Keeping Jazz Alive - Jamming with Noel Sagerman at The Brightside Tavern in Jersey City

By Gregory Burrus | Posted Thursday, January 27, 2022

Looking for someplace nice to go, have a great meal, some affordable drinks, and listen to some wonderful jazz music? Well, while everyone else is sitting at home on a Monday night, you can head on over to Jersey City and check out the Jazz Jam. It's run by drummer Noel Sagerman with a whole host of professional musicians at The Brightside Tavern.

The Brightside Tavern

The Brightside Tavern was opened nine years ago, and the goal was to create an atmosphere similar to that of Cheers. And, as it turned out, Brightside is even more cheerful than Cheers.

The Brightside Tavern, 141 Bright St., Jersey City, NJ 07302. (201) 435-1234

In a recent interview, “Brightside Tavern: Jersey City’s ‘Best-Kept Secret’”, I found this great description of Brightside restaurant:

“I love entertaining people and making them happy,” Tommy [Parisi aka Tommy 2 Scoops as patrons love to call him] told Hoboken Girl. In fact, he seems to have unlimited time and energy for everyone, whether he has known that person for five minutes or fifteen years […] The bar has become the center of gravity of a large community. In fact, it is one of Jersey City’s go-to spots for parties and events as the tavern is set up for large gatherings.”

Well, having chatted with Tommy, it's all true and I believe him when he says, “The tavern is not a gold mine… It’s a soul mine.” And yes, Monday is for jazz, for which more than a dozen local musicians are brought in to perform every week. And yes, I have been there to witness Tommy hopping on stage to render a “What a Wonderful World” to a roaring audience. “I was on National TV. I sang at [the] Apollo theater. The entire Louis Armstrong song. Think about it” said Tommy.

So yes, good times are guaranteed when the venue owner joins in the fun and the jam is jammin’. After all, Tommy has been very supportive and has kept the jam happening throughout the pandemic.

About Your Monday Jazz Jam Hosts

That’s right, at The Brightside Tavern you can jam your cares away with a host of professional musicians. Check them out below. 

Jamming with Noel Sagerman and Friends

 2nd and 4th Mondays

Jam leader Noel Sagerman is a jazz jam drummer from New Jersey and is proficient in all sorts of live music genres and settings from late-night jazz to early morning religious services. Noel Sagerman has been playing drums since elementary school in West Orange, NJ and started playing professionally at the University of Vermont. He then spent a year playing in Japan. Later, he returned to NJ and furthered his studies with teachers Bobby Thomas, Billy Higgins, and Tim Horner. 

Noel Sagerman at Jersey City Jazz Festival

Some of the artists he has worked with include Irene Reid, Pharoah Sanders, "Big" John Patton, David "Fathead" Newman, Oliver Lake, Bruce Williams, Dave Stryker, Pat Tandy, Freddie Hendrix, Brandon McCune, and Pete Rodriguez, along with gospel singer/pianist Joshua Nelson on tour, and at Hopewell Baptist Church. 

A regular in-demand drummer, Noel has played numerous venues and programs around New York and New Jersey such as 125st Showmans, Smalls, Smoke Jazz Club, Shanghai Jazz Restaurant & Bar, Rutgers Clements Place Jazz, Groove on Grove, McGinley Square Pub, Van Gogh's Ear Cafe, Englewood Ideal Lodge, New Brunswick Tavern on George, Jersey City Jazz Festival, Fox and Crow, South Orange Jazz On Sloan and many more. Noel is known as one of the hardest working drummers around and now is leading the killer jam at The Brightside Tavern in Jersey City.  Come join Noel Sagerman and Friends on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the Month.

King James Gibbs lll

3rd Monday 

“King James Gibbs III who currently tours with 8 time Grammy nominated singer/songwriter Joe Thomas was born in Newark, and raised in Irvington, New Jersey. He began playing the trumpet at the age of 14 and began his jazz training at The New Brunswick Jazz Institute, under instructor and legendary organist Radam Schwartz.”

James has performed with many notable musicians and organizations i.e. “the annual WBGO Jazz membership party and Gala at The Five Spot jazz club in New York City, […] studied with Betty [Carter] at Brooklyn Academy of Music and The Kennedy Center,” and in many other venues and festivals.

“James performs in multiple music genres: Jazz, Rock, R&B, Gospel, Latin, Reggae, Classical, Brazilian, and many other ethnic styles.”

James has shared the stage with many greats such as: Duke Ellington’s Orchestra bassist John Lamb, Rufus Reid, Buster Cooper, Mark Whitfield, Sean Jones, John Lee, Kenny Drew Jr, Terrence Blanchard of Spike Lee films, 8 time grammy nominated singer/songwriter Joe Thomas, Broadway actor Jerry Stiller, Eric Roberson (grammy nominated singer/songwriter), Smokin’ Joe Frazier, Roy Hargrove (trumpeter), Wynton Marsalis, Cecil Brooks III, Cyrus Chestnut, TS Monk, amongst many others. (Read more at www.rsberkeley.com/james-gibbs-iii.)

Come join King James Gibbs lll on the 3rd Monday of the Month.

Steve Malski Miles

1st Monday 

According to the bio on his website:

“Steve Malski Niles is a pianist, vocalist, multimedia artist, writer, and educator currently living in New Jersey.

Steve began his musical career at the very early age of five years old with accordion and piano lessons, and had his first professional job at the age of twelve. The home of Steve’s upbringing was constantly filled with music, as his father and sister also played, and all listened to music constantly. He later went on to receive a Bachelor of Fine arts in Jazz Piano and Voice, graduating Summa Cum Laude from Long Island University. “

And, oh yeah, Steve has a book out on art as an alternate healing source. Check out The Power of Art in Healing and Transformation.

Come join Steve Niles on the 1st Monday of the Month.

About the Monday Jazz Jam

There is a house band, but personnel varies. A number of swinging musicians have come through and joined in such as Jordan Piper, who was the house pianist and, more recently, Motoki Mihara as bassist, plus others like William Gorman, Nick Masters, Jonathan Kirschner, Tim Hegarty, Larry Pollack, and of course the house favorite, singer Mary Aiken. 

As you can see, the jams are jumpin’ with something for everyone. You can have a great time every Monday as the jam has been running for 9 years since March 2013. The jams run from 7:30-11:30 pm and the house band plays a set to start, and then the Jam is open to the public. No special invite is needed, all you have to do is show up and have some fun. 

What Can You Do? Support the Cause 

The music will be slamming — a guaranteed good time when you attend. However, as you can imagine, the coronavirus pandemic has brought huge disruption to daily life and to many around the world. Concert halls are closed and many, if not most, Jazz venus have closed and some will never reopen.

According to The Washington Post:

“Jazz venues have been hit particularly hard by the pandemic. They are hoping the worst is over […] jazz clubs were the hardest hit of all types of music venues, according to Audrey Fix Schaefer, the head of communications at the National Independent Venue Association.”

Needless to say, with gatherings being stopped or socially distanced, large sectors of the economy are still paralyzed and many members of the jazz community have still not recovered, so any help will be greatly appreciated. So what can you do to support the cause?

Donate

“KEYED UP! has quickly become NYC's favorite entity for musicians, audiences, and venues alike! Operating simultaneously in over 25 partner venues spanning from Jersey City, NJ to Sag Harbor, Long Island, we are proud to keep hundreds of musicians working and over a thousand hungry jazz listeners happy each week at no extra cost to our partner venues.” — jazzgeneration.org/keyed-up

You can donate to KEYED UP! here.

Attend A Jam

The program time is Monday evenings from 7:30 to 11:00 pm with no cover.  We hope you attend the Jam, cheer, clap and have a great time. 

Stay Up To Date. Contact:  

Noel Sagerman at noelsagerman@hotmail.com with any questions. 

https://www.facebook.com/TheBrightsideTavern
https://www.thebrightsidetavernnj.com 

Show Some Love to the Tip Bucket

Become friendly with the Tip Bucket. Believe me, your support is highly appreciated by the musicians. 

Final Thoughts 

Please Support Jazz Music. I urge you to explore and click the links above. Don’t hesitate to call for more info and make some time in your schedule to visit The Brightside Tavern this year and say hi to everybody.

Don’t forget to let me know how your visit went. Tag @gregoryburrus or message me directly via text or FB msg, and of course enjoy the live jazz entertainment.

About the Author 

Gregory Burrus books bands, produces, promotes, captures, and records live music events along with various other community and private activities.

