Bronx Music Heritage Center Showcases Local Aspiring Musicians For Their Second "Rock The Bronx" Open Mic

Bronx Music Heritage Center (BMHC) hosted the second installment of their “Rock The Bronx” open mic show this past weekend featuring talented and aspiring Bronx musicians to showcase their music.

Hosted by legendary music industry rep, Marco Soccoli, former drummer of New York-based glamrock band, Roxx, BMHC’s emerging music platform provided an intimate and inviting setting for local musicians to highlight their talents in front of local audiences and industry greats alike. Genres performed ranged from contemporary soul, hip-hop, acoustic, jazz and funk.

Morrisania Band on stage at BMHC. Photo courtesy of A. Quiles.

The Bronx’s very own, Morrisania Band, was the featured artist for the evening performing their original works, and covers, from some of soul’s favorite cuts.

In partnership with both The Underground and The Fox and King, Bronx Music Heritage Center will continue to work with emerging Bronx artists of all genres and hosts quarterly open mic shows to highlight their talents for both the borough and across New York City.

For more information follow Bronx Music Heritage Center and The Fox and King today.

This is Bronx music.

Jay Crawford dropping bars at BMHC. Photo courtesy of A. Quiles.

Brandon Taylor crooning on stage at BMHC. Photo courtesy of A. Quiles.

Klasiq grooving the night away at BMHC. Photo courtesy of A. Quiles.

“Rock The Bronx” Open Mic Show at BMHC. Photo courtesy of A. Quiles.

Siobhan Francis on the guitar at BMHC. Photo courtesy of A. Quiles.

Richard Jimenez on the Cello at BMHC. Photo courtesy of A. Quiles.

Marcel (Kid Goku) spittin’ that ninja life at BMHC. Photo courtesy of A. Quiles.

Division X reppin BX borough hard at BMHC.

Mister Salon gettin down at BMHC. Photo courtesy of A. Quiles.

Pablo Blak grippin the mic at BMHC. Photo courtesy of A. Quiles.

BMHC Team. Photo courtesy of A. Quiles.

Lowdown Brass Band Release Their Roaring New Single "Ghost Town"

Photo courtesy of Lowdown Brass Band and The Bloom Effect

We’ve sure seen our share of hip-hop/funk brass bands over the years, but nothing has compared to the thoughtfully hip, energizing and funky sounds of Lowdown Brass Band (LDB). This thriving eight-piece second-line extravaganza has been marching their way through venues across the U.S., steering audiences through a thrilling brass-powered experience that emulates a diverse and irresistible sound.

With a blistering array of horns, funktacious drums and a powerful sousaphone, the Chicago-based brass set has also perfected a gritty and dynamic sound through the genres of hip-hop, soul, ska and rock. The fusion of MC Billa Camp’s poetic rhymes and adaptive storytelling, one of the band’s leading vocalists, has helped catapulted LDB’s national movement with cruising vocals, ferocious depth and provocative flows that helped audiences to capture the LDB experience.

With the release of their fifth self-produced studio album Lowdown Breaks arriving January 19th, Lowdown Brass Band has continued to build upon their hip-hop, ska and jazz styles under their newest single, “Ghost Town". Lead by Billa Camp with illustrious wordplay, keen lyricism and intricate arrangements, “Ghost Town,” exemplifies LDB’s music through groovy brass hip-hop with a unique alloy of genres that is indulgently entertaining to hear.

What began as a Chicago collaboration between Lowdown Brass Band and Chicago hip-hop punk set, The Dread,” has grown into one of LDB’s biggest songs of 2017, aligning perfectly with the 2018 release of their new LP. With a commanding tempo ripe with roaring horns, long brass and robust beats, the song contrasts perfectly with Billa Camps flourishing vocals and profound individuality.

