Arts - The Spectrum

Lake Street Dive, a multi-genre band, played in front of a sold-out crowd in Rochester on Thursday. The band was just one of the headliners at this year’s jazz festival in the city.

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Jill Scott, Lake Street Dive and more make accords with Rochester

By BENJAMIN BLANCHET | July 3, 2018

ROCHESTER — Grammy-winning singer Jill Scott adorned Rochester on Friday night, but not just with her fine-tuned vocals. Her light aura and lyrical relatability made her an act to behold. Scott paraded through her catalog with ease and cracked jokes to the audience’s amusement. By the show’s conclusion, she proved her place at one of Upstate New York’s biggest jazz platforms.

The summer months call for competitive movie releases all fighting over who can be named “Movie of the Summer”. From long awaited sequels to low-budget independent films, the scheduled releases provide entertainment for all walks of life.

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Summer movie guide

By SAMANTHA VARGAS | July 3, 2018

The summer is a time to relax, sip some lemonade and enjoy the influx of blockbuster films that premier between June and August.

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The Grapevine

By ARTS DESK | July 2, 2018

With summer underway, live music is fruitful in every corner. Buffalo’s music scene offers something for everyone year round, for multiple genres and areas of interest.

When he is not studying for a chemistry exam or volunteering in Honduras, Samuel Vespone, a 2018 graduate from UB, is producing and making music in his own bedroom. His bedroom is set up like a studio, which allows him to express his creativity with the instruments he knows how to play

ARTS

Mr. Everything

By ERIK TINGUE | July 2, 2018

When Samuel Vespone isn’t studying for a chemistry exam or volunteering in Honduras, he’s working on his next song. Vespone, a UB ‘18 alum, can hit riffs on the saxophone, blow the harmonica, toot the trumpet and strum the ukulele. In short, he can play it all. Vespone spends half his day making music in his studio apartment, working both with instruments and his own vocals.

Pop rock duo Aly & AJ just hit the road on their Promises Tour. The group talked with The Spectrum about their Disney past, struggles in the music industry and what to expect from their upcoming EP.

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A decade later: A conversation with Aly & AJ

By BRENTON J. BLANCHET | June 7, 2018

Aly & AJ is still the sister-powered pop rock group from the golden age of Disney, but Aly and AJ Michalka are no longer under anyone’s creative control. They make their own decisions. Last year marked an entire decade since the duo’s last album, “Insomniatic,” an appropriate time for Aly & AJ to release their first independent project “Ten Years.”

“Deadpool 2” comes out on May 18. Director Tim Miller left the project due to “creative differences” with star Ryan Reynolds.

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May Movie Guide

By DAVID TUNIS-GARCIA | May 16, 2018

This is it, folks: the end of a gosh-dang era. While it’s been fun indulging myself writing about movies (almost) every month in ways that probably only I find amusing, I do hope that at least one reader — if there are any — has enjoyed this half as much as I have.

UB Chorus and UB Choir will be taking to Slee Hall on May 11 for “Stars,” a celebration of the night sky with music and poetry.

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Stars aligning for UB choral groups

By BRENTON J. BLANCHET | May 10, 2018

The UB Choir has nearly doubled in size since last semester, but director Claudia Brown used this growth to expand in other areas.

Singer Jorja Smith played The Opera House in Toronto for two sold-out shows on Saturday and Sunday. Aside from playing her notable hits, Smith threw some covers and unreleased album cuts on the setlist.

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Jorja still on the mind

By BRENTON J. BLANCHET | May 10, 2018

Jorja Smith didn't need an album out to win over a sold-out crowd at The Opera House. All she needed was a pair of pink Nikes and some unparalleled vocal chops.

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Faculty question UB’s commitment to diversity

By BRIAN EVANS | May 7, 2018

Over the last several weeks, UB has outfitted North Campus with banners emblazoned with the phrase “Diversity Sparks Discovery.”

A$AP Ferg, Ty Dolla $ign and Daniel Caesar brought a diverse mix of genres to this year’s Spring Fest, providing sets consisting of rap, trap and soul that energized Alumni Arena from start to finish.

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Trap, rap and soul electrify Spring Fest

By BRENTON J. BLANCHET and BRIAN EVANS | May 6, 2018

With Saturday’s closing set, the self-proclaimed “trap lord,” A$AP Ferg, wasted no time jumping into his opener “Trap and a Dream.” He rushed the stage as soon as his verse began. Ferg headlined this year’s Student Association Spring Fest alongside West Coast rapper Ty Dolla $ign and opener Daniel Caesar.

