THE SALON
Friday, March 11, 2011
The Edison Ballroom - 240 west 47th Street
Celebrating Sinatra
Featuring legendary musicians who performed & recorded with Frank Sinatra!
Bucky Pizzarelli, Derek Smith, Jerry Bruno and Jimmie Young, with special guest Tony Sotos.
* Find out more *

MEET THE ARTISTS

THE SALON - 10th Anniversary Extravaganza / Celebrating Sinatra
Friday March 11, 20th at the Edison Ballroom

 click here to meet the Special Guest Singers  
 click here to meet all the performers 

BUCKY PIZZARELLI - guitar
Legendary guitarist who performed with Sinatra at the White House and toured with him throughout the US. Pizzarelli also played and recorded with Tony Bennett, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Kate Smith, Sarah Vaughn, Peggy Lee, Rosemary Clooney and Zoot Sims, among others. He played for years with Doc Severinsen on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.

For more than six decades, the legendary Bucky Pizzarelli has had a stellar career, appreciated by  swing musicians in particular. Self-taught, Pizzarelli has long been a master of the seven-string  guitar. The complete jazz musician, he has been a fixture in jazz and the studios since the early 50s. The list of big bands and vocalists with whom Bucky has performed and recorded reads like a veritable Who's Who of Jazz: Benny Goodman, Zoot Sims, Bud Freeman, and Stephane Grappelli,  among others. Pizzarelli's complete list of credits is staggering and includes greats such as Ella Fitzgerald, Glenn Miller, Antonia Jobim, Stan Getz, Oscar Peterson, Roberta Flack, Lena Horne, Charles Mingus, Carly Simon, Garry Mulligan, Buddy Rich, Miles Davis, Dexter Gordon, Milt Hinton, Lionel Hampton, Hank Jones, Wes Montgomery, Lou Rawls, and Rufus Wainright, among many others. Bucky is the father of jazz guitarist John Pizzarelli and upright bassist Martin Pizzarelli.  More information - Bucky Pizzarelli (Wikipedia)

JERRY BRUNO - bass
Played with Frank Sinatra over a number of years beginning in 1979, including at Carnegie Hall and Radio City Music Hall as well as on tours throughout Brazil and the US. Jerry was an active studio musician, recording with Don Costa, Tony Bennett, Stevie and Eddie, and many others. He also toured and performed with greats such as Liza Minelli, Tommy Dorsey and Louis Prima. Jerry met Bucky Pizzarelli in 1948 when they were both playing in Vince Monroe's big band; they have been playing together ever since.

DEREK SMITH - piano
A Grammy-nominated pianist recognized as one of New York's top studio musicians, and probably the world's most recorded commercial/jazz pianist. Derek Smith has performed with a who's who of show business from Sinatra to Pavarotti, from Dizzy Gillespie to Benny Goodman.

Derek Smith began his career in his native England, playing his first job for pay when he was fourteen. Someone rolled a piano out into the street, and he played for VE Day celebrations. Over his parents' protestations, he joined John Dankworth's band, when Cleo Laine was the female vocalist. Smith also began performing and recording for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), but soon realized the place for him, professionally, was America.

Smith came to the United States with no job awaiting him. Fourteen days after arriving in New York, he recorded with the Modern Jazz Quartet. One of his first engagements was working with his trio opposite Mel Torme and Ella Fitzgerald at Basin Street East in New York. He joined Benny Goodman's band in 1961 and was pianist on Benny Goodman - The Swing Era, released by Time/Life Records.

Derek Smith met Doc Severinsen when both were contracted to play a society gig. Later, when Severinsen was named leader of the NBC Orchestra, the "Tonight Show" Band, he called Smith to be the pianist. Smith played with the band for seven years while continuing to record daily in New York studios and work with Benny Goodman. When the "Tonight Show" moved to the West Coast, Smith opted to stay in New York and continue his career as a 'first call' studio musician.

Smith led his own band on NBC's "Musical Chairs" game show after he left the "Tonight Show." After "Musical Chairs" was cancelled, he began concentrating on jazz concert performances while continuing to record. Smith's trio album. Love for Sale, was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1989. Smith has 20 albums as leader to his credit in the United States and Japan. Described by critics as "fiery," "passionate," and having "an evil left hand," he is a frequent headliner at jazz festivals around the world.