I love writing about it all. My mission is to help community groups, live music bands, and local nonprofits, reach their goals and accomplish their missions while enjoying the day-to-day process of life. 

https://www.jerseyindie.com/ji-blogger-gregory-burrus 
https://patch.com/users/gregburrus 

Get Featured

So as you can see, these are some pretty cool places with awesome support groups and more importantly, supportive venue owners, all hoping and helping to keep the Jazz Alive for a long, long time. If you want your favorite Jazz venue listed, let me know and I'll get you in on the next scheduled post.

http://gregoryburrusproductions.com/contact 

Keeping Jazz Alive - Winard Harper in Jersey City at Moore's Lounge (Bill & Ruth’s)

By Gregory Burrus | Posted Sunday, January 23, 2022

World-class jazz history and more is being made behind this very unassuming doorway of this very local, recently remodeled Jersey City bar and restaurant. This restaurant offers very affordable drinks, special meals on occasion, but also some truly world-class jazz. 

Take a listen.

Moore’s Lounge (originally Bill and Ruth’s) has been a fixture in a working-class section of Jersey City for over 51 years. Mrs. Ruth (Moore), one of the original owners, has made the space much more than a bar, but a community space. Generations of residents congregate over drinks to celebrate the creative talents in their community. Moore’s Lounge in Jersey City has become a place where the most diverse individuals come together.

It's been some challenging times, but Mrs. Ruth has been a bedrock in a fast-changing world. A recent interview stated, “In a challenging area where Moore’s is the only one left of 11 taverns that existed around it when they started out, Moore’s has helped keep a few lights on.”

Winard Harper, Founder of the Jazz Program at Moores Lounge

First, let us meet the quiet, unassuming but powerful drummer known to us as Winard Harper. 

It Starts with the Village

Here’s a short intro to his website bio, which reads like a who’s who of jazz:

“Winard Harper was born in Baltimore, a child prodigy. Although his parents were not musicians, they were full of encouragement as they noticed him beating on cans when he was three or four years old.  At five years old, Winard would sometimes sit in and play his drums in older brother Danny’s rock ‘n roll band after the family moved to Washington, D.C. When Winard’s younger brother Philip took to playing the trumpet, the two of them would busk in the streets of George Town, jam with a few bands, and help out with Danny’s various bands. Listening to Clifford Brown and Max Roach playing “Jordu'' had fascinated Winard so greatly it showed him his direction — jazz. Subsequently, his father took him to all the local jazz scenes to listen and meet the best in the world of jazz.”  

Modern Drummer describes Winard as “a straight-ahead jazz drummer, Harper has perfected the blend of American jazz music with the sounds of African rhythms. Constantly in reverence of his predecessors while remaining innovative in his own right, Harper has been among the celebrated drummers in jazz for many years. He is a virtuoso on the drum set and the balafon, the West African equivalent of the marimba, he is a sought-after collaborator at home and abroad, a bandleader of his quartet, his quintet, and his exciting band the Jeli Posse. He is an events organizer – successfully running the weekly Friday Fish Fry Jazz Jam and the Sunday “Meet the Artist” Series at Moore’s Lounge in Jersey City.”

History, World-Class Jazz, and Diversity 

Challenges, challenges!! The caption for the Moore’s video states:

“With the help of Winard Harper, a legendary jazz drummer, Moore’s has become a destination for jazz musicians, and jazz enthusiasts. Today, the bar functions as a jazz temple for aspiring young jazz musicians and even many professionals. After being a fixture in Jersey City for over 50 years, the future of Moore’s is up in the air. “Moore’s Jazz” looks at what is at stake for a community if it loses one of its cultural pillars to gentrification and to a pandemic.”

Jazz Programs 

Well, Moore’s is surviving and history is still being made in 2022 because Winard soldiers on with his truly fabulous jazz program on Sundays and Fridays.

Sunday “MEET THE ARTIST” Series

As Winard’s page states:

“Every Sunday I be bringing together established, world-renowned and extraordinary artists with young, emerging talents, in a “Jazz Clinic” type of setting, performing for a local audience wishful to learn and exchange knowledge about the context in which Jazz music has emerged and is played today. Artists not only perform, but recount highlights of their career and their own story. I then open the Q&A for questions from the audience and to round up the evening, we invite to the stage for a jam session.”

Winard Harper Jam Session at Moore’s Place with special guest David Kikoski. 12.12.2021.

Winard Harper and Friends at Moore’s Place 12.05.2021 Jersey City with TK Blue

Friday Fish Fry Jam

As Windard’s page states:

“Every Friday aspiring future jazz professionals join our jam session and all enjoy the delicious fish fry made after Ms. Ruth’s legendary recipe.”

Below is a typical jam on Jun. 2, 2014 led by Winard Harper. It has 9,177 views:

Recorded by the awesome photographer @L1stener (Patrick Hilaire).

What Makes Moore’s Lounge So Special?

Musicians

If you get involved as a musician with this program, you are guaranteed to learn and have a support system. One of my favorite jazz musicians that I met for the first time here personifies what happens at Moore’s. Check out my IG post from Sept. 6, 2015:

“Sept 2015 – Drummer Winard Harper – Soon as you enter the lounge, you know there’s a serious drummer playing. Winard Harper is a worldwide renowned Jazz Musician, educator and band leader. Winard stated in a brief conversation, he wants to bring Jazz Jams of high quality back to Jersey City in places like Moore’s Lounge. He’s on a mission so it will happen. More about Winard below. If you haven’t heard him, you need to because he was just great!.…….. Within the host of musicians to play I wanted to give a special shout out to upcoming Tenor Saxophonist Nicole Glover who just recently relocated from Oregon. When she plays you feel it. She wowed the crowd no matter what tune was jamming and she was definitely on point. Nicole said she was influenced by the likes of Lester Young, Wayne Shorter and Stan Getz which is some pretty good company to be influenced by.”  Read the full post here.

In a 2016 post, I gave a shout-out to Nicole Glover, who came in from Oregon to move her career forward. She was on sax that night. In Dec. 2021, I was watching the same Nicole Glover performing in the New Jersey Performing Arts Center for the Annual TD Moody Jazz Festival. That’s history, and there’s many more stories like that. You can also see history being made as some of the longstanding Jazz Greats come through to perform at Moore’s Lounge as well.

Attendees

While the parking may be a challenge, once inside you are absolutely guaranteed some phenomenal jazz performances, as Winard keeps it tight. The musicians come to play. Whether jamming or performing, you need to be serious about what you do.

Venue Owners

Mrs. Ruth is in her 80’s and fought to keep things going despite ongoing gentrification, remodeling challenges, a pandemic, and many other situations. Attendees enjoy great drinks at great prices and get to experience the hospitality of the locals and the warmth of the owners — Mrs. Ruth, her family and friends. It's just a great experience in an all-around great environment.

Events Calendar

Exciting new events are coming to Moore’s, so stay tuned:

https://www.winardharperjazz.com/moore-s-lounge

Support The Cause

Now you know the story. As Moore’s GoFundMe page states:

“We’ve been serving Jersey City since 1968 and after being in business for 51 years we are struggling to remain open. The COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted Moore’s Place and your support is needed.”

Please click the image or link below to learn more about how you can help Keep Jazz Alive.

Please Donate at  https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-moores-lounge-stay-in-business

Support the Music

I urge you to explore and click the links above. Don’t hesitate to call for more info, and go support live music. Make some time in your schedule to visit all the venues this year and say hi to everybody.

Don’t forget to let me know how your visit went. Tag @gregoryburrus or message me directly via text or FB msg, and of course enjoy the live jazz entertainment. 

About the Author

Gregory Burrus books bands, produces, promotes, captures, and records live music events along with various other community and private activities.

I love writing about it all.

My mission is to help community groups, live music bands, and local nonprofits, reach their goals and accomplish their missions while enjoying the day-to-day process of life. 

Read more at http://gregoryburrusproductions.com 
https://www.jerseyindie.com/ji-blogger-gregory-burrus
https://patch.com/users/gregburrus

Interview with Grander

By Sonia Schnee | Posted Friday, April 30, 2021

When the pandemic hit and NJ went into quarantine, Hoboken experimental indie collective Grander used the time to self-produce and engineer their newest single, "Just Beneath the Surf", out of their apartment. They also produced and released an accompanying lyric video, while working on a (soon-to-be-released) EP entitled "If Found, Cherish.” Check out our interview with the guys, below, to learn more about how Grander came to be, what their creative process is like, and their plans for 2021.

What are your names, where are you from, and what do you do?

