Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer.
Logo of The Spectrum
Submit a Tip
Sunday, April 28, 2024
The independent student publication of The University at Buffalo, since 1950

Arts

UB instructor George Caldwell sits behind the piano. Grammy Award-winning jazz pianist inspires his students by imparting lessons from his past. 
ARTS

Behind the keys: UB instructor George Caldwell's storybook career

By BENJAMIN BLANCHET | Nov. 30, 2017

Caldwell’s held numerous musical director roles for nationally touring plays and played with some of jazz music’s finest groups, including the Count Basie and Duke Ellington orchestras. He’s learned from jazz composers like Wendell Logan and Frank Foster. The pianist plays stride music with a smile on his face, achieving tonal excellency and exquisite form. He’s completely engrossed in his performances, conveying an original style and striking keys with an effective groove.

N.E.R.D. is back. The popular rock/R&B trio, led by Pharrell, dropped new single "Lemon" on Nov. 1. The track, which features a verse from Rihanna, is just one of many new singles to keep an eye on this month.
ARTS

The Spectrum's November Playlist

By BRENTON J. BLANCHET | Nov. 16, 2017

October has passed, Halloween is over and just about everyone has created a playlist with multiple entries of “All I Want for Christmas is You.” But we still have a month before it’s socially acceptable to get festive with Mariah’s five octave vocal range. Instead of jumping on the holiday bandwagon, check out these fresh November-ready tracks. N.E.R.D ft.

The UB Concert Band, led by Director Jon Nelson, and the Genkin Philharmonic took the stage at Slee Recital Hall Tuesday night. The two groups put on an exciting show, despite their visible differences. 
ARTS

The best of both worlds

By BRENTON J. BLANCHET | Nov. 16, 2017

The UB Concert Band, led by music department Professor and Director Jon Nelson, joined the Genkin Philharmonic for their annual fall performance at Slee Hall. The two groups came together to present “A Young Person’s Guide to the 20th Century.”

Bill Maher performs at Shea's. The comedian touched on many controversial topics including President Trump and Islamophobia.
ARTS

Bill Maher offends and excites at Shea’s

By BRIAN EVANS | Nov. 13, 2017

Comedians such as Tom Segura or Anthony Jeselnik are characterized as extremely dry comics. Bill Maher is often saddled with this description, but is in a category all his own. The political personality and stand-up comedian provided theatergoers with an evening of controversial comedy at Shea’s on Sunday night. Maher discussed everything from sex to politics, showing that no topic was too off-color.

Swift boasts vulnerability and a renewed form on her latest album “reputation.” The project shows off an uncut musician with high-class lyricism and pop music content.
ARTS

“reputation” is Taylor Swift’s most intimate and lyrically stunning album to date

By MADDY FOWLER | Nov. 13, 2017

The death of Taylor Swift’s reputation led to the birth of her most impressive artistry yet.  Swift’s new album, “reputation,” draws you in immediately with the fast-paced and edgy “...Ready for It?” Swift declares on the song he “knew I was a robber / first time that he saw me, / stealing hearts and running off and never saying sorry.”  The lyric is a half tongue-in-cheek, sly jab at the tabloid media’s portrayal of Swift as boy crazy heartbreaker and half smugly self-aware.  Rather than completely shirking the public’s perception of her, Swift displays a huge leap in maturity by acknowledging her flaws and mistakes.

Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison took the stage at Kleinhans Thursday evening in another installment of Just Buffalo Literary Center’s 2017-18 BABEL series. Morrison, speaking on the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s address in the same venue, discussed her lengthy career and discussed each of her 11 well-read novels.
ARTS

Toni Morrison delights during career review at Kleinhans

By BENJAMIN BLANCHET | Nov. 10, 2017

All the makings of a historic night were visible at Kleinhans on Thursday night. Renowned author Toni Morrison took the stage in another installment of Just Buffalo Literary Center’s 2017-18 BABEL series. Morrison, speaking on the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s address in the same venue, discussed her lengthy career and discussed each of her 11 well-read novels. Before the main event, singer-songwriter Drea d’Nur opened the evening with a dose of soul. The artist played a deep ranging rendition of “A Change is Gonna Come” met with thunderous applause.

Brooklyn funk rockers Turquaz took to downtown Buffalo on Tuesday night in a groovy performance. The band is currently on the road and recently released their single “On The Run,” produced by Talking Heads member Jerry Harrison.
ARTS

A psychedelic smash comes to downtown Buffalo

By Chris Yang | Nov. 9, 2017

Turkuaz had barely ran through their latest album “Digitonium,” three hours into their set. The group ended the show with their hit song “The Generator.” Lead vocalist and guitarist Dave Brandwein thanked the crowd, signed off and the rest of the group followed off stage. The show ended without Turkuaz performing their most popular song, much to the crowd’s disappointment. Some clapped for the end but most hollered for an encore.