Probably the world's most recorded commercial/jazz pianist, Smith may be heard on recordings ranging from the popular Burt Bacharach/Dionne Warwick and Steve Lawrence/Eydie Gorme tracks, recorded in the 1960s, to jazz albums with Dizzy Gillespie, Buddy deFranco, Louis Bellson, Milt Hinton and Clark Terry. The material Smith has recorded also includes move sound tracks, among them Woody Alien's Hannah and Her Sisters, Crimes and Misdemeanors, and Martin Scorsese's The Age of Innocence.

The roster of notables with whom Derek Smith has performed includes a "Who's Who" of show business, from Frank Sinatra to Luciano Pavarotti, from Placido Domingo to Robert Palmer. Lyricist Sammy Cahn, a good friend until his death, comedian Steve Alien, and many other performers have frequently called upon his accompanying and conducting skills.
More information - Derek Smith (Wikipedia)

JIMMIE YOUNG - drums
Recorded drums on Sinatra's TRILOGY ALBUM "Present" which famously includes "New York, New York." Jimmie also played and recorded with everyone from Barry Manilow to The Village People, and was a top studio musician.

JIM YOUNG first appeared in NYC in 1959 with jazz artists Marian & Jimmy McPartland, Jack Teagarden, Bud Freeman, in jazz festivals opposite Dave Brubeck's Quartet, and live performances opposite Maynard Ferguson, Woody Herman, Gene Krupa, Cozy Cole and Buddy Rich.

In the late 60s Jim was called on to play in a revolutionary Broadway show called "Hair". He also appeared in "Company", "Old Calcutta," "Sweet Charity," "Starlight Express," and "Grand Hotel." He has also played live with many well known singing acts such as Dihann Carroll, Vic Damone, Julius LaRosa, Florence Henderson, Nancy Wilson, Jack Jones and Gloria Lynne.

The 70's began Jim's fulltime recording career. His first hit record was Everybody Plays the Fool (The Main Ingredient). Many hits followed such as Mandy (Barry Manilow); Supernatural Thing (Ben E King); Never Can Say Goodbye (Gloria Gaynor); StarWars (Meco); Dance, Dance,Dance (Chic); Turn the Beat Around (Vicky Sue Robinson;, Found a Cure (Ashford & Simpson); New York, New York (Frank Sinatra); and Conga (Gloria Estefan, Miami Sound Machine). He also appeared with many recording stars such as Phoebe Snow, Stevie Wonder, Art Garfunkle, Starland Vocal Band, Silver Convention, and Roberta Flack.

TV credits include The Ed Sullivan Show, The Miss America Pageant, The Grammy Hall of Fame Awards, Sesame Street 10th Anniversary Special, The Carol Burnett/Julie Andrews 10th Reuinion from Lincoln Center, The Mike Douglas Show, China Beach, NBC's Showtime at the Apollo and The Macy's Day Parade on NBC. Movie score credits include: Network, The Fan, You light up my Life, Eddie and the Cruisers and All That Jazz!

TONY SOTOS - Sax and vocals / Special Guest
Tony plays saxophone and vocals of big band and in the Sinatra style & repertoire. A native of New York, Tonys musical roots began taking shape during his teen years at the height of the legendary 52nd Street jazz scene.  Saxophonist Phil Woods served as Tonys  first mentor. Tony has played with Clark Terry, Milt Hinton, Chuck Berry, Tony Bennett, Liza Minelli. He has appeared in the Woody Allen movie, Crimes & Misdemeanors, the TV series The Equalizer, and lends his vocals to dozens of current TV and radio commercials. Opera great, Luciano Pavarotti, personally requested Tony to perform at his annual birthday celebrations. More information - http://edpromo.net/tony_sotos.htm

HILARY GARDNER
Originally from Wasilla, Alaska, vocalist Hilary Gardner recently made her Broadway debut in Twyla Tharps hit musical, Come Fly Away.  Backed by a 19-piece big band, Hilary sang solos and duets with Frank Sinatra in a performance hailed by critics as wonderful (Huffington Post), elegant (USA Today), and terrific (New York Observer).
 
