Mike Montrey Band premiere “Spirit of Youth,” their first single and video from their forthcoming EP, “In the Middle of Hope.” PHOTO BY PHIL SILVERBERG

The Makin Waves Song of the Week is "Spirit of Youth," the first single and video from Central Jersey-based Mike Montrey Band's forthcoming EP, "In the Middle of Hope." As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Spirit of Youth” can be heard 5 and 11 a.m., 5 p.m. and midnight on ThePenguinRocks.com and at 6:45 PM on Friday and Monday on its “Radio Jersey” show. Here is a media premiere of the video for “Spirit of Youth”:

The new clip was directed by Phil Silverberg, also a photographer and musician who has worked with a variety of local artists, including Sony recording artist Evangelia.

At 6 tonight, Mike Montrey Band will celebrate the release of "Spirit of Youth" with a Facebook watch party at their page and in the 30,000-member Busking Down the House group that will include a few live performances by them. 

The band will release a second single next month before dropping "In the Middle of Hope" in September. The EP was written entirely by Mike and co-produced by him and engineer Tom Askin at GD PonderRosa Studios in Lafayette.

Mike’s young son, Jack, created the cover art for the EP, which also is being used for all of its singles. ARTWORK BY JACK MONTREY

Mike Montrey Band also will perform as a duo featuring backing vocalist Jen Augustine on July 13 in a livestream from Rockwood Music Hall in New York City with singer-songwriters Nate Walker and Tom Wardell, and as a full band on Aug. 29 at East Brunswick Community Arts Center and Sept. 5 at Smyrna at Night Music Festival in Delaware. They also are booking Curbside Concerts at https://mikemontreyband.curbsideconcerts.rocks.

Mike is the 2018 Makin Waves Male Artist of the Year, and his band's previous outing, the 2018 LP, "John Street." was one of the year's best Jersey releases. Here are a couple of favorite tunes from that great album: 

Bob Makin is a reporter for MyCentralJersey.com and the former managing editor of The Aquarian Weekly, which launched this column in 1988. Contact him via email and like Makin Waves on Facebook.

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Blues People with Special Guest: Jeff Levine

Saturday, July 05, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music

 

Straight No Chaser - Summer: The 90’s Part 2

Tuesday, July 08, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
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Frisson Winds

Thursday, July 10, 2025 @ 7:30pm
The Morris Museum Back Deck
6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, NJ 07960
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Three American Troubadours: A Tribute to James Taylor, Carly Simon, and Carole King

Thursday, July 10, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Axelrod Performing Arts Center
100 Grant Avenue, Deal Park, NJ 07723
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Candlelight Concert: Tribute to Queen and The Beatles

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Monmouth University - Pollak Theatre
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EVENT PREVIEWS

Jazz Concert at Trenton City Museum will Feature the Joe Baione Vibraphone Experience

(TRENTON, NJ) -- Trenton City Museum will present a free jazz concert Friday, July 18, 2025 at the museum's Ellarslie Mansion in Cadwalader Park. Featuring world-renowned vibraphonist Joe Baione, the Joe Baione Vibraphone Experience is the first group to perform in a series of jazz events leading up to the museum's 2026 TRENTON MAKES JAZZ exhibition, in collaboration with the City of Trenton.

The Newton Theatre presents Tonight's the Night - a tribute to Rod Stewart

(NEWTON, NJ) -- Tonight's the Night - a tribute band that celebrates the music of Rod Stewart - will perform at The Newton Theatre on Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 8:00pm.

Hoboken's Sinatra Park to Host Concert by Freedy Johnson and Karyn Kuhl and the Gang

(HOBOKEN, NJ) -- Local events organizer, Geri Fallo, who retired last year, is inviting you to celebrate with her, as she embraces new and exciting endeavors. Come enjoy a free evening of music in Hoboken's Sinatra Park (525 Sinatra Drive) on Thursday, July 17, 2025. The evening is presented by Mayor Ravi Bhalla, The Hoboken Division of Cultural Affairs, and Geri Fallo. The event is free, and music starts at 6:30pm. Come early for the best seating.

An Interview with Dan Kurtz of The New Deal

Formed in 1999, Toronto, Canada based trio The New Deal, is a pioneer in jam-based electronic music. The group was founded by remaining members Dan Kurtz (bass) and Jamie Shields (keys), along with Darren Shearer (drums) who left tND in 2011. Since its inception, tND has remained committed to its improvisational roots and has served as a model for other jamtronica bands bridging the gap between multiple music genres as well as the border between Canada and the United States.

Two NJ Jazz Musicians Will Play with The Jazz Ambassadors in Morristown

Pianist Anthony Pocetti grew up in Hamilton, NJ, studying piano, "doing sort of traditional piano lessons. I have an uncle who was always encouraging me to get into the jazz thing. He gave me the (Miles Davis) Kind of Blue CD, and he knew that the jazz pianist Jim Ridl was living in Hamilton."