Hayley Jane comes to downtown Cortland, Circles Around The Sun play Deep Dive, the Dorothy Cotton Jubilee Singers pay tribute to MKL Jr. at the State Theatre, and the Downstairs hosts three nights of jazz, including a Sunday night tribute to Django Reinhardt!
Plus, catch a bunch of local favorites on stage around Ithaca, Cortland, and CNY in the coming days.
Note: the events are listed below in chronological order, in two separate sections.
And if you missed it, Jim Catalano highlighted his 15 favorite concerts of 2022 in his Soundoff column!
Western Stars
The Cast Iron Cowboys ride into downtown Ithaca for a night of an evening of “Real American Music.” The band includes bassist Josh Chamberlain (aka Rev Ezra), Max Moses, and slide guitarist Rob Beck, who play a mix of covers and originals.
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: The Downstairs
Cost: $7
Circular Reasoning
Circles Around the Sun, the instrumental jam band from Los Angeles, brings their “Language” tour to promote their upcoming album. Read an interview with keyboardist Adam MacDougall here! Nashville-based “ambient explorer” Rich Ruth will open the show.
When: 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19
Where: Deep Dive, 415 Old Taughannock Blvd., Ithaca
Cost: $27 in advance, available online here; $35 day of show; $1 from every ticket will go to the Neal Casal Music Foundation
Take Four
De Wayne Perry & Friends return to downtown Ithaca for an evening of bebop, hardbop, and postbop, and jazz standards. The players include Jesse Collins (alto sax), Doc Loewen (keyboards), Ted Caldwell (upright bass), and DeWayne Perry (drums).
When: 6 p.m. Friday
Where: The Downstairs
Cost: $10/pay what you can
Event Info
Trio Grande
The Scott B Adams Acoustic Ensemble returns to showcase its brand of original Americana, folk, country, blues, and more. “Scott B Adams, Eric Aceto, and Doug Robinson have been creating music together for decades. Their music has been heard on NPR and has been featured on PBS Specials such as ‘Adirondack Wild’ and ‘Adirondack Seasons.’ They'll bring their lush acoustic sound and an eclectic mix of music to beautifully remodeled Scale House Brewery in Hector.”
When: 6-9 p.m. Friday
Where: Scale House Brewery, Hector
Cost: free
Dynamic Duos
Downtown Cortland’s Rose Hall and American Vintage Productions will host a concert by Hayley Jane, the singer-songwriter-dancer who performed at the GrassRoots Festival in 2019. “Hayley Jane’s performance is layered with raw intensity + linguistic prowess. She has a deeply emotive + highly magnetizing presence that's generating a buzz in the industry. Hayley pulls inspiration from a variety of styles, including 60s + 70s rock + pop, musical theater, folk, blues, soul, psychedelic, funk + bluegrass. Just as varied, are the many ways she can captivate an audience. Whether the concentrated potency of her solo acoustic performance, the explosive energy + movement of her full band shows, or one of her theatrical performances, she always brings the charisma, humor + passion to move an audience. Her music has been praised by a wide range of musicians, producers + music lovers alike, for successfully combining a diverse sound with clever, over-the-top lyrics + Vaudevillian-style storytelling. Hayley reawakens her audiences to the wild parts of themselves, great medicine for these modern times.” She’ll be joined by Justin Hancock for this concert.
Opening the show is Cortland’s own Molly & Merkley, the acoustic duo of Molly Reagan and Chris Merkley. “Weaving elements of blues, country, bluegrass and folk music, the singer-songwriter pair pays tribute to a rich American roots music legacy while staying relevant to modern audiences.”
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Rose Hall, 19 Church St., Cortland
Cost: $15, available online here
Yes, You Can
The Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts will host the “Can Give” Live Music Benefit to support the Trumansburg Food Pantry. Lynn Wiles, George Cook and friends will be performing a mix of jazz, folk and blues tunes. Learn more here!
When: 3-6 p.m. Saturday
Where: Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts
Cost: “Admission is free, but please bring cans/dry goods to donate (no minimum quantity).”
