Music Views - River View Observer https://riverviewobserver.net A lifestyle and entertainment publication serving the Jersey City, Hoboken, Bayonne, Weehawken, West New York, North Bergen, Cliffside Park, Edgewater, Secaucus and Guttenberg Waterfront Communities Thu, 08 Aug 2024 00:02:38 +0000 en hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 Former Jersey City Resident Abraham J. Santiago Pens New Book ‘Underated Singing Groups’ https://riverviewobserver.net/former-jersey-city-resident-abraham-j-santiago-pens-new-book-underated-singing-groups/ Thu, 08 Aug 2024 00:02:37 +0000 https://riverviewobserver.net/?p=15579 From the Past to the Present Abraham Santiago award-winning author, and film documentarian, has become the most prolific writer on acappella music, over the past fifteen years. Santiago has appeared on the radio from California to New York. He received numerous awards, his latest being the Vinyl City Hall of Fame Award in October 2019. … Continue reading Former Jersey City Resident Abraham J. Santiago Pens New Book ‘Underated Singing Groups’ →

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Abraham Santiago award-winning author, and film documentarian, has become the most prolific writer on acappella music, over the past fifteen years. Santiago has appeared on the radio from California to New York. He received numerous awards, his latest being the Vinyl City Hall of Fame Award in October 2019. As of this date, no one has come close to, giving us the historical and social connection to the birth of Acappella music that began in the 1960s. Moreover, he was the first person to write, produce, and direct the first documentary film on the history of acappella as a genuine regional art form. He was also the first to produce an animation cartoon on acappella groups singing in the R&B style.

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]]> SINATRA SWINGS AGAIN!   2018 Sinatra Idol Contest, June 14 https://riverviewobserver.net/sinatra-swings-again2018-sinatra-idol-contest-june-14/ Fri, 08 Jun 2018 05:32:12 +0000 http://riverviewobserver.net/?p=11916 14 Crooners Compete for Title at Sinatra Park, Hoboken  By Sally Deering For those of you who know Frank Sinatra Drive as the long and winding road on Hoboken’s waterfront, well, kids, its time you knew some Hoboken history. Let’s just say Ol’ Blue Eyes grew up in Hoboken back when almost every corner had … Continue reading SINATRA SWINGS AGAIN!   2018 Sinatra Idol Contest, June 14 →

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]]> 14 Crooners Compete for Title at Sinatra Park, Hoboken

 By Sally Deering

Sinatra Swings Again
Dan Lauzon, Ontario Candad

For those of you who know Frank Sinatra Drive as the long and winding road on Hoboken’s waterfront, well, kids, its time you knew some Hoboken history. Let’s just say Ol’ Blue Eyes grew up in Hoboken back when almost every corner had a gin joint and if you could carry a tune, some music-lover on a barstool bought you a drink.

Those were the days when Hoboken native son Frankie Sinatra walked the Mile Square City dreaming of someday making it big. And make it he did! Superstar, legend, and boy, what a voice. It’s been said that back in the 1990s, while Sinatra was in Manhattan, he would tell the limo driver to take him to Hoboken where his black limo could be seen cruising up and down the old neighborhoods.

Sinatra Sings Again
Contestant Stanley Volk, London, England

If you want to see just how much impact Sinatra has had on fans of his music, then you might want to head over to Frank Sinatra Park on Thursday, June 14, at 6:30 pm for the Sinatra Idol contest where 14 contestants from as far as London, and Mexico will hit the stage and channel the swinging vocal style of Ol’ Blue Eyes as they compete for prizes and bragging rights to the title, Sinatra Idol.