The core of Grander consists of Matt Cugine, Chase Montani and Aaron Vigliotti. We are based out of the Hoboken/Jersey City area and work boring desk jobs when we're not making music together lol.

The greater Grander community consists of several other collaborators, including Angie Cuzzola, Jesse Henshaw, Darien Henshaw, Josh Flores-Vitti and Greg Anastasio. We'd like to think of this band as a collective - with many different contributors. We're lucky to have a wide net of friends who are a blast to work with.

For first-time listeners, how would you describe your sound?

Our sound really is an amalgamation of our collective influences. We like to push the boundaries of indie rock by bringing in influence from hip hop, electronic music and classic rock, which we think makes for a unique listening experience. Our forthcoming project features seven tracks, each with their own distinctive feel - yet as a whole, it sounds undoubtedly like Grander.

Who are your musical influences?

Our biggest musical influences are Radiohead, Bon Iver, Toro y Moi and Mac Miller. Matt comes from a background of playing classic rock and blues, while Aaron and Chase came up together in the emo scene - so those influences bleed into our music as well.

Congrats on the release of your latest single, "Just Beneath the Surf"! Where did you record? Who produced it?

Thanks so much! We recorded and produced the track ourselves in Matt and Chase's Hoboken apartment. The song was mixed by Justin Krass and mastered by Sam Stauff, both members of the post-rock bands Wess Meets West and Wide Waters. They have been awesome to work with throughout this process and helped bring our apartment recordings to life.

This song was one of the first ideas that Matt and Chase started toying around with early in quarantine. We all found ourselves with a lot of time on our hands, and started engaging in experimental songwriting exercises - one of which included setting a timer for 10 minutes and trying to come up with the skeleton of a song with loops. The main "hook" of “Just Beneath the Surf” came together in these sessions, and we worked on the song pretty meticulously for about eight months (!) to get the final product you hear today. It went through many different iterations, and I think we were able to mess with it just enough to get it perfect. Or as perfect as it could be...

What's the inspiration behind the song?

The lyrics are about the complexities of contradiction, and the role that contradictory decisions play on our subconscious. Matt really went deep into this concept after coming up with the words "just beneath the surf." While the song does have a "surfy" vibe to it - there is a feeling of uncertainty to the music, and the lyrics play off of that. We love to use juxtaposition between the music and the lyrics in our songs.

What is your songwriting process like?

It really varies for each song. Matt and Chase handle most of the songwriting, usually independently, as far as the core of a track goes. For our forthcoming project, Matt wrote four of the tracks and Chase penned three, but we all worked together once the core ideas were developed. It's not like Matt or Chase writes a whole song and that's it - the three of us really build off of each other's ideas. Some of Aaron's contributions have completely changed the feel of these tracks, and it's been so exciting to see that come to life.

One constant in our songwriting process is that the music always comes first. We think the music really is our strong suit, and are still working on being poignant and effective songwriters. That said, this batch of music we are releasing soon is much more polished than what we've done in the past, and we're so excited to share it with the world.

Are your songs largely based on personal experiences? Fictional characters? Inspired by movies/TV?

Again, our songs come from different places each time. Matt and Chase both pull from personal experience and fictional/historical characters. Matt takes a lot of inspiration from movies/TV - and will sometimes try to watch certain films to get lyrical ideas flowing. It's an awesome practice that he engages in. Sometimes the inspiration that we pull from films is even related to the movie's score - as is the case with one of the instrumental songs on our new project, inspired by Jonny Greenwood's original music for Paul Thomas Anderson's "Inherent Vice."

So, take us back to the beginning. Do you come from musical families or are you trailblazers?

Matt's mom plays the piano. Chase's parents both played instruments growing up as well, with his dad being an all-county baritone horn player on Long Island as a teenager. Aaron's uncle plays a mean blues guitar and was a big influence on his relationship with music growing up. So there definitely is some musicality that comes from our families.

That said - the approach that we've all taken to our own music is much different than that of our parents and relatives. Aaron and Chase started a punk band in seventh grade, playing blink-182 and Taking Back Sunday covers around their small NJ hometown. Matt picked up guitar in high school, but really dove into playing in college, thanks to the inspiration of his roommates at the time and listening to a lot of Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin.

Looking back, what have been some of the highlights that you’ve experienced so far as individual artists and/or collectively as a band?

We were on a real high going into the pandemic as far as momentum goes. The Grander live experience started in June 2019, and by January 2020 we played a sold-out show at Pianos in NYC. That was a big highlight for us, but we also had a lot of small victories along the way. We put on a show in Matt and Chase's apartment to 50+ people, booked our first festival appearance at Cornchella in Western PA (not to be confused with Coachella, but maybe one day...) and played to large crowds in Brooklyn and Downtown Manhattan.

At the same time, quarantine did help us slow down and focus on the music. We had been recording our debut album at a professional studio (we were recording in the same studio as Blue Oyster Cult, lol), but were forced to put that on hold as well. That time allowed us to really sharpen our songwriting, and our next batch of music is easily our best yet.

It has been a great experience starting Grander and bringing it to a live setting, and we can't wait to get back out there!

What’s next on the horizon for you? What are you most looking forward to in 2021?

We are releasing our debut project, "If Found, Cherish" later this Spring/early Summer. The seven-song EP features songs that were all written during quarantine, and we're really excited to share it. As it stands, we have four songs completed and mixed, and the last three are very close to the finish line.

Otherwise, we're looking forward to playing live again! We are looking into putting together a livestream or virtual concert and have also talked to some friends about doing small intimate live experiences in our own spaces with small groups.

Before the pandemic, we were a five-piece band, with Angie and Jesse joining the core band, but we haven't all played together since our last show in February 2020, so there's definitely going to be a bit of an adjustment, and perhaps some new personnel coming to the live show in 2021.

And we may release some more music before the end of the year as well. There are two songs that we decided to leave off of the EP that we may package together as a release, and some old ones that we started in the studio that we hope to revisit. So hopefully we come out of 2021 with a nice body of music for our fans to enjoy.

If you could collaborate with any artist, producer, or musician -- living or dead -- who would it be and why?

I think we'd all agree that it would be a dream to collaborate with the late Mac Miller. We had very personal connections to his music, and hearing about the way he worked with other musicians is one of the big inspirations behind the collaborative energy that Grander tries to facilitate.

Justin Vernon of Bon Iver and the members of Radiohead would also be amazing to work with. Both groups push the boundaries of genre and sound, and that's really fundamental to what we do. We like to learn a lot about these artists and incorporate some of the ideas behind their songwriting into our own. We question everything in the studio, and always ask what more can be done? Sometimes we'll go and completely fuck up a song, just to see how far out it could've gone, and then rein it back in, and I think a lot of that comes from Bon Iver and Radiohead.

What words of advice or encouragement would you give to someone who’s trying to make it through and stay mentally healthy during this pandemic?

I'm not sure that we are qualified to give out advice or encouragement ourselves, as we've been going through many highs and lows personally throughout the pandemic. But I think it's important to take a step back and realize that we're all in this together, and that it will get better. It's been inspiring to see progress of late, but of course, we're still in the thick of this thing.

It's been helpful for us to lean on creation in this time, but there are also some days where you just don't have it. And that's ok! I think realizing that is important too. We were so productive in the beginning of quarantine with all the extra time on our hands, and then really saw our production slow down once Summer came around. That's the ebb and flow of making art, and it's inevitable.

Is there anyone who you’d like to give a shoutout to?

We're all very lucky to have great support systems in our families and we can't thank them enough for coming out to our shows, listening to demos and just being encouraging overall.

Justin and Sam, who are mixing and mastering the album, have been great collaborators and willing to "go there" with us to create a really unique and interesting body of work. It's our first time working with mixing and mastering engineers as Grander, and it's been a real pleasure. This project sounds awesome thanks to them!

We want to thank Corey Zack at Cocoon Recording in Jersey City for letting us come through and record drums for a few tracks on the EP in November. He's got a beautiful space and is a great person to work with, and got these drums sounding real crispy.

Shout out to our close friend group who have been down to listen to our demos and give us feedback, especially LeighAnn Armbruster, Dennis Desantis and Brandon McNamara, who have all heard these songs a bunch and have been really helpful in giving us perspective from a listener's point of view.

All of the people who have collaborated with us on this project deserve high praise. Angie Cuzzola delivered some beautiful vocal performances, Josh Flores-Vitti brought that thump on a couple bass lines and Greg Anastasio provided some dreamy atmosphere. It's so great bringing our friends in from afar (Josh is in DC and Greg is in LA) and being able to create something together.

