Features

On His Drums- photo by Andrew James -courtesy of the artist

Beyond Jazz: Ronnie Burrage’s Brooklyn Odyssey

March 7, 2023 by David K. Moseder

“I started making music since coming out my mother’s womb,” venerable jazz musician Ronnie Burrage tells Brooklyn Roads. He adds that he grew up in... read article

Neil Diamond On Stage at Erasmus High School on 09.29.14 B.L.Howard Productions

Neil Diamond: A Beautiful Noise Birthday Salute

January 23, 2023 by David K. Moseder

Neil Diamond, whose birthday is on January 24th , received an early birthday present when the musical “Neil Diamond: A Beautiful Noise,” opened at the... read article

Fantastic Negrito at Celebrate Brookyln!-June 18, 2022-Tiny Desk

Fantastic Negrito at Celebrate Brooklyn! photo by Kyra Kverno

The Photo Pit-A Musical View of 2022

December 2, 2022 by Kyra Kverno

Publisher’s Note: Contributing Photographer Kyra Kverno shares some of her imges and impressions of 2022’s Live Music Scene in Brookyln and beyond: What a long... read article

Jeff Franzel Smiles at the Piano-photo by Ron Fontenot-courtesy of the artist

Smiling at the Piano photo by Ron Fontenot

Jazz Pianist Jeff Franzel : Virtually Personable !

March 24, 2022 by Michela Arlia

Songwriter, composer, musician and native New Yorker Jeff Franzel who performs with Jazz at his core, is coming off his latest project- a song entitled... read article

Charming Disaster photo by Shervin Lainez

Our Lady of Radium Radiates Magic and Mystery

February 13, 2022 by Michela Arlia

Goth-folk musical duo Charming Disaster is set to release their fourth album Our Lady of Radium in March of this year and Brooklyn Roads was... read article

Beareather Reddy & The Brown Liquor Sounds

A Classic Blueswoman’s Tribute to Classic Blueswomen

February 1, 2022 by Michela Arlia

Beareather Reddy is a vocalist, actress, and producer, native to Sylvania, Georgia. With a B.A. in performance arts from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst... read article

Gary U.S. Bonds’ Brooklyn Experience

August 25, 2021 by B.L. Howard

Rock and roll legend Gary U.S. Bonds, who first made his mark with “New Orleans” and “Quarter to Three” back in 1960, has continued his... read article

Strummin' In The Yard photo by Ehud Lazin / courtesy of Sideways-Media

Annie Keating Finds Her ‘Emotional Place’ in Brooklyn

May 30, 2021 by David K. Moseder

Annie Keating’s music is, in her own words, “soulful, intimate and honest; a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll.” Always a... read article

Ben Rice_Carolann Solebello_Nicole Atkins

Thriving BK Artists

Brooklyn Artists Survive — and Thrive — Through Trying Times

May 8, 2021 by The Brooklyn Roads Team

As we look forward to the reopening of live performance venues, Brooklyn Roads reached out to some of our “Artists On Our Radar” alumni to... read article

Jesse Fischer in Performance Photo by Dennis Manuel

Jazz Enthusiast Jesse Fischer: Deeper Than What’s on the Surface

February 16, 2021 by Rachel Armstrong

Brooklyn Roads is happy to introduce Brooklyn-based composer, producer, and pianist Jesse Fischer. Making music with a strong jazz presence, this musical artist gets inspiration... 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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