Artists On Our Radar

Third World at BAM R & B Festival-Summer 2014 photo by Danny Kapilian

Danny Kapilian: The Art of Presenting Live Music

July 13, 2017 by David K. Moseder

Not all artists on the music scene perform on stage. Some work their magic behind the scenes – flying under the radar, as it were.... read article

Dougmore banjo-5275-photo by Lauren Desberg

Dougmore With His Banjo photo by Lauren Desberg

Digging Dougmore, From Brooklyn to the ‘Outerboros’

June 7, 2017 by David K. Moseder

“The bluegrass scene in Brooklyn has been in my family since I was a teenager,” innovative musician Dougmore tells Brooklyn Roads. “I’m always awestruck by... read article

The Roofer's Union photo by Sandy Honig

The Roofer’s Union Builds a Following in Brooklyn

May 14, 2017 by David K. Moseder

Like many bands coming out of Brooklyn these days, The Roofer’s Union plays genre-bending music that is hard to nail down. While their style falls... read article

Omega Sirius Moon photo by Matthew Narvin

Omega Sirius Moon-Brooklyn’s “Queen of Collaboration”

April 7, 2017 by Ray Fontaine

Omega Sirius Moon (“OSM”) is a Bed-Sty-based multi-media artist quickly becoming known as the ‘Queen of Collaboration’. OSM, as she is referred to by most,... read article

EVA: Contemporary Voices, International Roots — and Brooklyn Influences

December 9, 2016 by David K. Moseder

EVA, a teaming of three singer-songwriters from diverse musical backgrounds, draws seamlessly from the roots of traditional and contemporary original folk music. The trio’s genesis... read article

greg-cornell-photo-by-kevin-bloom-_-bloom-machine-photography-courtesy-of-behind-the-curtains-media

Greg Cornell Brings It Home to Brooklyn

October 28, 2016 by David K. Moseder

The music of Greg Cornell is essentially folk/roots/Americana, laced with bluegrass, country, Irish music, old timey, old country and blues. Lyrically, “I kind of follow... read article

A Band Grows in Greenpoint: American Nomads’ Roots and Revelations

September 14, 2016 by David K. Moseder

American Nomads are a Greenpoint-based Americana group whose first single, “A Revelation’s Gonna Come,” reached number six on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart. The follow-up, “Dogtooth... read article

Iris Lune Tunnel-from Ella Joy Meir_07-25-16

Exotic Tunes from Iris Lune

July 31, 2016 by Ray Fontaine

Iris Lune, a Brooklyn-based indie electronic alternative band, is gaining attention with their innovative synth folk sound. Iris Lune released their debut Iris Lune EP... read article

Polly A Shines Under the “Brooklyn Sun”

May 26, 2016 by Mandy Pichler

Polly A is Milwaukee-born and Harlem-based. So what, Brooklyn Roads wondered, was her inspiration for “The Brooklyn Sun”, the first release from her soon-to-be-released EP... read article

Dawn Drake & ZapOte: Brooklyn’s Global Mixologists

April 20, 2016 by Mandy Pichler

What do you call a female Slovenian-American bassist, conguera and singer-songwriter who studied and played congas and sacred Batá drums in Cuba, as well as... read article

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Artists on our Radar

Eric Stern: Brooklyn Born, Jazz Driven

Eric Stern/photo by Hoyeon Choi/ courtesy of the artist

Brooklyn has long been home to innovative artists, and pianist-composer Eric Stern is no exception. Born and raised in the borough, Stern’s sound is a fusion of jazz, Latin, and classical influences shaped by his upbringing and New York City’s diverse musical landscape. Stern’s love for music began at home, where classical compositions played daily on WQXR alongside Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. His exploration led him to jazz and salsa, drawn to artists like Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, and Miles Davis. His participation in Belongo’s Fat Cats program, a youth music initiative, deepened his passion for Afro-Latin music, exposing him to icons like Chico O’Farrill and Tito Puente. Though he played in school jazz bands and youth programs, it was at Fat Cats—rehearsing every Sunday at the former Fat Cat jazz club (now Cellar Dog)—that his passion crystallized. “It was sheer joy,” Stern recalls. The experience drove him to practice for hours daily, solidifying his decision to pursue music professionally. Stern studied at the University of Miami, where he formed a quartet with trumpet, piano, bass, and drums, performing across Miami until 2022. Adding saxophonist Dylan McHann that fall elevated the group into its current quintet form. Since returning to Brooklyn, the lineup has shifted, now featuring Chris Ferrari (tenor sax/flute), Joey Curreri (trumpet), Cookie Stephenson (bass), and Peru Eizagirre (drums), with Stern leading on piano and compositions. Brooklyn’s underground jazz scene remains central to Stern’s creative evolution. While Manhattan is home to institutions like the Village Vanguard and the Blue Note, he finds Brooklyn’s avant-garde spaces—Ornithology Jazz Club, Bar Bayeux, and ShapeShifter Lab more experimental and inspiring. At the heart of Stern’s music is a simple mission: joy. “That’s the only thing I really care about. If selling a million records and being super famous is able to do that, great. If not, I don’t really mind. I just want to give other people who listen and hear the music the same joy I have in playing and creating it.” Eric Stern is one to watch for those seeking a fresh, dynamic voice in Brooklyn’s jazz scene. “Why not perform in Brooklyn?” he says. “There are so many great spaces to play—why not make it happen?”

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