National act Garland Jeffreys to perform at historic Palace Theatre on April 20 Over the past couple of years, A Friendly Five column has spotlighted many groups, bands, individual musicians and singers. With each story we have tried to share some insights with our readers as to the variety of musical styles and talents in our city. Occasionally we have …

‘A lot of young girls don’t get the encouragement needed to pursue it’ As March of each year rolls around, we start to think about the impact of women on our world. Women have been leaders in just about all aspects of modern society, including politics, business and religion. Music is no different. For Women’s History Month, it is fitting …

Emmanuel Atkins and Eddie Brown bring back memories of their legendary time together For this column, I thought it would be a good idea to write about a musical organization with some local history since this is Black History Month. I wanted to write about an organization that could take us back a few years but still have relevance today. …

A Friendly Five columnist catches up with local musicians who’ve taken to the road Syracuse has been home to a score of bands, musicians and singers over the years. Some of them have been really good and some, well… you know what momma said, “If you can’t say nothin’ good ….” A lot of the talented ones are still participating …

  Our Winter issue, which came out Dec. 1, shares many stories of people in our community working to make a lasting impression. If you want a sneak peek, click on the cover to download a full pdf. Staff reporter Natalie Caceres worked with Paul Grace, known as Corcoran High School‘s historian, to discuss her next Strolling the South Side …

South Sider invites in musicians to sing, record and mostly have fun Meet Ozell Cooper. Ozell lives on the South Side. He is a musician and singer and a longtime self-employed carpenter. Ozell used his skills to build a studio in his basement and a rehearsal hall in his garage. He christened the rehearsal space “Coop’s Boom Boom Room.” The …

Different music flavors meshed on the Pan-African Village Stage at NYS Fair Each year, the Great New York State Fair blooms in Syracuse for 12 days. With it comes the Pan-African Village — a make-shift village constructed of plywood and tents. The village draws upon fair-goers to provide an economic boost to entrepreneurs that sell food, art, clothing, jewelry and …

Syracuse has abundant musical talent, but much of it is underexposed. Syr JAMS’ Music Stand — which stands for Syracuse’s Joined Artists Musicians and Singers’ Music Stand — is a new feature created by The Stand’s A Friendly Five columnist Reggie Seigler and intended to be a platform for talent. This video of Syr JAMS’ Music Stand features a song …

Local band UAD will perform a special show for Mother’s Day Hollis “Larry” Mathis is a foreman for the city of Syracuse in the Department of Public Works. He has worked there for more than 35 years. Isaac “Ike” Wynn has driven for Centro for nearly as long. They are the founding members of the group UAD. For Mother’s Day, …

Featuring the Jeff Houston Experience Syracuse has abundant musical talent, but much of it is underexposed. Syr JAMS’ Music Stand — which stands for Syracuse’s Joined Artists Musicians and Singers’ Music Stand — is a new feature created by The Stand’s A Friendly Five columnist Reggie Seigler and intended to be a platform for talent.