There Will Be Mayhem
The Cosmic Joke Collective returns with its first event of the year, with host/curator Mickie Quinn joined by a bevy of talented locals, including Don Bazley, McKenzie Lauren Jones, Jennifer Middaugh & Friends, Motherwort, and Pierce Walsh, Nate Silas Richardson & Friends, followed by a featured full set from Viva Mayhem.
“The Cosmic Joke Collective is a listening room where performers can present works-in-progress, one-time-only collaborations, passion projects, passing flights of fancy, and most of all, share the artistic process and the inspiration that guides them.”
When: 8 p.m. Saturday (7 p.m. doors)
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: $9 in advance, available online here; $15 at the door
Read a recent interview with Motherwort here!
Swinging Party
“Boost your January! Meet up with friends at the Village Swing scene, Saturdays 7 to 9 through January, at The Downstairs. Your hosts, Brian Earle and Wayne Gottlieb, will get your feet tapping! Watch for a new special guest artist each week. See you there!” They’ll be joined by bassists Ted Caldwell (Jan. 7, 21) and Harry Aceto (Jan. 14, 28) throughout the month. It’s bossa night for this week’s show, with guest singer Margaret Wakely.
When: 7-9 p.m. Saturday
Where: The Downstairs
Cost: free; donations welcome
It’s a Celebration
The Electrozone returns with another cool event, this one to mark the birthday of its founder! “Every year around this time E ages. This year we decided to celebrate it with a show.” On the bill are Anna Oxygen, Moon Eyed Kitty, 2 Fab, and more.
• “Anna Jordan Huff is an American multi-media artist, composer, producer, and actress best known by her stage name Anna Oxygen. After starting her music career as a member of the Space Ballerinas, a synth-pop group then based in Olympia, she recorded her debut solo album ‘All Your Faded Things’ (2003) with producer Justin Trosper, before releasing her second album ‘This Is an Exercise’ (2006) on the Kill Rock Stars label. Her albums have featured guest vocalists such as Beth Ditto and Mirah. Currently based in Ithaca, Huff has appeared as a guest artist on recordings by groups such as The Microphones.”
• “Crawling out of the night Moon Eyed Kitty blends several styles of music with his nocturnal synths and haunting demeanor.”
• “2 Fab is the sonic pairing of Matthew Grigorov (Human Resources) and E (this show). Together their musical stylings take you on a journey of mind and space.”
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Sacred Root Kava Lounge & Tea Bar
Cost: $10, free toy included, “and there might be some cake!” Event Info
A Good Cause
Deep Dive will host a Cancer Benefit & Birthday Bash for Daniel Bussmann, featuring live music, 50/50 and basket raffles, a bake sale, and much more. All money raised will help offset medical bills and expenses, with 25% of the proceeds to be donated to the American Cancer Society for Esophageal Cancer Research.
The bands include Yoshi and Friends, Cast Iron Cowboys, Uncle Uku and the Guise, Ten Square Miles, Mark Maynard and Company, Yetsu, and Amongst the Monks.
When: 2-8 p.m. Sunday
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: $18 suggested donation.
(If you can’t make it but still wish to donate you can do so via Venmo or check: Venmo: @Lesa-Bussmann or https://venmo.com/code?user_id=2484937793994752594
Check: Make it out to Lesa BUSSMANN and send to 14 Orion Dr., Dryden, NY 13053)
Stories and Songs
The Gallery in Artist Alley at South Hill will host an artist talk by Reid Palmer, whose show “Black and White” is currently on display, along with a pop-up performance by Opera Ithaca.
When: 4 p.m. Sunday
Where: The Gallery at South Hill, 950 Danby Road, Ithaca
Cost: free
Tasty Treat
Enjoy some desserts and a full performance of Claude Bolling's “Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano Trio” at Opus Ithaca School of Music, with Elizabeth Shuhan, flute; Jessica Caporizzo, piano; Joey Arcuri, bass; Sam Fishman, drums; and special guest Juliana Pepinsky, flute and bass flute.
