By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Nellie McKay
Over the next few days, there will be shows in the area featuring acts that have been around for a long time – Nellie McKay, the Philadelphia Ballet and the Fractals.
McKay, who is performing on May 29 at the Elkton Music Hall (107 North Street, Elkton, Maryland, www.elktonmusichall.com) and May 31 at the Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808, www.st94.com), is a singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist who began her career as an entertainer singing in New York clubs in the late 1900s.
Currently, she is playing all the songs from her recently released album, “Gee Whiz: The Get Away From Me Demos,” an 18-track collection of previously unissued and self-produced demos on two LPs presaging McKay’s critically acclaimed debut album, out now on Omnivore Recordings.
“The album is out on vinyl for the first time,” said McKay, during a phone interview Tuesday night from her home in the Poconos.
“It’s a double album on vinyl and is also being released on CD with three bonus tracks.”
“Gee Whiz: The Get Away From Me Demos” collects McKay’s recordings which became that landmark album (“Get Away From Me”), composed, performed, and produced by Nellie, and sequenced identically to the original record.
As a bonus, the CD and digital programs also contain three very early, previously unissued tracks.
Mastered by multiple Grammy-winner Michael Graves, these revelatory demos show how complete the album was in its initial stages and brings new insight on the creative process from one of music’s most creative artists.
“We had the demos of all these songs so why not celebrate the 21st anniversary of the original release,” said McKay. “
“The three bonus tracks are little homemade things that I made,” said McKay. “I recorded them at the time I was playing piano bars.
“It’s nice that we got in touch with Omnivore. They also re-released ‘Hey Guys Watch This,’ (McKay’s most recent previous album).
“The album of demos was remixed in L.A. by Grammy Award winner Michael Graves. He made it sound great.”
McKay’s debut album, “Get Away From Me,” was released on Columbia Records in 2004. She first played shows in this area back in 2004 to accompany the release of that album.
When she was getting started, McKay made music that bridged the gap between jazz and hip-hop — a combination not often heard in today’s pop music.
The versatile performer was born in London and raised in New York, the Pacific Northwest and Pennsylvania’s Pocono Manor. When she was still in her teens, she was living in her own apartment in New York — at the edge of Harlem at 123rd and Amsterdam.
“I love New York,” said McKay. “I lived in Harlem. When people hear Harlem, they think it’s a dangerous place but it’s not bad.”
McKay, who attended school at Pocono Mountain Junior and Senior High, learned to play a variety of instruments including piano, cello, timpani, vibes, triangle and saxophone. Her main concentration has always been on keyboards.
“I played with the East Stroudsburg University Jazz Ensemble when I was still in high school,” said McKay. “Patrick Dorian, a music professor at ESU, gave me my first formal jazz training. He taught me a lot about composition.”
Eventually, McKay began playing gigs at New York piano bars such as Don’t Tell Mama’s, Stonewall Bistro, Psychic Cafe, Regents, Rose’s Turn, and Mozart Café (where she was canned because she liked to play Christmas songs in August when people weren’t sick of them). A record deal with Columbia followed and the rest is history.
McKay treats fans to live renditions of classic songs that are commonly referred to as standards. Her set list might also feature a Beatles song or even the Frank Zappa classic tune, “Hungry Freaks Daddy.”
Unlike most of many of her previous albums, “Hey Guys, Watch This,” featured McKay as a composer instead of song stylist.
“This is my first album of all original songs in 15 years,” said McKay. “The oldest song is from 15 years ago – ‘did I catch you dreaming.’ It was inspired by my dog who was sleeping.
The most recent one is ‘badumbump.’
“There are 15 songs on the album. I had a lot of songs, and I chose these 15 because I was running out of time.”
McKay recorded the album in several locations – mainly in the hills of the Mountaineer State.
Recorded in Charleston, West Virginia with The Carpenter Ants and a roving retinue of musical compadres, “Hey Guys, Watch This” traces the haunted sounds of Appalachia to a renaissance of revelry.
McKay released an EP titled, “Bagatelles,” in 2019. The album before that was “Sister Orchid” in 2018.