What we really dig about LDB’s new track is the music video – an entertaining, high-energy adventure shot on a fishing boat during Lowdown Brass’s Alaskan tour in July 2017. As a recommendation of a great way to see the Cordova region in Alaska, the band brought their instruments on the boat and randomly had a quick jam session right in the middle of the Prince William Sound. Suddenly, the session quickly turned into a video shoot for “Ghost Town” with people on the boat shooting the session entirely on their iPhone’s. A wild ride filled with humor and dance, Lowdown Brass Band’s “Ghost Town” video is one for the ages and is certainly a must watch!

LDB’s barrier breaking sound is as intricate and explosive through your headphones, as it is on-stage: A second-line brass-knuckle spectacular that gets you on your feet and keeps the party pumping all-night long. They’re a band that get’s it: progressive brass beats with a festive attitude and a groovy onslaught of stellar vocal harmonies and horns that are marvelously entertaining and unique. Lowdown Brass is a band that can’t be missed and a must see for when they march across your town.

For more on Lowdown Brass Band, follow their social media and stream/download their music below. 

Lowdown Brass Band

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Marcus Machado - Bringing Back Lead Guitar at Soul in the Horn 2016

Marcus Machado at SummerStage 2016. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos. 

It was the Soul in the Horn festival at Herbert Von King Park in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn last Wednesday and the amphitheater was filled with the thick, smooth, sounds of Marcus Machado and his guitar. Performing among a line up of talented acts, such as Maurice “Mobetta” Brown and Kendra Foster, Machado stands out amongst a roster of serious talent that flowed together beautifully at this years Soul in the Horn Festival.

Machado strummed his guitar effortlessly with a full and powerful sound. The jazzy notes and bluesy rock arrangements closely resembled those from Machado’s legendary influencers, such as Jimi Hendrix, Prince, Carlos Santana and Eddie Hazel to name a few. Yet, Machado projected an upbeat, fun, unique and intricate arrangement that blend the sounds of blues, rock and jazz masterfully. During his performance, a five-piece band accompanied Machado on the drums, sax, bass, keys and smooth vocals, filling out the sound. Songs ranged from classic jazz, to full on “I absolutely must move my shoulders” funk.

Marcus Machado and band at SummerStage 2016. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos.

Marcus Machado at SummerStage 2016. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos

The music had the whole crowd moving and filled the summery air with a sweet, smooth and positive vibe. One that Machado purposely created, reminding the audience to “give love” and “practice peace” throughout his performance. At a particularly beautiful moment, before one of his closing songs, he asked the audience to hold up their peace signs as he dedicated the piece to those we lost in the tragic Orlando attack, as well as Mohammad Ali and Prince, whom we also lost this year. The amphitheater quickly filled with peace signs in the air and a subtle moment of silence before launching into another graceful, roaring, guitar track.

Soul in The Horn 2016. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos

If his undeniable talent isn't’ enough to consume you, his stage presence will be. Machado stands tall and cool, front and center of the stage, holding his guitar like it’s an extension of himself and strumming it casually as if it’s completely second nature. He has a swagger to the way he moves about the stage; nodding at this band and coyly demonstrating that he’s the one in charge.

Marcus Machado at Soul in The Horn 2016. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos.

It’s not often you see the guitarist front and center, leading the show; which Machado is trying to change. As he said in Rolling Stone Magazine’s “Next Young Gun” featured article, “While I feel like these days there’s a lot of great players out there, something has changed where you don't’ really see guitar players as the lead people.” He’s doing his part to bring it back. The entire band was amazing, and delivered a full sound, but the guitar lead the way. And those guitar solos? Damn.

Soul in The Horn 2016. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos.

Soul in The Horn 2016. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos.

Seeing Machado playing live is a must. He willfully, and unapologetically, commands the stage beautifully with his presence, skill, and effervescent sense of love and harmony. He has dates here in New York from now through December. His guitar-powered EP, 29 is currently streaming on Spotify and on his website, Official Marcus Machado, where you can also see all of his show dates, bio and music. This artist is an act you don’t want to miss! 

Listen to Marcus Machado today on...

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Also, be sure to follow him on...

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