Singer-songwriter Haley Reinhart released her third studio album, “What’s That Sound?” on Sept. 22 and is currently on her tour of the same name. Reinhart talked to The Spectrum about the recent release, touring the world, and having Anderson .Paak in her first band.
ARTS

A vintage soul: Q&A with Haley Reinhart

By BRENTON J. BLANCHET | Nov. 9, 2017

The ’60s haven’t ended yet, at least not until Haley Reinhart puts down the microphone. The “American Idol” alum and Postmodern Jukebox singer just released her third studio album, “What’s That Sound?” on Sept. 22. The record is a classy and tasteful collection of cover songs and originals, all featuring Reinhart’s golden voice. At 27 years old, Reinhart’s career is just beginning. “American Idol” gave her the tools for success in 2011, but Reinhart is embarking on her own journey to the past. The singer discussed her musical adventure, new album and touring the world in an exclusive interview with The Spectrum.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his "The Future of Integration" address at Kleinhans Music Hall, 50 years ago. The address, sponsored by GSA and SA, offered the reverend's take on racial relations in the country to a crowd of over 2000 Buffalonians.
ARTS

Community reflects on Martin Luther King Jr.'s Buffalo speech

By BENJAMIN BLANCHET | Nov. 9, 2017

The reverend and celebrated civil rights leader delivered his “The Future of Integration” address to a sold-out crowd at Kleinhans Music Hall on Nov. 9, 1967. In his speech, sponsored by GSA and SA, King spoke on the status of race relations in America and briefly condemned the ongoing war in Vietnam.

“Murder on the Orient Express,” directed by Kenneth Branagh, is an adaptation of Agatha Christie’s novel and premieres Nov. 10. November will see the release of two of the year’s biggest films: “Thor: Ragnarok” and “Justice League.”
ARTS

November movie guide

By DAVID TUNIS-GARCIA | Nov. 6, 2017

Well this one snuck up on me. November holds two of this year’s biggest releases in the first two weeks, along with a few other curiosities to fill in the back end of the month. Let’s dive right in because I can’t wait to talk about...

Music icon Janet Jackson performed a medley of hits as part of her State of The World tour in Buffalo on Saturday. Throughout, the multi-talented singer dazzled through synchronized dance and flurries of jams which pleased thousands of fans in attendance.
ARTS

Janet Jackson rouses downtown Buffalo

By BENJAMIN BLANCHET | Nov. 6, 2017

The Grammy-award winning music icon appeared Saturday night at the KeyBank Center, one of her stops on her ongoing State of the World tour. Jackson performed over 30 songs to a crowd of thousands downtown, impressing through a series of electric dance numbers and up-tempo pop jams.

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 23: Television host and comedian Bill Maher performs at The Pearl concert theater at the Palms Casino Resort on March 23, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/WireImage)
ARTS

Q&A with Bill Maher

By BRIAN EVANS | Nov. 2, 2017

Bill Maher is no stranger to stirring the pot. The host of HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher” and stand-up comedian will continue his stream of political anecdotes and observations, playing downtown at Shea’s Performing Arts Center on Nov.

Comedian and entertainer Tom Segura will be headlining a tour stop at the Center for the Arts on Nov. 11. Segura talked with The Spectrum about his comedic style, his podcast and performing in Buffalo.
ARTS

Q&A with comedian Tom Segura​

By BENJAMIN BLANCHET | Oct. 30, 2017

Tom Segura’s comedy travels a myriad of avenues. From podcasts to multiple stand-up specials on Netflix, the Ohio-born comedian spreads jokes in any way he can. His upcoming tour, “No Teeth No Entry,” will continue to cast his line out in the comic sea, hitting the Center for the Arts (CFA) on Nov.

Chastity Brown, a singer-songwriter currently based in Minneapolis, is performing at Buffalo’s Babeville on Nov. 14. Brown spoke with The Spectrum on her upcoming tour and her latest album “Silhouette of Sirens,” released this past May.
ARTS

Q&A with singer-songwriter Chastity Brown

By BENJAMIN BLANCHET | Oct. 26, 2017

Singer-songwriter Chastity Brown is coming to Buffalo, fresh off the release of her latest album “Silhouette of Sirens.” The artist, known for her blending of roots and folk music, will be touring the nation – stopping in Babeville on Nov.

ARTS

The Grapevine

By BRENTON J. BLANCHET | Oct. 19, 2017

The weekend before “Hallo-weekend” can be pretty lame. Nobody’s dressing up, nobody’s handing out free snacks and worst of all, nobody’s playing “Monster Mash” all night at their headache-provoking basement party. But who needs “Monster Mash” when you can listen to other songs for an hour and a half?

Cuban-born poet and educator Olga Karman read recollections of her time in Cuba to attendees at the riverrun Global Film Series. The series, in its second year, delivered propaganda films like “Soy Cuba” (I Am Cuba) to packed audiences along with a musical performance by Wendell Rivera.
ARTS

Cuban cinema takes over Burchfield Penney Art Center

By BENJAMIN BLANCHET | Oct. 16, 2017

From prose poems to musical performances, the 2nd annual riverrun Global Film Series escaped the big screen at the Burchfield Penney Art Center. The series focused on Cuban cinema and culture from Thursday through Saturday, bringing nearly 600 people for nights of screenings and readings.

Professor Bruce Jackson (left) chats with Jim Kweskin (right) at the 1967 Newport Folk Festival. Jackson was on the festival board from 1965 to 1968. He claims that fans didn’t boo Bob Dylan during his infamous 1965 festival performance.
ARTS

'Bob Dylan was not booed'

By BRENTON BLANCHET | Oct. 16, 2017

It’s hard to dismiss a 52-year-old story but Professor Bruce Jackson isn’t afraid to try. When Bob Dylan played his first-ever electric set at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival in Newport, Rhode Island, legend insists that the crowd booed him. Dylan’s decision to go electric infuriated the crowd, according to this popular belief.

Popular
Powered by SNworks Solutions by The State News
All Content © 2024 The Spectrum