Winter Holiday Time In Brooklyn – A Musical Feast!

December 7, 2015 by The Brooklyn Roads Team

Gary Clark, Jr.-for Afro Punk review-photo by Kyra Kverno

Gary Clark, Jr./photo by Kyra Kverno

With the winter holidays upon us, Brooklyn Roads invites you to join in the musical festivities and celebrate the season, as we take a quick look back at the past year’s performing arts events and look forward to the future.

Barclays Center brought landmark concerts to Brooklyn, including Scorpions, Madonna, R. Kelly and Ariana Grande and the landmark Kings Theatre reopened with Diana Ross. BRIC’s Celebrate Brooklyn! celebrated its 37th year with the likes of Chaka Khan, Lucius, Lucinda Williams and the legendary Willie Nelson, while Mumford & Sons kicked off the summer at MCU Park in Coney Island and the Tenth Annual Big Eyed Blues Festival found Bobby Rush, Solomon Hicks and Beareather Reddy on LIU’s Kumble Theatre stage.

There were a host of other music festivals that were spawned here that now attract huge crowds and some of the biggest names in music. Grace Jones, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Lenny Kravitz and Gary Clark, Jr. were at Afro Punk, which has now expanded to Atlanta and Paris. The Northside Festival now encompasses music, film and creative entrepreneurship and the Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival presented Common and Mobb Deep. The Brooklyn Music Festival was held on Governor’s Island with an all Brooklyn line up: The Upperclassmen, Black Satellite and Dreams of June. Folk music lovers were thrilled that the Brooklyn Americana Music Festival made its debut at multiple locations in Brooklyn last September.

Chaka Kahn / photo by Al Pereira

This holiday season looks bright and cheery with the Brooklyn Music Shop‘s “Blues for Christmas” at Roulette in downtown Brooklyn, while Aimee Mann and Ted Leo bring their annual holiday tour to the Music Hall of Williamsburg.

Darlene Love – photo by Howard B. Leibowitz / B.L.Howard Productions

The coming year looks to be filled with even more musical magic as LIU moves toward reopening The Paramount Theatre , Barclays Center prepares to welcome in 2016 with Jimmy Buffet & The Coral Reefer Band and Huey Lewis & The News. KYGO, Muse, Italian teen opera trio Il Volo, and Janet Jackson are coming up later in the new year . The Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College will bring The Robert Glasper Trio and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Darlene Love to Brooklyn in the spring .

Ms. Lauryn Hill /photo by Kyra Kverno

Brooklyn Roads launched our new website design, including video interviews with Willie Nile , José James and music icon Southside Johnny, as they played at live performance venues Rough Trade, Brooklyn Bowl and the bandshell at Prospect Park. We welcomed Bar Chord, The Way Station, Prospect Range and Roulette to Brooklyn Roads‘ growing family of live performance spaces and organizations, such as the Brooklyn Jazz Undergound. Our newest feature, “Brooklyn Music In Film,” highlights our borough’s connections and contributions to movies. Brooklyn Roads is looking to continue our mission to innovate and provide a platform for creative artists, venues and organizations to make positive contributions to the culture of Brooklyn and quality of life in the years ahead.

Lucius – photo by Howard B. Leibowitz / B.L.Howard Productions

Artists on our Radar

Jessi Robertson: A Voice for the Vulnerable

Jessi Robertson-Memory and Abandoned Parts Album Art

Jessi Robertson is a powerhouse voice that captivates you from the first note. In a world where music is often a safe place for personal expression, she stands out as a compelling voice for the vulnerable. With her vivid lyrics and haunting melodies, her over 15-year career as a musician has carved a way for herself in the folk and Americana music scene, captivating audiences with her raw honesty and emotional depth. Born in a small town in upstate New York, Robertson’s journey into music began at an early age. Robertson moved to Brooklyn in 2003, as she honed her craft, recognizing its ability to speak directly to the human experience with authenticity and sincerity. Once in BK, she released her debut album, “Small Town Girls,” in 2010, which gained much traction for its lyrics and soul-stirring melodies. Following this came her 2014 release “I Came From The War.” Throughout her career, Robertson has fearlessly tackled themes ranging from love and loss to social justice and mental health. Her most recent release, “Memory and Abandoned Parts (15-Year Anniversary Edition of Who We Are, What We Have Done)” is a re-release of her original 2008 album. She continues to push the boundaries of her artistry, as the release explores the complexities of the human condition. Robertson’s impact extends beyond the recording studio. Recognizing the power of music to effect change, she uses her platform to advocate for issues close to her heart. Whether performing at charity events or speaking out on social media, Robertson is committed to using her art as a force for good. Through her music, Robertson invites listeners to confront the complexities of the human experience with empathy and compassion, reminding us of the power of art to bridge divides and inspire change. As she continues to evolve as an artist and an advocate, one thing remains certain: Jessi Robertson’s voice will echo in the hearts and minds of listeners for years to come, leaving an indelible mark on the musical landscape.

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