Featured Artists
Anton Fig
After starting drums at age 4 and graduating with honors from the New England Conservatory in 1975, Anton Fig decided to take a bite out of the Big Apple and moved there in 1976. A good decision on his part. Anton formed his own band, Spider, and got a lot of freelancing calls which established him as one of the drummers to check out in New York.
Recordings soon followed with Cyndi Lauper, Kiss, Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, and Mick Jagger. Anton also added to his credits performing with the Thompson Twins at Live Aid, Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, and Chaka Kahn. But in 1986, he hit the big time center stage by becoming a member of The Worlds Most Dangerous Band, appearing nightly on The Late show with David Letterman. Besides being a great gig, another plus is getting to back scores of great artists like Miles Davis, Steve Winwood, Phil Collins and Tony Bennett. Adding to his work on The Late Show, Anton is also recording and composing for various projects, as well as writing a drum instructional video and book entitled The Groove.
Chico Hamilton
Legendary jazz drummer and bandleader Chico Hamilton, born September 20th, 1921 in Los Angeles, had a fast track musical education in a band with his schoolmates Charles Mingus, Illinois Jacquet and Dexter Gordon. Then after six years with Lena Horne established this young West Coast prodigy as a jazz drummer on the rise, he struck out on his own as a bandleader in 1955.
Chico's impact upon jazz includes the introduction of two unique and distinct sounds: first in 1955 with his Original Quintet which combined the sounds of his drums, the bass of Carson Smith, the guitar of Jim Hall, the cello of Fred Katz, and the flute of Buddy Collette; and the second in 1962 with his own drums, the bass of Albert Stinson, the guitar of Gabor Szabo, the tenor sax of Charles Lloyd, and the trombone of George Bohanon.
In 1997, Chico received the New School University Jazz & Contemporary Music Programs Beacons in Jazz Award in recognition for his "significant contribution to the evolution of Jazz". In 2002, Chico was awarded the WLIU-FM Radio Lifetime Achievement Award. At the IAJE in NYC January 2004, Hamilton was awarded a NEA Jazz Master Fellowship, presented to him by Roy Haynes. And in 2007, Chico received a Living Legacy Jazz Award as part of The Kennedy Centers Jazz in Our Time Festival.
In 2006, Chico released four CD's on Joyous Shout! in celebration of his 85th birthday: "Juniflip" featuring guest appearances from legendary Love front-man Arthur Lee, R & B Diva Fontella Bass, Shuggie Otis and percussionist Jaimoe of the Allman Brothers Band.
April 14th, 2009 Chico released Twelve Tones Of Love. From Maxwell Chandler's liner notes: "Chico Hamilton looks back not as a summation but with the past as a jumping off point to where he is now; the foundation to build off of what he has to say in the here and now.
Chuck D
Roosevelt, Long Island can claim many celebrated figures, and chief among them would be famed, and now iconic rap group Public Enemy, an outfit known for their revolutionary lyricism and groundbreaking production. PE's fiery rhymes and unique stage show won millions of fans across the globe and having helmed the main mic for a legendary period is Chuck D. If Hip Hop were a nation Chuck D would be the president, democratically nominated by an inspired generation of musicians and music followers around the world.
The critical and commercial success of Public Enemy opened the doors for MistaChuck to deliver a message through a number of different media, extending a reach to all segments of the population. From a featured host on the Fox News Channel, to best-selling author of his autobiography, "Fight The Power," he is a highly-sought after and popular speaker on the college lecture circuit (universities ranging from Harvard to Howard), a prominent member of music industry non-profit organizations MusicCares and Rock The Vote, and founder of the SlamJamz label.
Chuck D has led the musical and social movement as national spokesperson for Rock The Vote, the National Urban League and the National Alliance of African American Athletes; while appeared in public service announcements for HBO's campaign for national peace and the Partnership for the Drug Free America as well as a regular guest on numerous television shows including Nightline, Politically Incorrect and on CNN. The Public Enemy 20th anniversary album, tour and subsequent international media presence have livened yet another generation, as MistaChuck strives to use his diverse and dedicated presence within the digital and technological realm to forge a musical path for said generation. From a book imprint with partner Yusuf Jah, to subsidiary labels such as SHEdigital; the innovative empire born of twenty years of serving the people with power is set to launch even more unique vehicles for new talent.