“Sister Orchid” includes timeless gems such as “Willow Weep for Me,” which was first recorded in 1932 by the Paul Whiteman Orchestra and later was a hit for Billie Holiday in the mid-1950s; “Georgia on My Mind,” a Hoagy Carmichael song from 1930 that was a hit for Ray Charles in 1960; and “In a Sentimental Mood,” which was penned and performed by Duke Ellington in 1935.
On McKay’s website, “Sister Orchid,” which was released May 2018 on Palmetto Records, had this description – “Conjuring the image of a lonely all-night truck stop along Highway 1 on the California coast, all but lost in the fog that comes creeping along the shoreline… this album speaks of the night, the outsider, the plaintive wail of those lost at sea.
“‘Sister Orchid’ was conceived in solitude, executed in darkness. It comes from a place of quiet, a world of low lights and cool drinks, up against a hard wall. An oasis of hungry eyes and easy promises, warm as a biscuit, the kind of place your mother warned you against.”
“Sister Orchid” was McKay’s seventh label release. Her previous albums include “Obligatory Villagers,” “Normal as Blueberry Pie,” “Home
Sweet Mobile Home” and “My Weekly Reader.”
McKay is like a modern-day “Renaissance Woman.
On Broadway, she won a Theatre World Award for her portrayal of Polly Peachum in “The Threepenny Opera.”
She also co-created and starred in the award-winning Off-Broadway hit “Old Hats,” and has written and produced musical biographies around a compelling gallery of ladies – from environmental pioneer Rachel Carson to the life, conviction, and execution at San Quentin of underdog Barbara Graham.
Other projects included “The Big Molinsky – Considering Joan Rivers,” and “A GIRL NAMED BILL – The Life and Times of Billy Tipton,” which was named one of the “Best Concerts of the Year” by The New York Times.
McKay’s screen work includes roles in “PS I Love You” and “Downtown Express.” She contributed movie music to “Rumor Has It,” “Monster-in-Law,” “Gasland,” “Last Holiday,” and “Private Life.”
In the television world, her music has been heard on “Mad Men,” “Boardwalk Empire,” “Weeds,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “NCIS,” “Nurse Jackie,” and “SMILF.” Additionally, McKay’s writing has appeared in The Onion, Interview, and The New York Times Book Review.
McKay also has devoted much of her life to projects combating animal abuse.
She is a recipient of PETA’s Humanitarian Award and The Humane Society’s Doris Day Music Award in recognition of her dedication to animal rights.
“I’ve been a vegetarian since I was eight,” said McKay. “I’ve been vegan since 2004. Non-violence begins on your plate.”
With her shows this summer, McKay is showing that “old” can be “new” again.
“We’re going to be playing the whole ‘Gee Whiz’ album in the shows this summer,” said McKay. “We’re playing them in the same order as on the album – and we’ll have visual accompaniment.
“We’re doing it just for this tour. I thought – why not have some fun with this show. We play all of ‘Gee Whiz.’ We’ll also play some songs from other albums depending on the audience and the room.”
Video link for Nellie McKay — https://youtu.be/AIpNLw_9YbU.
The show on May 29 at the Elkton Music Hall will start at 8 p.m.
Tickets for the show, which has Jae Street as the opening act, are $35.
Other upcoming shows at the venue are Ronstadt Review featuring Gesenia on May 30 and EXTC on June 4.
The show on May 31 at the Sellersville Theater will start at 8 p.m.
Tickets for the show, which has Nancy & Spencer Reed as the opening act, start at $29.50.
Other upcoming shows at the venue are The Machine on May 29, Home Again on May 31, Peter Antoniou ‘Psychic’ Comedian on June 1 and Tab Benoit on June 3.
Philadelphia Ballet
When it comes to longevity, it’s hard to beat the Philadelphia Ballet – or the Pennsylvania Ballet. Founded in 1963, the Pennsylvania Ballet rebranded to Philadelphia Ballet in 2021.
This weekend, the Philadelphia Ballet’s Sixth Annual Spring Festival (philadelphiaballet.org) will be held at Red Rose Farm, Board Chairman David F. Hoffman’s beautiful property in Villanova.
The Festival, which will take place on May 29 and 31, features outdoor performances by Philadelphia Ballet and School of Philadelphia Ballet.
The event will be hosted over two evenings.
