Features

Cher -Live In Concert at Barclays Center photo© by Debra L. Rothenberg

Believe It, Brooklyn — Cher Can Still Turn Back Time

May 8, 2019 by The Brooklyn Roads Team

The overflowing crowd at Barclays Center in Brooklyn was eagerly waiting for this extra special night of music and memories to begin — and they... read article

Cheers! A Toast to a Vintage Brooklyn Music Year

December 6, 2018 by David K. Moseder

2018 has been a banner year for Brooklyn artists and local music venues, and the borough continues to be a magnet for top-name visiting singers... read article

Celebrate Brooklyn-061411-The Decemberists-Al Pereira (19)

Colin Meloy of The Decemberists at Celebrate Brooklyn! on June 14, 2011 photo by Al Pereira

Celebrate Brooklyn! Is Set for Its 40th Year

May 8, 2018 by David K. Moseder

An opening night concert by the uncommonly talented Common will launch the 40th anniversary edition of Celebrate Brooklyn! The lineup of singers and musicians that... read article

Eli Paperboy Reed 042618-Al Pereira (52)

Eli Paperboy Reed at Brooklyn Bazaar photo by Al Pereira

Eli Paperboy Reed Meets the High & Mighty Brass Band in Brooklyn

May 7, 2018 by B.L. Howard

The energy level began to rise at Brooklyn Bazaar as the crowd converged toward the front of the stage, eager for a night of Brooklyn-style... read article

Degraw Sound's Live Studio photo by Drew Reynolds

Spotlight On….Degraw Sound

February 28, 2018 by B.L. Howard

Editor’s Note: This is the newest installment of our “Spotlight On” feature that focuses on Brooklyn music movers and shakers, with behind-the-scenes glimpses of some... read article

Sylvan Esso at Celebrate Brooklyn! photo by Ray Fontaine

Reflections on BK’s Music Scene-A Year to Be Celebrated and Another One Coming Up !

December 7, 2017 by The Brooklyn Roads Team

2017 was laden with musical riches, as the Brooklyn talent incubator was hard at work once again. Whether it was in the schools, colleges, clubs,... read article

Musiq Soulchild photo by Ray Fontaine

Brooklyn Roads Celebrates A Musical Summer in Brooklyn!

September 10, 2017 by Ray Fontaine

BRIC’s Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival has brought diverse and exciting entertainment to Prospect Park’s Bandshell stage every summer for nearly four decades. The 39th year had... read article

Miguel at Northside Festival - MCCarren Park Main Stage photo by Ray Fontaine

Northside Festival Lights Up The Weekend!

June 27, 2017 by Ray Fontaine

From June 7th to June 11th, the northern Brooklyn streets were filled with over 100,000 festival goers, concert hopping throughout Williamsburg, Greenpoint and Bushwick in... read article

‘Johnny Pisano’s Punk Rock Pizzeria’ Serves Up Nine Tasty Slices

January 31, 2017 by David K. Moseder

“Don’t want to be something that I’m not / don’t want to change ’cause I know what I’ve got.” That line from the opening track... read article

A Good Year for Discerning Ears – and It Ain’t Over Yet!

December 6, 2016 by David K. Moseder

Among the hallmarks of the winter holiday season is the spirit of generosity, and we here at Brooklyn Roads are proud to declare that, musically... 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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