Upcoming Events

Music Sessions @ RoCA

Adam Falcon
Saturday, December 14 at 7:30pm
Tickets: $25/ seniors & students: $20

With Carl Carter (Bass/Vocals)
Gene Lake (Drums/ Vocals)
Etienne Stadwijk (Keyboards/ Vocals)

Adam Falcon
The music of guitarist/singer-songwriter Adam Falcon has been widely considered to be absent of genre, and yet ranges from folk to rhythm and blues. In the past, as a sideman, Falcon has worked with and shared the stage with some of the brightest luminaries in music. Some of those artists were Roberta Flack, Nona Hendryx, Jim Lauderdale, Sophie B. Hawkins, Steve Jordan, Marcus Miller, Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Robert Palmer and Peter Gabriel. Stepping out on his own, he’s opened for the The Wailers, Tower of Power, Danielle Ponder, Ruthie Foster, the late great blues giants James Cotton Blues Band, and Matt “Guitar” Murphy. Writing a couple of Grammy nominated songs for jazz guitarist George Benson and having songs on national television, Falcon became noticed by The SongWriters Hall of Fame, which honored him with The Abe Olman Scholarship Award for Songwriting. For his composition “Woke Up Cryin’“ Falcon became an International Songwriters Competition semi-finalist and was also nominated for an Independent Music Award.

“If you are unfamiliar with this stellar artist, take some time to get to know Adam Falcon as his career continues to ascend.” (Living Blues Magazine)

Etienne Stadwijk (Keyboards/ Vocals)
Born in The Netherlands, Etienne Stadwijk became exposed to music at a very early age. By the time he entered kindergarten he was already performing in school and local events in his home town. Relocating to Suriname, South America in his early teens, Etienne quickly established himself as one of the premiere keyboard players, with a broad interest in styles. From high school, he went on to study contemporary arranging at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston Massachusetts. While currently living in New York, he divides his time there and abroad, both recording and producing. His large array of performing and recording credits includes: Kenny Garrett, Richard Bona, Paul Simon, Harry Belafonte, Marcus Miller, and Labelle, just to name a few.

Carl Carter (Bass/Vocals)
Carl has forged a career as diverse as his musical background, performing with an eclectic group of world-renowned R&B, jazz and rock artists that includes: Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Williams, Spin Doctors, Maxwell, Adam Lambert, Billy Ocean, Digable Planets, Clark Terry, Maysa, Joe Henderson, Aaron Neville, Chuck Loeb, Nile Rogers and CHIC, Ivan Neville, Vanessa Williams and more. His playing experiences are just as vast, performing on stages around the world, numerous television shows, and a host of Broadway credits. They include: The Tony Award hit musical, ‘COME FROM AWAY,’ The Tony nominated hit show “Disaster: The Musical,” “Holler If You Hear Me,” and Tony nominated “Bring it On: The Musical."

Gene Lake (Drums/ Vocals)
This native of St. Louis, Missouri who now resides in Montclair, New Jersey embodies the contradictions of modern music. With a variety of styles, Lake began playing at 5 years old and later studied with drummer Pheeroan akaLaff while attending The High School of Music & Art in New York City. Afterwards, graduating from Berklee College of Music, he went on to play with his father, saxophonist Oliver Lake, later joining composer Henry Threadgill's ensemble. Examining his resume reveals the extent of his versatility. Those artists include: David Sanborn, Steve Coloman, Marcus Miller, Joe Zawinul, Maxwell, and Me’Shell Ndegeocello. As a leader, he has several albums released under his name: “The Oliver Lake Quartet,” “Dedication,” and “At This Time."

Matt Pond PA

Anya Marina

Bathtub Cig

Saturday, February 1,
at 7:00pm:     Anya Marina
                         Bathtub Cig

8:30pm:          Matt Pond PA

Tickets: $25 (seniors/students $25)

Matt Pond

. . . .

From the band’s beginnings in Philadelphia, to their current home in the heart of the Hudson Valley, through 13 albums (among them Emblems, Several Arrows Later, The Dark Leaves, The State of Gold, and, most recently, the luminous The Natural Lines), Matt Pond PA has always been a living, breathing organism—one that’s constantly changing. Two notable mainstays are Pond’s longtime right-hand man, Chris Hansen, and cellist Hilary James.

. . . .

Anya Marina

A murderous girl with a spine of steel. An asteroid hurtling toward a ruminating woman. Shards of glass leading to a dark, friendly place. 

 Welcome to the provocative vision of singer-songwriter Anya Marina’s stunning new album Asteroid, her most assured work yet. Almost two decades into a distinctive career encompassing songs featured in Twilight: New Moon, Gossip Girl, and Grey’s Anatomy, an award-winning web series (Anya Marina: Indie-pendent Woman), seven albums, three EPs, and extensive touring with artists ranging from Jason Mraz to Spoon to superstar standup Nikki Glaser, the riveting performer / creative powerhouse is looking back, taking stock in song. Marina calls Asteroid “a coming-of-age story about a late bloomer. This record is about growing up, becoming fully who I am, and celebrating it.”

....

Bathtub Cig

Bathtub Cig is the intimate depression pop project of Hilary James.  Born in a Minneapolis bedroom, it is an honest attempt at coping with her long struggle with mental health.  The new EP, coming out September 2024 is entitled "Good Mourning, I love you" and is about love, loss, and moments of joy during a time of intense mourning- the death of Hilary's mom. . . .