The first will be the Benefit Event on May 29 featuring a cocktail reception, the presentation of the Anthony Haller Volunteer of the Year Award, and performances featuring Philadelphia Ballet and School of Philadelphia Ballet, followed by a dinner with the artists in the poolside garden.
All funds raised from the Festival support the Ballet’s work on stage and in the community.
On Saturday, May 31, at the Picnic Event, guests are encouraged to bring friends, their own picnic, favorite wine, and a blanket to enjoy an evening of outdoor performances on the lawn. It will also feature performances by Philadelphia Ballet and School of Philadelphia Ballet.
For Philadelphia Ballet Artistic Director Angel Correa, a native of Barcelona (Spain), a key factor will be “si el tiempo lo permite,” which is Spanish for “weather permitting.”
Both events feature outdoor performances so the forecast of rainy weather for the next few days is worrisome.
“We’re trying to deal with the weather,” said Correa, during a phone interview Wednesday night from Philadelphia. “The whole weekend looks like rain.
“The venue – David Hoffman’s house – is beautiful. It’s a great place for outdoor performances.”
It will be a wonderful place for the shows – if the rain holds off. Rain dates are May 30 for the May 29 event and June 1 for the May 31 event.
The 2025 Red Rose Farm performance will feature new works commissioned by Corella from three Philadelphia Ballet artists — Charles Askegard, Zecheng Liang, and Russell Ducker.
The program will also feature a special performance by School of Philadelphia Ballet.
“Charles Askegard is our rehearsal director,” said Correa. “It’s a classical piece by John Francois called ‘Concrete Francois.’
“It has nine dancers. It’s very energetic – very fast. It uses a lot of Balanchine style.
“Zecheng Liang’s piece is ‘The Meeting Point.’ It’s set to music by Florian Christaller and has eight dancers. It’s a little more modern – and very fluid.
“Russell Ducker’s piece is ‘Les Spectres de la Rosa’ – the spectacle of the rose. The original music was by Carl Maria von Weber.
“The piece has four men and one woman. It’s very explosive – especially for the men.”
The School of Philadelphia Ballet will also perform several numbers.
“There are three other pieces,” said Correa. “‘After the Rain is very peaceful — the feeling after a storm. It’s set to music by Christopher Wheeldon. It’s almost ethereal.
“
The other two are Balanchine pieces. ‘Tarantella’ is a pas de deux that is really fun – a lot of jumping and hitting the tamburello.
“The other is from ‘Swan Lake.’ It was never meant to be in the full-length so Balanchine took it and created a pas de deux. It’s really fast – really energetic.”
The Benefit Event on May 29 will start at 5 p.m. with a Cocktail Reception followed by a performance at 6:30 p.m. The Picnic Event on May 31 will start at 6:30 p.m.
The Fractals, who will have their release party for their new EP, “Rescue,” on May 30, are a Philadelphia-based band that has been around since 1993.
The party/concert will take place at 118 North (118 North Wayne Avenue, Wayne, www.118northwayne.com) on Friday night at 9 p.m.
The line-up of the Fractals band includes Kevin Hanson, Jim Stager, Erik Johnson and Mike Frank.
Hanson, lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter, has recorded and performed with Usher, Jay-Z, The Roots, Musiq Soulchild, and more. He appears in the films Fade To Black and Dave Chappelle’s Block Party.
Stager, bassist, has performed or recorded with artists ranging from Cab Calloway to the punk band X. His mastery of rock and jazz has earned him a place among Philadelphia’s elite players.
Johnson, drummer, has worked across styles with George Garzone, Kurt Elling, Susan Werner, and many others. He now drums for many of the East Coast’s premier singer-songwriters.
Frank, keyboardist and Theremin enthusiast, is a staple in Philadelphia’s jazz community, known for his sensitivity as an accompanist and his musical genius.
The band hasn’t always been the Fractals. From 1992 through the early 2000s, they were known as Huffamoose.
“Huffamoose was together from 1993 until 2001,” said Hanson, during a phone interview Wednesday afternoon from his home in Germantown.
“Then, our lead singer Craig Elkins moved to L.A. Erik, Jim and I decided to keep going. We were the Kevin Hanson Trio starting in 2001. We changed to the Fractals in 2006 because we wanted a band identity.”
