Les Nubians

When I want OUT,
I go to AFRICA :)
When I need to GET AWAY,
I like Africa.

An entire afternoon of African artists, good vibes, great music and plenty of fun...
Not to mention SUMMER HEAT-
made for a great, outdoor live show.

The sisters of Les Nubians, their first show in NYC after nine years-
they had a lot to say about the way the world is turning,
love, shakin it out, and looking to the future.

Direct from France, though from Cameroon, it was great to see and hear them giving it all after being busy raising children, and getting ready for their new album to drop.

NYC's Central Summerstage Concert Series, has yet to disappoint and continues to be a cool perk! (and park, obviously! :)

Here's some of the summer fun!
Enjoy, peace, love and light!

Ethan Lipton & His Orchestra- Fun, Sardonic, Classy & Sweet...

Another treat, to catch old friend/colleague Ethan Lipton- doing his own special thing with: Ethan Lipton + His Orchestra.
Catching him at one of my favorite venues in NYC, was just icing.

I've known Ethan primarily as a writer- so to see his live act, I couldn't have been happier about his evolution into singer/songwriter/full range artist.

Ethan Lipton & His Orchestra, made up of a three man band plus Ethan on lead vocals- was a sublime entry into a witty world of mundane...
Simply stated, twisted with sardonic humor and a melancholic note of truths-
His songs spoke of love, loss, and the epic or not so epic struggles of everyday life. His lyrics captured angst, resolution or none whatsoever, in a way that left you captivated by the simplicity of what is, or can be- without any other reason to smile, except for the fact, that Ethan himself, and his songs, know how to make you do that.
Smile.
At the end of the day, the maturity of the music, the range delivered in the playful musicality of his songs, and the wit, sophistication and simplicity of his lyrics, leave you feeling that Ethan Lipton & His Orchestra, are a band of finely tuned instruments in and of themselves.... Reminiscent of early cabaret and jazz lounge styles- with twists, smiles and laughter along the way,
Ethan Lipton and his Orchestra= Joy.
Here are some live shots from the show :)

Peace- and congrats Ethan!

Tuba Skinny And His Tiny Men

kiowa
lulu
todd
erika

Seriously, one of the best things that has happened since arriving to NYC has been running into this band! After barely catching their incredulous sound, in passing, (popping out of the L- on my way to dinner,) I was literally stupefied to run into them again the very next day at Washington Square. It was a providential moment for me, possibly the first since being in NY.

I was very happy to indulge in a full set as they busked in Washington Square, and even happier to find out afterwards, that they would be playing again at DBA in Williamsburg the next afternoon.
Believe me I returned for more.
If you heard them, you would too!

This is an incredibly tight band of horns and strings, full of New Orleans swagger and with a truly bohemian blues/jazz vibe...
However, its the vocalist who brandishes the greatest instrument of all.... a booming, monumentally angelic and mesmerizingly unique voice that will literally knock your socks off! (And if you aren't wearing socks, her voice can and will knock you from one side of the park to the other!)
I've never come across such amazing and pure talent, (the likes of which, just captivate you from the onset-) and have never thoroughly enjoyed weeping and wallowing away in such sultry sounds, and songs of love, loss and heartache (the blues anyone?) done in true New Orleans gypsy style Jazz. My hope is that you'll have a chance to get your socks blown off and the wind knocked out of you too! Your best chances? Catch em somewhere while they're still in NY! These are the kind of musicians true artists and music lovers can appreciate!

Here are some pics of them live, and to see more shots visit:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sharone/sets/72157618187572447/show/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sharone/sets/72157618420670327/show/

Red Baraat Festival

It was great to catch up with one of my first talented, musical contacts here in NYC that I met when living out here a few years back. Sonny Singh is a bright & gifted light and musician who plays a mean horn, and dhol to boot. It was cool indeed to catch up with him and his new band Red Baraat Festival down in the East Village. The band was alive and festive with their amazing sound and though it was a rather small and cramped venue, everyone seemed to be enjoying the lively spirits and music pumping undeniable energy through the crowd. Here are a few shots from the show.

Jason Diaz & The Original Series/Hotel Cafe.

I've been tracking and shooting this band for awhile now, and honestly, Jason Diaz & The Original Series, were sounding better and tighter than ever at tonight's Hotel Cafe show.

It's amazing to see how they continue to grow together as musicians, and the MUSIC, is seriously, just getting better and better.

Jason and crew played to a full crowd, all of whom I'm sure, were just as impressed and inspired by his amazing vocals, songwriting and guitar playing (all three!) and pumped by the style and sounds of this up and coming talent.

Jason's set included a variety of new songs, (this boy is always writin and producin new shit!) mixed in with his tried and true hits, and amazing covers.

Keep your eyes and ears peeled on this band....they are undoubtedly going places and ones to watch!

To view more live pics from the show: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sharone/sets/72157615872956210/show/

Ken Oak Band

Live from Dakota Lounge in Santa Monica, CA- Ken Oak and Ed Gorski of the Ken Oak Band played a sultry yet upbeat set- blending a unique combination of melodic passion, soulful storytelling and poetic sincerity.  Both Ed's guitar and Ken's cello vibrated emotion, while their smooth vocals made for a tight delivery of great music rich in depth, mood and dreaminess! Check out some of my live pics from the show....

For more live pics from the show:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/sharone/sets/72157613404220876/show/

Elaine Faye/The Dakota Lounge

Catching this young, soulful singer/songwriter was a treat-

Simple, honest, and heartfelt, her music and lyrics spoke of love, loss and the sadness at times, of the human heart.

Thanks to Elaine for her sweet soul and folksy vibe- Here are some live pics from the show.

(For more pics visit:)

 http://www.flickr.com/photos/sharone/sets/72157613485562908/show/

Spaceland- Jason Diaz And The Original Series.

Ahhh! Finally! Some SPACE!

Jason Diaz & The Original Series played to a packed crowd in a great, space filled venue... the likes of which this band definitely deserves! The entire crew was at it again, and they were all completely ON FIRE! It was definitely one of the best sets I have seen him play to date. The crowd seemed blown away into hyper space as well- Good vibes! The only downside... some very tricky lighting at this venue, but alas... you can see for yourself, they came out alright! :)

Enjoy!

*for more pics from the show visit:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sharone/sets/72157612310695606/show/

Jason Diaz & The Original Series. Hotel Cafe.

Just when you thought you couldn't give anymore...

You show up... You load in, you hit the stage, and you give it all you've got...

Well, if your'e Jason Diaz that's the case...

Good vibes filled the air at Hotel Cafe... even though Jason was fighting a huge bug/cold...

and he left his audience wondering:  When did it get so HOT in here?

Here are some live shots from the show:

Boots Riley & Tom Morello: The Nightwatchman- The Fillmore NYC

Shooting LIVE bands and being a music lover at the same time is often a challenging gig...
This night at The Fillmore/Irving Plaza in NYC proved to a perfect example- It took total self control to keep shooting when really, I almost gave up the camera for my own dose of rockin out- especially to the phenomenal rhythm and grooves of Boots Riley ("We Are The Ones"- in addition to almost every song he did..."Five Million Ways to Kill A CEO,") and Tom Morello: The Nightwatchman's light party rawkin jam: "Shake My Shit"- really had me on the verge of losin it!
If I wasn't doin my best to shake my shit, balance myself on a guardrail and still hold onto the camera... None of these shots would have come out :)
All I can say about that night: WeeHOO!
For more live shots from the show, visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sharone/sets/72157610156973374/show/