Articles

Musical Treats for Halloween — and Beyond

October 12, 2017 by David K. Moseder

In the heart of autumn, with Halloween approaching and Thanksgiving not far off, Brooklyn’s musical cornucopia is overflowing. The following sampling of what’s coming up... 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

aul McCartney 070514-Al Pereira for BR (1)-cropped

Sir Paul McCartney photo by Al Pereira

The Talent Rises as We Head Into Fall

September 10, 2017 by David K. Moseder

The temperatures will start to cool down soon, but Brooklyn’s music scene remains as hot as ever. Our borough continues to spawn and nurture new... read article

Shinobi Ninja photo by Sergmatick / courtesy of Shinobi Ninja

Shinobi Ninja: Eclectic Musical Warriors Pool Their Talents

September 10, 2017 by David K. Moseder

Duke Sims of Shinobi Ninja tells Brooklyn Roads that he never made a conscious decision to play music for a living; rather, “It’s the journey,” he... read article

Junior Astronomers at Afro Punk photo by Ray Fontaine

Applause for Afropunk’s Artistry and Activism

August 31, 2017 by Ray Fontaine

On August 26 and 27, 2017, Afropunk called together a fantastic showcase of fashion, music, activism, and community. This year’s Brooklyn festival , held... read article

Banjoist Valerie June / photo by Eliana Rowe_21

Banjoist Valerie June at Summerstage Eliana Rowe

Valerie June’s in Tune at SummerStage!

August 30, 2017 by Howard B. Leibowitz

On a starry summer’s night, Valerie June showed concert goers at Central Park’s SummerStage why her music is spellbinding an ever growing legion of music lovers around... read article

Willie Nile’s ‘Positively Bob’ Is Positively Brilliant

July 23, 2017 by David K. Moseder

Before the catch-all term “Americana” was coined, there was a thing called “folk-rock.” Willie Nile helped keep that genre alive, adding a dash of punk... read article

Kings Theatre- marquee Screen Shot 2017-07-12 at 4.28.20 PM

AbunDance Academy Presents…Sister Act AbunDantly !

July 13, 2017 by Dominique M. Carson

The AbunDance Academy of the Arts staged a musical production, Sister Act Abundantly, at the Kings Theatre on Sunday, June 25, 2017. This event was... read article

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

The Soul Rebels at Celebrate Brooklyn! photo by Howard B. Leibowitz/ courtesy of B.L.Howard Productions

Brooklyn’s Music Scene Heats Up Summer

July 7, 2017 by The Brooklyn Roads Team

Brooklyn’s summer music season is in full swing as the 39th season of Celebrate Brooklyn! got under way with high-octane notes from Lake Street Dive,... 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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