The history of The Fractals as a band spans a timeline of over thirty years, from their start in a Mexican restaurant, to the main stage at Woodstock ‘94, under the name Huffamoose, to the current incarnation of The Fractals, their most potent configuration to date.
After performing on the main stage at Woodstock ‘94, Huffamoose signed with Interscope Records, toured extensively while charting on Billboard’s Alternative Rock chart, played on Late Night With Conan O’Brien, and cultivated a reputation as a band of unusual skill and creativity.
Three of the four Fractals (Jim Stager, Kevin Hanson, and Erik Johnson) were original members of Huffamoose, and their keyboard master, Mike Frank, was a guest artist on their Interscope debut.
“In addition to the Kevin Hanson Trio, I had been doing other rock gigs and jazz gigs,” said Hanson. “I wanted to keep it separate from the band.
“The first recording we did as the Fractals was the ‘Lucky Red Shoes’ EP in 2006. Then, we did the ‘Heavy Rotation’ LP in 2010 and the ‘Sakes Alive’ EP in 2013.
“We also released a few singles along the way and now we have ‘Rescue.’ I’ve written all the band’s songs so far. I’ll bring in a batch of songs and then we’ll work on them as a band.
“With Mike in the band, it gives me more possibilities to write in the studio. We’re focusing on more harmonies – Beach Boy-like harmonies.”
The Fractals had an EP in 2006, an album four years later and then another EP three years after that – “Sakes Alive” in 2013. It took the band a dozen years to issue a new record.
“It was a long time,” said Hanson. “I had two daughters in the interim. And all of us work a lot. I teach music theory and history of music at several universities – Temple, Rowan and Swarthmore.
“The last three years, we’ve been in the studio with our engineer John Anthony. We’ve done a lot of songs. We have a lot of new material – enough to fill another album.
“We’ve been recording at Gradwell House in Haddon Heights, New Jersey. The mixes for ‘Rescue’ were done when we finished each individual song.”
Fans will get to hear the new tunes live this Friday.’
“We’ll be playing the entire EP,” said Hanson. “We have 15 songs on our set list. Our live show is pretty much high voltage.”
Video link for the Fractals — https://youtu.be/mr0N3PcLatw.
The show at 118 North on May 30, which has The Naked Sun as the opening act, will start at 9 p.m.
Tickets are $20.75.
There will also be a great show at 118 North on May 29 with The James Oliver Band featuring Kenny Aaronson. Opening the show will be Greg Sover, one of America’s premier young blues guitarists.
Bass player extraordinaire Aaronson is a legendary bassist who has recorded or performed with notable artists such as Bob Dylan, Rick Derringer, Billy Idol and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. Since 2015, he has been the bass player for The Yardbirds.
Other upcoming shows at 118 North are The Grateful Allman Band Experience on May 31, DNR on June 1 and Brian Dunne + Ken Yates on June 4.
Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295, http://www.kennettflash.org) is presenting Dave Mattock with Funktap on May 29, Comedy Writers Showdown on May 30 and Tom Hampton with special guest Jack Murray on May 31.
Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center (226 North High Street, West Chester, www.uptownwestchester.org) will present The Philly Keys on May 29, Heather Shaw on May 30 and The Great DuBois on May 31.
Jamey’s House of Music (32 South Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, 215-477-9985,www.jameyshouseofmusic.com) will host Tom Hampton and Jack Murray on May 30 and The Lucky Break and Mindstorm on May 31.
The Sunday Blues Brunch & Jam with the Philly Blues Kings is one of the longest running blues jams in the region, as well as the #1 original Sunday Blues Brunch and Jam.
The featured act this week will be the Philly Blues Kings with Clarence Spady. The open mic jam runs from 1-3 p.m. with the featured band playing a set from noon-1 p.m.
The Ardmore Music Hall (23 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, www.ardmoremusic.com) will present Melt With You on May 24, David Cross on May 28 and Gimme Gimme Disco on May 30
The Keswick Theater (291 N. Keswick Avenue, Glenside, 215-572-7650, www.keswicktheatre.com) will present OMD on May 24, Corinne Baily Rae on May 28 and Let’s Sing Taylor on May 31.
