Articles

Nation of Langage / photo by Shervin Lainez and Beach Fossils / photo by Christopher Petrus Nation of Langage and Beach Fossils

Nation of Language & Beach Fossils: Brooklyn’s Indie Scene Is Set

December 27, 2023 by Michela Arlia

If you’re looking for fresh Indie and Alternative tracks to stream come the new year, look no further than Brooklyn’s own Nation of Language and... read article

Dana Athens’ The Same Love Is Not The Same

November 13, 2023 by Giulia Arlia

Brooklyn native Dana Athens begins a solo side project following the success of her band, Jane Lee Hooker, to release an inspiring album. Entitled The... read article

The Vibe At ShapeShifter Lab-courtesy of ShapeShifer Lab

The Vibe at ShapeShifer Lab Photo courtesy of ShapeShifter Lab

ShapeShifter Lab Finds New Home, New Voices & New Opportunities

November 10, 2023 by Michela Arlia

Nestled between small shops and laundromats on Union Street in Park Slope, Brooklyn, sits the latest location of the performance space ShapeShifter Lab, a familiar... read article

Brooklyn Folk Festival Brookyln Folk Festival

Brooklyn Folk Festival:15 & Counting!

October 20, 2023 by David K. Moseder

The 15th annual Brooklyn Folk Festival is being held at St. Ann’s Church in Brooklyn Heights on Friday evening, November 10th through Sunday, November 12,... read article

Kings Theatre Marquee -Jason Isbell -HBL # 3

Kings Theatre Marquee photo courtesy of B.L.Howard Productions

Brooklyn’s Music Venue Scene is Ever Vibrant and Thriving

October 9, 2023 by Michela Arlia

Live music is one of the iconic symbols that makes New York City one that never sleeps. Brooklyn is home to many music gems that... read article

Featured Image Collage Photo Pit Feature-09.29.23

The Sea.Hear.Now Festival Celebrates Music , Art & Surf Culture

September 29, 2023 by Kyra Kverno

Publisher’s Note: Contributing Photographer Kyra Kverno shares some of the images she captured at the Sea .Hear.Now Festival in Asbury Park, New Jersey on September... read article

Ever More Nest photo by Michael Alford

Brooklyn Americana Fest: Number Nine Is Looking Fine

September 21, 2023 by David K. Moseder

The 9th edition of the Brooklyn Americana Music Festival (BKAMF) takes place from Thursday, Sept. 28, through Sunday, Oct. 1. Venues include Dumbo Archway, Superfine... read article

Eli "Paperboy" Reed photo by Ray Lego

Eli “Paperboy” Reed Makes Oldies New Again

September 16, 2023 by Michela Arlia

Earlier this month, singer-songwriter Eli “Paperboy” Reed released his third single “Do It Again” off his forthcoming album Hits And Misses: The Singles, set to... read article

Afropunk Brooklyn-Same Vibe New Location!

September 7, 2023 by Kyra Kverno

The Afropunk Brooklyn Festival was held on August 26 and 27, 2023 with a new name and location. Originally held at Commodore Barry Park in... read article

As the Weather Cools, Brooklyn’s Music Scene Stays Hot

September 6, 2023 by David K. Moseder

The days may be getting shorter in the months ahead, but there’s no shortage of great music to be found in Brooklyn. From top visiting... 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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