Category: Central New York Musicians

Starting at age 4, she studied piano, clarinet, drama and dance with private instructors—–and voice at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. During her career, she’s performed at The Blue Note, Birdland, The Rainbow Room and Dizzy’s Jazz Club at Lincoln Center. She’s also performed in Singapore, Switzerland, France, Turkey and Japan, where she toured 3 times. “Downbeat” Magazine’s Readers Poll voted her the “Best Female Jazz Vocalist” 2 years in a row. Simply put, Nancy Kelly is a Central New York legend!! Q – Nancy, for…

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They’re one of Central New York’s most popular club, party and wedding bands. They’ve been featured at such venues as Syracuse’s Party In The Plaza, the Turning Stone Casino, and Oswego’s Harbor fest. They’ve played “live” on the 93 Q Morning Show with Ted and Amy, TK 99’s Homegrown Radio Show, 93 Q’s Christmas Show, WSEN’s Christmas Show, The Hotel Syracuse’s New Year’s Eve Party, the National Ironman Competition and the Syracuse Suds Factory in Armory Square. They play a wide variety of musical styles including Rhythm and Blues, Rock…

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Critics compare his style to Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, and Neil Young. In fact, he opened for Bob Dylan and Melissa Ethridge, and Rosanne Cash to mention just a few names. He’s recorded with Trey Anastasio (“Phish”), John Popper, 10,000 Maniacs, and David Bearwald of Sheryl Crow’s Tuesday Night Club. He regularly performs nearly 200 shows a year. He—–is Syracuse, New York’s own Jamie Notarthomas. This is the first time this February 3 rd 1995 Interview has been published in it’s entirety. Q – It must be a lot of…

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She was the featured jazz vocalist for the grand opening of the Tokyo Dome Hotel in Tokyo, Japan and performed in Tokyo for 3 months in the year 2000. Her first visit to Japan was in Matsumoto for 3 months in 1999. She was featured in Shanghai, China at the Portman – Ritz Carlton Hotel in the year 2000. She’s the executive producer of two independently produced C.D’s: World of Passion and Jazz Passions. She is the recipient of the Jazz Vocalist of the Year Award from the Syracuse Area…

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They bill themselves as playing a mix of hot rock ‘n’ roll, rhythm and blues and a touch of Country and Oldies. They created the theme song for the “Home Grown Music Network” here in Syracuse. Their name is Flat Face And The Shemp-Dells. Lead singer Tim Allen, also known as “Gweemer” talked about his group, in this never before published interview conducted on September 18 th 2000. Q – Tim, why has this band of yours been getting so much attention lately? Is it in part because of this…

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The story of “805” is a story of local boys who made good. After years of gigging around the Central New York bar circuit, 805 was signed by R.C.A. Records, last year. Their debut album “Standing In Line” was the fourth most added l.p. on AOR (Album oriented Rock) stations, after Fleetwood Mac, Crosby, Stills and Nash, and Robert Plant’s album, the week of it’s release. Currently, there are over 100 radio stations around the country playing the record. In support of the album, “805” has been opening shows for…

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When it comes to Ed Hamell, I really have what must be termed an unfair advantage over every other writer and interviewer in Syracuse and Central New York. You see, I knew Ed when everybody called him Eddie. We go back to the old Guitar Studio on Woodbine Ave. in Eastwood. That is where I first became aware of who Ed Hamell was, in the year 1966. I was taking guitar lessons there under the instruction of Bill Smith and I believe Ed was taking lessons from Guitar Studio owner…

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He spent eight years on the road playing clubs in the Northeast U.S. and Canada. He performed in an original band in the L.A. area for five years. He was a member of several Central New York bands including Brighton Rock, The Eighties, and Forecast. And now he’s a member of Windsong. Who is he? He is guitarist/vocalist Rob Hoston. Q – Are you the guy who put Windsong together? A – No I’m not. Actually our keyboard player Rhys and our first drummer Brian Meaghan were the guys that…

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They bring in the crowds wherever they play. And what they play is everything from Big Band to Bruce Springsteen, Chicago to Motown, Top 40 to 50’s Rock ‘n Roll. A musical diversity really that spans from the 1940’s to today. The seven guys that make up this band have really made a name for themselves in Central New York. We are of course talking about Prime Time. Recently we spoke with Prime Time vocalist Paul Valentino about the group. Q – Paul, how did Prime Time come to be?…

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Smokin’ They bill themselves as “The Hottest Classic Rock Band In Central New York” and it’s easy to see why. You see, Smokin’ really delivers!! They’re a terrific band. Founding member Al Wolf (bassist/vocalist) is an original member of both Sam And The Twisters and The Livin’ Ennd. The recording of “Fooba Wooba John” and the “Transylvania Twist” by Sam And The Twisters, remain to this day, the biggest selling records from Central New York. It’s no wonder then that we decided to sit down with Al Wolf for one…

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