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Musician, actor, songwriter, guy on 'Ugly Betty'

by Jay Lustig/The Star-Ledger

Thursday January 15, 2009, 4:44 PM

Val Emmich. Where and when: 8 p.m. Wednesday at "Night In Progress" (also featuring Rick Barry, The Fave, April Smith and Chris Batten) at The Goldhawk, 936 Park Ave., Hoboken; 8 p.m. Jan. 30 at Worldwide Orphans Foundation benefit (also featuring Zach Macko and April Smith) at the Canal Room, 285 W. Broadway, New York. How much: $8 in Hoboken; call (201) 420-7989 or go to thegoldhawk.com. $15 in New York; call (212) 941-8100 or go to canalroom.com.

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Val Emmich is a prolific singer-songwriter, having released five albums over the last seven years. He is also a busy actor who has appeared in the television shows "Ugly Betty" and "30 Rock."

So what is he, a musician or an actor?

Continue reading "Musician, actor, songwriter, guy on 'Ugly Betty'" »

A prince of two saxes on the joy of the trio

by Zan Stewart/The Star-Ledger

Thursday January 15, 2009, 3:41 PM

Joshua Redman. When: 8 p.m. Saturday. Where: South Orange Performing Arts Center, One SOPAC Way, South Orange. How much: $28-$38. Call (973) 313-2787 or 275-1114 or go to sopacnow.org.

What else: Redman also is scheduled to appear 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at the Highline Ballroom, 431 W. 16th St., New York. $25-$30 cover; $10 minimum/tables. Call (866) 468-7619 or go to ticketweb.com.

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In his 17 years in the jazz limelight, tenor and soprano saxophonist Joshua Redman has been known for his bravura performances and his continual quest for artistic growth.

That trek has led the 1991 Harvard grad from quartets and quintets in the 1990s to his trio with organist Sam Yahel in the early 2000s to a piano-less trio in the past few years. Variously, his partners in the latter venture have been bassists Reuben Rogers and Larry Grenadier and drummers Brian Blade and Greg Hutchinson. All four play on Redman's new Nonesuch CD, "Compass."

Continue reading "A prince of two saxes on the joy of the trio" »

Concert Roundup

by Jay Lustig/The Star-Ledger

Thursday January 15, 2009, 1:44 PM

Performing on his own, and with the bands Traffic, Blind Faith and The Spencer Davis Group, Steve Winwood has been a uniquely soulful and adventurous force in rock music for more than 40 years. Last year was a particularly busy one for him: he released his first new album in five years, "Nine Lives"; toured as an opening act for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers; and reunited with old friend and Blind Faith co-leader Eric Clapton for three well-received shows at Madison Square Garden.

He'll perform at the Wellmont Theatre in Montclair, on Jan. 20. Here are listings and links for that shows and other notable concerts taking place over the next six months.

Jan. 16, 7 p.m.: Shwayze, Cisco Adler, DJ Skeet Skeet, The Right Coast, Ocean the Legend, Divided By Sorrow, Hangar 84, Vineland

Jan. 16, 8 p.m.: Commander Cody, Mexicali Live, Teaneck

Jan. 16, 8 p.m.: Peter Ostroushko, Morristown Unitarian Fellowship, Morristown

Continue reading "Concert Roundup" »

Gen-bending band makes music for tots and nots

by Lisa Rose/The Star-Ledger

Thursday January 15, 2009, 1:30 PM

They Might be Giants. Where and when: 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday at the Alexander Kasser Theater at Montclair State University, 1 Normal Ave., Montclair. Also 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Jan. 31 at Le Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker St., New York. How much: Sold out in Montclair. Call (973) 655-5112 or go to peakperfs.org. $25 matinee and $28 evening show in New York. Go to lepoissonrouge.inticketing.com or call (212) 228-4854.

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Some bands reinvent themselves over the course of a career. They Might be Giants do it over the course of hours.

The New York alt-pop duo moonlights making children's music, touring with two completely different types of shows tailored toward two different fan bases. And just for kicks, sometimes they schedule both the same day.

Continue reading "Gen-bending band makes music for tots and nots" »

Leonard Cohen, live

by Jay Lustig/The Star-Ledger

Wednesday January 14, 2009, 4:32 PM

Well, it's not like he's in danger of being overexposed. Musical poet Leonard Cohen will present his first U.S. show in 15 years at New York's Beacon Theatre, Feb. 19.

The writer of frequently covered songs such as "Suzanne," 'Hallelujah," 'Everybody Knows" and "Bird On the Wire," the dour, creaky-voiced Cohen was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year. "This is a very unlikely occasion for me," he said, in his acceptance speech. "It is not a distinction that I coveted or even dared dream about."

Cohen, 74, toured in Canada and Europe last year, and has some concerts planned for Australia and New Zealand over the next few weeks. Besides the Beacon show, no other U.S. dates are currently scheduled. Tickets, $65-$250, go on sale tomorrow at 9 a.m. Call (201) 507-8900 or visit ticketmaster.com.