military interventions over hundreds of years, brutal dictatorships supported by western powers, blockades of aid and more recently, devastating natural disasters from hurricanes to this latest earthquake.

100% of proceeds from this benefit will be donated to Doctors Without Borders, Partners In Health and the mobile hospital initiative directed by the Jewish Renaissance Medical Center - all recommended by the Haiti Consule General. We ask that you give any way you can.

Check out the four shows (with ticket links) below...

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by Andrew Frisicano

Cecil Taylor & McCoy Tyner...

Born Dec. 11, 1938, [McCoy] Tyner made his name as a member of the legendary John Coltrane Quartet in the 1960s. Since then, he has brought his distinctive playing style, and his compositions, to dozens of records on which he leads his own bands.

[What's his secret?]

Tyner says the secret is simple: Drink carrot juice.

"Well, I like carrot juice," he says. "I have a juice machine at home that helps. Carrot juice is real good for you. Carrot and celery. Don't forget celery." [NPR]

You can buy him a glass at the Highline Ballroom on Sunday, August 23rd, where he'll perform as part of the venue's Piano Series, an 11-night lineup of piano-driven acts that runs from August 17th through August 28th.

We previously reported that Tyner's Lincoln Center shows in May would be his last NYC gigs for a while, and though according to his website that's still true, Tyner will bring his Trio (bassist Gerald Cannon and drummer Eric Kamau Gravatt plus guest saxist Gary Bartz) to the Highline for one two-set night.

Another Hall-of-Fame level jazz great, Cecil Taylor, will play as part of the series too. He'll perform solo on Tuesday, August 25th (two sets also).

The series mixes those legends with a slew of younger but equally impressive acts like the The Bad Plus, Matthew Shipp, and the Benevento/Russo Duo, who are all playing the series.

Tickets to all the shows are on sale now.

The Piano Series' full schedule, which includes non-jazz pianists too, is posted below...

Continue reading "Highline Ballroom Piano Series - 11 shows @ the NYC venue"

In the shadow of the famous and brooding Kentile Floors sign in the burgeoning and classic neighborhood of Gowanus, The Bell House, a gorgeous new and unique music venue and lounge, will open its doors on September 18 at 6pm with free admission to the public. The Bell House is a magnificent two-room music and events venue located at 149 7th Street between 2nd & 3rd Avenues. It was crafted out of an old 1920's warehouse once used as a printing press, but more recently used as a fly-by-night shipping company.

Conceived and created by the friends behind Union Hall (Park Slope) and Floyd (Brooklyn Heights), The Bell House are thrilled to be pioneers of sorts adding a prominent performance space to Brownstone Brooklyn. The main space boasts 25 foot wooden arched ceilings, a 450 square foot stage, and unobstructed views from any part of the room. "Brownstone Brooklyn needed a major music venue and event space, and we found a beautiful old building near the Gowanus that was seemingly designed for live music," said co-owner, Jim Carden. "We'll be able to graduate the bands we've championed at Union Hall to a space like no other in New York City and be able to host acts that were simply too big for the stage there", adds co-owner and talent buyer Jack McFadden

Press release continued, and an updated initial lineup, below...

Continue reading "more BELL HOUSE Brooklyn venue info, first show free "

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