Articles

Let’s Get Intimate: Sampling Brooklyn’s Smaller Music Venues

May 8, 2024 by David K. Moseder

Brooklyn has a great number of what singer-songwriter Annie Keating, a lifelong Brooklynite ,calls our borough’s “mighty little music venues.” Here’s a sampling of some... read article

Long Play Festival Brings the World to Brooklyn

April 25, 2024 by David K. Moseder

Brooklyn’s annual Long Play Festival, organized by Bang on a Can , is set for May 3-5 . The festival will feature more than five... read article

Jessi Robertson-Memory and Abandoned Parts Album Art

Memory & Abandoned Parts Album Cover Art

Jessi Robertson: A Voice for the Vulnerable

April 5, 2024 by Michela Arlia

Jessi Robertson is a powerhouse voice that captivates you from the first note. In a world where music is often a safe place for personal... read article

Viva Vinyl! Celebrating Record Store Day 2024

March 19, 2024 by Michela Arlia

As spring weather looms, music lovers around the world prepare to unite for one of the most anticipated days in music: Record Store Day. Held... read article

Rendition of the Brooklyn Paramount Stage Live Nation

The Paramount Is Ready to Rock Brooklyn- Once Again!

March 19, 2024 by David K. Moseder

The storied Brooklyn Paramount, at the corner of DeKalb and Flatbush avenues, begins a new chapter this month, thanks to a multimillion-dollar renovation by Live... read article

BACK TO THE FUTURE: New Music From Old Friends

March 11, 2024 by David K. Moseder

As spring approaches, Brookyn Roads takes a look at new music that is about to bloom (or has already blossomed) from several artists we’ve featured... read article

The Photo Pit-A Musical Journey in 2023

March 5, 2024 by Kyra Kverno

Editor’s Note: Contributing Photographer Kyra Kverno shares some of her images and observations from some of 2023’s live music events in Brooklyn and Beyond: Gearing... read article

Sabrina Song photo by Livy Wicks

Sabrina Song Brings Wisdom to Youthful Tracks

February 13, 2024 by Michela Arlia

Sabrina Song is a Brooklyn-based singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, and producer. Best aligned with Alternative, Indie, and Pop genres, Song’s lyrics and overall artistry transcends... read article

Saidah Blount/photo by Skye/courtesy of This Is Dope PR

Saidah Blount photo by Skye /courtesy of This Is Dope Agency

New Celebrate Brooklyn! Chief Sets Goals of Diversity and Inclusion

February 9, 2024 by Giulia Arlia

This past January, BRIC, an influential Downtown Brooklyn arts and media institution, announced the recruitment of Saidah Blount as the new Executive Director of BRIC’s... read article

Paul Sachs Performs at The Brookyln Art Haus / photo by Briana Lowe

Paul Sachs Performs At The Brooklyn Art Haus photo by Brianna Lowe

Paul Sachs Offers a Rootsy “Tattoo” at Brooklyn Art Haus

January 28, 2024 by David K. Moseder

As part of its monthly “Folkus-NYC” Americana music series, Williamsburg’s new Brooklyn Art Haus hosted veteran folksinger Paul Sachs on Jan. 18, 2024. A true... 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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