Big thanks to the Henshaw brothers for everything. Jesse's art is going to be the cover image of the EP, and Darien came through and helped us out with some production. We miss them greatly, as we've been separated through most of the pandemic, but cannot wait to jam with them again soon.

Finally, where can people find you online?

We're all over! Our Instagram is the best place to keep us with us day-to-day. You can follow us on Spotify to make sure you don't miss "If Found, Cherish" when it drops. Check out our Soundcloud for some unreleased demos as well.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Thanks so much for reaching out for an interview! Shouts to Sonia and the Jersey Indie team for doing things like this for independent artists in NJ. It's been an honor!

Hip Hop Duo TT(TopTier) Releases New Single "Lemme"

PRESS RELEASE | Posted Monday, March 22, 2021

WHY THIS BLACK AND WHITE HIP HOP DUO
STRIKES A NERVE WITH NEW SINGLE

JERSEY CITY, NJ March 22, 2021 – Black and white hip hop outfit, TT(TopTier), released a new single today, ‘Lemme’. Having released three widely-received songs just last year, the music group is on the brink of 1 million Spotify streams and is frequently showcased on Soundcloud playlists everywhere. The catchy, bass-heavy track encourages partying and dance challenges, and has already struck a nerve with early listeners.

Celebrating the release at Platinum Sound Recording Studios, where ‘Lemme’ was mixed and mastered, the duo recollects on their recent success. “A lot of rave reviews are coming from all angles on ‘Lemme’, and I can’t help but pat myself on the shoulder,” rapper IgnoVa preaches while sipping his favorite pinot grigio. “I want everybody to take a deep breath, call their best friend and bump this bop,” IgnoVa adds. The singer in the group, MC, finishes a dance move and remarks, “this single already struck a nerve. Love it or hate it, your head is going to move and you’ll find yourself humming it in your morning shower.”  

The hip hop outfit begins the new season with resonating and catchy March single, ‘Lemme’. Combining pop with hip hop and trap genres, the track’s hook is highlighted by IgnoVa and MC performing interchanging vocals. IgnoVa delivers a contemporary rapping lyrical display reminiscent of current top hip hop artists and a melodic touch from the past. MC provides elevated and melodic singing parts in the style of classic and recent chart toppers.

The duo closed the year out with an exciting December single, “SO HIGH”. Prior to “SO HIGH”, TT(TopTier) distributed revolutionary music pieces “ENOUGH” and “Come Thru”. Marking the group’s first two of three 2020 releases, both singles have received over 400,000 streams on Souncloud as of December. The hip hop duo garnered attention with their single, “Thousand Times”, in 2018. Filmed in Amsterdam, Netherlands, the music video for “Thousand Times” received international acclaim, garnering over 80,000 YouTube views. TT(TopTier) has performed in the TriState area at venues including Voltage Lounge in Philadelphia and New Jersey's Stanhope House. The hip hop group has opened for acts such as one-time chart toppers MetroStation and Canadian pop sensation Saywecanfly. 

Black and white duo TT(TopTier)'s star continues to rise. Embracing skillful interplay between rapping and singing, TT(TopTier)'s witty lyricism and viral sound distinguish them from the herd. To find out more about TT(TopTier) , visit the duo’s webpage.

Shakespeare@ Home's Julius Caesar Streams Tonight at 7pm

PRESS RELEASE | Posted Monday, February 22, 2021

The Acclaimed  Shakespeare@, Jersey City’s Premier Classical Theater Company,
Presents The Third Installment Of Their All Free ‘RADIO PLAY’ Season

William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar  Starring PATRICK PAGE 

With Actors from Broadway and The West End:
 Jordan Barbour, Keith Hamilton Cobb, Sky Lakota-Lynch
Jamie Ballard, James Howard, Jonathan Forbes,
  Aria Shaghasemi, Ashlie Atkinson
 and David Hargreaves

Episode One, Available to Download and Stream
Monday, February 22nd at 7pm EST

Actors from Broadway and London’s West End team up for the Shakespeare@ Home, all-free radio play Julius Caesar, which launches Monday February 22nd at 7pm EST. The Tony Nominated actor Patrick Page (Hadestown) stars in the title role with Jordan Barbour (Broadway’s The Inheritance) as Brutus, Sky Lakota Lynch (Dear Evan Hansen) as Lucius, and Keith Hamilton Cobb (American Moor) as Cassius.

Produced by Jersey City's Shakespeare@, this audio production is the third installment of the season, produced and adapted by Artistic Director Sean Hagerty. Acclaimed West End actors Jamie Ballard and James Howard also star. Mr. Howard played Draco Malfoy to Ballard’s Harry Potter in the West End production of Harry Potter and The Cursed Child, prior to the shutdown. 

Julius Caesar features original music and sound design and is free to download and stream. Hagerty has crafted the production into four weekly parts and partnered with the Emmy-winning team at Sonic Designs to capture the lost art and thrill of radio drama all without leaving the confines of quarantine.

Shakespeare@ made an auspicious live debut in 2019 with Hamlet starring Jonathan Forbes and released their first two ‘radio’ plays of the season with Richard II and The Tempest for their newly created Shakespeare@ Home series in 2020.  To listen to Julius Caesar online, visit www.shakespeare-at.org. The production will also be available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, and Stitcher. The performance is free to all listeners on all platforms. Previous episodes of the season (Richard II and The Tempest) are also available to download.

Patrick Page (Broadway’s Hadestown) — Julius Caesar. Photo by Nathan Johnson

Jordan Barbour (Broadway’s The Inheritance) — Brutus

Debut dates for parts 2, 3 and 4 of Julius Caesar are subsequent Mondays at 7pm EST on March 1st, and March 8th, with the final episode airing March 15th—the “Ides of March” (the day Caesar was assassinated).  

Sky Lakota-Lynch (Broadway’s Dear Evan Hansen) — Lucius

In order to best serve quarantined audiences, Shakespeare@ has specialized, for now, on reviving radio drama and programming Shakespeare@ Home. The distinguished cast features acclaimed talent from the New York Stage, and London’s West End and stars Tony-nominee Patrick Page (Broadway’s Hadestown) as Julius Caesar, Jordan Barbour (Broadway’s The Inheritance) as Brutus, Keith Hamilton Cobb (American Moor)  as Cassius, Jamie Ballard (Harry Potter in Harry Potter in the West End) as Mark Antony, James Howard (Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter in the West End) as Metellus Cimber, Sky Lakota-Lynch (Broadway’s Dear Evan Hansen) as Lucius, Ashlie Atkinson (Mr. Robot, BlacKkKlansman) as Portia, Jonathan Forbes (Amazon's Catastrophe) as Casca, and Aria Shahghasemi (CW's Legacies) as Octavius. Rounding out the rest of the cast are RSC and National Theatre veteran, David Hargreaves, Mark Torres, Thia Stephan, Francis Mateo, and Mark J. Quiles.

Keith Hamilton Cobb (American Moor)  — Cassius

Julius Caesar is one of Shakespeare’s best known and most often quoted plays, chronicling the political and moral crisis of Brutus and his fellow conspirators as they plot to murder Caesar to prevent a dictatorship. First performed in 1599, this timeless play examines the razor-thin line between power and corruption, duty and ambition, and the perils of a state divided. 

Jamie Ballard (Harry Potter in Harry Potter in the West End) — Mark Antony. Photo by Ross Ferguson.

Shakespeare@ was founded to deliver accessible interpretations of classic works with a focus on international and cross-cultural exchange.  Its live performance debut, a lush 2019 production of Hamlet starring Jonathan Forbes, garnered rave reviews and was hailed as “theatrical perfection," selling out its run at Grace Church Van Vorst in Jersey City.  Hagerty says, “After our 2020 season was lost, we re-structured our format to continue productions, employ artists, and serve our mission." He conceived the all-sonic performance project, Shakespeare@ Home, to recapture the great heyday of serialized radio drama of the 1930’s and 40’s. The first two productions, Richard II and The Tempest received accolades from critics and audiences alike.

James Howard (Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter in the West End) — Metellus Cimber

Director Sean Hagerty views the play as incredibly timely, explaining “In our current fractured, hostile, and divided discourse, I have always felt the play particularly resonant. But in the past few months alone, as we have watched our nation slip perilously close to the cliff-edge of democracy, I can think of few better plays that cry out to be heard.”

