Soul, Funk & Blues: 5 R&B Music Events Lighting Up Ulster County This September

September in Ulster County isn't just about apple orchards and fall foliage — it's about some of the best live soul, R&B, and blues music you'll find in the Hudson Valley this year. From a legendary Neville family name at Woodstock's Colony to a Roc Nation-signed sibling group at Levon Helm Studios, here are five shows that'll have you moving.

Cyril Neville & The Uptown Allstars — "Plays the Dead"

When: Saturday, September 12, 2026 — Doors 4 PM, Show 5 PM
Where: Colony, 22 Rock City Road, Woodstock, NY
Tickets: From $67
Info: colonywoodstock.com

Cyril Neville carries one of the most storied last names in New Orleans funk and R&B. As a founding member of The Neville Brothers and The Neville-related Uptown Allstars, Cyril has spent decades blending funk, soul, and groove. This outdoor Garden Show at the Colony pairs his signature sound with the improvisational spirit of the Grateful Dead — an unexpected combination that somehow makes perfect sense in Woodstock. If the weather turns, the show moves indoors.

Bruce Katz Band

When: Thursday, September 24, 2026 — 7 PM
Where: Colony, 22 Rock City Road, Woodstock, NY
Info: colonywoodstock.com

Bruce Katz is a Boston-born pianist and songwriter who has been called one of the finest blues and soul organists in the country. His band delivers a deep mix of blues, jazz, and R&B that has earned comparisons to the greats — Booker T, Dr. John, and Ray Charles. The Colony's intimate setting is the perfect room to catch Katz's Hammond B-3 work at its best.

Laith Al-Saadi — An Intimate Weekend (Night 1)

When: Friday, September 25, 2026 — 8 PM
Where: Levon Helm Studios, 160 Plochmann Lane, Woodstock, NY
Info: levonhelm.com

Laith Al-Saadi is a powerhouse guitarist and soulful vocalist from Ann Arbor, Michigan, who won over America as a finalist on NBC's The Voice in 2016. But his real credentials come from 25-plus years of blending blues, vintage R&B, soul, and classic rock into something deeply authentic. He's shared stages with Buddy Guy, B.B. King, and Gregg Allman. This intimate two-night residency at Levon Helm Studios promises the kind of up-close soul experience the venue was built for.

Infinity Song

When: Saturday, September 26, 2026 — 8 PM
Where: Levon Helm Studios, 160 Plochmann Lane, Woodstock, NY
Tickets: $40–$60
Info: levonhelm.com

Infinity Song is the Roc Nation-signed sibling group from New York City that's been turning heads with their blend of R&B, soul, soft rock, and gospel harmonies. Brothers Abraham, Angel, Israel, and sister Momo Boyd grew up singing in church, started busking in Central Park and NYC subway stations, and caught the attention of Jay-Z himself. Their lush vocal arrangements and genre-bending sound have drawn comparisons to The Fifth Dimension, The Mamas & The Papas, and modern soul acts. This is their first time playing Woodstock — don't miss it.

Blackberry Smoke

When: Saturday, September 19, 2026
Where: Ulster Performing Arts Center (UPAC), 507 Broadway, Kingston, NY
Info: upaclive.com

Atlanta's Blackberry Smoke has been one of the South's hardest-working bands for over two decades, blending Southern rock, soul, blues, and country into a sound that's earned them opening slots for the Rolling Stones and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Lead singer Charlie Starr's voice carries the kind of soulful grit that puts you in mind of the Allman Brothers at their peak. UPAC's restored 1,200-seat theater is the ideal setting for a band this powerful.

Plan Your Soul-Filled September

Ulster County's music venues — from the legendary Levon Helm Studios and the intimate Colony in Woodstock to Kingston's grand UPAC — deliver a September lineup that rivals any metro area. Whether you're after New Orleans funk, Delta blues, modern R&B harmonies, or Southern soul-rock, there's a show waiting for you.

Grab your tickets early — these rooms are small and these shows will sell out.

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