Hilary is the voice of West 73rd, a jazz-inflected cabaret quartet dedicated to exploring and re-imagining songs by Kurt Weill and, more recently, Sting.  Together with pianist Frank Ponzio, bassist Peter Donovan, and drummer Vito Lesczak, Hilary has performed at the Metropolitan Room, Feinsteins at the Regency, and the Detroit Institute of Arts.  West 73rds debut CD, The Kurt Weill Project (CAP), was nominated for a MAC Award for Best Jazz Recording of 2008.
 
Hilary has worked extensively as a guest vocalist.  Multi-platinum recording artist Moby featured Hilary prominently on his acclaimed 2009 release, Wait For Me (Mute Records/EMI).  She garnered critical praise for her contributions to Oasis (CAP), the 2004 release by the New York State of the Art Jazz Ensemble, led by Mike Longo, longtime Dizzy Gillespie associate.  Hilary has appeared on recordings with Manhattan Transfers Janis Siegel, vocal jazz quartet Monday Off, and indie-pop singer/songwriter Amiel, among others. 
 
Hilary is a classically trained vocalist with eclectic influences and a diverse résumé.  Whatever the venue or genre, she is always happy to be a part of the music.  In the words of her mentor, jazz piano great Mike Longo, Hilary Gardner is one of those exceptionally gifted individuals who spreads joy through her music whenever she performs. 
More information - www.hilarygardner.com

RON SUNSHINE
Over the course of a 20-year career that began on the streets of Paris and has taken him all over the world, vocalist, songwriter, harmonica whiz Ron Sunshine has thoroughly charmed his home New York audiences with his soulful mixture of catchy original songs, jazz standards and blues/R&B classics, releasing five critically acclaimed CDs along the way. Ron and his band continue to win new followers on their travels, with appearances along the way on CNN, BET, NBC, Fox, BBC, and other international television outlets, as well as numerous nationally released compilation CDs, books, films and radio. They have dazzled audiences from New York to Los Angeles, from Paris to Stockholm, from Bermuda to Red Bank. Ron's compositions also continue to be featured in dozens of popular television shows and films.  More information -www.ronsunshine.com

QUEEN ESTHER
Queen Esther is a multi-disciplinary artist. She is a graduate of The New School in screenwriting, the Governors Honors Program (state of Georgia) in theater and a Merit Award recipient in National Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts ARTS program in acting. Her work as a vocalist, lyricist, songwriter and actor/solo performer and playwright has led to creative collaborations in neo-vaudeville, alternative theater, various alt-rock configurations, (neo) swing bands, trip hop DJs, spoken word performances, jazz combos, jam bands, various blues configurations, original Off Broadway plays and musicals, experimental music/art noise and performance art. 

Her production Queen Esthers Stagedoor Canteen -- a weekly hour-long USO style variety show that welcomed performers to entertain the relief workers at Ground Zero for free -- received an honorary Drama Desk award.

As a featured actor in Bravo TVs documentary series The It Factor, an AUDELCO award-nominated star of George C. Wolfes Harlem Song, and Grand Prize winner of the 2008 Jazzmobile Vocal Competition, Queen Esther continues to create solo performance art as well as genre-defying original music while thriving in ongoing creative partnerships in jazz.

Of her self-released debut Black Americana CD Talkin Fishbowl Blues All Music Guide says: Youll have to set your preconceptions aside for this one. Queen Esther is active in the theater and performance art worlds, sings the blues, sings jazz with the JC Hopkins Biggish Band and now has offered up a great Rock and Roll album. Is there anything this woman cant do? (4 out of 5 stars)

Her newly released jazz CD What Is Love? is currently garnering rave reviews and receiving radio airplay worldwide.
More information - www.queen-esther.com

TODD LONDAGIN
This trombone playing, tap dancing co-founder of New York City's highly acclaimed Flying Neutrinos is making his mark internationally as the leader of the TODD LONDAGIN BAND. Accompanied by the finest jazz musicians New York has to offer, Todd's group ranges from an intimate, hip trio to a swinging 8-piece band. Todd's smooth vocals, combined with his lyrical horn playing and fresh looks are often likened to cool jazz legend Chet Baker and is what sets this group apart from the other classic jazz ensembles. Todd is a versatile entertainer with a sincere love of music and performance that is evident from the moment he steps on stage.