DJ Johnny Juice
DJ Johnny Juice is an Emmy-Nominated Composer, Producer, Turntablist, and Engineer. Raised in the Bronx, he witnessed the birth of Hip Hop right on his doorstep. His work, especially with the first two Public Enemy albums, has been embedded into Hip Hop history. With over 25 years in the industry, he has contributed to some of Hip Hop's greatest works. Over the years he has lent his production and scratching skills to projects by other legendary Hip Hop artists such as the Beastie Boys, Slick Rick, Leaders of the New School, and DMC. He was recently inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame as a member of Public Enemy.
Marshall Crenshaw
Over 25 years since breaking through to critical and commercial acclaim with his 1982 self-titled debut and its infectious, era-defining pop hit "Someday, Someway," Marshall Crenshaw creates an incredible new chapter in his career with his 429 Records debut Jaggedland. Crenshaw's first studio recording in more than six years is his most musically dynamic and lyrically intimate collection yet.
The album title Jaggedland is a term Crenshaw says best describes the current state of his brain and consciousness. Simply put, the 12 songs are musical observations about the human experience, mortality, the state of the world and of course, love as viewed through the inimitable Crenshaw perspective. "I have such a huge appreciation and respect for records as an art form--and a deep love for the power of songs and music," he said, continuing, "I felt compelled to step up and reach deep into myself. That passion and commitment is the driving force behind the songs on Jaggedland, which I believe are some of my best ever."
A quote from Trouser Press sums up Marshall Crenshaw's early career: "Although he was seen as a latter-day Buddy Holly at the outset, he soon proved too talented and original to be anyone but himself." All Music Guide captured Crenshaw's vibe perfectly: "He writes songs that are melodic, hooky and emotionally true, and he sings and plays them with an honesty and force that still finds room for humor without venom."
DJ Big Wiz
DJ Big Wiz started DJing in late '83. Since then he has worked as a DJ in many aspects such as community and college radio as well as at one of the biggest commercial radio stations in the US. He was also down with two of the original 3 groups on the Rap-A-Lot Records (home of the Ghetto Boys) in the mid to late '80s.
Wiz has spun at clubs around the world and has DJ'd for several bands, groups and solo artists. Along with a couple of friends, he was responsible for designing the RANE TTM series mixers. Wiz has also worked closely with Shure and Korg as well as a few other equipment companies.
Wiz became known as the "go to" DJ in NY and has been the in-house DJ for the independent hip hop label Def Jux, DJing EL-P, Cage, Mr. Lif and everyone else on the label. He is currently DJing for Aesop Rock and just finished touring past year in the US and abroad. Also making appearances on MTV, Fuel TV and rocking festivals such as Coachella, Sound Set, Treasure Island Music Festival and more.
Wiz can be heard on Aesop Rock's recent album, "None Shall Pass" scratching on just about every track. His work is also featured on the latest albums by Rob Sonic and El-P. Currently off the road for a while, Wiz is back in the studio working on a few new projects for '10.
IE01
I Eat Zeroes And Ones produces electronic music. Drawing from techno, electro, house, ambient and experimental music sub-genres without being dedicated to any one specifically, IE01 delivers a unique blend of danceable beats, driving bass lines, and melodic synths. IE01 performs live PA sets of original material and also DJs in the Philly and NYC areas. He releases tracks on the Tyrannosaurus Wax (TWAX) label.
More Featured Artists
Antonio Sanchez
Antonio Sanchez pursued a degree in classical piano at the National Conservatory in Mexico and in 1993 he moved to Boston to enroll at Berklee College of Music where he was a Magna Cum Laude graduate. While in Boston, he remained very active in the local music scene until he started playing in Danilo Perez's Trio in 1997, which catapulted him into the international jazz world.
Antonio is now a permanent member of the multi Grammy winning band The Pat Metheny Group with whom he recorded "Speaking of Now" (Grammy Winner '03) as well as Metheny's acoustic Trio featuring Christian McBride on bass. He's also a member of Michael Brecker's Quindectet, which recorded "Wide Angles" in 2003 (Grammy Winner '04).
Antonio has also performed or recorded in bands led by John Patitucci, Chris Potter, David Sanchez, Paquito D'Rivera, Marcus Roberts, Avishai Cohen, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Miguel Zenon, Dave Samuels, Luciana Souza and Claudia Acuna among others.
Antonio has performed clinics; drum festivals and master classes all over the world including the Modern Drummer Weekend and the Montreal Drum Festival.
George Lynch
George Lynch is one of the most recognizable names in the world of heavy rock guitar. With a career spanning more than thirty years, George has recorded more than twenty albums, toured the globe many times.
Born in Spokane, WA, Lynch began learning to play guitar at the age of 10. A naturally gifted musician, his guitar playing quickly progressed and became a creative outlet for him during his teenage years performing throughout the L.A. club circuit.