When: 7-8 p.m. Sunday
Where: Opus School of Music, 402 N. Aurora St., Ithaca
Cost: free; donations accepted to benefit the Opus Scholarship Fund
Hot Jazz
The Djangoners will celebrate Django Reinhardt’s Birthday with a performance in downtown Ithaca.
"The Djangoners play the music of the legendary guitarist Django Reinhardt and his band from late 1930s Paris – "The Hot Club of France" – arguably, the most famous Jazz band Europe ever produced.
"Django Reinhardt was born January 23, 1910. He began playing music early and was able to make a living busking in Paris cafés by the time he was 15. But, at age 18, he was seriously injured in a fire that rendered two fingers on his left hand useless and doctors believed he would never play guitar again. Reinhardt persevered in rehabilitation and developed a fingering technique using only two fingers for his spectacular guitar solos. In mid-1930s Paris, Django joined forces with the gifted violinist, Stephane Grappelli and formed the “Hot Club of France” that went on to a prolific recording and performance career popularizing Django's original compositions and his renditions of American Jazz classics.
"Today, Django Reinhardt's music is enjoying a resurgence in popularity and The Djangoners are carrying on his legacy true to its tradition featuring Bobby Henrie on lead guitar, Eric Aceto on violin, Harry Aceto on rhythm guitar and Brian Williams on upright bass."
When: 7 p.m. Sunday
Where: The Downstairs
Cost: $10 suggested donation
Goin’ Goth
DJ Rob Haze and DJ Law host “Goth Night: Dark Alternative Monthly,” featuring “darkwave/postpunk/ebm/goth/industrial/electro/synth/bass.”
When: 9 p.m. Sunday
Where: Modern Alchemy Game Bar
Cost: $5 cover; 21+
Voices Raised
The Dorothy Cotton Jubilee Singers (DCJS) will host a Community Celebration Concert to honor Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The program will feature spirituals and gospel songs by the Dorothy Cotton Jubilee Singers (DCJS), music by Kendall Choir, Made in Color from Boynton Middle School, Ithaca College Jazz Vocal Ensemble, Ithaca College Treble Chorale, Dorothy Cotton Youth Singers and dance and step by the GIAC Jumpers.
When: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25
Where: State Theatre of Ithaca
Cost: free; donations welcome
Going Big
The Deep Dive House Big Band continues its every-other-Wednesday residency under the direction of local jazz professor Greg Evans, who teaches at Ithaca College and Cornell University and plays drums with Rose and the Bros and other area bands. The DDBB will feature players from Cornell University, Ithaca College and the greater Ithaca Community every other Wednesday for the coming month.
When: 8-10 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: free; ages 18 and up
More Shows
Anthropologist (aka Angelo Paradiso) brings deep cuts to Seven Of Jazz Lounge at 12-4 p.m. Thursday
Richie Stearns and Friends play old-time tunes at South Hill Cider at 5-8 p.m. Thursday
Marie, Nora, and Saoirse Grady play at Franco's Pizzeria at 5:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday
Pat and Don are at Cortland Beer Company at 6 p.m. Thursday
Marc Ryan is at Mangia Stattizitto in Cortland at 6-8 p.m. Thursday
Scott B. Adams hosts Open Mic Night at the Scale House Brewery at 6-9 p.m. Thursdays
Benny T brings his Open Mic Posse to CrossRoads in Lansing at 6:30 p.m. Thursday
Clint Bush is at Homer Hops at 5-8 p.m. Friday
Jim VanDeuson is at McGraw Box Brewing Company at 6-8 p.m. Friday
Stratcat Willie and the Strays are at Hopshire Farm and Brewery at 6-8 p.m. Friday
Roger Decker plays Trax Pub and Grille at Greek Peak at 6-8 p.m. Friday
Sweats are at Grist Iron Brewing at 6-9 p.m. Friday, followed by a Silent Disco from 9 p.m. to midnight
Butternut Creek Revival plays at Heuga’s Alpine in Tully at 6-9 p.m. Friday
Marc Ryan and Monica are at the Dryden Hotel at 7-9 p.m. Friday
Zack Knewstub, Tom Brigandi, and Owen Erickson play jazz at the new Seven Of lounge at 7-10 p.m. Friday
Salsa Night returns to the Upstairs at 9 p.m. Friday
Johnny Dowd returns to Brookton’s Market at 12:30 p.m. Saturday
Joe Lule is at Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards at 1-4 p.m. Saturday
Rev Ezra is at Treleaven Winery at 1-4 p.m. Saturday
Matthew Cornwell is at Seven Of at 2-5 p.m. Saturday
Scott Michael is at Chateau Dusseau at 3-6 p.m. Saturday
Harmonic Dirt is at the Puffin Dirt at Labrador Mountain in Truxton at 4-7 p.m. Saturday
Tim Herron and the Great Blue play Onco Fermentations’ Cheesefest at 4-7 p.m. Saturday (the Cheesefest runs 1-9 p.m.)
