Feast of Music

Tibet House Benefit at Carnegie Hall

Patti Smith closing out the night with "People Have the Power."

More pics of performances by Jim James, Tune-Yards, Rahzel, as well as Ira and Philip Glass at FoM's photo page.

James Carson and Lyndon Rochelle at Rockwood Music Hall

by Nicholas Fernandez

Photo credit: James Carson

Pianist James Carson and drummer Lyndon Rochelle poured their hearts into a set of original compositions and improvisations at Rockwood Music Hall on Friday. Between Carson’s dancing at the piano and Rochelle’s constant wiping of sweat from his brow, the physical and emotional energy the duo devoted to the performance was palpable.

Carson is far from your typical up-and-coming artist—a man with a feature documentary scheduled for release in the coming year, but no Wikipedia entry; a prodigy who designed and built a clay cabin in the isolation of rural Canada to spend countless hours practicing, accompanied only by a wood-burning oven. Carson’s quirks, however, are not without purpose. While attending New England Conservatory, Carson had an epiphany and realized his goal was to create a completely new musical conception that expressed the sound of earth and nature.

Nas and Anthony DeCurtis at 92Y

by Nicholas Fernandez

Hip hop legend and Queens native Nas held court for just over an hour at 92Y this Tuesday with Rolling Stone Contributing Editor Anthony DeCurtis steering the discussion. The wide-ranging interview presented Nas as a person, not just an artist, covering topics from childhood to parenthood and everything in between.

The evening served as a debriefing of Nas' New Year's Eve concert at Radio City Music Hall, as he related the consequences of bringing real-life struggles to the stage. "It was tense," he said of seeing his ex-wife, vocalist Kelis, after performing "Bye Baby" and tossing her now-famous green wedding dress to the floor.

The interview gave Nas a platform to emphasize the authenticity of Life Is Good, his four-time Grammy-nominated 2012 release. Although he mostly reiterated the “stay true to yourself” mantra, predominating artistic expression in all genres, Nas appeared open and honest, especially when discussing the lack of belonging he feels when visiting both childhood friends in his old Queens neighborhood and industry contacts in Bel Air.

Nas with Anthony DeCurtis at 92Y, Tuesday, January 8th

by Nicholas Fernandez

Gifted, influential, and platinum-selling rapper Nas will offer insights into his childhood, philanthropic work, and inspiration behind his new hit record, Life is Good, this Tuesday at the 92nd Street Y with Rolling Stone contributing editor Anthony DeCurtis.

One of New York City's most important contributions to hip hop, Nas has a nearly two-decade solo career, which has included numerous Billboard hits and highly publicized controversies. Recently, he has devoted attention to fundraising for charities devoted to ending poverty in Africa.