Lynch came to fame in the 1980s through his work as the lead guitarist in the band Dokken (of which he had been a member since 1980). In spite of the band's popularity, the group parted ways in March 1989 and Lynch went on to form his own hard rock band Lynch Mob. George Lynch is often praised for his extremely unorthodox style of guitar playing and lists Yngwie Malmsteen, Eddie Van Halen, Jeff Beck and Michael Schenker as a few of his musical influences.
Machel Montano
Over the past 27 years, the sole constant in Machel's ever changing, stellar career has been his innovative approach to Trinidad and Tobago's indigenous soca music. Through his various fusions, which include everything from performing with marching bands to collaborating with Grammy winning reggae artists, Machel has worked tirelessly to establish soca, calypso's energetic offshoot, as a viable entity that can impact beyond T&T's internationally renowned carnival celebrations.
It was Machel Montano and his band Xtatik that modernized soca. They pared down the instrumentation, injecting it with hip-hop beats and dancehall rhythms, delighting a younger generation of fans. "Before that, young people in Trinidad couldn't relate to anything local," says Machel who became the youngest finalist in the history of carnival's Calypso Monarch competition back in 1986, performing the aptly title "Too Young to Soca". "So I started adding slang, making it hip; we started producing our own music and saw a big change in the crowds reaction."
"I have been pushing the envelope, trying to revolutionize soca, trying to improve its quality. It is very difficult to bring this music to the mainstream and at the same time stay grounded at home but we have created a sound that we believe is palatable to all markets and can play on the radio in rotation with other popular songs. That is a dream I have always had and something I look forward to achieving."
Shadows Fall
Shadows Fall are Matt Bachand - guitar / vocals, Jason Bittner - Drums, Jon Donais - lead guitar / vocals, Brian Fair - vocals, Paul Romanko - bass.
Before the so-called "New Wave of American Heavy Metal" was even a ripple, Shadows Fall were there. Emerging from Springfield, Massachusetts in 1995, this D.I.Y. band ultimately found legions of fans, worldwide fame, two Grammy nominations, and even a song on Guitar Hero. Of course, none of this came from luck. Instead, hard work and musical innovation have been the forces propelling Shadows Fall, continually revealing ever more of this band's greatness. They are beyond simply best-in-class; in so many ways, Shadows Fall - with their unmistakable, seamless blend of metal and hard rock - have grown to help define the very essence of modern aggressive music.
But the evolution of Shadows Fall is not limited to their music. Atop the shifting grounds of an unpredictable music industry, they've found even more opportunity to try new ideas. "We learned everything from the ground up," says Fair, reflecting on more than a decade of experience and lessons learned. True brilliance doesn't just navigate change - it anticipates, adapts, and turns it into opportunity. This is so much of what separates Shadows Fall from so many other bands: a work ethic as forward-thinking as their musical instinct. Strong, savvy self-determinism shoring up a distinctive mix of bone-splintering aggression and melodic nuance.
Leslie Mendelson
Swan Feathers marks the young artist as both an effortlessly charismatic performer and a songwriter of uncommon musical and emotional depth. In addition to being a singularly expressive singer, Mendelson is a sensitive tunesmith with an uncanny knack for infusing even her darkest lyrical insights with a sexy playfulness.
Mendelson's vivid, subtly crafted tunes--which range from the effervescent exuberance of "Hit the Spot" and "I See Myself with You" to the bittersweet introspection of "No Easy Way Out" and "If I Don't Stop Loving You"--are supported by organically soulful performances and spare, understated instrumental arrangements. The result is a timelessly resonant and emotionally honest album which often recalls the classic work of such vintage role models as Carole King and Laura Nyro.
"I'm really proud of these songs," Mendelson states, "so it was important to me to get the feel right, and make sure that the emotion came across. To me, they're pop songs, so I wanted them to feel upbeat and to feel like they have a life, and I hope we got that."
Kodomo
Emmy-nominated Chris Child, aka "Kodomo," lives and works in New York City as a full-time composer, and is known for his music featured in television, independent film and video games. Although born in the US, he had lived in four different countries and spoke three languages by the age of 18.
"I picked up the nickname Kodomo in Japan because it means 'child' in Japanese," Chris explains. After attending high school in South Korea, he came back to the US to study composition at Berklee College of Music in the US, graduating in 1999.
Kodomo has done remixes for the artists Freezepop, Omar Faruk, Dead Radar, Xandy Barry, and Sara Fimm. His music is featured in the Harmonix video games Amplitude, Frequency, and the iPod video game Phase, and he has also composed music for several independent films, including the award-winning documentary Silences by director Octavio Graham.