Sinatra Idol hosts are Gary Simpson and Geri Fallo, the director of Hoboken’s Cultural Affairs department who will introduce the contestants. Judges are Bob Foster, director of the Hoboken Historical Museum; Dave Post, bandleader for the Swingadelic Big Band; Jack Silbert, music writer and editor (The New York Times, New Jersey Monthly, Weird NJ); Joyce Flinn, owner of Elysian Cafe & Schnackenberg’s Luncheonette in Hoboken; and Jay Lustig, founder/editor NJARTS.net. Jerry Pearce, the 2017 Sinatra Idol winner will perform.  

 

 Sinatra Swings Again

Contestant Barry Oliver Lawton,

Dorchester, MA

 Sponsored by Hoboken’s Cultural Affairs office, Sinatra Idol will require contestants to sing a Sinatra tune, and although the contestants don’t have to sound like Sinatra, they must convey Sinatra’s swingin’, finger-snapping cool. Contestants this year are James Beckman, Elizabeth, NJ; John Busalschi, Wilmington, NC; Peter Cannella, Gloucester City NJ; Paul Capello, St. Augustine, FL; Joe Cracco, Massapequa, NY; Gabriel Diaz, Mexico City, Mexico; Frank Gamrus, Madison, IN; Dylan Kaplan, Hoboken, NJ; Dan Lauzon, Burlington, Ontario, Canada; Barry Oliver Lawton, Dorchester, MA; David Martinez, Elmont, NY; Jerry Padula, Esq, Waterbury, CT; Humphrey Uddoh, Jersey City, NJ; and, Stanley Volk, London, England.

 

Sinatra Swings Again

Contestant Frank Gamrus,

Madison, Indiana

A garment industry retiree, Stanley Volk will be visiting Hoboken for the first time for the Sinatra Idol contest. Hailing from London, England, Volk used to sing in Barber Shop Quartets. He has competed on TVs The X Factor and made it to the third round several times. He’s been a huge fan of Sinatra’s ever since the 60s, he says. 

“Though I grew up with the pop scene, The Beatles, etc., I never really took to that sort of music,” Volk says from London. “Modern Jazz was my thing, particularly Big Bands. We had a lot in London at that time. I saw Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Sara Vaughan, Buddy Rich, et. al. at the Ronny Scott club where it all happened.”

For Sinatra Idol, Volk plans to sing a Sinatra tune from the 1958 album “Only the Lonely” although his favorite Sinatra tune is Angel Eyes, he says.

“There is so much feeling and emotion in his interpretation of that song,” Volk says.

Sinatra Idol contestant James Beckham of Elizabeth also grew up listening to Big Band music and got turned on to Sinatra when he won a contest in college with Sinatra’s rendition of the Cole Porter classic and Sinatra signature song, I’ve Got You Under My Skin.

“From that day on, I continued learning the music of Sinatra and other Big Band Swing artists,” Beckham says. “I eventually built my own show, James’s Big Band Classics that I perform at local coffee shops, restaurants and assisted living communities.”

 

Sinatra Swings James Beckman

 

Contestant Humphrey Uddoh of Jersey City is an attorney who works for New York City Transit. Back in the day, Uddoh’s mom knew Sammy Davis Jr.’s wife, Mae Britt, and Uddoh had the opportunity to watch the great singer Sammy Davis, Jr. rehearse and perform Those special times inspired Uddoh to sing during his college years at Vassar College. During college, however, Uddoh started smoking cigarettes and gave up on singing. Smoke free for the past five years, Uddoh takes his singing seriously and studies with a former singer with the Metropolitan Opera in New York.

Singing “My Way”, Uddoh competed in Sinatra Idol last year and came in 3rd Place. This year he plans to step up his game with Fly Me To The Moon, he says, and even though his singing may be inspired by Sinatra, he’s not trying to sound like Sinatra.

“I sing in a crooner style,” Uddoh says.

 Sinatra Swings Humphrey Uddoh

Contestant Humphrey Uddoh,

Jersey City

 

 

“When asked if he’s channeling Sinatra when he performs on stage, Uddoh says, “yes!”

I feel his energy,” Uddoh says.

