Articles

Eric Stern Leaning in Brooklyn photo by Hoyeon Choi / courtesy of the artist

Eric Stern: Brooklyn Born, Jazz Driven

February 8, 2025 by Michela Arlia

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... read article

BAM Free Music Series courtesy of BAM

BAM Launches Free Music Series

January 25, 2025 by David K. Moseder

Live music returned to the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) this January with the launch of the BAM Free Music series on select Thursday evenings... read article

Diana Ross Ross performing in 2022 photo by Raph _PH

Brooklyn Beats of 2025: What to Expect in the New Year

December 27, 2024 by Michela Arlia

Brooklyn’s iconic live music venues are gearing up for an exciting 2025, featuring legendary artists, rising stars, and immersive music experiences across genres. Kings Theatre... read article

Ricky Stein/ photo courtesy of the artist

Ricky Stein On The Street in Brooklyn photo courtesy of the artist

Ricky Stein: Texas Roots in Brooklyn

December 22, 2024 by Giulia Arlia

If you’re looking for music inspired by New York City with a Texan flare, look no further than Ricky Stein, a Brooklyn-based artist originally from... read article

Collage

BROOKLYN ARTSTS PRODUCE A BUMPER CROP OF NEW MUSIC

December 8, 2024 by David K. Moseder

This autumn has produced a bountiful harvest of new music from Brooklyn artists, including several who have been previously featured in Brooklyn Roads. Here is... read article

Jesse Malin On Stage photo by Kyra Kverno

Jesse Malin Shares The Love

December 7, 2024 by Kyra Kverno

Contributing Photographer Kyra Kverno shares some of her images from the Jesse Malin Benefit shows at The Beacon Theatre in New York City on December... read article

Celebrating the Brooklyn Museum’s 200th Birthday!

November 15, 2024 by Udo Salters

Editors Note: Photographer Udo Salters shares some of his images and obervations from the Brooklyn Museum’s 200th Birthday Bash : The Brooklyn Museum, a cultural... read article

Rhiannon Giddens photo by Ebru Yildiz

BAM’s Next Wave Festival Moves Forward

November 11, 2024 by B.L. Howard

Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Next Wave Festival gives both well-known visionaries and trailblazing rebels an opportunity to unleash their groundbreaking creativity to the world. In... read article

David Amram and Willie Nelson at Farm Aid Concert in NYC photo by Ebet Roberts

BROOKLYN FOLK FEST SET FOR NOV. 8-10

November 1, 2024 by David K. Moseder

The annual Brooklyn Folk Festival is set for Nov. 8-10 at St. Ann’s Church on Montague Street in Brooklyn Heights. Presented by the Jalopy Theater,... read article

Hats Cleaned Album Cover American Nomads Hats Cleaned Album Cover

Hats Off to “Hats Cleaned,” New Album from American Nomads

October 29, 2024 by David K. Moseder

Brooklyn roots-rock band American Nomads introduced their newest full-length release, Hats Cleaned, at a release party on Saturday, October 19. Held at The Firehouse, their... read article

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Artists on our Radar

Eric Stern: Brooklyn Born, Jazz Driven

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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