Kodomo's debut album, Still Life, is a sophisticated set of compositions that, while gratifying and enjoyable, also hold up to repeated active listening and contemplation.
DJ Parler
NYC based DJ Parler (par-lay), producer of the acclaimed SAMPLOLOGY Mixtape Series, has rocked audiences and tastemakers from coast to coast, South Africa, Italy, Brazil, Mexico and beyond. Parler's eclectic style and ability to move a crowd allow party goers to experience a musical journey that ranges from Hip Hop, Funk, Soul, Breaks & Rare Grooves, Reggae, Rock, 80's & 90's, International Sounds and more.
He's shared the stage with the likes of Wyclef, Ludacris, Akon, Busta Rhymes, Michelle Williams (Destiny's Child), The Clipse, Solange, Kidz In The Hall, Dead Prez, Yung Berg, Three Six Mafia, and Skillz to name a few. Parler's mix series SAMPLOLOGY has collectively garnered over 125,000 downloads, and been featured at such major outlets as Okayplayer, HipHopDX, 2DopeBoyz, SOHH, MTV, and Sirius XM Radio.
Thurs. June 18th
- 11:00 Yamaha drum demoMusical Instrument Store
33 Park Row, 2nd Floor - 12:00 Meet DJ Big Wiz and see him demo the latest products from RaneMusical Instrument Store
33 Park Row, 1st Floor - 12:30 Meet Anton Fig of the David Letterman showMusical Instrument Store 33 Park Row, 2nd Floor
- 12:30 Meet Antonio Sanchez of the Pat Metheny GroupMusical Instrument Store
33 Park Row, 2nd Floor - 02:00 Yamaha drum demoMusical Instrument Store
33 Park Row, 2nd Floor - 02:00 Meet Chuck D and Johnny Juice of Public Enemy...Free T-shirt to the first 50 peopleMusical Instrument Store
33 Park Row, Basement - 03:00 Demo the latest Pianos from RolandMusical Instrument Store
33 Park Row, 2nd Floor - 05:00 Join us for a special clinic with George Lynch as he demo's his signature line of Amps from Randall and his signature pedal from ZoomPop Store
23 Park Row, 1st Floor
Fri. June 19th
- 12:00 Marshall Crenshaw will be performing and signing autographsPop Store
23 Park Row, 1st Floor - 12:00 Meet Rikk Beatty and see him demo the latest product from DigitechMusical Instrument Store
33 Park Row, Basement - 12:00 IK Multimedia guitar effects and pedals demoMusical Instrument Store
33 Park Row, 1st Floor - 02:00 Demo the latest guitar pedals from RolandMusical Instrument Store
33 Park Row, 1st Floor - 02:00 Meet the reps from Ableton as they demo Ableton Live 8Musical Instrument Store
33 Park Row, Basement - 04:00 IE01 DJ Clinic and DemoMusical Instrument Store
33 Park Row, Basement - 06:00 Shadows Fall will be performing and signing autographs. Brought to you by SamsonPop Store
23 Park Row, 1st Floor - 06:00 Meet DJ Parler and enjoy his live demo. Musical Instrument Store
33 Park Row, Basement
Sat. June 20th
- 11:30 Meet the reps from Ableton as they demo Ableton Live 8Musical Instrument Store
33 Park Row, Basement - 12:00 Chico Hamilton will be performing and signing autographsJazz Store
23 Park Row, 2nd Floor - 12:00 Kodomo will be performing and signing autographsPop Store
23 Park Row, 1st Floor - 12:00 IK Multimedia guitar effects and pedals demoMusical Instrument Store
33 Park Row, 1st Floor - 01:00 Meet Rikk Beatty and see him demo the latest product from DigitechMusical Instrument Store
33 Park Row, Basement - 02:00 Meet Ed Diaz and see him demo the latest synthesizers from RolandMusical Instrument Store
33 Park Row, Basement - 02:00 Machel Montano will be performing and signing autographsPop Store
23 Park Row, 1st Floor - 04:00 Meet IE01 DJ Clinic and demo. Musical Instrument Store
33 Park Row, Basement
Sun. June 21st
- 12:00 Leslie Mendelson will be performing and signing autographsPop Store
23 Park Row, 1st Floor - 02:00 Demo the latest Pianos from RolandMusical Instrument Store
33 Park Row, 2nd Floor - 02:00 Meet DJ Chris McNulty who will be demoing Hercules DJ ConsolesMusical Instrument Store
33 Park Row, Basement
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