Frank De Blase

Trumpeter Michael Sarian is a steady study in dichotomy. With a wordless elegance, the New York City-based musician is flexibly firm, loosely tight, and brightly dark. The innovations within his compositions are deceptively dramatic with varying degrees of a melodic sensibility suitable for all: the casual observer right down to the aficionado and the maniac. […]

Flugelhorn blower Dmitri Matheny plays as part of a cast of dark characters that inhabit the shadows of his brass-conjured, noir-centric music. A disciple at the feet of flugelhornist Art Farmer — Matheny plays the late legend’s horn — he musically and poetically paints a world full of raconteurs, reprobates, and roustabouts. Dig as Matheny […]

I fell in love with this event as soon as I read the name. FrankFest is a wonderful, multi-musician event to benefit the Rochester Childfirst Network. It’ll be all you need — along with $2 hot dogs — as 13 bands add the soundtrack on two stages. We’re talking artists like Ben Morey, Brind’Amour, Calicoco, […]

It’s funny when a band that doesn’t take itself too seriously sets its sights on making some serious music. Remember: rock ‘n’ roll was made for shaking your ass. Despite the revolving door of heavy talent, Eagles of Death Metal plays some of the freshest garage-infused rock music you’ll ever hear. Formed in 1998 in […]

This Miami-based band satisfies that need for hard and heavy in all of us. With a sludgy undertone and a mid-tempo groove that adds to the skull crush, Torche is an unrelenting sonic menace. Their videos are disturbing to say the least. What stands out is the lower register harmony that adds a touch of […]

Bobby Long is a British-born singer-songwriter who wraps his voice around the truth without judgment, melancholy without tears. His gentle guitar style allows for his plaintive and honest lyrics to crash like thunder. It’s the blues with a solution. There are many comparisons to be made, but toss those aside for a moment won’t you […]