Singing, playing and touring internationally since the age of seven, his upbringing in a musical family made him comfortable performing in front of any type of audience. A pop vocalist with a jazz sensibility and a deep understanding of the essence of popular American song writing from the 1930's through the 1950's, Todd's sound has broadened and matured throughout his 14 years with the Flying Neutrinos and his growing career as a solo artist. Todd's unique interpretation of swinging standards and winsome ballads mixed with fresh new material are a musical asset at any occasion.

His recordings with the Neutrinos have been featured on such film soundtracks as "Blast from the Past" and "Three to Tango". In addition to making television appearances, he is equally relaxed playing a nightclub stage, at a corporate event, or even a formal wedding. More information - www.toddlondagin.com

J. WALTER HAWKES
A noted trombone and ukulele player, J. Walter Hawkes can be found performing almost every night of the week in New York City. Having performed with artists such as Norah Jones, John Lithgow, Lucy Woodward, Queen Esther and Todd Londagin, he has also performed in numerous bands such as Jet Set Six, The Useless Bastards, JC Hopkins Biggish Band and more. As a composer, he works mostly in animated television shows and is a three-time Emmy award winner for "Outstanding Achievement in Music Direction and Composition" for work on The Wonder Pets (Nickelodeon). Other shows include 3rd And Bird (Ceebies/BBC Worldwide), Oogloo & Anju (Cartoon Network), Go, Baby! (Disney Channel), Blue's Clues (Nickelodeon), and Sesame Street (PBS). More information - www.blatomaster.com

DANDY WELLINGTON
As a producer, Dandy has forged strong relationships across many industries within the United States and abroad, and is constantly creating partnerships through events. These partnerships saw their beginnings in India, where Dandy worked with Miss Universe and IG International, using fashion as a catalyst for AIDS awareness, and more recent projects such as the Liberty Belle Spectacular, have gained high volume press through Dandys collaboration with other well-known Vintage producers.

In the fashion world, Dandy Wellington is known as a theatrical show producer, creative stylist and consultant. Clients such as Red Bull Space, Laura Dawson, Karen Sabag and Make Up Forever have enlisted Dandy for his sought-after imagination, and unparalleled eye for detail. As an entertainer, Dandy Wellington is a trained dancer, singer, choreographer, and accomplished MC who travels and performs around the world. Some credits include performing for 3000+ people at Hammerstein Ballroom and singing with pop star Debbie Gibson in TimesSquare. Dandy is currently performing with The Champagne Riot, E Three Productions, and the famed Harlem James Gang. More information - www.dandywellington.com

HARLEM RENAISSANCE ORCHESTRA
When you are talking authentic big band sound, The Harlem Renaissance Orchestra (HRO) is second to none. True to the tradition of Swing, HRO's 18 piece orchestra, led by Ron Allen, has performed in some of the most prestigious venues and events in the country such as Lincoln Centers Midsummer Night Swing, Tavern On The Green, The Rainbow Room, The Plaza Hotel, The Apollo Theatre , JVC Jazz Festival and  many others. In addition the Harlem Renaissance Orchestra has been recognized and featured in a plethora of publications and media for their contributions to the arts. Harlem Renaissance Orchestra is dedicated to keeping the spirit of Big Band Swing music alive and thriving. Whether in a live performance or educating the next generation of musicians, HRO will remain a guardian and proponent of a great musical tradition. 
More information - www.harlemrenaissanceorchestra.com