If you go

Thurs, June 14, 6:30 pm

SINATRA IDOL

Sinatra Park on Frank Sinatra Drive, HOB

For more info: www.hobokennj.gov

 

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]]> Singer Giselle enters NPR Tiny Desk Contest https://riverviewobserver.net/singer-giselle-enters-npr-tiny-desk-contest/ https://riverviewobserver.net/singer-giselle-enters-npr-tiny-desk-contest/#respond Wed, 28 Mar 2018 15:26:47 +0000 http://riverviewobserver.net/?p=11709 Jersey City indie pop singer Giselle has joined thousands across the country in entering NPR’s 2018 Tiny Desk Contest. Every year, NPR’s Tiny Desk Series hosts a national contest through YouTube, offering undiscovered talent the opportunity to win a Tiny Desk performance at NPR in Washington, D.C., a US tour with NPR and Lagunitas, and an appearance at a … Continue reading Singer Giselle enters NPR Tiny Desk Contest →

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Jersey City indie pop singer Giselle has joined thousands across the country in entering NPR’s 2018 Tiny Desk Contest. Every year, NPR’s Tiny Desk Series hosts a national contest through YouTube, offering undiscovered talent the opportunity to win a Tiny Desk performance at NPR in Washington, D.C., a US tour with NPR and Lagunitas, and an appearance at a taping of NPR’s Ask Me Another.

Giselle, accompanied by her band, delivered a live performance of her song “Patience” as entry into the contest, with the help of local filmmakers and creatives who assisted with the video’s production. The video was filmed at Jersey City’s vibrant and newly-opened restaurant, Frankie.

Giselle is originally from Miami, FL but later found herself leaving school and heading to the bright lights of New York City to pursue a singing career. Though classically trained in opera, Giselle’s vocal style evolved as she began charting new territories as a songwriter.

Giselle is perhaps most notable for singing the 2015 viral hit “diarreah song” featured on FX, which collectively garnered nearly 500,000 views on YouTube. Giselle’s newest mixtape, “not ready to grow up” however, signifies the pop singer’s evolution with dynamic vocals and dark, vulnerable themes. While Giselle has performed in venues all over the country, her local performances have included the 2017 Freedom Fireworks Festival, Art House Productions’ 2016 Snow Ball Gala, The ALZ NJ Jersey City Walk, and events at New York Red Bulls Arena, Loew’s Jersey Theatre, and Barclays Center. 

Below is the link to the video. And if you’re interested in featuring the video, I’d be happy to send along more information. Thank you for your time!

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]]> https://riverviewobserver.net/singer-giselle-enters-npr-tiny-desk-contest/feed/ 0 Music Broadway Bayonne November 10, 2017 https://riverviewobserver.net/music-broadway-bayonne-november-10-201711356/ Fri, 10 Nov 2017 17:09:41 +0000 http://riverviewobserver.net/?p=11356 Music Broadway Bayonne for November 10th 2017,now in its tenth    week. Sponsored by Bayonne Mayor James Davis and the Bayonne Urban Enterprise Zone  the Music on Broadway program brings music back to Bayonne  combining excellent venues with exceptional entertainment to make your Friday night out fun and local.    See who’s performing at these  four  … Continue reading Music Broadway Bayonne November 10, 2017 →

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]]> Music Broadway Bayonne for November 10th 2017,now in its tenth    week. Sponsored by Bayonne Mayor James Davis and the Bayonne Urban Enterprise Zone  the Music on Broadway program brings music back to Bayonne  combining excellent venues with exceptional entertainment to make your Friday night out fun and local. 
 