On his fifth album, J. Cole is taking a leap towards a prolific stature as he critiques his peers, surroundings and the culture of drug use around him on “KOD.”

ARTS

J. Cole seeks ‘Higher Ground’ on new album

By BRIAN EVANS | Apr. 29, 2018

Album: KOD Artist: J. Cole Label: Dreamville Records, Roc Nation, Interscope Release Date: April 20 Grade: A- To J.

A$AP Ferg’s “Still Striving” offers some massive trap cuts and is a must listen for Spring Fest attendees.

ARTS

Don’t forget the lyrics

By BRENTON J. BLANCHET | Apr. 29, 2018

We’ve all been there: walking into a concert, thinking you know what you’re about to hear and suddenly getting hit with the deepest album cut of all time. Well, have no fear for Spring Fest.

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Spring Fest to be held in Alumni Arena

By BRENTON J. BLANCHET | Apr. 29, 2018

Spring Fest 2018 will take place Saturday in Alumni Arena. SA Events sent an email to Spring Fest ticket holders Sunday afternoon, which stated the May 5 event will happen inside Alumni Arena due to “low temperatures” and “poor field conditions.”

From television to Broadway, Alan Zweibel is a prolific figure in the comedy world who has made waves across every medium. From his time at UB in the 70’s, Zweibel found his niche taking a comedic approach to tumultuous time that would take him on a path of continued success in the entertainment world.

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Finding a voice in Buffalo: Alan Zweibel’s journey from UB to 'SNL'

By BRIAN EVANS | Apr. 26, 2018

Alan Zweibel went from being a South Campus resident advisor to an Emmy Award winner. After growing up on Long Island, Zweibel attended Buffalo State College and transferred to UB in 1969 for the rest of his college career. As a resident advisor at UB’s Tower Hall on South Campus, Zweibel found his niche as a comedy writer in his time as an undergraduate.

Before his worldwide success, R&B singer Brian McKnight got his start in his church choir and school music productions in North Tonawanda.

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‘A dream come true:’ Inside the Buffalo life of R&B legend Brian McKnight

By BRENTON J. BLANCHET | Apr. 26, 2018

Brian McKnight never had a backup plan. During his time at Oakwood University in Alabama, the singer had a 3.4 GPA.

Gaming and anime fans travelled from all around Western New York for the 29th season of UBcon. Guests attended various events that ran throughout the weekend.

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UBCon XXIX A Bard's Rhyme: A tribute to the tabletop

By EMA MAKAS and SAM VARGAS | Apr. 22, 2018

Paul Mercer, a regular attendee at UBCon, said he spent $1,500 on his full-body fursuit, equipped with a fan installed in the head.

Bill Bruford, former drummer of Yes and King Crimson, spoke at Baird Hall on Monday about his new book “Uncharted: Creativity and the Expert Drummer.”

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Bill Bruford takes on creativity behind the drums

By BRIAN EVANS | Apr. 19, 2018

From Bill Bruford’s perspective, the drums are everything. Whether it is touring as a member of Yes, Genesis and King Crimson, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee has drummed around the world over a 40-year career. More recently, Bruford has tested the waters of academia.

Pop singer Nina Nesbitt is hitting Town Ballroom on April 29. The rising star talked to The Spectrum about her songwriting, industry recognition and finding success in the US.

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Bringing promise to pop

By BRENTON J. BLANCHET | Apr. 19, 2018

When Nina Nesbitt asked Ed Sheeran for musical advice in 2011, she left with an opening slot on his tour.

Former Yes and King Crimson drummer Bill Bruford spoke with The Spectrum on Monday ahead of his lecture series in support of his second book, “Uncharted: Creativity and the Expert Drummer.”

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Creativity and exploration: Bill Bruford on ‘Uncharted’ and 40 years behind the drums

By BRIAN EVANS | Apr. 19, 2018

From behind the kit to the lecture podium, Bill Bruford’s passion for music hasn’t waned. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee played in rock groups Yes and King Crimson, and a stint as the touring drummer for Genesis.

A CD-quality version Frank Ocean’s “Endless” finally hit the Internet on April 9 after physical copies shipped. The high-quality audio shines a light on one of Ocean’s most personal works and gives it new meaning.

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‘Endless’ journey of perfection for Frank Ocean

By BRENTON J. BLANCHET | Apr. 17, 2018

The word "perfection" is corny. Nothing is truly perfect – especially art. Everything comes with its faults. I tried to find fault with the recently-surfaced CD-quality version of Frank Ocean’s “Endless.” I listened from a critic’s perspective several times over. I removed my personal feelings for Ocean’s craft and just listened as if it meant nothing to me. And I’ve come to a conclusion.