GELBER & MANNING
Jesse Gelber & Kate Manning, feuding vaudeville lovebirds, combine original tunes with the hottest ragtime hits of the day. They performed at the Palace Hotel in 2008 and in the same year were nominated for a MAC award for best Jazz Duo / Group. They are regulars at the monthly jazz age soiree Wit's End, and can also be found at Duane Park in Tribeca and at Pane e Vino in Brooklyn. They co-created and starred in the musical, Vaudeville at the Gin Mill, and their acclaimed concert, Gelber and Manning Salute Vaudeville was performed at arts organizations and jazz societies all along the East Coast. Their first Album, Geber and Manning Goes Public, was released both in the US and Japan in 2008 and was nominated for a Just Plain Folks music award. Gelber & Manning are the co-stars and co-creators of the hit vintage fantasy web series, Gelber & Manning in Pictures. More information - www.gelberandmanning.com

ANGIE PONTANI
The Reigning Queen of Burlesque, Miss Exotic World Angie Pontani has heen shaking her tail feathers for as long as she can remember. Founding member of The World Famous Pontani Sisters, she is one of the most recognized and respected names in burlesque und has been credited with helping to pioneer the new revival with her classic and classy approach to strip-tease.

Performing all over the world, Angie spreads the glamour gospel with every shimmy, bump n grind, high kick and eye trick. She has been featured at private events for STUFF MAGAZINE, ESQUIRE MAGAZINE, HENNESSY, The Fox 5 Super Bowl Party, Virgin Records, The Guggenheim and many others. She strutted her rhinestone studded self multiple times on Late Night with Conan OBrien, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and Gossip Girl. Not one to shy away from the camera, Angie has flashed her pearly whites for renowned photographers like Ellen Von Unwerth and has been featured in countless prominent publication including The New Yorker, Glamour, The New York Times, Allure, Cosmopolitan, LUomo Vogue, Page Six Magazine, TIME and even InTouch Weekly!

This highly decorated Italian-Stallionette was recently named Miss Cyclone by Astroland in lovely Coney Island in honor of the famed roller coaster. She has also won the title of Miss Exotic World 2008. Culminating pounds or plumage worth of exper-tease. Angie puts on a show unmatched in style, sass, class and costuming, wowing fans the likes of Sting, Hilary Duff, The Strokes, Bai Ling, Anthony Kiedas & Taryn Manning, and even having performed for Hugh Hefner at LA's famous Orpheum Theatre.
More information - www.angiepontani.com

 #l Burlesque Attraction in the nation - states AOL.com.
 The best of Burlesque! - exclaims AM New York.
 Burlesque is booming in NYC and Angie Pontani is its reigning star!"- hails Page Six Magazine.

THE PONTANI SISTERS
The World Famous Pontani Sisters are a trio of choreographed cuties circling the globe on a quest to bring glamour back to entertainment! These siblings jump started their performance career early, performing for family and friends by dancing on picnic tables! With a Frank Sinatra 8-track as accompaniment, and spaghetti as their pay, the Sisters developed a love for performance! Now, years later, they tour the world as one of the pioneering forces of the new Burlesque, spreading their glamour gospel and bringing classic Burlesque sass back to the best venues on earth!

Their innovative performance repertoire boasts over 40 routines! Whether twirling gold lassos in their rhinestone cowgirl costumes, slithering on black cafe chairs in sparkling sequin Italian Princess threads or shimmying and shaking in fringe, everything the Sisters do is dipped in glamour. Their costumes and precision choreography, which is worthy of the heroic Busby Berkely.

The Sisters have garnered rave reviews in countless leading national and international publications. Their high-kicks, syncopated taps and sizzling shimmies have dazzled discerning audiences everywhere, from their beloved Coney Island to the glittering lights of Hollywood! Their stage show has been featured on television programs around the country, including repeat appearances on Late Night with Conan O'Brien. More information - www.pontanisisters.com

 "The grand dames of the burlesque movement." - The Boston Phoenix
  Recently named the #1 Burlesque attraction in the USA by AOL.com!
  Show Business Weekly named the Pontani Sisters the "Best NY Based Dance Company" for their "precision choreography, outrageous costumes, sensational shows and serious approach to serious entertainment."

GRACE GOTHAM
Grace Gotham, humors favorite temptress, is a vaudevillian specializing in old time comedic burlesque with a little song and dance thrown in the mix. She was featured in Marie Claire magazine (November 2009 issue) in a first-person essay she wrote about performing burlesque and being married to a man who is involved in local politics and who plans to run for office. In addition, she was a featured guest on Oprah Radio (Dr. Laura Berman Show) discussing the article and life surrounding the art of tassel twirling (12/4/09).