Ashlie Atkinson (Mr. Robot, BlacKkKlansman) — Portia

In addition to launching their third all-free, all-audio drama, Shakespeare@ has partnered with Robert Young, the former Director of Education at the world-renowned Folger Shakespeare Library and a team of educators, to launch their Education Initiative with dynamic, multi-media study guides to accompany each of their radio plays. Featuring activities and lesson plans designed to be used in a classroom or virtual setting, the guides feature cast and crew interviews, with in-depth audio and video tracks highlighting different aspects of the play, the artistic choices, and history. These study guides are free to schools and qualifying educational institutions. For more information visit the website or email education@shakespeare-at.org.

Jonathan Forbes (Amazon's Catastrophe) — Casca

Julius Caesar features original music composed by Joan Melton with sound design by the Emmy-winning team of Dan Gerhard and Ellen Fitton of Sonic Designs. Justin Goldner is the music producer and supervisor, and casting is by Robin Carus. Sydney Steele serves as the Associate Producer. 

Aria Shahghasemi (CW's Legacies) — Octavius

Rounding out the rest of the cast are RSC and National Theatre veteran, David Hargreaves, Mark Torres, Thia Stephan, Francis Mateo, and Mark J. Quiles.

* *     * * *

About Shakespeare@

Shakespeare@, Jersey City's premier classical theatre, tells epic stories in intimate and unique spaces, with a mission to revitalize the performance, education and audience for Shakespeare and classic drama. Shakespeare@ is committed to international and cross-cultural exchange in its productions, reflecting the diversity and roots of the community they serve. In response to the pandemic, the company formed Shakespeare@ Home, the all-sonic performance project, to recapture the great heyday of serialized radio drama of the 1930’s and 40’s.

 Sean Hagerty (Artistic Director) trained under Sanford Meisner and studied classical theatre at the renowned Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. He holds a Masters Degree in Shakespeare and Theatre from the Shakespeare Institute in Stratford-upon-Avon, where he graduated with Distinction. Sean has worked as an actor, teacher, director and producer regionally and internationally for many years. Credits include: New York Classical Theatre, The Lord Chamberlain's Men, The Group Theatre, Ensemble Studio Theatre, The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, The Bath Shakespeare Festival, The New Vic, Theatre Royal Bristol, and BBC Radio, among others. Previously, Sean was the resident Shakespeare and Style teacher at The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre for over 14 years and was the Associate Artistic Director for New York Classical Theatre. He has served as the chair of Education & Training for the international Shakespeare Theatre Association and as a panelist for the National Endowment for the Arts.

www.shakespeare-at.org

Follow and Like:

Facebook and Instagram: @shakespeare.at and @shakespeare.at

Twitter: @shakespeare_at

No Great Pretender Releases Debut Album, "The Piano Project"

By Sonia Schnee | Posted Friday, February 19, 2021

If you’re craving tunes with an indie/folk, singer/songwriter vibe, look no further than No Great Pretender’s debut album "The Piano Project,” which was released today on Spotify and other streaming platforms (via Mint 400 Records). No Great Pretender is the solo project of Eric Sosler (Union City, NJ), who also is a member of the band The Racer. The first music video for the album ("Comfort") also premiered earlier this week on Blood Makes Noise. Check out our interview with Eric, below, to learn more about the inspiration behind his album, what it’s like to solo-crew a music video, and more.

Congratulations on the release of your debut album "The Piano Project" and your music video, "Comfort"! What can you tell us about the inspiration behind this album? How long has it been in the works?

Thank you! I started writing for this album in the beginning of the pandemic. I lost my job as a bartender and had all this extra time and decided this was a great opportunity to start doing something I had been wanting to do for a while. Write and sing my own songs. My own ideas. Being in the band The Racer, it's always been great to be able to write songs in a group setting and all the ideas get molded together, but this was a chance to do something completely on my own. So as bad as the pandemic and quarantining was and is, I am grateful for the opportunity it allowed for me as a songwriter.

Where did you record? Who did you record with?

I am fortunate enough to have a best friend in The Racer, Michael Esserman, who was able to carve out some time to record these songs for me. It was interesting as I was able to send him all the piano tracks in email that were recorded on GarageBand (I have very limited knowledge on all these programs), and he was able to transfer to his ProTools sessions. I was then able to record vocals in his studio, which we did in only a few takes. I am new to singing as a lead vocalist, and I also did not want to strive for perfection on these vocals. I wanted them to flow naturally and for Mike to capture what came out without singing a hundred takes. Of course, I rehearsed and had a game plan for it, but I was curious to see what would come out in real time.

I think Mike did a really good job of enhancing the intimacy of the project. In his words, his vision when presented with the songs was to make it sound like I walked into an empty room and played on an old dusty piano. I am grateful for his work on this!

What was the music-video-making process like?

So, I love making music videos! We have a bunch of videos for The Racer that I love being involved in. The biggest challenge is always what can be done on basically zero budget. The “Comfort” video is a perfect example of this. The goal was to just try and capture all the emotions, uneasiness, discomfort, comfort, pressure of being in front of a camera when trying to perform or interview, or just attempting to stay sane in your own mind.

I was by myself doing this video, so that was unusual and a little weird but still fun (like looking around for someone to laugh with after I just did one of the angry emotion takes). But I just cleared out a section in my home of all the furniture and set a tripod up with my iPhone11 and let loose with all the ideas and went with the flow.

I'm also very proud of this video since I was able to do everything myself, especially the editing. Technology has really advanced in the sense of being user-friendly for people that aren’t the most tech savvy, and something I've been able to do over the course of the pandemic is learn just enough to edit a simple video such as “Comfort” using the iMovie App and VideoLeap App on my phone.

Tell us about yourself. Where are you from? What has your journey been like?

I’m originally from Monroe, NY and always grew up with that New Yorker sense of pride and New Jersey is gross mentality! I moved to Jersey City almost 7 years ago and boy was I wrong. I now consider myself so lucky to be part of this Jersey music community, and I like to think I have made it to the point where I can say I represent New Jersey now! It feels like home to me.

There’s so much going on here with all the arts and music, which has really influenced me in growing as an artist. It’s allowed for me to develop my own ideas and venture off into this solo adventure. Up until now The Racer, the band that I am in and have been in since 2001, has been my only real creative outlet.

The idea of No Great Pretender and me finally writing my own songs came to fruition in the beginning of the pandemic. The name is from the song off of The Roots’ 1996 album, Illadeph Halflife. I love what that name conjures up for me. The imagination. The possibilities of it all. So I don’t want this to be just about music. I want it to represent a creative practicing lifestyle, and I want to continuously grow with it.

How would you describe your musical style? Who are your influences?

I don’t want to be beholden to any one style. I just want it to be me. For “The Piano Project” there’s a ton of influences in the songs. Most notably Gregory Alan Isakov, Justin Vernon, The National, Frightened Rabbit to name a few. I love the sad, melancholy type vibes and it definitely showed up in the songs. I think “indie folk singer songwriter” is what I put down for this album, but the idea of No Great Pretender is ever evolving. I want to collaborate with artists. Do all different types of music. I have really been getting into Jazz and Blues and trying to learn that as much as I can, but I'm open to anything.

Do you have a favorite song on "The Piano Project" and if so, what is it about?

“Hardly Anymore” was the first song I wrote for this solo idea. So in the beginning, I was just so proud of it and kept playing it all the time so I wouldn’t forget it and of course loved it for that purpose alone.

Over time, “Comfort” has stepped into a nice role for me. I think the video enhanced it for me. I really let that vulnerability feeling out on that one so it’s developed into something special personally for me. I'm not used to being the focal point.

What are your goals, personally or professionally, for 2021? What are you most looking forward to?

I just want to keep growing as an artist. Keep improving and learning from others. I’ve learned a lot during this pandemic time period and mostly that I don’t know a lot! So I just want to keep improving and keep creating as much as possible. I’m looking forward to playing live music in whatever capacity. Although, I am worried about my nerves getting the best of me, so I will have to rehearse a lot for it!

Finally, how can people find you?

You can find me at:
www.instagram.com/no_great_pretender
www.nogreatpretender.com

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

“Cause I'm the soul avenger, remember I'm no great pretender” - Lyrics from “No Great Pretender” by The Roots’ Illadelph Halflife. I love that line in the song.

Every Damn Day Releases 30th Anniversary Single

PRESS RELEASE | Posted Monday, February 15, 2021

Every Damn Day celebrat[ed] its 30th Anniversary by releasing a digital single, “Audio,” on February 12, 2021. The instrumental tracks for the song, recorded 30 years ago, were recently discovered via a transfer from tape to digital. Vocals and additional guitars were added late last year. The song pays homage to a high school senior with a cool nickname, a fake ID and a sense of adventure. [Check it out] it on Spotify!

