Entries by admin

2017: A Year in Review

January 4, 2018 /0 Comments/in , , /by

Here we are, in the first few days of 2018…. Looking back, 2017 was an amazing year on so many levels. I thought I’d take this opportunity to reflect on everything that’s happened here in NAIL’s world and beyond. I can scarcely believe the sheer variety of styles & contexts in which I get to […]

Solve for “X”

October 9, 2016 /0 Comments/in , , /by

So here we are: 2016 almost gone, but it feels a little like spring…. First off, I haven’t written a serious blog post in quite some time. Because, you know, I’m “busy” – doing “things“. Like writing and performing music. Or programming synthesizers. Or driving. (I do a lot of driving, for those who are […]

Related show

  • :
    Neil Alexander
  • Date:
    10/15/16
  • Time:
    7:00pm
  • Venue:
    Lobby at the Ritz Theater
  • City:
    Newburgh , NY
  • Address:
    107 Broadway
  • Venue phone:
    (845) 784-1199
  • Country:
    US
  • Admission:
    $25.00
  • Age restrictions:
    All Ages
  • Box office:
    (845) 784-1199
  • More info
  • Notes:
    The Ritz Theater of Newburgh presents: A very special evening of Jazz and Chamber Music featuring the music of pianist & composer Neil Alexander with the Neil Alexander Quartet and special guests.
    The players include the Neil Alexander Quartet (Peter Furlan, sax; Peter Brendler, Bass; Nadav Zelniker, drums, plus Fung Chern Hwei (violin), Rachel Evans (violin & viola), Mark Frankel (percussion & marimba), and special guests Tom Reese (flute & Penny whistle) and Mona Toscano (spoken word).
    Among the pieces scheduled to be performed are 2 world premiers – “Gravity Well” for violin & piano and “The Inner Journey” (originally composed for a choreographer) along with “Cumberland Spring”, an arrangement of Gershwin’s “Lullaby for Strings” and a very special performance of Neil’s 2002 4 movement Jazz Suite titled “Newburgh: An Urban Romance”.

Deke – Part 1

November 9, 2014 /0 Comments/in , , /by

A Long Overdue Concert for an Old Friend Gone Too Soon  Hi folks – I’m starting a series of posts here chronicling the preparation for and performance of a memorial concert for my friend Jim Decrescenzo, who passed away Sept 5th of this year at the age of 56. I’ve known Jim since I was […]

Related show

  • :
    Neil Alexander & Friends
  • Date:
    11/19/14
  • Time:
    7:00pm
  • Venue:
    Harmony Music
  • City:
    Woodstock , NY
  • Address:
    52 Mill Hill Road
  • Venue phone:
    (845) 679-7760
  • Country:
    US
  • Age restrictions:
    All Ages
  • Notes:
    Jim Decrescenzo: A celebration of his Life & Work, with a concert of his music never before perfumed in public.

    Please join us for a very special night celebrating the Life & Work of a dear old friend – Jimmy Decrescenzo, “Deke”, who passed away on September 5th of this year. Deke was a member of my first original band (which eventually went on to become “A. Animal”). A bassist & composer, we often joked how he had the real talent. At age 20 he was writing amazingly complex pieces. But he chose to give up music and sadly none of his compositions have ever been performed.
    On Wednesday November 19th, Family and friends will gather at Harmony Music Woodstock NY to reminisce, swap stories and celebrate the man and his work. Deke was an excellent woodworker; some of his works will be on display as well as video of him in his shop, and I have assembled a stellar band to finally perform Jim’s music. The band includes bassist Brian Mooney, Drummer Jason Furman, and guitarist Chad McLoughlin, along with horn man Peter Buettner, guitarist Ted Orr & bassist Steve Rust. In addition, the wonderful Joey Eppard will perform solo and with his group. There is no cover. I hope you can join us. 🙂

100 Years Of Spring Returns Home

July 25, 2013 /0 Comments/in , , , /by

         In 1966, a boy sat in a movie theater & watched the evolution of life and the rise and fall of the dinosaurs, accompanied by incredible music. The film was Walt Disney’s “Fantasia”, the music, Igor Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring” and the young boy was Neil Alexander – me. The […]

Related show

  • :
    Neil Alexander
  • 100 Years Of Spring: Solo Piano incl. The Rite Of Spring
  • Date:
    08/10/13
  • Time:
    8:00pm
  • Venue:
    Howland Cultural Center
  • City:
    Beacon , NY
  • Address:
    477 Main Street
  • Venue phone:
    (845) 831-4988
  • Country:
    US
  • Admission:
    $20.00
  • Age restrictions:
    All Ages
  • Notes:
    A concert & fundraising event for Common Ground Farm, including food, wine, raffles, and more. More details TBA.

100 Years Ago this week…

May 28, 2013 /0 Comments/in , , /by

It’s Tuesday May 28th. Tomorrow, Wednesday May 29th, will be exactly 100 years since Igor Stravinsky’s “Rite Of Spring” premiered in Paris at the Théâtre des Champs Elysées in Paris, with choreography from Vaslav Nijinsky. The infamous riot (or whatever actually happened – look it up, it’s debatable that it was an actual riot) is now a […]

Realizing a “Dream”: My 1st Piano CD (part 1)

November 30, 2012 /0 Comments/in , , /by

Greetings, Dear Readers! It’s finally here: “Darn That Dream Solo Piano Vol. 1”, my first official solo piano album. A long time in coming, this recording represents a very significant milestone for me. This post gives a little backstory and a little about my process. This is Part 1. Darn That Dream: Solo Piano Vol. […]

Related show

  • :
    Neil Alexander
  • 100 Years Of Spring: Solo Piano incl. The Rite Of Spring
  • Date:
    02/22/13
  • Time:
    7:00pm
  • Venue:
    Zebulon Sound & Light
  • City:
    New York , NY
  • Address:
    223 West 28th St 2nd Floor
  • Venue phone:
    (212) 695-8081
  • Country:
    US
  • Admission:
    $20.00
  • Age restrictions:
    All Ages
  • Notes:
    Solo Piano concert. Mixed classical and jazz program featuring selections from “Darn That Dream: Solo Piano Vol. 1” plus Stravinsky’s “Rite Of Spring” and works by Gershwin and Bartok.