About The Nocturno Project

Inspired by the beauty and emotion of Western European Art music, the Nocturno Project reimagines 19th and early 20th century classical music by steeping it in the rhythmic traditions of the Americas. Offering sparkling exchanges among diverse genres and forms, their musical conversation takes the intricate harmonies of romantic classical music and imbues them with the sensibilities of jazz, Brazilian and Afro-Cuban music whose rhythms are rooted in a myriad of ancient West African musical traditions.

Nicki Denner
piano

Composer, pianist and arranger Nicki Denner has released three critically acclaimed CDs under her own name. She is the Musical Director of the Jersey Tap Ensemble and is  the Musical Director and co-founder of the band Cocomama. In addition to being a band leader, she has also performed with Sheila E., Michele Lee, Doc Severinsen and Savion Glover. She has performed at the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, the United Nations, Studio 54, the Apollo Theatre, Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the New York City Marathon, the Guatemala City International Jazz Festival and as a musical ambassador for the State Department in Central America. As a composer, she has written music for award-winning animation. As an educator, she has served on the faculty of the Stanford University Summer Jazz Workshop, Campamento Internacional de Jazz in Guatemala, the JazzCabaret Festival in Ketchikan Alaska, Jazzhouse Kids, the New York City Tap Festival and the New Jersey Tap Festival. She is also a contributor to Keyboard Magazine.

Anton Denner
saxophones and flutes

Anton Denner has performed with entertainment luminaries like Ray Charles, Rosemary Clooney, Rita Moreno, Carol Channing, and an A-list of jazz artists including Clifford Jordan, Mel Lewis, Al Foster, Terrel Stafford, Bill Stewart, and Rufus Reid.  He has been a featured soloist at the Napa Valley, Istanbul, and LaVillette (Paris) jazz festivals as well as  NYC venues such as Jazz at Lincoln Center, Birdland and The Blue Note. Anton also can be heard annually in Ann Phillips’ “Bending Toward the Light, a Jazz Nativity”. His recent recorded work includes Matt King’s "Monk In Brazil", and Diane Moser's critically acclaimed "Birdsongs". As an educator, he has taught at Seton Hall University, The Stanford Jazz Workshop, Temple University and Jazz House Kids, an organization devoted to teaching and mentoring young people through music.

Mayra Casales
percussion

Mayra Casales is considered to be one of the most versatile percussionists of her generation. Born in Havana, Cuba and raised in Miami, Mayra studied with Carlos "Patato" Valdez. Before long she was performing with some of the biggest names in Latin music such as Celia Cruz, Machito, Joe Cuba, Miguelito Valdez and Tito Puente. Mayra moved to New York City where she worked with such legendary artists as Dizzy Gillespie, Wayne Shorter, Ray Barretto, Angela Bofil, Walter Bishop Jr., Jon Lucien, Phyllis Hyman, Carmen Lundy, Tania Maria, David Amram, Regina Carter and Grady Tate. She has also toured with Sophie B. Hawkins, Phyllis Hyman, Regina Carter, Carmen Lundy, Women of the Calabash, Mauricio Smith, Tania Maria and The Ojays. "Woman on Fire/Mujer Ardiente", Mayra’s first album as a leader, made it to #19 on the World Charts  on the Afrasia Label.

Jennifer Vincent
bass and cello

Jennifer Vincent has been an active force on the jazz and Latin scenes in NYC for the past two decades. She plays, tours, and records with the likes of Betty Carter, Abbey Lincoln, KD Lang, Fantasia, Vanessa Williams, and Patti LaBelle. From 2003 to 2011, she held the bass chair for the Duke Ellington Orchestra, touring the world over while carrying on the tradition of the longest-running and most legendary band in American history. Jennifer is the bassist of Wynton Marsalis' Jazz At Lincoln center All-Stars which was featured in the hit musical revue "After Midnight" on Broadway and is currently on Broadway playing in Girl from the North Country.

Creators’ Retreat with Naomi Vladeck

Sunday, January 26 @ 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Free of charge. Registration Required

For women ready to activate their confidence, make bold choices and clarify their commitment to create the life and work they love in 2025.

Kick off 2025 with a deep-dive retreat with life and artist coach, Naomi Vladeck.

Naomi works with women artists and creators to develop their awareness skills, declare their commitments and take action to create the life and work they love. Naomi is the award-winning author of Braving Creativity, Artists Who Turn the Scary, Thrilling, Messy Path of Change into Courageous Transformation. If you feel stuck or afraid to take steps that feels risky, this retreat will create the movement you’ve been waiting for!

Please wear comfortable clothing, bring a wrap or small blanket, a journal and your favorite pen!

Creators of any kind: Welcome! 

Space is limited to 10 participants. 

About Naomi Vladeck

Naomi Vladeck is the award-winning author of Braving Creativity, Artists Who Turn the Scary, Thrilling, Messy Path of Change into Courageous Transformation. She is a certified creativity & life coach with a Masters in Performance Studies from NYU. Naomi has been working with and around independent artists for thirty years. As a performing artist, fundraising executive, event planner and non-profit founder and coach, Naomi has helped hundreds of artists create something new from an empty stage, blank page and canvas in their work and lives.