Founded in 1991, EDD became a staple of the Hoboken, New Jersey music scene, appearing frequently at the downtown club Live Tonight! and later Maxwell’s. They also performed in New York at CBGB, the Hard Rock Café, The Cat Club, Desmond’s Tavern, Kenny’s Castaways, Bond Street Café and the Lion’s Den; in Asbury Park at The Stone Pony and The Fast Lane; Brighton Bar in Long Branch; and The Court Tavern in New Brunswick.

Every Damn Day recorded two full-length CDs and several EPs before going on hiatus in 2007 due to scheduling conflicts.

For more information, visit MikeDaly.com or EveryDamnDay.com.

Abbie Gardner to Headline Cathedral Arts Live (Nov 22)

By Sonia Schnee | Posted Monday, November 18, 2019

Jersey City’s music scene is continually blossoming, due in part to Cathedral Arts Live, a monthly live music series launched by Grace Church Van Vorst five years ago to celebrate diversity in music-making while also strengthening community.

This Friday, November 22, Cathedral Arts Live will welcome singer-songwriter Abbie Gardner to its stage (with singer-songwriter Sean Kiely as the opening act). Check out our interview with Abbie, below, to learn about her musical influences, what to expect at the upcoming Cathedral Arts Live show, and how New Jersey’s awesome community of artists are supporting one another.

To purchase tickets to the show, please visit cathedralartslive.org.

What's your name, where are you from, where are you based now?

Abbie Gardner
Spring Valley, NY
Jersey City, NJ

How would you describe your sound? Who are your musical influences?

Acoustic slide guitar with soulful vocals. I grew up listening to a lot of swing jazz because my dad is a professional trombonist and stride piano player, who made a living in the NYC jazz scene. My mom was into bluegrass and I found blues/early R&B on my own. So there’s a mix of everything from Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday to Tim O’Brien, Jerry Douglas and Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and Bonnie Raitt.

You have an upcoming performance with Cathedral Arts Live. What are you most looking forward to? What can people expect?

I’ll be performing solo, playing a lap style resophonic guitar. It’s a really vocal instrument with a great sound, but isn’t typically seen in this area. I’ll play a mix of covers and original songs, with a few new ones I’m looking forward to recording.

If all goes well, Sean [Kiely] and I will probably collaborate by the end of the show. We’ve improvised together before so that will be a great way to end the night!

What are your thoughts about New Jersey's music scene?

The scene is growing in a very supportive and organic way with lots of locals making it out. Getting to see a lot of the same musicians at different shows, open mics, and jams has been creating a nice community here.

How did you hear about Cathedral Arts Live?

I heard about Cathedral Arts Live through fellow music lovers in Jersey City. It’s held at the same church where I get my used books on Sundays, they host annual holiday concerts and provide breakfast for folks in need... it’s a real center for so much local community outreach, and I like to support them when I can.

What has your personal journey been like so far? How did you get to this point?

I’ve had a long and winding road to get where I am... grew up playing classical music and didn’t make it into music school, but I’m grateful for that now. I get to play music that I write myself and improvise to suit how I feel in the moment, play with it a little, and it suits me better!

Do you have any words of advice for people who share a similar passion or have maybe faced similar obstacles/challenges?

Stay true to yourself and work really, really hard at your craft — it will pay off.

Finally, what are some ways that fans can connect with you online? (Website? Facebook? Spotify? Etc.?)

Web: http://www.abbiegardner.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/abbiegmusic/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/abbiegardnermusic
T: https://twitter.com/abbiegmusic
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SlideSessions

Sean Kiely to Perform at Cathedral Arts Live (Nov 22)

By Sonia Schnee | Posted November 13, 2019

Jersey City’s music scene is continually blossoming, due in part to Cathedral Arts Live, a monthly live music series launched by Grace Church Van Vorst five years ago to celebrate diversity in music-making while also strengthening community. On Friday, November 22, Cathedral Arts Live will welcome singer-songwriter Sean Kiely and singer-songwriter Abbie Gardner to its stage. Check out our interview with Sean, below, to learn about his musical influences, what to expect at the upcoming Cathedral Arts Live show, and how New Jersey’s awesome community of artists are supporting one another. To purchase tickets to the show, please visit cathedralartslive.org.

What's your name, where are you from, where are you based now?

Sean Kiely, born in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, raised in Bergen County, residing in Jersey City for nearly 12 years.

How would you describe your sound? Who are your musical influences?

I’m drawn to music that sustains a feeling or emotion for the length of a song, and that's what I try to do in my writing. I typically play in acoustic configurations where a rotating group of musicians can express themselves and improvise in that context. My music is influenced by folk, jazz, and experimental music. Some of my musical heroes are the Grateful Dead, Leonard Cohen, Gillian Welch, Bonnie Prince Billy, Joanna Newsom, The Bad Plus, Yo La Tengo, Bill Callahan, Cass McCombs, The Beatles, and many more!

From “It Sure Was Good” [2018]
Animation: Hannah Subotnick

You have an upcoming performance with Cathedral Arts Live. What are you most looking forward to? What can people expect?

I’m really looking forward to sharing the bill with Abbie Gardner – we’ve played together quite a lot in a traditional bluegrass setting (she sits in with my bluegrass band The Go Bailers often at our 3-years-running Wednesday night residency at The Archer in Jersey City), but this will be a treat to play our original music on the same night. The acoustics are special at Grace Church Van Vorst, it’ll be a thrill to sing and play in that room. At least from me, I’d say people can expect some sad songs that are cut through with humor and hope.

How did you hear about Cathedral Arts Live? What are your thoughts about New Jersey's music scene?

I’ve attended a few shows in the series, including Walter Parks and the Hudson West Folk Festival. It’s really well-curated and I’m honored to be included this year. As far as the NJ music scene goes, I love living and playing in Jersey City – there are a bunch of fantastic venues around town now that weren’t here even five years ago, like Fox & Crow, The Archer, Pet Shop, and FM.

Photography by Anthony Mulcahy

What has your personal journey been like so far? How’d you get to this point?

I play and listen to a wide range of styles of music, so my journey has been full of a lot of detours and crooked lines. The thing I’m most proud of is the company of musicians that I keep, who all play in a way that’s present, joyful, playful, and beautiful. I have a difficult time staying present and in the moment in my life, so I cherish that creative space we’ve made together (myself, Bobby McCullough, Dave Heilman, Rob Hecht, Jonny Lam, Jeff Taylor, Jesske Hume, Zac Colwell, Maddie Witler, and more).

Do you have any words of advice for people who share a similar passion or have maybe faced similar obstacles/challenges?

Find gigs and play a lot. Try and be prepared, but the best way to find yourself is by being open to the moment and playing all the time. Play with a lot of different kinds of people and kinds of musicians.

Finally, what are some ways that fans can connect with you online? (Website? Facebook? Spotify? Etc.?)

seankielymusic.com
instagram.com/sean0sean
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2KdSg93

DOWNLOAD: http://bit.ly/MONUMENTS

All proceeds to benefit RAICES (https://www.raicestexas.org) All musicians and engineers generously donated their time and energy to this recording so that all funds raised from it be donated to RAICES (Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency that promotes justice by providing free and low-cost legal services to under-served immigrant children, families, and refugees.

MARTINA HANNA CREATES A SURREAL URBAN ART EXPERIENCE AT SURF CITY 7.26.2019

PRESS RELEASE
CONTACT: J.K.R., Creative Department, Liberty Harbor, JC | NJ | 07302

Egyptian born-Jersey City local, Martina Hanna, has been selected by the Panelist Board of ART AT NIGHT to produce a 6 hour long consecutive art performance at Surf City.

Art at Night offers not only a space in which artists can take conceptual risks to explore ideas of expression, process & endurance while investigating the meaning of a relationship with an audience all the while sharing a new way to experience urban night life. 

With Ms. Hanna at the forefront of generating reactive projects, this event has the possibility to turn into an explosion of art and nightlife culture that one has not seen before. The Press and Media have an exclusive hour while the artist begins her project, prior to the VIP Pre-Party (starting at 8 pm) that includes a cocktail hour and appetizers with an invited list of local influencers, other New Jersey artists and important returning patrons of the local bar Surf City.  

