Thomas G. Waites — Juilliard-trained actor, musician, and storyteller — has long defied categorization, and his debut album Heartbreak Waites proves he has no intention of stopping now. At The Cutting Room in New York City, Waites and his band delivered a performance that was by turns funny, heartbreaking, galvanizing, and deeply human. From the fierce political urgency of “Heartbeat of Nation” to the wry wit of “Kelly Anne,” the concert showcased a singular artist who draws from nearly five decades of lived experience. With bandmates Tony Daniels, Cedric Allen Hills, and Annie McGovern providing world-class musicianship and soaring harmonies, the evening was equal parts concert, theater, and social commentary. The 14-track album is now available. If you’ve never seen Thomas G. Waites perform, this is your moment — and if you have, you already know: you don’t miss a second time.