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The New York Pops are now in the birthday spirit as America prepares to celebrate her 250th anniversary celebration.\u00a0 As a part of Carnegie Hall\u2019s presentation of <\/span>United in Sound: America at 250<\/em><\/span>, The New York Pops outdid themselves last evening on Friday March 13, 2026.\u00a0 Instead of focusing on one genre of music, the orchestra felt it was important to encompass the rich and diverse music of America.\u00a0 Therefore, the night\u2019s repertoire expanded that view to encompass the entire 250 years of music in our great land – from indigenous music to today\u2019s 21st Century interpretations.\u00a0 The filled-to-capacity audience in the famed venue quickly realized they were in for a treat.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n
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As the night opened theatergoers were amazed at the melodic tones of Tchin, a flutist of Blackfeet and Narragansett background.\u00a0 Attired in a simple white shirt and black trousers, the musician wore with pride a traditional Native American headdress as part of his outfit while playing his Indigenous American Courting flute.\u00a0 Truly inspiring.\u00a0 Onward to \u201cChester\u201d\u00a0 (New England Triptych) which was a haunting rendition of the 1770\u2019s Revolutionary War anthem used to inspire those early rebels to fight for the birth of a new country.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nNova Payton, a DC soprano, joined the NY Pops as the American story of music continued.\u00a0 Clad in a stunning white pantsuit adorned with red, blue and green watercolors, she thrilled theatergoers with her powerful interpretation of the African American spiritual from the 1860\u2019s, \u201cSwing Low, Sweet Chariot.\u201d\u00a0 This reviewer was mesmerized by her intense vocals.\u00a0 Onwards to the Gilded Age of America, as the 1890\u2019s created a stir with the invention of Ragtime.\u00a0 The \u201cragged\u201d music with a syncopated rhythm which originated in African American communities during this time scandalized Victorian society.\u00a0 Scott Joplin\u2019s \u201cMaple Leaf Rag\u201d set the tone as the audience swayed with the magnetic tune.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
As the 20th Century opened, a new musical interpretation was born, and Tin Pan Alley was created.\u00a0 Hovering in New York City on 28th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues, Tin Pan Alley was the first compilation of musicians, composers and publishers, such as the famed George M. Cohan, that brought the music hall music of vaudeville to the legitimate stages of Broadway. Broadway performer Max Clayton, dapper in a black tuxedo, joined the NY Pops with his rousing interpretation of George M. Cohan\u2019s \u201cGive My Regards to Broadway\u201d (Little Johnny Jones).\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nThe 1920\u2019s and the eventual Depression saw the popularity of the Blues, originally from the Deep South, find American audiences.\u00a0 Tony and Grammy nominated Ephraim Sykes brought down the house with his rendition of the 1929 Bessie Smith Blues hit \u201cNobody Knows When You\u2019re Down and Out.\u201d \u00a0 Suavely attired in a yellow-green double-breasted suit, Sykes continued with\u00a0 \u201cSummertime\u201d from the uniquely American Gerswhin opera <\/span>Porgy and Bess<\/em><\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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Time moved forward and the US moved through the Depression to World War II.\u00a0 Swapping his patent leather tuxedo shoes for tap shoes, Clayton showed theatergoers his dancing chops as he tapped his way through \u201cI Got Rhythm\u201d (<\/span>Girl Crazy)<\/em><\/span> from 1935.\u00a0 Irving Berlin next brought us through those hard times with his uplifting and romantic Swing songs.\u00a0 Big Bands filled the radio airwaves during the 1940\u2019s and made bandleaders such as Count Basie, Tommy Dorsey and Benny Goodman the \u201cpop stars\u201d of their time.\u00a0 The famed song from the glorious Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers frothy film <\/span>Top Hat,<\/em><\/span> \u201cCheek to Cheek\u201d saw all three of the night\u2019s singers joining on board – how delightful.<\/span><\/p>\nPost intermission, the mood turned more intense.\u00a0 Banjo player extraordinaire, Hilary Hawke, led the New York Pops in her interpretation of the 1940\u2019s Appalachian Blue Grass Music song, \u201cFoggy Mountain Breakdown.\u201d\u00a0 Clayton, Payton and Skyes continued with the controversial 1947 full version of the Woody Guthrie song, \u201c This Land Is Your Land\u201d which Guthrie penned as a critical answer to the Irving Berlin hit, \u201cGod Bless America.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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Nova Payton, now changed into a slinky black off the shoulder gown with sparkling accessories, gave a spectacular version of the 1961 Patsy Cline hit, \u201cCrazy.\u201d\u00a0 \u00a0 Channeling his best inner Elvis Presley interpretation, Max Clayton reemerged on stage with the 1950\u2019s Rockabilly hit \u201cBlue Suede Shoes.\u201d\u00a0 The 1960\u2019s saw Soul and R&B emerge, and so Ephraim Sykes sang a most stirring interpretation of the Civil Rights Anthem, \u201cA Change Is Gonna Come\u201d which roused the hallowed walls of Carnegie Hall.\u00a0 Finally, The New York Pops discoed their way into the groovy 1970\u2019s with Donna Summer\u2019s hypnotic,\u201dLast Dance.\u201d\u00a0 Payton\u2019s unbelievable vocals reverberated off those walls as she belted the lyrics and truly equaled the voice of the late, great Donna Summers.\u00a0 Amazing performance by Nova Payton!\u00a0 The early 1980\u2019s New Wave music which originated in NYC was given voice by Clayton and the New York Pops to\u00a0 The Talking Heads\u2019 \u201cOnce in a Lifetime.\u201d\u00a0 What historical timeline would be without the 1980s and \u201890s phenomenon of Michael Jackson?\u00a0 Thanks to a truly phenomenal performance by\u00a0 Ephraim Sykes, the audience was treated to his bringing Jackson and his iconic anti-violence\u00a0 hit \u201cBeat It \u201d to life once again.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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Finally, the trio of phenomenal singers – Max Clayton, Nova Payton and Ephraim Sykes, along with Essential Voices USA brought down the house with the 2014 Hip Hop \/ Rap song \u201cGlory\u201d (<\/span>Selma<\/em><\/span>).\u00a0 What a night of the most amazing voices on one stage.\u00a0 The standing ovations continued long after the music stopped. BRAVO says this reviewer!<\/span><\/p>\nThe Music of US: From Then to Now<\/em> <\/strong><\/span>featured the incomparable New York Pops led by Musical Director, Steven Reinke, with stupendous guest artists, Max Clayton, Nova Payton, Ephraim Sykes, Tchin, Hilary Hawke and the Essential Voices USA.<\/span><\/p>\nFind more information on the New York Pops website <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>. The Pops return to Carnegie Hall on April 27th with a gala celebrating music honoree Stephen Schwartz.\u00a0Find tickets to the gala here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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