Maryland

Live Review: Eze Jackson @ Creative Alliance Sidewalk Serenades — 7/4/20

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Eze Jackson performs as part of the Creative Alliance’s Sidewalk Serenades on July 4, 2020. (Photo by David LaMason)

On a hot afternoon recently, right outside of my house in East Baltimore, the amazing Eze Jackson gave a spirited Sidewalk Serenade.

Sidewalk Serenades is a program through the Creative Alliance in Baltimore that helps local musicians provide socially distanced performances as a way to provide a vital line from artists to audience in the age of COVID-19. But it has the added benefit of highlighting the best musical artistry in and around Baltimore. And Eze Jackson is certainly one of the best.

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Song of the Day: “We Shall Overcome” by Bill Frisell

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Bill Frisell Trio (Photo by Monica Jane Frisell)

Acclaimed guitarist Bill Frisell has announced his newest project Valentine — the debut recording of his trio with bassist Thomas Morgan and drummer Rudy Royston — for release Aug. 14 on Blue Note Records.

Bill has also released the album’s closing track “We Shall Overcome,” the Civil Rights anthem that he holds dear as a message of hope in all dark times. “I’ve been playing the song for years, and I’m going to keep playing it till there is no need anymore,” he said. “I can’t help but hope that day will come.”

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Stars and Bars: Welcome to the Creative Alliance

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The Creative Alliance (Photo by David LaMason)

There is such a rich variety of music throughout both Baltimore and DC, but it’s a rare thing to find places that are so in love with the arts that the place itself becomes part of that artistic experience. 

Baltimore’s Creative Alliance, which formed back in 1995, has become a vital force in East Baltimore, expanding into the old Patterson Theater (itself over 100 years old) back in 2003 right when I, myself, moved into the neighborhood.

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Livestream Preview: Jahn Rome @ Caged Byrd Series, 4/2/20

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Jahn Rome (Photo courtesy Eventbrite)

Jahn Rome, in conversation with his close friend and collaborator Fabrizio, previews new music, discussing this current moment as it relates to the artistic and creative communities in the DC metro area on Instagram on Thursday, April 2.

DC-area hip hop artist Jahn appears as part of Songbyrd Music House’s new live-streaming series, Caged Byrd.

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Snapshots: Eli Lev @ DC9 — 2/28/20

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Eli Lev performs at DC9, Feb. 28, 2020. (Photo by Ari Strauss)

Local folk/Americana artist Eli Lev recently put in a performance at DC’s DC9 Nightclub. The Silver Spring, Maryland native, fresh off a three-week European tour that included stops in France, Spain, and Andorra, played the opening set for Hannah Jaye and the Hideaways who were hosting their debut album release party.

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Live Review: Lower Dens @ Songbyrd Music House — 2/14/20

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Lower Dens performs at Songbyrd Music House on Feb. 14, 2020. (Photo by Kyle Gustafson)

Beach House. Dan Deacon. Future Islands. Animal Collective. Baltimore has been a hot music scene for a while now, but for some reason the amazing Lower Dens never seem to be mentioned in these conversations often enough. That’s a real shame because Jana Hunter’s outfit has been pumping out quality tunes for over a decade now.

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