Makin Waves Album of the Month: "Live in Asbury Park" by Sean Tobin
Asbury Park-based singer-songwriter Sean Tobin is the 2022 Makin Waves Male Artist of the Year and one of my Dirty Jersey Dozen independent acts who made the most waves, whose preceding LP, “Ghost of the Arcade,” was a Top 3 album that spawned two Top 10 songs on my year-end lists. And that’s just a small portion of the success he had in 2022, so what he does next has a lot to live up to. But the three-song EP “Live in Asbury Park” due on Jan. 20 is more like a souvenir from an 11-state tour that proved Sean and his band, the Boardwalk Fire, have the goods to be Asbury’s next national act.
PHOTOS from Umphrey's Mcgee at The Fillmore in Philly
(PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- Umphrey's McGee, the eclectic improv-rock band, came to The Fillmore in Philadelphia on January 14, 2023 and photographer Chris Paul was on hand to take photos. The band consists of Brendan Bayliss (Guitar, Vocals); Jake Cinninger (Guitar, Vocals); Joel Cummins (Keyboard, Piano, Vocals); Andy Farag (Percussion); Kris Myers (Drums, Vocals); and Ryan Stasik (Bass, No Vocals).
Makin Waves with Colossal Street Jam: Beyond Happy to be Back
Colossal Street Jam will celebrate “No Way to Live,” their first album in four years, on Feb. 10 at the Wonder Bar in Asbury Park with a release party that also will feature the bands of album guests Anthony Krizan and Desiree Spinks
Jazz at Smoke: Saxophonist Billy Harper Celebrates John Coltrane
Billy Harper is a saxophonist and composer of incredible talent who came to notoriety around the time John Coltrane's life and career abruptly ended. While influenced by saxophonists like Coltrane and Sonny Rollins, Harper is in no way an imitator. His often lengthy improvisations and compositions showcase an interpersonal style and a heightened sense of experimentalism that is enhanced by his signature tone and extreme creativity. From January 5-8, Harper will showcase his talent during a celebration of his 80th Birthday at New York’s Smoke Jazz & Supper Club as part of its annual John Coltrane Festival. His group will include Josh Evans on trumpet, Benito Gonzalez on piano, Lonnie Plaxico on bass, and Billy Hart on drums. In a recent conversation, Harper explained that, “the show will be a real presentation of my compositions."
24th Annual Makin Waves Awards
For 24 of Makin Waves’ 32 years of existence, the Makin Waves Awards have honored the New Jersey independent acts who have released the best material and made the most waves with it. Here once again is my Christmas gift to the New Jersey music scene: the 24th annual Makin Waves Awards.
Kean Stage presents Los Lobos
(UNION, NJ) -- American rock band Los Lobos will perform at Kean University on Saturday, February 18, 2023 at 7:30pm at Wilkins Theatre, 1000 Morris Avenue in Union.
Monmouth University's Center for the Arts presents Los Lobos
(WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ) -- Monmouth University's Center for the Arts presents Los Lobos on Friday, February 24, 2023 at 8:00pm in the Pollak Theatre. The journey of Los Lobos began in 1973, 50 years ago this year, when David Hidalgo (vocals, guitar, and pretty much anything with strings), Louie Perez (drums, vocals, guitar), Cesar Rosas (vocals, guitar), and Conrad Lozano (bass, vocals, guitarrón) earned their stripes playing revved-up versions of Mexican folk music in restaurants and at parties.
bergenPAC presents Quiet Riot with Vixen
(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) is bringing hard rock back into the fold in 2023. The multi-platinum selling, first-ever heavy metal band with a #1 Billboard album, Quiet Riot, will be joined by the hitmaking all-female, 80s hard rock band, Vixen, on May 5, 2023 at 8:00pm. A concert made for the MTV generation; these bands are still rocking with over 2 million monthly Spotify listeners.