The schedule of the night:

6 pm: Artist Set up

7 PM: Press & Media Only

8 PM: VIP Pre-Party & Cocktail Hour

9 PM: Doors Open to General Admission

Link to Event Brite Page:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/art-at-night-tickets-64542391029?aff=General

About the artist:

How to Astral Project: Martina Hanna Artist Bio

Martina graduated from Mason Gross and since then has focused on continuing her portfolio through radical responses and critiques of America's socio-political state, including consumerism, the gender war, and the problematic catch 22 women in today's society face. For her thesis, she produced an experimental time-lapse film of herself painting the same canvas over and over again, each time the work evolving to something completely different.

By challenging the framework of the institutionalized art world, she layers her projects both in concept and in form using film, paint, video, screen printing, illustration and self-identity.

Important Information:

Devoting the night to a 6 hour live action art performance by JC native artist Martina Hanna and to the jazzy sounds of Conundrum, we invite all patrons and art lovers to immerse themselves in an exciting urban surrealist experience. With five different bars at Surf City, you are able to sit near the marina and gaze over the docked yachts, or perhaps sit in our private beach area, or inside where you can interact with other patrons. 

VIP Access:

The VIP experience includes an invitation to the artist Pre-Party at the Sunset Beach Bar, beginning at 8 pm where patrons have direct access to the showing artist, the other VIPs and influencers as well as invited press and media. Free Hors d'oeuvres & Cocktail Hour.

If interested in accessing VIP, check out the tiered tickets or contact us directly: julianna@artsjc.org

(Due to our networking and set list of VIP attendees, there are only 30 VIP Access tickets available so don't hesitate!)

Tickets are only $10 and come with two free drink tickets (a $15 value!) - so we invite all those who want to experience the best of JC’s nightlife.

Check out our IG handles to wet your appetite.

@artatnightjc & @surfcitybar

Interview with Sean Hagerty (Shakespeare@)

Photography by Will O’Hare.

By Sonia Schnee | Posted Tuesday, March 19, 2019

Large, diverse casts. Epic stories. Intimate and unique settings. Thursday, March 28th will mark the first performance of Hamlet by the newly formed Shakespeare@ theatre company. Shakespeare@’s performances will be like no other Shakespearean performances you’ve seen. Why? Because they’re tailored specifically to Jersey City, its vibe, and its people. Check out our interview with Shakespeare@’s Founder & Artistic Director, Sean Hagerty, to learn about the inspiration behind Shakespeare@ and his love for Jersey City.

Hamlet will take place at Grace Church, March 28th through April 14th. For showtimes and tickets, visit www.shakespeare-at.org.

Where are you from originally, where are you based now?  

SEAN HAGERTY: I grew up in West Virginia. Now I’m based here in Jersey City.

Tell us about Shakespeare@. What is it, when did it start, what’s your role?

We tell epic stories in intimate and unique spaces. We’re committed to diverse, large casts, with a focus on international and cross-cultural exchange. The idea is that the ‘@’ places us. So for Hamlet we’re Shakespeare@ Grace Church. We want to showcase the venue as well as the production.

The idea had been knocking around for a while. Then a couple of years ago, a few things fell into place and it seemed right to give it a go.

My role is the Artistic Director. I run the company and direct the current production.

Tell us a little bit about your personal background and journey. What inspired you to start Shakespeare@? Why Shakespeare? What is it about Shakespeare’s works that still resonates with people of all ages today?

Funnily enough I was never a big fan of Shakespeare growing up. I had the typical middle school exposure to Shakespeare where you’re sat down, given a copy of Romeo & Juliet, and told to read it. Which is kind of like asking a child to appreciate Beethoven by handing them the sheet music. So for years I had no desire to perform or even see Shakespeare. But as a young actor, I was on tour with a show over in the UK and while we were in London, one of my cast-mates had an extra ticket to see a production of The Tempest and asked me if I wanted to go. I had no inclination at all but he cajoled me into coming and what I saw blew my mind. Here was something that was theatrical and poetic. At once hysterically funny and powerfully moving. At the risk of hyperbole, I can honestly say it was one of those moments you can look back on and recognize as a game changer in your life. I remember standing outside the theatre after and saying to myself, if this is what Shakespeare can be, then I have to figure out how to do that.

Shakespeare@ was partially inspired by my time in England. I lived, studied and worked there for many years and loved the storytelling I experienced there. When I came back what I found (when it came to Shakespeare) was really two options: Large casts in large-scale venues with mic’d actors, or small casts in black box venues presenting two, three, or four-person deconstructions of the plays. Now, that’s not to denigrate those kinds of theatre; I see them all the time and have enjoyed them, but it wasn’t what I wanted to do. I wanted large, diverse casts in intimate settings where the audience could reach out and touch the actors, feel a part of these mythic stories.

Why Shakespeare? Such a simple question and yet I’m not sure I can answer it. For 400 years people have been going back to his plays and finding inspiration or even solace. The stories, the characters, the language, all transcend the everyday and put us in touch with something larger, something truthful. Something we all have within us by virtue of being human. 

Why Jersey City? What kind of impact do you hope Shakespeare@’s productions will have on the local community and the region at large?

Oh, there was no question it was going to be Jersey City. My wife and I have lived here since 2008. We’ve seen the city go through some incredible growth and change. There’s always been a huge arts scene here, which now is only bigger and even more deserving of attention. The artists and community are incredibly supportive of each other. And I think, perhaps, living in the shadow of NYC across the river lends us a scrappiness and hometown feel that I wouldn’t want to be without.

I think what I can honestly say about this production is it’s going to be the kind of theatre that Jersey City residents are used to going across the river to see. We’ve got incredible people involved. We’re aiming to be a vital part of the cultural and social growth of this incredible city.

What can people expect from your production of HAMLET? How do you want people to feel when they’re watching it, and what do you hope they’ll do afterward?

The actors are phenomenal and every day I walk out of rehearsal excited to see what they do tomorrow. Our version of this story is definitely unique. I’m excited to share it and in such a stunning venue. I think even the most seasoned theatre-goers and Hamlet lovers are going to be pleasantly surprised by our production.

I don’t know that I’d want to put an expectation on what to feel. I hope they’ll be thrilled, challenged, moved, inspired.

As for what I hope they do afterwards, I don’t know… Donate? Haha.  

Is there anything else you'd like to add? 

Just a big thank you to Jersey City—the community really rallied behind us from the moment we began.

Finally, how can people follow and connect with Shakespeare@ (Facebook, Twitter, IG, website, etc.)?

Our website: shakespeare-at.org
Facebook: Shakespeare.at
Instagram: Shakespeare.at
Twitter: Shakespeare_at

But the best way to connect is to come see the play. Introduce yourself. Come talk to us! Get Involved. We love that!  

Interview with DJ Michael Demby

By Sonia Schnee | Posted Wednesday, November 14, 2018

What's your name, where are you from, where are you based now? 

I'm Michael Demby. I grew up in New Providence, NJ and currently live in downtown Jersey City.

Tell us about your work. How would you describe your style? Where do you record/perform? Who are your influences, personally and/or professionally? 

Since 1998, I have been a DJ/entertainer and additionally host trivia and karaoke events. I've worked hard at developing a polished and understated approach, while providing a professional “cheese-free” method to announcements and MC work.

My performances are at private events where I am given the privilege to provide music at weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs, birthday parties, corporate events, and more, and can comfortably bounce from retro classics to today's top hits in pop, hip-hop, rock, house, reggae, disco, or whatever will keep guests dancing.

Influence comes from so many different places, but most specifically, those with whom I've worked in the past as well as my family and friends, all whose love of music has always drawn positive attention from anyone around to hear it. 

What's the meaning or inspiration behind what you do? How do you want people to feel when they experience your work?

It is hard to explain, but the drive behind what I do can be summed up by the special feeling I get when clients realize that their event is going to be fun, unique, and different.  I have received some of the most touching words of thanks and detailed insight about why my DJ services were chosen out of so many other great options. 

I want people to feel relaxed and comfortable, knowing that I love working with each client to truly personalize every aspect for one of the greatest day in their life.

Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get started with music? What's been your personal journey? Are there any artists, bands, or producers who you'd love to collaborate with one day? 

I grew up in a house where music was always on, which offered a unique education and prepared me for playing an instrument, the Alto Sax, which I still play to this day. At 16, I started taking dancing lessons to impress some girls and during a party, my skills at leading a large group were noticed by the DJ. He then brought me on be a motivational dancer, explained some of the basics, put on the Electric Slide, and said "Okay, now go out there and get people up dancing!" 