Grace performs regularly around New York City and has graced the stage at many well-known venues, such as The Slipper Room, Soho House, The Standard Hotel, Duane Park, The Triad Theatre, Public Assembly, Macao Trading Company, Nurse Bettie, Bowery Poetry Club, The Green Building, The Delancey Lounge, The Tank Theatre, White Star, Cercle Rouge, Chow Bar, and as part of the Burlesque at the Beach series on Coney Island.

She has also performed as part of the 2009 Food Network NYC Wine & Food Festival, for a formal afternoon tea hosted by Tracy Sterns SALONTEA; for various themed Jazz Age parties thrown by Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra; for Chifferobe, Kristen Minskys (of The Minsky Sisters) monthly Jazz Age party in Providence, Rhode Island; in Dallas, Texas for The Ruby Revues Stripping Through the Ages at House of Blues Dallas and Bewitching Burlesques Dark Carnival show; in Philadelphia, PA with Bravissimo Burlesque; as a regular cast member of BAWDY, a monthly fundraising vaudeville show benefiting Marriage Equality New York; and for private, themed parties on the Upper East  Side, where she resides.
More information - www.gracegothamnyc.com

JACK FETTERMAN - lounge DJ
Jack Fetterman co-created the quintessential NYC lounge party, "In Hi-Fi: Exotic Cocktail Music," at Bar d'O in 1996. Jack spins Exotica, Space Age Bachelor Pad, Now Sound, and other related genres at special
engagements. He also throws down tracks for burlesque gigs like Bombshell Burlesque, Starshine Burlesque, the New York Burlesque Festival, and the Coney Island Mermaid Parade.

In 2006, Jack produced "The Quiet City Penthouse Party" for Luxuriamusic.com, a ground-breaking Internet radio show, featuring go-go dancers, retro fashion shows, DJs, lipsyncing musicians, and
assorted boozehounds via webcam.

As a recording artist, Jack has re-arranged the music of Esquivel, Perez Prado, Les Baxter, Don Tiki, and the Waitiki 7. His latest track, "Similau," will appear on the April 2011 vinyl-only release of "The Waitiki 7 in Hi-Fi." Currently, Jack can be heard spinning Exotica with partner Gina of the Jungle at Tiki blowouts across the country and in the Big (pine)Apple.

DJ ADAM LEE - swing DJ
Adam Lee is the founder of Swing Beijing and the Beijing Big Band, and has been swingin' since he was 7 years old starting with music (saxophone and clarinet), and picking up swing dance in 1997.  He taught in his home state of California for 3 years before moving to China.  He taught in Beijing continuously for 7 years, and conducted workshops in places such as Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Moscow, Ireland, Portugal, Vietnam, Ukraine, London, Brazil, Argentina, Japan, and back again in his home region in the SF Bay Area.

He describes himself as a 'Musician who also can dance' and thinks of the Lindy Hop as a "natural dance" that should be done as an extension of natural movement and musical interpretation.  He just finished up a world tour in places with burgeoning swing scenes and helping out where he could. Adam is presently doing a Masters in Music Education at NYU. He has been developing a special series of classes for dancers, focusing on helping them to understand more clearly what is going on in the music that they are dancing to, and how they can put that knowledge to good use in their dancing.  More information - www.swinganddance.com

FREDO CERASO - mixologist
Fredo is the resident Cocktailian of The Salon and runs the noted blog, Loungerati.com writing the "Barfly's Beat" and "What We're Drinking" columns. A veteran of the lounge scene since the mid-1990s, his spirits reviews and interviews have been published in Atomic, Zelda, and RetroSpective magazines. He is a member of the United States Bartending Guild's New York chapter, guest drinks blogger at foodie blog Umamimart, and rolls drinks at many Lounge, Swing, Jazz Age, and Burlesque events. The Queens native takes his inspiration from drinks aficionado David A. Embury, bon vivant Charles H. Baker, and sprezzatura icon Marcello Mastroianni.
More information - www.Loungerati.com