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Neil Benjamin Jr. 60 posts 0 comments

Neil Benjamin Jr. has been a music, sports and news journalist for nearly a decade, earning a few NENPA and AP awards in that time. A recent career shift into the education field has allowed Neil to focus his work on his most fervent interest: live music. Melding his writing talent and music passion is dream come true for a teacher who has attended more than 100 Phish concerts.

World/Reggae

Burning Spear Announces First NYC Show in More Than a Decade

Neil Benjamin Jr. Jun 19, 2022

Reggae icon Burning Spear will play at Capital One City Parks Foundation Summerstage in Central Park on August 25, their first NYC show in more than 10 years and final announced show of the summer. A music-maker, community icon,…

Interviews

Drummer Jay Lane, a Man of Many Talents, Adds to His Resume

Neil Benjamin Jr. Mar 24, 2022

San Francisco Bay Area drummer/musician Jay Lane gets antsy when he’s not on the road with one of the many bands of which he is a part. So it was not difficult to deduce that Lane, 57, had a tough time adapting to pandemic life, when the…

Finger Lakes

Watkins Glen President puts a Spin on Phish’s Curveball

Neil Benjamin Jr. Apr 18, 2018

One of the most integral people in planning this summer's Curveball festival featuring Phish is the president of Watkins Glen International, Michael Printup, who took the time out of his busy schedule to give an interview to NYSMusic. This…

Show Reviews

Cousin Earth’s Energy, Ampevene’s Album Release Highlight the Hollow

Neil Benjamin Jr. Feb 13, 2018

Albany progressive rock quartet Ampevene, celebrating the release of its new album "Ephemagoria," and Brooklyn-bred Cousin Earth threw down the perfect blend of Led Zeppelin-esque energy and a quirkiness in the Frank Zappa vein at Albany's…

Jam/Progressive

Phish Break New Ground on December 29 in Push for 17 in 2017

Neil Benjamin Jr. Dec 30, 2017

The members of Phish returned to Madison Square Garden for an unprecedented 15th time in 2017 on Friday, December 29, 2017, and while the first set showcased a few stumbles along the way, the band showed it's still pushing brand new…

Capital Region

Dark Star Orchestra’s 20th Anniversary at the Palace Packs in the Classics

Neil Benjamin Jr. Nov 15, 2017

To make it 20 years in any industry is quite a feat, especially when there were absolutely no expectations at the beginning. And the members of Dark Star Orchestra will tell you that making it that far as a cover band is even more…

87/90

A 20th on The Eleven: Dark Star Orchestra Celebrates a Milestone

Neil Benjamin Jr. Nov 8, 2017

It was a chilly night at Martyr's in Chicago on November 11, 1997, when a group of like-minded musicians got together to spin their takes on a band beloved by an intrinsic fan base -- one that is both fun loving and importunate at the…

Classical

Holly Bowling Returns to Whisper Dome this Weekend

Neil Benjamin Jr. Oct 18, 2017

Back in March, Holly Bowling performed an unplugged show at the Whisper Dome in Schenectady, as the venue's incredible acoustics and intimate setting allowed her to ditch amplification and play the piano alone, and it was enough for the…

87/90

We Can’t Allow Fear to Ruin Our Live Music Experience

Neil Benjamin Jr. Oct 8, 2017

We’re so tired of our senseless fight The one thing we can all do right Is come together -- Trey Anastasio I’m not even sure where to begin; my mind is spinning out of control trying to wrap itself around the news of yet another massive…

87/90

Sit-Ins, Covers and Heavy Improv Highlight Adirondack Independence Music Festival

Neil Benjamin Jr. Sep 8, 2017

It doesn't seem like the easiest feat to get a small music festival up, running and successful, but that's just what the organizers of the Adirondack Independence Music Festival did this past weekend, September 2-3. In its second year and…

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