See who’s performing at these  four   participating  restaurants and Bistro and Tavern  for Friday, November 10, 2017
 
Music Broadway Bayonne November 10 2017

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]]> RJO Presents the Riverview Jazz Festival 2016 https://riverviewobserver.net/rjo-presents-the-riverview-jazz-festival-2016/ Sun, 29 May 2016 14:11:32 +0000 http://riverviewobserver.net/?p=9541 RJO presents over 40 events June 3- 11 for the 4th Riverview Jazz Festival 2016 RiverviewJazz.Org (RJO) will present the Fourth Annual Riverview Jazz Festival from June 3 – 11, 2016. All events are free to the public. The Riverview Jazz festival week starts with an opening party on Friday June 3 at City Life … Continue reading RJO Presents the Riverview Jazz Festival 2016 →

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]]> RJO presents over 40 events June 3- 11 for the 4th Riverview Jazz Festival 2016

River View Jazz festival

RiverviewJazz.Org (RJO) will present the Fourth Annual Riverview Jazz Festival from June 3 – 11, 2016. All events are free to the public.

The Riverview Jazz festival week starts with an opening party on Friday June 3 at City Life in Jersey City with over 40 events planned through the week and culminating on June 11 at Riverview Fisk Park. This year’s flagship event on Saturday June 11 at Riverview Fisk Park will feature two stages, nine bands, beer provided by BuyRite, food trucks curated by Hudson Kitchen, a vintage flea market by Pacific Flea, family events, and a cobblestone artwalk produced by Riverview Neighborhood Association with artist Jeankarlos Cruz. And best yet – it’s free to the public!

The Riverview Jazz Festival is made possible in part by Mayor Steven M. Fulop, the Jersey City Municipal Council, and the Office of Cultural Affairs, by generous support from the Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs/Tourism Development, Thomas A. DeGise, Hudson County Executive and the Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, and many others including Hudson Reporter, Buy Rite, Sawyer Smith Residential Brokerage, Riverview Neighborhood Association, Remco Press, Silverman, New Jersey City University, Farms in the Heights, New Heights Art Supply, ModCup, Palisade’s Liquors, Gino’s Pizzeria, Guitar Bar/Drum Den, all the venues hosting events and other individual supporters.

Ogden Ave Stage

Noon : RJO All-Stars
1:30pm : Winard Harper
3:00pm : Donny McCaslin Quartet
4:30pm : Slavic Soul Party
6:30pm : Tipica 73

RNA’s Holland Street Stage

1:00pm : NJCU Jazz Quintet
2:30pm : Rebeca Vallejo
4:00pm : T.K. Blue
5:30pm : George Coleman & the Rivington Project

OGDEN AVENUE STAGE

Tipica 73 : 6:30pm

One of the world’s most influential NY Cuban charanga and salsa bands. Tipica 73 was founded in 1973 by John “Dandy” Rodriguez and Sonny Bravo and comprised of mostly members of Ray Barretto’s band. This 10-piece conjunto still plays dates around the world and mostly resides locally in Hudson County. It is an honor for RJO to welcome them to the stage to close out the festival.
Listen : http://www.last.fm/music/Tipica+73

Profile : http://www.mindspring.com/~marcsue/nelson/tipicaprofile.htm

Slavic Soul Party : 4:30pm

Throbbing funk grooves, fiery Balkan brass, Gypsy accordion wizardry, and virtuoso jazz chops make Slavic Soul Party! NYC’s official #1 brass band for BalkanSoul GypsyFunk. SSP! has created an acoustic mash-up of Balkan and Gypsy sounds with North American music, weaving the gospel, techno, funk, dub, jazz, and Latin influences of New York’s neighborhoods seamlessly into a Balkan brass setting.

