Music

Make music more intensely and more beautifully as a response to violence is the Socially Sparked Quote of the Week by American Composer/Conductor Leonard Bernstein. Leonard Bernstein has Socially Sparked® the world over. He was among the first conductors born and educated in the US to receive worldwide acclaim as a composer, conductor, author, educator, [...]

Here comes the Missy Elliott pop-up museum to delight fans with the ultimate interactive experience. In advance of Monday's Video Music Awards (VMAs), Pepsi and MTV are presenting a weekend-long experiential "Pop-Up Museum of Missy Elliott."  The weekend events are in celebration of the VMAs and its Honoree -- Missy Elliott -- who will receive [...]

Saluting jazz' legendary Bird, Charlie Parker in style. This weekend, the New York City Parks Foundation brings us the return of The Charlie Parker Jazz Festival. Now in its 27th year, the summer festival  is a vibrant and free celebration of jazz in New York that annually brings together storied, veteran players and the next [...]

Uptown eateries shine during Harlem Restaurant Week in New York City. The 'Uptown Feast' as it is known runs from August 19th thru September 1st. There are over 40 participating restaurants. Harlem Restaurant Week is an exciting collaboration among the organizers of Harlem's most successful culinary themed events. Over 40 neighborhood restaurants and night spots [...]

The spirit of Woodstock lives on 50 years later and in perpetuity as people around the world celebrate the infamous three day music festival’s Anniversary. Despite several failed attempts to recreate the 1969 mega arts and music event, the old adage holds true: “you can’t keep a good thing down.” Or, in this case, a [...]

Vinyl lovers rejoice with over 550 new releases to choose from in honor of Record Store Day 2019. The annual event brings together independent record stores from around the world featuring a range of celebratory activities that offer special promotions, artist appearances, performances, give-a-ways and more. Now in its 12th year, Record Store Day (RSD) [...]

The third time’s a charm for France Rocks NYC, a summer music festival that brings the best of French produced music to NYC. The third annual France Rocks Summerfest kicks-off this weekend in New York City and runs through July 5. France Rocks founder Michele Amar tells us what to expect and how the music [...]

Music takes over NYC in June with the return of New York Music Month (NYMM). New Yorkers and tourists alike are sure to find an event to whet their musical tastes with a slew of events, concerts and festivals from indie rock and pop; classic rock, blues and jazz, to rap and hip hop – [...]

The power of music to melt hostilities is the message of The Socially Sparked Quote of the Week by internationally renowned American pianist Byron Janis. “Music has the power to make allies out of enemies” -- Byron Janis, world renowned American Pianist These words stem from Janis' first-hand experience performing in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) [...]

Roger Thomas sets it straight – when you break down his Vocal Play Group -– Naturally 7 -- it’s simply voicing what comes naturally. The Musical Director and MC recently took five from his American Tour to share his thoughts on all things Roger Thomas, family, Naturally 7, music and social change. Roger Thomas, musical [...]

International Jazz Day closes April Sparks with celebrations in over 190 countries from around the world. This year's global host city is St. Petersberg, Russia, which will lead the festivities with a series of educational and outreach programs that culminate in an all-star global concert at the historic Mariinsky Theatre. The concert will be streamed [...]

Jazz Songstress Spider Saloff heats up New York City and environs this weekend with two sizzling hot cabaret shows. The Socially Sparked spotlight artist and award-winning sultry jazz and cabaret talent brings her trademark Spider's spin on the music of Irving Berlin and Peggy Lee to Long Island's Tilles Center on Saturday and New York [...]

On Harmony by jazz impresario Norman Granz (1918 - 2001) is this week's Socially Sparked Quote of the Week. Known as one of the most influential producers of the 20th century jazz scene, Granz is equally recognized for his activism for civil rights and equality within the industry and beyond. "Jazz is America's own. It [...]

Scott Sharrard & Friends live from NYC's Irving Plaza brought down the house last night. Dubbed the 'secret show' orchestrated by Grammy-nominee Sharrard, (former musical director/guitarist/vocalist of The Gregg Allman Band) the concert was part tribute to the late Gregg Allman and his final Grammy-nominated album Southern Blood and part celebration of the 47th anniversary [...]

Vocal group Naturally 7 raise their voices for social change simultaneously creating beautiful harmonies and messages. The New York City-based group offers artistically innovative and feel-good sounds to convey emotion and stir action in what they coin ‘vocal play’. “In vocal play, you have to truly believe that that instrument is right in front of [...]

Full live stream ahead for The 60th annual GRAMMY Awards® and all the action leading up to tonight's live broadcast from New York's Madison Square Garden. James Cordon hosts the live telecast on the CBS Television Network tonight at 7:30PM ET / 4:30PM PT) and Paul Shaffer hosts the Premiere Ceremony. Both ceremonies can be [...]

NYC is red carpet ready for the GRAMMYS® return this week. It's been 15 years since the Recording Academy™ last brought the Grammy Awards® to New York and the Big Apple is ready to be Socially Sparked® once again. A fitting finale to JanArtsNYC, GRAMMY Week brings thousands of industry professionals, artists, producers, creatives and [...]

Legendary Zombies bassist Jim Rodford (Kinks, Argent) is dead (July 1941 - January 20, 2018). Rodford, a featured Socially Sparked News Spotlight story -- was an incredible musician, loving husband and father and stand-up all-around guy. We at Socially Sparked News are truly saddened by this sudden news. Rodford had a steller 2017 -- a [...]

Spotlight Artist Katie Down shares her top Socially Sparked Moments of 2017. Throughout December, we revisit our Spotlight Artists and ask them to share what Socially Sparked® their lives this year. Katie Down Multi-instrumentalist, creative arts therapist/educator and music education advocate Katie Down is today’s modern woman Trailblazer. Amongst her many trails, she is The [...]

Spider Saloff reveals her top three Socially Sparked moments of 2017. Throughout December, we revisit our Spotlight Artists and ask them to share what Socially Sparked® their lives this year. 2017 Bistro Award-Winner Spider Saloff. (c) Socially Sparked News, LLC Modern jazz songstress, multiple award-winner and 2017 Bistro Award-winner Spider Saloff has been entertaining audiences [...]