music

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 [...]

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 [...]

Next generation leader Maiah Wynne is a Gen Xer to watch as she adds her spark to the world. At the youthful age of 19, this young woman Gen Xer is an accomplished singer, songwriter, activist and mentor that has already Socially Sparked® our lives. "Now more than ever I feel that I actually CAN [...]

Music's power by renowned master storyteller Hans Christian Andersen is the Socially Sparked® Quote of the Week. The Danish author is best known for fairy tales that have stood the test of time as The Little Mermaid, The Emperor's New Clothes and Princess and the Pea. In honor of Music in Our Schools Month we [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

Gangstagrass reveals its 2018 'Pocket Full of Fire’ Tour and planned live album today to Socially Sparked News. The Bluegrass/HipHop Ensemble will be recording a brand new live album from the tour in 2018 (working title Pocket Full of Fire). Expect the live album to be released late 2018 or early 2019. The critically-acclaimed Gangstagrass [...]

Rembering John_Lennon today 1940 - 1980. Thirty seven years ago on that fateful day of December 8th, we lost music legend John Lennon to gun violence, when he was brutally shot and killed in front of his residence at The Dakota in New York City. John Lennon, 1940 - 1980. Photo taken off of the [...]

A new benefit album honoring veterans takes aim to bridge the gap between vets and civilians beyond a ‘simple thank you.’ The brainchild of noted recording artist Marcus Goldhaber, the album “Carry You On” drops on Veterans Day. Veterans Day is officially Saturday, November 11th and the entire week has been devoted to saluting our [...]

Why do women roar for equality? It is incredulous that in 2017, this question still needs to be answered. But, after a recent personal encounter with a millennial young woman, I realized the importance of reiterating to the masses of men and women why women roar for equality. Our next generations of women fully need [...]

Original video content about music plays center stage now and in the future. That prophecy rang loud and clear recently at the Digital Music Forum in New York. And, scripted video content is the next wave for digital platforms. Original content has long been a differentiation strategy for HBO, Netflix, and Hulu, and now video [...]

Some of the most powerful Blues musicians in New York City and throughout the East Coast belted out the Blues in a New York State of Mind last week at a sold out fundraiser concert for The Blues Foundation. Held at B.B. Kings Blues Club, Jimmy V's NYC Blues Revue is the brainchild of Jimmy [...]

With Opioid addiction at an all time high, the Massachusetts community and over 20 Music Legends banned together Wednesday night to raise awareness of and funds for opioid addiction, treatment and recovery programs in the heavily impacted town of Cape Cod. Substance abuse and death by overdose is at epidemic proportions throughout the United States. [...]

Old School is New School - Sort of New York City’s iconic social gathering eatery and watering hole returns to its after dark glory days with a reboot fitting for 21st Century Upper East Side Manhattanites. And they're not the only ones. Up and down the Upper East Side from 1st Avenue to 3rd Avenue, [...]

Ukulele Sirens: Songs for the Sea, an ambitious international collaboration ocean conservation album project started by a Facebook group,The Ukulele Sirens, a Facebook like-minded social media group spawns international collaboration for its ocean conservation album project, Songs for the Sea. The group hopes that their music and this project will inspire the world to take [...]

July Sparks celebrations for Independence Days in countries of Canada, United States of America and France; Reggae Day in Jamaica and Nelson Mandela Day worldwide. It’s a month of Fireworks, Parades, Music, Festivals and Picnics. Plenty to be happy about in July. Here are highlights of things to do around the world in July: Things [...]

What's Your Name? Who's Your Daddy? Jim Rodford, bassist for The Zombies. Photo: Abbe Sparks The Zombies Jim Rodford has his own music odessey tale to tell. That of an up and coming musician who hit fatherhood and rock icon status simultaneously. Decades later, he finds himself in the same legendary band -- The Zombies [...]

British Rock Icon Ian McDonald of HONEY WEST Every day is Father's Day for British Rock icon and proud Dad Ian McDonald. The multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer has a new spring in his step, a new band, new album and a new father/son experience to boast about. His latest venture is the band HONEY WEST, [...]