Charlotte Symphony resident conductor Christopher James Lees is helping bring classical music to the big screen. As Lees puts it, the Charlotte Symphony's “film in concert” performances show that classical music is much more than its reputation of being from “a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.” Rather, classical music is as timely and transformative as ever before.

In 2006, Billboard Magazine praised Charlotte-based band Noises 10. In the magazine’s words, “The hooks come from all directions in a Noises 10 song, but it’s Jason Scavone’s impassioned vocals that make the band impossible to ignore.”

Since the band parted ways, Jason Scavone has kept his music life quite busy, producing hundreds of artists at Charlotte’s Sioux Sioux Studios, releasing his debut solo release “Finding Today” and even collaborating with Grammy Award-winning Americana star Brandi Carlile.

In honor of Valentine’s Day, we asked Jason Scavone about his love for singing and songwriting, not falling out of love with music given the up’s and down’s of the industry, and what it takes to make a love song come to life.

If you lived in Charlotte in the early 2000’s, you lived through the golden age of Rock En Español in the Queen City. Latin reggae band Bakalao Stars (led by Christian Anzola) took root during this fertile musical period, a time of locally-produced and supported Latin music which was heralded as “the soundtrack of Charlotte’s racial and cultural evolution.”

So what happened to those bands in this city? And what is happening now with Bakalao Stars, one of the remaining Rock En Español acts from that generation?

Any DJ can press play on a pre-made mix of music and hope for the best. But a good DJ is equal parts performer and listener, taking a pulse of the room and translating that feeling into a living mix of songs that taps into the crowd’s mood. And a great DJ is more than just an act, but also a community builder and an advocate for inclusivity.

Charlotte's DJ Fannie Mae is most definitely in that “great” category, breaking ground as the first DJ for the Charlotte Ballet, as well as the go-to DJ for the Queen City’s museums, clubs and festivals.

Since opening shop in 2018, Ink Floyd has become a visual center for the Charlotte music scene, designing and printing up thousands of posters, shirts and stickers for regional musicians and venues. But it’s more than just promoting audio through visuals. As Ink Floyd owner Dave Collier puts it, it’s about encouraging brand awareness (and support) for bands.

With such friendly faces and such a friendly band name, you wouldn’t expect Amigo to be one of the darkest rocking country acts in Charlotte. But that’s what this Queen City troupe does: producing punk-infused-country music that showcases the (dark) heart on their sleeve. It’s the kind of music that highlights the struggles of life (and the light that can be found therein), and it’s also the kind of music that’s earned rave reviews from the music magazine No Depression and recognition from Creative Loafing for Amigo having the “Best Release of 2018.”

Some may recognize jazz as being the lifeblood of New Orleans, but what of Charlotte?  President and CEO of the Jazz Arts Initiative Lonnie Davis shares what it takes to sustain (and evolve) “America’s Classical Music” in the Queen City. “Jazz is life.” That was a quote from one of our students. And I think … Continue reading "Lonnie Davis on Planting the Seeds for ‘America’s Classical Music… Jazz’"

Self-taught on the drums at the age of six. Raised on a mix of A Tribe Called Quest, Chuck Berry, and Lauryn Hill. Taking meetings with Jay-Z's record label Roc Nation before her debut release even dropped in 2017. Just like her music, the stories of up-and-coming R&B star Cyanca are anything but ordinary.

Lunchbox Records is one of the most recognizable record stores in the Charlotte area, not only because it’s painted a very bright blue, but also because of its impact in the music community.

It’s known for hosting in-store performances for all ages, stocking records from local acts and even selling concert tickets for Charlotte venues. It may seem like we’re in an age of music streaming, but Lunchbox Records owner Scott Wishart shows that, in actuality, we’re in a record renaissance.

Opera singer Melinda Whittington's career combines costumes and characterization with a love of history, languages, cultures and singing. Here career has taken her on international tours and even a performance at the world famous Metropolitan Opera. Now, she wants to share her love of opera with audiences in North Carolina.