Most people don’t know the term “Ameribeat.” It’s not used on CD divider signs at record shops nor on iTunes as a genius category

Stories fly around like solos in a blues circle whenever the name Kelly James comes up.

Skin-Hitter: One of Kevin Dean's students gets her licks in. SubCat Studios now offers educational opportunities to musicians of all ages.

With longtime deejay Dave Frisina ousted at Galaxy, those who tuned in to local radio may now just tune out. The Syracuse music community erupted with sadness and anger on Friday, Dec. 30. 

The past year has seen both highs and lows in the music world, locally, regionally and nationally. Here are a few favorites worth noting...

But in other ways, I am blessed that so many people have taken me under their wing and helped expand my head and horizons in such a short period. My coworkers have been incredible and encouraging, always backing my initiatives to try new communication methods like blogging, video, photography, social media and more.

Music has always been a powerful communication tool for all types of social and political messages. Whether it’s Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Fortunate Son,” John Lennon’s “Give Peace a Chance” or anything from Woody Guthrie to Rage Against the...

Music has been recognized as a universal language many times over. From the first moments of a song to the last, a person can go from feeling one emotion to another, regardless of lyrics. Very often the communication is in the notes, not the words.

In “The Queen of Kings,” the Dec. 7 Syracuse New Times article with Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings that previewed their Dec. 10 show at the Westcott Theater, Jones laid it on the line: “We’re not playin’ around.” Honey, she meant it.

Syracuse scene for jazz music crops up at summer get-togethers like the Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival, weekly gigs at downtown restaurants such as the Syracuse Suds Factory and Pastabilities, and sporadic concerts held at Jazz Central. And no, we’re not forgetting the local participants at the annual Syracuse Jazz Fest at Onondaga Community College.