After a brief bout with cancer, popular local bassist Ralph Ortiz died Monday, February 2, at age 52. Ortiz's percussive, thumping style was the driving force behind Rochester outfits like Cabo Frio, Prime Time Funk, and Chet Catallo &...

According to my math, and based on how long it took me to park, everyone who packed into Boulder Coffee Friday night to see Flower City ex-pat Tony Brown and The Believers with Swati drove two cars. Swati - a lone woman and her guitar - rumbled...

The music didn't die 50 years ago yesterday. Well, not entirely anyway. The music continues to die every day. That isn't a jab at "American idol," Miley Cyrus, or most of music made in the 1980's (that would be just too easy). Rather, it's the...

Lux, you changed my life. You inspired me to dive in face-first armed with nothing more than what little courage I already had and a beat-up guitar. I never pranced around in heels -- in fact, I don't think I can prance around at all -- but...

Things don't really dawn on me anymore. They sneak up from behind and brain me. I believe all epiphanies hurt -- you're letting go, after all. Boston's Miss Tess and The Bon Ton Parade caterwauled all Tin Pan Alley over by the jukebox as I...

One of the few artists to take two seemingly unrelated sounds --- hip-hop and the blues --- and mash them together successfully, G Love and Special Sauce returns to Rochester for a show Wednesday, April 8, at Water Street Music Hall, 204...

Things don't really dawn on me anymore. They sneak up from behind and brain me. I believe all epiphanies should hurt a little - you're letting go, after all. Boston's Miss Tess and The Bon Ton Parade caterwauled all Tin Pan Alley over by the...

A band is its own competition. Of all the speed bumps and land mines a band encounters on the road to ruin, the ones inside the camp are the most lethal. "Hang up the phone and get out. The call is coming from inside the house." So with that...

In a move that will surely put a sting in his bling, three-time no-shower Lil' Wayne is being sued by promoter Ed Strickland and his company RMF productions for backing out of his Blue Cross Arena shows, multiple media sources are reporting....

A band is its own competition. Of all the speed bumps and land mines a band encounters on the road to ruin, the ones inside the camp are the most lethal. "Hang up the phone and get out. The call is coming from inside the house." So with that in...

You can find him in the Gordon Field House: Rapper 50 Cent will play the RIT venue Saturday, May 9, as part of RIT's Spring Weekend. Tickets are $16 for students, but prices for the general public are not yet available. Check the Campus...

It was indeed the winter of my discontent last night as i trudged out of my cozy hacienda for some live music. The wind was blowing sideways and wet like a perpetual arctic sneeze, and the thermometer's balls had shriveled up into its body. It...

Indie piano popster Ben Folds will come to Water Street Music Hall on Monday, March 23, with Jukebox the Ghost. Show is at 8 p.m., tickets are $35-$40, and the show is 16+. For more information visit the Water Street website.

It was indeed the winter of my discontent last night as I trudged out of my cozy hacienda for some live music. The wind was blowing sideways and wet, like a perpetual arctic sneeze, and the thermometer's balls had shriveled up into its body. It...

O.A.R. -- "Of a Revolution" -- returns to Rochester Wednesday, April 29, 7:30 p.m. for a show at RIT's Gordon Field House. Parachute is also on the bill. Tickets cost $30 and can be bought via Ticketmaster or by phone at 800-745-3000, and go on...