Home

Donny McCaslin Quartet : 3:00pm

w/ Mark Guiliana, Jason Lindner, and Nate Wood

Three time Grammy nominee for “Best Instrumental Jazz Solo,” Donny McCaslin has recorded 11 CDs as a leader and most notably led the backup band for David Bowie’s final masterpiece, “BlackStar”. Here he brings his working quartet which fuses elements of post-bop, electronica, and funk to form a style truely his own.

http://www.donnymccaslin.com/

Winard Harper : 1:30pm

World-renown jazz drummer and long-time Jersey City resident, Winard Harper has performed with such luminaries Dexter Gordon, Johnny Griffin, and Betty Carter. In addition to his busy schedule as an in-demand sideman, he also leads the Jeli Posse and other bands. He has performed at Lincoln Center, the Village Vanguard, and more. Locally, Winard runs a weekly artist

Q & A session on Sundays at Moore’s Lounge in Jersey City.

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/WinardHarperJazz/

RJO All-Stars : noon

w/ Bryan Beninghove (sx), Ted Chubb (tpt), Kyle Koehler (org), Matt Kane (dr)

Founded by members of RiverviewJazz.Org and alumni from past festivals, this band performs an array of classic soul-jazz tunes out of the boogaloo and post-bop songbook. Grits and gravy for the masses played joyfully by the people who brought you this festival.

RNA’s HOLLAND STREET STAGE

George Coleman & the Rivington Project : 5:30pm

w/ Peter Bernstein (gtr), Brian Charrette (org), Mike DiRubbo (as), George Coleman Jr (dr)

George Coleman Jr was born into a musical family. The son of jazz legend George Coleman and organist Gloria Coleman, he was seven when Max Roach gave him his first set of drums. George has went on to tour/record with such greats as Etta Jones, Lou Donaldson, Cyrus Chestnut, Harold Mabern and more. Here the Jersey City resident fronts the Rivington Project performing a musical gumbo of jazz, funk, and experimental music.

http://www.rivingtonproject.com/

T.K. Blue’s “A Latin Side of Bird” : 4:00pm

w/ Paul Beaudry (bs), Jerome Jennings (dr), Mike King (pno), Roland Guerrero (perc), T.K. Blue (saxes/flute)

T.K. Blue, multi-instrumentalist and bandleader has been featured on over 80 recordings throughout his illustrious career. A long-time collaborator with Randy Weston, T.K. has performed with such giants as Dizzy Gillespie, Bobby McFerrin, Sam Rivers, and Don Cherry to name a few. The Jersey City resident will be featuring music from his tribute album to the iconic Charlie Parker.

http://www.tkblue.com/

Rebeca Vallejo : 2:30pm

Rebeca Vallejo (vocals and body percussion) , George Dulin (pno), David Silliman (perc)

Born in Madrid, this long-time Jersey City resident, composer and singer has complimented her flamenco roots with a deep love of Brazilian music to create a truely unique sound. She is currently touring and promoting her third album as a leader, “Azúcar Canale” and has performed at such venues as The Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall.

http://rebecavallejo.com

NJCU Jazz Quintet : 1:00pm

Ansy François (sax), Gabe Gilch (tpt), Isaac Del Rosario (keys). Anthony Bianco (bs), Michael Yaw (dr)

With a faculty of world-class New York based jazz artists, NJCU student ensembles represent the highest quality of jazz steeped in the tradition of past masters.
Jazz Dept directed by Walt Weiskopf.

June 3-11 schedule of events

Friday June 3

Riverview Jazz Festival Opening Party

City Life Jam Session with the RJO All-Stars 7:00 – 10:00 pm

125 First St Jersey City

942 Co-op Soul Caribbean Jazz by M.D.B Trio 7-9pm

942 Summit Ave, Jersey City, New Jersey 07307

Fox and Crow Super Hi-Fi 10:00 pm

594 Palisade Ave, Jersey City Heights 07307

Groove on Grove Martin Morretto’s Yellow Frog Orchestra Bands from 5:00 – 8:00 pm


