Features

Afropunk: A Celebration of Diversity, People, Culture and Place

September 5, 2014 by Jacob Tupper

The 10th Annual Afropunk Festival was held on August 23-24 at Commodore Barry Park in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, hosting a celebration of diversity, people, culture,... read article

BK Summer Music Wrap Up

September 5, 2014 by B.L. Howard

Another summer has come and gone, leaving Brooklyn residents and fans pining for one more concert and extravaganza. Unfortunately, while the heat plays one last... read article

Gerry Goffin: A Natural Lyricist (BK Roads: Gerry Goffin Tribute)

July 6, 2014 by David K. Moseder

When you sing along with the radio to Will You Love Me Tomorrow,Pleasant Valley Sunday, Some Kind of Wonderful, Take Good Care of My Baby,... read article

A Brooklyn Sizzling Musical Summer

July 6, 2014 by B.L. Howard

It’s that time of the year again for the Borough of Churches to preach the holy gospel of summer in the only manner fit: the... read article

All music…All Brooklyn!

July 6, 2014 by Howard B. Leibowitz

With the winter a distant memory and before the dog days of August are upon us, Brooklyn Roads thought a quick look back at the burgeoning BK... read article

Nicole Atkins: Finding Inspiration On the Williamsburg Bridge

January 6, 2014 by David K. Moseder

Singer/songwriter Nicole Atkins draws on multiple genres and distills them to something wholly original. Her music has inspired comparisons to artists as diverse as Chrissie Hynde,... read article

Carolann Solebello_for Voices_Sept 2015_HBL photo

Carolann Solebello: Americana With a Brooklyn Spin

April 6, 2013 by David K. Moseder

Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Carolann Solebello, who has been performing solo for the last three years, is perhaps best known for her work with folk-Americana trio... read article

You Can’t Take The Brooklyn Out of Singer-Songwriter Susan Collins

April 6, 2013 by The Brooklyn Roads Team

Even if you have never heard of Susan Collins, you’ve probably heard her sing–more often than you might imagine. The East Flatbush native has been... read article

A Winning Warm-Up For a Sizzling Summer

April 6, 2013 by Howard B. Leibowitz

We’re thrilled to present the long–awaited pre-summer issue of BK Roads,our all music, all Brooklyn webzine, spotlighting three multi-talented Brooklyn artists. Although their music is... read article

A Musical Family Tree Grows in Brooklyn

October 6, 2012 by Howard B. Leibowitz

2012 marks the centennial of the birth of legendary American icon Woody Guthrie, who lived for some time in Coney Island. It just so happens... 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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