I would love to run the world's largest game of Coke and Pepsi one day — that would be so much fun!

What words of advice or encouragement would you give to someone who wants to follow a similar passion, or is maybe facing obstacles similar to what you've faced? 

Learn as much as you can from someone whom you consider to be an expert and sees what makes you unique. Then take that characteristic and make a living with it!

What's next on the horizon for you? Do you have any shows/events coming up? 

December is right around the corner, and I'll be busy with holiday parties! If anyone reading this is in need of music for a holiday event, feel free to reach out and I'd be happy to offer a Jersey Indie 20% discount :-)

Finally, how can people find and connect with you online?

You can find more info on my website, or feel free to connect with me via Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Interview with Darryl Joo of Project BWQ

By Sonia Schnee | Posted Friday, August 10, 2018

Project BWQ is an indie/alt/rock band based out of northern NJ.  On August 2nd, they released the official music video for their single, "Phosphene."  Check out our interview with Project BWQ founder Darryl Joo, below. 

What’s your name, where are you from originally, and where are you based now?

My name is Darryl Joo. I was born in Korea, and now I’m based out of North Jersey; my musical life is primarily based out of Hoboken and Jersey City.

Congrats on the release of your new music video, “Phosphene.” It’s gorgeous-looking! What was the process like of making the music video? Where was it filmed?

Thank you so much!  I’m absolutely thrilled with the video; a lot of love and dedication went into its creation.  This was my first time working on a music video, so it was a lot of learning for me.  The opening/closing scenes were filmed in Hoboken, NJ, with the rooftop scenes taking place over at the studio building (where I practice, and also where Silver Horse Sound is located – that’s where I recorded my debut album). The “dream sequence” was filmed at NLK Studio in Jersey City, which is operated by Jack (bassist) and Courtney.

It was a challenge being in front of a camera.  I don’t really enjoy having pictures taken of me, so being filmed in front of a camera with an enormous lens looking directly into my eyes was very uncomfortable.

Otherwise, what a blast – we booked out a day at the studio for everyone to drop in at different times, hang out, and shoot their parts.  It was a lot of coordination and effort, but the people involved made it painless and fun.

Was this your first time working with Director/Producer Courtney Collins? 

Not my first time, no.  We had a live outdoors shoot in November of 2017 where she filmed a short set of music.  It was very different from filming the music video, though.  We also worked together for our first photo shoot as a band.

Tell us about your music.  How would you describe your style?  Who are your influences?  Is there anyone who you'd love to collaborate with one day? 

I would describe my style as “varied,” but Max (guitar) describes my sound as “progressive singer-songwriter.”  I try to actively avoid falling into a genre of sound.  Exploring different types of music and different soundscapes brings me a lot of joy; the songs on the album range from quiet acoustic-guitar driven folk rock all the way to jazz fusion and alt metal.  I do my best to put a fingerprint on each song so they don’t feel disparate – rather, each song is just an exploration of genre within the context of my voice.

I draw deeply from classical music (Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff), but I also listen to jazz and rock (Miles Davis, Wes Montgomery, Radiohead, Jeff Buckley).  I don’t really have training by way of any of that, though, so I’m taking the sounds and putting my own take on them.

I would love to collaborate with Thom Yorke.  I think he’s busy, though.  I’ll shoot him a message and see if his schedule opens up at all, but I get the sense that he’s busy.  Also, I don’t think he knows I exist.

What was the inspiration behind your debut album American Ghost? How do you hope people will feel when they listen to it? 

A lot of lonely nights went into writing the songs on American Ghost, but there is an equal measure of wanting to connect with people and actually making those connections happen.  There is no hidden inspiration to the album.  The album was a necessity – it just needed to happen, no more and no less.  It’s a snapshot into the fiber of my existence at a very specific and transitory moment in my life.

I hope that people listen to the album and feel camaraderie with their neighbors.  I hope that sad people listen to the album and know that someone shares in their pain.  I hope that lonely people listen to the album and feel a little less alone in the world.  I hope that happy people listen to the album and recognize that there are people in pain around them.  And I hope that people who have lost all hope listen to the album and walk away feeling renewed.

What has your personal journey been like?  When did you discover that you loved music?  I read that you were a teacher at one point.  What did you teach, and do you find any similarities between teaching and making music? 

I’ve loved music for as long as I can remember.  Music always made sense to me.

Numbers and figures also made sense to me, so I thought I was going to be a doctor – since a career in music is for the irresponsible.

Turns out, I’m also pretty irresponsible.  I was a middle school math teacher for about 3 years, and at some point along the line, I realized that as much as I loved my students and loved teaching (something else I’ve always enjoyed), I was completely miserable not making music.

And of course, there are connections between teaching and making music.  For me, that connection is about finding the best way to relay information and sentiment to another person.  Each song, like every good lesson, has a hook, an introduction, a development, and conclusion with a clear goal in mind at each step of the way.  It’s a bit murkier with music, obviously, but the connections are there.

The most useful things for me, though, have been the organizational skills, the work ethic, and the ability to visualize various scenarios and think up contingency plans – all of which I developed as a teacher. 

What do you think of the music scene in Hoboken/Jersey City?  

I love the community.  My first time stepping up to deliver a live performance of my own music was just 2 years ago at a local open mic.  I still can’t believe I only met these people between 1-2 years ago.  I feel like I’ve known them for ages; I feel like I’ve found a family, and they’ve taken me in as one of their own.

It’s vibrant, supportive, and filled to the brim with love and talent.  You won’t find that in many other places, if at all.  I know I’m new to all of this, but I know there’s something special there.  I’d like for more people to be aware of it. 

Do you have any shows coming up? 

Yes!  We’ve got our first little tour put together.  8/15 we’re at The Fire in Philly, 8/16 at The Brighton Bar in Long Branch, 8/17 at The Pompei Lounge in Staunton, VA, 8/18 at Roofer’s Union in DC, and 8/19 we’re settling down in Abingdon, VA to connect with some friends.

Where can people find you online? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Spotify, YouTube, etc.?) 

People can find us here:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/projectbwq
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/projectbwq
Soundcloud: https://www.soundcloud.com/projectbwq
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ8wD0OBLocLhzC2ntRCT7Q
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6shPUIVIALcy89GUCLMQVc?si=k_7ROcUrRyKJJfcdkh4IWQ

"Punk Rock Gatorade" by Shithead's Rainbow (Single Review)

MUSIC VIDEO PREMIERE. Click play to watch!

By Sonia Schnee | Posted Tuesday, July 10, 2018

On June 27th, avant-garde punk band Shithead’s Rainbow (SHRB) released a new music video for their single, "Punk Rock Gatorade," off of their most recent album, Ludlows.  Shithead’s Rainbow recently joined the Mint 400 Records family and has shows coming up on July 14th at the Clash Bar in Clifton with Huge Pupils (from Old Tappan, NJ) and CR & The Degenerates (Montclair), and July 28th at FM Restaurant Bar and Lounge in Jersey City.  The show on July 28th is presented by (The) Rock-It Docket in conjunction with Mint 400 Records.  SHRB will be joined by fellow NJ indie/punk rockers aBIRD (from Bloomfield, NJ), The Components (Jersey City), and Sink Tapes (New Brunswick).  

Ludlows was recorded & mixed by Ed Auletta at North End Recording in Passaic, NJ and mastered by Jesse Cannon at Cannon Found Soundation Recording Studios in Union City, NJ. 

So, who or what is Shithead's Rainbow? 

Their Facebook page may describe them the best:

"A musical 5 course:
Bayonne NJ trash
With Jersey City style
And Ridgewood cheese
And Newark bay broth
Served by our toxic sunset"

Band members include the multi-talented Claire Page (who produced and edited the "Punk Rock Gatorade" music video), Nicholas Maratta, Ryan Treppedi, Dan Nagano-Gerace, and Nick Jorgensen. 

Our take

"Punk Rock Gatorade" is both aurally and visually a force to be reckoned with.  Fresh out of the gate with infectious pulsating percussion and guitars layered over thought-provoking experimental tableaus, the energy builds continuously, with the tribe of SHRB beckoning you to come forth and join them in a wild and unearthly party.  You'll want to rock, mosh, and scream out the chorus all at once.  "Punk Rock Gatorade" is sure to become your fist-raised, calorie-burning "f*ck-it-all" anthem of the year.

Upcoming shows

7/14 at Clash Bar in Clifton NJ with Huge Pupils and CR & The Degenerates
7/28 at FM in Jersey City with A Bird, Sink Tapes, and The Components