Touring performers never forget the first time they get booked at one of their favorite venues. Especially when it turns out that they can’t work there. Such was the case in March of 2020, when jazz pianist and composer Yoko Miwa (www.yokomiwa.com) was set to play at the Arts Garage in Delray Beach. COVID-19 intervened, like it did through much of life during that year, … [Read more...]
Author Wald explores roots of American music in South Florida appearances
Even if the name of author, musical artist and historian Elijah Wald (elijahwald.com) doesn’t necessarily ring a bell, chances are that you’ve experienced or at least heard of something he’s associated with. A recent example is the 2024 Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown (Searchlight Pictures), which starred Timothée Chalamet and was directed by James Mangold. The film was … [Read more...]
Folk Radio Hall of Fame inducts longtime WLRN host Stock
A list of the things that have changed in the South Florida music scene since the Reagan administration’s first presidential term constitutes a scroll, with practically all being for the worse. Yet something that hasn’t changed during that time frame is WLRN (www.wlrn.org) deejay Michael Stock’s Folk & Acoustic Music radio program, which streams and airs Sundays from 3-5 … [Read more...]
Appreciation: Remembering Palm Beach County folk scene star Marie Nofsinger
Singer, guitarist and songwriter Marie Nofsinger came onto my radar more than 25 years ago, as I was walking along Lake Avenue while she was performing live on the sidewalk stage in front of the Coffee Gallery in downtown Lake Worth. This was back when Palm Beach County had a thriving original music scene — even if I purposely only heard some of its many such performers in … [Read more...]
Boynton performer featured in Harry Chapin documentary
Art imitates life, as the accurate saying goes, and vice versa. A new documentary by Jason Chapin, S.A. Baron and Rick Korn, Harry Chapin — Cat’s in the Cradle: The Song That Changed Our Lives (Greenwich Entertainment), is now a case in point in both directions on major streaming services. And not just regarding the late American singer/songwriter and humanitarian who … [Read more...]
The power of three: King’s X carves out its own uncompromising path
There’s a veteran rock act that emerged from Houston, one with style and staying power that’s literally both little and old. Just don’t confuse it with “that little ol’ band from Texas.” Because while ZZ Top was a force through the 1970s after coming out of the southeastern Lone Star State hub, that trio fell prey to 1980s video trappings and has become a caricature tribute … [Read more...]
The season in jazz, 2025-26: Stalwarts keep essential American art form vibrant
In 1975, a song titled “All That Jazz” debuted in the musical Chicago. Fifty years later, in regard to the South Florida scene, its title could be amended to “Jazz — Is That All?” Without the few presenting venues and organizations here, and several of the artists who return every one to two years listed below, the genre would largely be missing in action for 2025-2026. … [Read more...]
The season in pop, 2025-26: Eilish, King’s X, Sting and Byrne offer bright spots in a tribute-band time
Even if you’re old enough to remember the 1980s, you might not notice modern popular music’s visual similarities to that bygone decade. For most, in an era where licensing is now practically a prerequisite to attract viewers over listeners, they’re more covert than overt. The ’80s actually started promisingly. Artists who’d emerged in the late 1970s (U2, Prince, The … [Read more...]
Delray’s The Flyers isn’t just your average cover band
Going to a nightclub to see a cover band is practically a time-honored rite of passage, especially in a tourist-driven market like South Florida. And in many cases, what you’ll witness is unsurprising and reasonably well-played renditions of classic rock material, since most patrons are conditioned to think they want to hear and see only what they already know. Which is … [Read more...]
Guitarist Noy and trio bring modern jazz muscle to Boca
Like clockwork every three years, Israel-born, New York City-based jazz/fusion guitarist Oz Noy’s trio comes back to the Funky Biscuit in Boca Raton for early and late shows. And like 2019 and 2022, its Aug. 21 concert featured a different accompanying rhythm section. In 2019, it was French phenom bassist Hadrien Feraud and longtime Chick Corea drummer Dave Weckl. In … [Read more...]