Summer Music Sampler: A Batch of Brooklyn’s Best

June 11, 2019 by David K. Moseder

Temperatures are finally starting to rise and Brooklyn’s music scene is hotter than ever. As spring gives way to summer, the borough’s many music venues are hosting the greatest variety of sounds and styles found anywhere under the sun — and under the stars as well.

Hip-Hop Hooray!

Tank and the Bangas / photo by Alex Marks / courtesy of Sacks & Co.

Although the Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival is taking a year off (it will be back in 2020, say the event’s organizers), there’s no shortage of hip-hop and rap artists – as well as funk, soul and R&B performers – playing in Brooklyn this summer. The Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival, for example, presents our borough’s own Cory Henry & the Funk Apostles opening for Tank and the Bangas, June 20, and Chicago MC Mick Jenkins and Brooklyn’s LeiKeli47 co-headlining a quadruple bill of hip-hop and soul, July 5. Also at CB! this summer will be shows featuring Burna Boy, Jidenna, and L.A.’s Nosaj Thing.

Not to be outdone, Ford Amphitheater at Coney Island Boardwalk welcomes Wu-Tang Clan on June 16 and Wyclef Jean, August 10. On June 28, Barclays Center hosts “Masters of Ceremony,” featuring Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, and a trio of Brooklyn hip-hop stars — Fabolous, M.O.P. and Das EFX — among several others. The following night, Park Slope-born, internationally acclaimed rapper Talib Kweli is doing a DJ set at Brooklyn Bowl.

More Reasons to Celebrate!

I'm With Her at Celebrate Brooklyn! / photo © 2015 by Howard B. Leibowitz /B.L.Howard Productions

I’m With Her at Celebrate Brooklyn! / photo © by Howard B. Leibowitz /B.L.Howard Productions

Meanwhile, back at the Prospect Park Bandshell, Celebrate Brooklyn! ushers in the first day of summer (June 21) with Calexico and Iron & Wine, and the following evening Emily Wells, a Brooklyn-based singer and multi-instrumentalist, performs with the Metropolis Ensemble, opening for experimental rockers Tortoise. Rounding out the festival’s June calendar are shows headlined by Afro-Cuban jazz great Chucho Valdés; reggae sensations Protoje and Jah9; Mexico’s Celso Piña with local DJ Riobamba; and Liz Phair with Brooklyn transplant Caroline Rose. Later this summer, another band with Brooklyn roots, I’m With Her (Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O’Donovan and Sara Watkins), returns to the CB! Stage.

Brooklyn Bowl is also rolling out a diverse array of performers, including reggae superstars Toots and the Maytalls, June 18-19; alt-southern rockers Drive-By Truckers, June 20-21; and jam band God Street Wine, July 6. On June 21, Rough Trade hosts local punk rockers Titus Andronicus’ release show for their new album, An Obelisk. Our borough’s own Citizen Cope takes the stage at Brooklyn Steel July 9 in support of his new album, Heroin & Helicopters.

Binky Griptite at Soundcheck / photo © by Howard B. Leibowitz/ B.L.Howard Productions

Here and There

Friday evenings in June, Jan Bell curates live Americana music at the Unplugged series on Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pier 3 Greenway Terrace; DeGraw Sound curates the July offerings. On July 11, Live From the Vault at Putnam’s Pub & Cooker in Clinton Hill features host Devlin Miles performing with special guests Trina Hamlin and Orly Bendavid.

Former Dap-Kings guitarist Binky Griptite brings his namesake orchestra to Café Lunatico in Bed-Stuy June 25, and on June 30 the venue hosts a gospel brunch with another local act, Naomi Shelton & The Gospel Angels.

Artists on our Radar

Jessi Robertson: A Voice for the Vulnerable

Jessi Robertson-Memory and Abandoned Parts Album Art

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 expression, she stands out as a compelling voice for the vulnerable. With her vivid lyrics and haunting melodies, her over 15-year career as a musician has carved a way for herself in the folk and Americana music scene, captivating audiences with her raw honesty and emotional depth. Born in a small town in upstate New York, Robertson’s journey into music began at an early age. Robertson moved to Brooklyn in 2003, as she honed her craft, recognizing its ability to speak directly to the human experience with authenticity and sincerity. Once in BK, she released her debut album, “Small Town Girls,” in 2010, which gained much traction for its lyrics and soul-stirring melodies. Following this came her 2014 release “I Came From The War.” Throughout her career, Robertson has fearlessly tackled themes ranging from love and loss to social justice and mental health. Her most recent release, “Memory and Abandoned Parts (15-Year Anniversary Edition of Who We Are, What We Have Done)” is a re-release of her original 2008 album. She continues to push the boundaries of her artistry, as the release explores the complexities of the human condition. Robertson’s impact extends beyond the recording studio. Recognizing the power of music to effect change, she uses her platform to advocate for issues close to her heart. Whether performing at charity events or speaking out on social media, Robertson is committed to using her art as a force for good. Through her music, Robertson invites listeners to confront the complexities of the human experience with empathy and compassion, reminding us of the power of art to bridge divides and inspire change. As she continues to evolve as an artist and an advocate, one thing remains certain: Jessi Robertson’s voice will echo in the hearts and minds of listeners for years to come, leaving an indelible mark on the musical landscape.

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