Articles

On His Drums- photo by Andrew James -courtesy of the artist

Beyond Jazz: Ronnie Burrage’s Brooklyn Odyssey

March 7, 2023 by David K. Moseder

“I started making music since coming out my mother’s womb,” venerable jazz musician Ronnie Burrage tells Brooklyn Roads. He adds that he grew up in... read article

Ivan Julian # 2/ photo by Sam Chen/ courtesy of Howlin' Wuelf Media

Ivan Julian photo by Sam Chen

Ivan Julian’s “Swing Your Lanterns” Has Edge and Excitement

February 23, 2023 by Michela Arlia

Ivan Julian is a guitarist, bassist, and founding member of Richard Hell and the Voidoids , who brings layers from his world travels into the... read article

Dawn Drake photo by Jurien Huggins

Dawn Drake -Her Signature Style

February 14, 2023 by Michela Arlia

Dawn Drake, Brooklynite and frontwoman of the band Dawn Drake & ZapOte, highlights the best parts of her fused musical upbringing, and how it has... read article

“Drive My Car” Re-Release Makes You Want to Cruise

February 5, 2023 by Michela Arlia

After over 40 years, Left for Dead Reords has re-released Brooklyn-based teen-punk band NastyFacts 1980 hit EP, Drive My Car. While they had more than... read article

Charming Disaster photo by Krys Fox

Charming Disaster Brings Wilderness to the City

February 3, 2023 by Michela Arlia

Brooklyn-based musical duo Charming Disaster will be releasing their fifth studio album Super Natural History this coming March, following the successful release of their previous album,... read article

Neil Diamond On Stage at Erasmus High School on 09.29.14 B.L.Howard Productions

Neil Diamond: A Beautiful Noise Birthday Salute

January 23, 2023 by David K. Moseder

Neil Diamond, whose birthday is on January 24th , received an early birthday present when the musical “Neil Diamond: A Beautiful Noise,” opened at the... read article

John Brodeur Also Known As Bird Streets photo by Shervin Lainez

Bird Streets’ “Lagoon” is Something to Talk About

January 12, 2023 by Michela Arlia

John Brodeur, better known as Brooklyn’s Bird Streets, released his second studio album Lagoon, last November and the 12-track indie pop project has arrived as... read article

Dar Williams On The Bell House Stage photo by Chris Chin

Dar Williams Rings in the Holidays With Return to Bell House

January 5, 2023 by David K. Moseder

After a two-year COVID-induced hiatus, Dar Williams returned to The Bell House for her annual post-Christmas gift to Brooklyn on Dec. 29, 2022. (The tradition... read article

A Pensive Aoife O'Donovan / © photo by Omar Cruz/ courtesy of Yeproc Music Group

Aoife O’Donovan’s “Age of Apathy” Inspires Empathy

December 23, 2022 by David K. Moseder

Aoife O’Donovan, who won a Grammy as a member of I’m With Her in 2019, is in contention for her first such award as a... read article

Adrian Daniel photo by Keaton Matusich

Adrian Daniel’s “Requiem” Adds Brooklyn Twist to R&B

December 7, 2022 by Michela Arlia

Singer, songwriter, and producer Adrian Daniel, a native of Brooklyn, is making a name for himself once again, following the release of his latest album,... read article

« Previous 1 … 6 7 8 9 10 … 45 Next »

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?”

... read article