A Friendly Five

Syracuse welcomes The Mavericks, Kenny G, and The O’Jays and many others to the International Jazz Festival, June 26 – June 30. By Reggie SeiglerA Friendly Five Columnist Imagine creating a festival based on an early 20th Century African American art form and keeping it so fresh and relevant that 40 years later, the festival celebrating this century-old tradition is …

Gregory Sheppard will stage three free shows in Syracuse July 7, 14, and 21, each starting at 7 p.m. By Reggie SeiglerA Friendly Five Columnist Gregory Sheppard left Syracuse quite a few years ago to pursue his career as an opera singer, but he never forgot his roots. Sheppard was raised and educated in Syracuse, lived in its public housing, …

Musician Jeffrey Houston passes away after leading a life filled with love It is said sometimes that the heart is where love resides, but sometimes I think it could be the other way around. “Love is where the heart resides.” I say that because when one heartbeat stopped — the heartbeat of my good friend and musical brother Jeffrey Houston …

Dick Ford encourages music education through Signature Music Camp Dr. Richard W. Ford by most people’s standards would be described as a physically large man. He stands just over 6 feet tall and has hands that could probably span better than an octave on a Steinway grand piano. His voice comes across with authority and with clarity, without force or …

Syracuse Native Bobby Green Continues to Build Musical Legacy I was hanging out with my two grandsons, ages 10 and 12, a couple of weeks ago when I ran into DeBorah Little. She was at the South Side Innovation Center preparing to participate in a planning meeting for her family reunion. Wanting to show my grandsons that I knew someone …

Blowin’ in the Wind uses its talents to raise money for children Tony Baird is a military service veteran and an entrepreneur. He owns Tony Baird Electronics, Inc. The company provides audio-visual and Internet technology solutions for defense, transportation and medical companies. He is also a musician. Tony plays bass for a local band called Blowin’ in the Wind (BITW). …

Jeff Houston plays, writes and hopes to record as he battles cancer Some people say music is healing. Jeffrey Houston of the Jeff Houston Experience believes that wholeheartedly. Jeff is a local guitarist and bandleader. He has been performing since his childhood in a number of local bands, including Strive, Fresh Air, Soft Spoken Band, Positive Attitude and the J …

Syracuse JAMS hosts first summer get-together for musicians, families Food plus live music equals fun. On July 19, Syracuse’s Joined Artists, Musicians & Singers, known as JAMS, hosted its first cookout. Dubbed the “Musicians’ Cookout 2K14,” the event was held at Clark Reservation State Park in Jamesville, with roughly 200 JAMS members and other arts supporters. JAMS is a loosely …

Anthony Williams bought his first conga drum 44 years ago, paying all of $5 for it. At the time, he wanted the drum because he saw the way girls flocked to his brother, who played in a band. Williams, now 62, has been playing ever since. On Syracuse’s South Side, he has played with dozens of drummers in many groups. …

Minister practices his faith by combining singing and preaching Kevin Stephens, now 52, grew up in church. Literally. On Sunday mornings while many families were packing into the family station wagon to head off to a church down the road, Kevin and his 10 siblings were congregating in their living room for Sunday morning worship with their parents. His father, …