Music

Relatively new in the music scene, the Summerfest Concert Series on the Plaza is not to be missed.

One-on-one with film and television composer Bear McCreary (Battlestar Galactica, The Walking Dead, Outlander, etc.)

After years of writing for Dave Liebman’s Big Band, the Westchester Jazz Orchestra, Bill Mobley’s Smoke Big Band, and the BMI Jazz Composers Orchestra, brassman/composer Scott Reeves launched his own 16-piece jazz orchestra in 2008. Their 2016 debut release, Portraits and Places, features seven Reeves originals, along with his arrangement of Jobim’s, “Waters of March.” He has forged an original compositional style which All About Jazz described as “varied and substantial, ranging from hard bop and Latin oriented themes...to French impressionist influences. His arrangements are restless, full of color, and provide ample solo space...amidst variable underpinnings.”

True to Wayne Shorter’s mantra, a spirit of curiosity permeates 'Quiet Spaces.' From beginning to end, the trio leaves no stone unturned. They question the tuneful themes of the opening “Tiny Kingdom” and the title track “Quiet Spaces,” reshaping them through wide emotional landscapes. On “Awake With A Start” they examine the moment of being startled and discover its multitude of hues in Leon’s playful solo. Indeed, the three seem to find inspiration in the most unexpected of places. This is most apparent in the two-part “$2.43 Regular Unleaded,” which takes the hocketing beeps from a car door and a gas pump on a dizzying, mechanistic joy ride.

Composer Chris Hajian meets the challenge of creating an original, non-orchestral film score, though the short running time might leave some listeners yearning for more.

Steve Conte's 'International Cover Up' is a sheer listening pleasure.

Jazz from musicians that talk to each other and more importantly understand one another.

Babymetal's fan base is understandably devout and they are growing with each show and each album. Don't be surprised if by next year they are headlining their own nights at music festivals worldwide. If you have the chance to see them, do not pass it up.

The Blu-ray of Neil Young and Crazy Horse's 'Rust Never Sleeps' concert movie is a chance to see the band at its peak and a concert film which manages to stand the test of time.

The range of auditory flavours explored in ‘The Freshman’ make it a difficult album to categorize.