Alpha is a fierce, funky, bodacious band from Binghamton, NY that plays New Orleans-style brass band music from the likes of Rebirth, Dirty Dozen, Dr John, Maceo Parker, the Meters, and more. They play blues, funk, trad, world music, originals, and diva tunes from Chaka, Sia, and Adele.
The Alpha B's bring a soulful good time to the neighborhood, having done parades, clubs, block parties, street gigs, guerilla bar runs, and even traditional New Orleans funerals.
Grades: K-12
Program Length: 45 Minutes (adjustable when required)
Set-Up time: 40 minutes
Tear Down Time: 30 minutes
Audience Size: 30-1000
Description:
UnityGroup is a 4-5 piece world fusion ensemble that performs music of spirit and celebration. The band includes tenor and soprano saxes/flutes/African drums/steel pan/didgeridoo/vocals, guitar, bass, drums, and keyboards. UnityGroup is led by multi-instrumentalist and experienced teaching artist Rob Weinberger. The group is dynamic, enchanting, and entertaining, and has performed regionally in clubs, schools, music festivals, radio and television studios, and concert halls for more than 25 years. UnityGroup utilizes melodic shapes and rhythmic flavors from the Caribbean, West Africa, Latin America, Spain, and the Middle East in creating their unique original compositions. UnityGroup has recorded multiple albums, including a 2025 release, New World.
Critics have spoken highly of the band:
UnityGroup creates music that is both fascinating and incredibly infectious. They can easily move between an ethereal sound and high energy rhythmic grooves. A performance by Unity Group is a memorable experience in poly-cultural music.
George Graham, WVIA Television
UnityGroup’s facility with global musical styles is a testament …to their commitment to letting music communicate in ways that transcend national, cultural, or language barriers.…a joy to experience.
K Matthew Dames, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin
The band can adapt its shows for age and can add information about world culture and music as required. The band can also present a optional workshop for student musicians to focus on basics of improvisation, group interactions, and rhythmic phrasing.
Our online social media address is https://www.facebook.com/unitygroupmusic.
A video example from a recent regional festival appearance:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyPpbnVio0s
This performance supports the following NYS Learning Standards for the Arts:
Music — Creating:
● Imagine (generate & conceptualize artistic ideas & work)
● Plan, Make (organize & develop artistic ideas & work)
● Evaluate, Refine, Present (refine & complete artistic ideas & work)
Music — Performing:
● Select, Analyze, Interpret (analyze, interpret & select artistic work for presentation)
● Rehearse, Evaluate, Refine (develop & refine artistic techniques & work for presentation)
● Present (convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work)
Music — Responding:
● Select, Analyze (perceive and analyze artistic work)
● Interpret (interpret intent and meaning in artistic work)
● Evaluate (apply criteria to evaluate artistic work)
Music — Connecting:
● Relate (synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art)
● Interrelate (relate artistic ideas & works w/ societal, cultural & historical context to deepen understanding)
Categories: Artist in Residency / Music – Instrumental / Music - Jazz
Cost:
Single performance $1400 (4 pieces) / $1700 (5 pieces)
Half-day $2500 / $3000
Evening concert $1500 / $1800
The band typically uses 4-5 vehicles to travel from the Binghamton area to regional performances to be calculated at 60 cents per mile per car.
Grades: K-12
Program Length: 30-45 Minutes (Adjustable when required)
Audience Size: 30-1000
Set up Time: 20 minutes
Tear Down Time: 10 minutes
Description:
Nexus is a 2-3 piece group featuring saxophone/flute and guitar, with the option of adding a bassist. The duo typically features Rob Weinberger and Larry Lolli, although other regional artists are substituted when necessary.
Nexus performs intimate renditions of jazz standards and popular music from the 1960s to the present, showcasing the improvisational skills of the players and their ability to blend in an artistic and pleasing manner.
The group can also present a jazz workshop for music students on improvisational techniques, voice leading, and harmonic variations.
The online link for the group is https://www.facebook.com/nexus607
Links to music samples:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o6oJxgwuOYumj57K_95v6KaiV6qf6z2f/view?usp=drive_link
This performance supports the following NYS Learning Standards for the Arts:
Music — Creating:
● Imagine (generate & conceptualize artistic ideas & work)
● Plan, Make (organize & develop artistic ideas & work)
● Evaluate, Refine, Present (refine & complete artistic ideas & work)
Music — Performing:
● Select, Analyze, Interpret (analyze, interpret & select artistic work for presentation)
● Rehearse, Evaluate, Refine (develop & refine artistic techniques & work for presentation)
● Present (convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work)
Music — Responding:
● Select, Analyze (perceive and analyze artistic work)
● Interpret (interpret intent and meaning in artistic work)
● Evaluate (apply criteria to evaluate artistic work)
Music — Connecting:
● Relate (synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art)
● Interrelate (relate artistic ideas & works w/ societal, cultural & historical context to deepen understanding)
Categories: Artist in Residency / Music – Instrumental / Music - Jazz
Cost:
Single performance or workshop $700 (2 pieces) / $1000 (3 pieces)
Half-day $1200 / $1800
Evening concert $700 / $1000
The band typically uses 2 vehicles to travel from the Binghamton area to regional performances to be calculated at 60 cents per mile per car.