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As New York City emerges from the deep freeze of January, fans of live music
will have plenty of incredible shows and great bands to choose from in the month
of February.
Photo by Dulce Pinzón |
Antibalas kicked the month off in style
last Saturday night at the Bowery Ballroom
in front of a jam-packed crowd. Antibalas just keeps getting tighter with each
and every show, bringing more and more hot originals and new Fela Kuti
covers to their audience. Antibalas returns to the city on February, 22 at the
uptown venue Makor.
This Wednesday night, February 5th, Medeski Martin & Wood play a sold-out show at the intimate Lower East Side venue Tonic.
Across town that same evening, Soulive
starts their February NYC residency called STRETCH at The
Knitting Factory. Every Wednesday night this month, Soulive will play a
different small venue with a distinct musical focus for each night. The entire
residency is being promoted and organized by the good people at Velour.
Part one's musical focus will be funk with the Soulive Horns consisting
of Fred Wesley, Sam Kininger, Ryan Zoidis, and Russell
Gunn as well as DJ Spinna. A week later, Soulive will hit SOB's
to focus on the hip-hop element of their sound. Special guests will include
DJ Logic and J-Live. On February 19th, Soulive returns to the
Mercury Lounge for a jazz night with guests Joshua
Redman. The residency concludes on February 26th at Joe's
Pub with a focus on R+B. Special guests will include Reggie Watts
and Ivan Neville.
 On
Thursday night, Februay 6th, Charlie Hunter
continues his own NYC residency called RIGHT NOW MOVE at the re-opened
No Moore Bar. The
New Deal roars back into town on Valentine's/ President's weekend with two
big shows on February 14th and 15th at Bowery
Ballroom. The Bowery, where The New Deal recorded the recently released
live album last spring, always brings out the best in "live, progressive, breakbeat,
house" from the boys from Toronto.
Hot off their hiatus-ending New Year's run and hopefully with a few more weeks
of rehearsals under its belt, Phish makes
its first ever appearance in the swamps of Jersey at Continental
Arena on February 24th. After shows in Philadelphia and Worcester, Phish
comes back to the area with a Friday night show on February 28th at Nassau
Coliseum. Nassau is the site of the famous April '98 Island Tour
shows and two very underrated shows in October of '99.
 RAQ
plays a post-Phish show on February 28th at Tobacco
Road Manhattan (41 St & 9 Ave). So, if you're shut out of the Phish show
or just want to keep the party going, check out RAQ's aggressive, maturing sound
- two sets at midnight, 18+.
I've only scratched the surface of the many great bands coming through the New York area over the next month. So, check out JamBase and get out there to see some great live music.
Brian Altman
JamBase | New York City
Go See Live Music!
Mardi Gras Season Hits NYC
February 13 | Papa Grows Funk & Circus Mind | Bowery Ballroom
February 21 & 22 | Dr. John | BB King Blues
March 7 | Leo Nocentelli "Famed Guitarist of The Meters" & Friends
| BB King Blues
Don't fear if you are unable to hit N'awlins this year for Mardi Gras because
NYC has it all. In a month's time you can see most of N'awlins' most respected
musicians - Papa Grows Funk, Circus
Mind, Dr. John, and Leo Nocentelli
of The Meters
 Staring
off NYC's Mardi Gras season, Papa Grows Funk and Circus Mind hit
the Bowery Ballroom on February 13th
for a night of true unadulterated funk. This is PGF's third annual NYC Mardi
Gras show so one can only expect the best. Prior year's shows have seen guest
appearances by Leo Nocentelli, Houseman, John Mooney and Melvin Sparks. As many
know, Papa Grows Funk is the latest New Orleans all-star outfit featuring members
of the Wild Magnolias, The Funky Meters and George Porter's Runnin' Pardners.
In 2002 they were named Best Funk Band in Louisiana over the perennial favorite
Galactic. Joining PGF on this night is Circus Mind. Since Circus Mind's debut
album which features guest appearances by Leo Nocentelli, Cyril Neville, members
of Soulive, and many other keynote musicians they have wowed NYC with their
greasy New Orleans funk rock mixed with generous helpings of reggae roots and
savory ska. This night will be off the hook.
Next stop on the Mardi Gras train is over at the plush B.B.
King Blues Club where the King of Voodoo, Dr. John, graces NYC with
two nights of gritty soul and deep-funked grooves (February 21st and 22nd).
This man is a legend folks. To have him in NYC around the holiday is even a
bigger treat.
Photo by Dino Perrucci |
Now that your head is spinning and your hangover won't leave, Leo Nocentelli
& Friends are ready to blow all that sin right out of your head. As
much of a legend as Dr. John is to the piano funk groove, Leo Nocentelli is
the undisputed legend of the funk guitar. This founding Meter is the definition
of funk. His friends will include Andy Hess of The
Black Crowes and Gov't Mule on bass
as well as a NYC horn section led by Cheme Gastelum of Robert
Walter's 20th Congress. Leo's shows are the essence of what N'awlins is
- fun-loving and raucous!! Don't miss him on March 7th at B.B.
King Blues Club. To make things more interesting, the David
Kolker Band will open the show with their intense and soulful blues-rock.
All tickets for BB King Blues can be purchased through Ticketmaster or at the
box office (no surcharge). All Bowery Ballroom tickets can be purchased through
Ticketweb or at the Mercury Lounge (no surcharge).
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