The Sorters Duo is at Grist Iron Brewing at 5-8 p.m. Saturday
Tenzin Chopak and Emmett Scott are at Two Goats Brewing at 5-8 p.m. Saturday
Rocco Rich and Aaron Craig are at Summerhill Brewing at 5-8 p.m. Saturday
Tink Bennett and Marc Ryan are at McGraw Box Brewing Company at 5-8 p.m. Saturday
Clint Bush is at Brewer’s Kitchen and Tap Room at 6-8 p.m. Saturday
The Cherry Holler Duo is at Homer Hops at 6-9 p.m. Saturday
Zack Knewstub, Tom Brigandi, and Owen Erickson play jazz at the new Seven Of lounge at 7-10 p.m. Saturday
The Custom Taylor Band is at Goody’s Lake Como Inn at 7 p.m. Saturday
Roger Decker is at the St. Charles Hotel in Cortland at 8-11 p.m. Saturday
Off The Rails is at Cortland Beer Company at 8 p.m. Saturday
Dom Martyr is at the John Barleycorn in Owego at 9 p.m. Saturday
DJ ha-MEEN spins at the Range at 10 p.m. Saturday
Michael Lucey is at Six Mile Creek Vineyard at 1-3 p.m. Sunday
The Center for the Arts in Homer hosts Open Mic Night at 7 p.m. Tuesday
Jesse Collins hosts the Sandwich Sessions at Brookton’s Market at 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday
Sacred Root Kava Bar and Tea Lounge hosts its weekly Open Mic Night at 7 p.m. Wednesday
The Salsa Night Dance Party returns to the Range at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays
Regional Shows
Jan. 18, Plastic Picnic, The 9th Ward at Babeville, Buffalo
Jan. 19, Disco Biscuits, Town Ballroom, Buffalo
Jan. 20, Max Creek, Westcott Theater, Syracuse
Jan. 20, John Gorka, May Memorial Society, Syracuse
Jan. 21, A Cast of Thousands album release show for “Songs from the Second Floor,”
Carriage House Theatre, Case Research Lab, Auburn ($10; postponed from November and December 2022)
Jan. 23-24, Albert Lee, 443 Social Club, Syracuse (SOLD OUT!)
Jan. 24, BoomBox, Buffalo Iron Works, Buffalo
Jan. 26, The Arcadian Wild and Oshima Brothers, The 9th Ward at Babeville, Buffalo
Jan. 26, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Center for the Arts, Homer (SOLD OUT!)
Jan. 27, Twiddle, State Theatre, Ithaca (Almost SOLD OUT!)
Jan. 27, Dead to the Core, 443 Social Club, Syracuse (SOLD OUT!)
Jan. 28, Sim Redmond Band, Geneseo Theatre, Geneseo
Jan. 28, Donna the Buffalo, Water Street Music Hall, Rochester
Jan. 28, Colorblind James Experience, Abilene Bar & Lounge, Rochester
See an updated list of dozens of shows across upstate New York happening in January and beyond!