Grove PATH Plaza, Jersey City, NJ

Jazz Lunch at City Hall Bryan Beninghove Trio 12:00 -2:00 pm

City Hall, Jersey City, NJ

JC Reservoir: “A Wild Jazz Adventure” with Peter Lin & Friends 6:00 – 8:00 pm

Jefferson St between Central and Summit

Maxwell’s Tavern The Jack Breslin Jazz Band 9:00 – 10:30 pm

1039 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

Moore’s Lounge Jam Session with Winard Harper 8:00 pm

189 Monticello Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07304

The Statuary Chacha & Son 7:30 pm


53 Congress St, Jersey City Heights, 07307

Saturday June 4

Fox and Crow Manouche Bag 10:00 pm

594 Palisade Ave., Jersey City Heights 07307

Hamilton Park Festival Kiwi Roots Reggae 11:30 am – 1:15 pm

Hamilton Park, Jersey City, NJ

J City Realty Mama Blue 7:00 – 9:00 pm

109 Christopher Columbus Dr, Jersey City

Lincoln Inn The Gully Hubbards, Hudson City Rats 9:00 pm

13 Lincoln St. Jersey City

Maxwell’s Tavern Big Wake, The Defending Champions, Mongooch 8:30 pm

039 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

Sinatra Park Sons of Rest feat. George Naha
6:30 – 8:30pm

Btw 4th & 5th St Sinatra Dr, Hoboken, NJ 07030

Sunday June 5

Farms in the Heights’s BrassBand Brunch MurchChurch BrassBand 1:00 – 4:00 pm Riverview – Fisk Park

JC Bike Ward Tour The Nerds, Beninghove’s Hangmen 1:00pm

Liberty State Park

Maxwell’s Tavern
BBQ Party! with Wailing Denims 4:00 – 7:00 pm

1039 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

Moore’s Lounge Winard Harper and Friends w/ special guest 6:00 pm

189 Monticello Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07304

Orale Joe Bussey 12:30 – 4:00 pm

341 Grove Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302

Pilsener Haus Walter Parks 12:30 – 3:30 pm

1422 Grand St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

Porta Nobuki Takamen Trio 1:00 – 4:00 pm

135 Newark Avenue , Jersey City, NJ

The Brightside Tavern Blues Night 7:00 pm


141 Bright St, Jersey City, NJ 07302

The Corkscrew The Jack Breslin Trio 12:00 – 3:00 pm

61 Congress St, Jersey City Heights, NJ

Monday June 6

The Brightside Tavern Monday Jazz Jam Session w/ Brightside Trio 8:00 pm

141 Bright St, Jersey City, NJ

Maxwell’s Tavern Pat Van Dyke 8:30 – 9:30pm


1039 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

Tuesday June 7

Maxwell’s Tavern Open Mic 8:00 pm

1039 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

Wednesday June 8

Groove on Grove Conundrum, Kadian Quartet 5:00 – 8:00 pm

Grove PATH Plaza, Jersey City, NJ

Pershing Fields Jazz in the Park 7:00 pm

201 Central Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07307

Razza Wednesday Gypsy Jazz Jam w/ Stephane Wrembel 7:00 pm


275 Grove St, Jersey City, NJ 07302

Thursday June 9

Fox and Crow Ted Chubb 9:00 pm

594 Palisade Ave., Jersey City Heights, NJ

Jazz for Lunch Paul Meyers “World on a String” Trio 12:00 – 2:00 pm

Jersey City, NJ

Madame Claude Bis Manouche Bag 7:30 PM


364 1/2 4th St, Jersey City, NJ 07302

Pilsener Haus Matt Kane Trio 8:00 pm

1422 Grand St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

Porta Gerry Rosenthal Trio 5:00 – 8:00 pm

135 Newark Avenue , Jersey City, NJ

Sinatra Park Sinatra Idol 6:30 pm

Btw 4th & 5th St Sinatra Dr, Hoboken, NJ 07030

William V. Musto Cultural Center James Austen Trio 7:00 pm

420 15th St, Union City, NJ 07087

WPA’s Summer Music Series in Washington Park Enilda Rasau Group. 7:00 – 9:00 pm

Washington Park Union City/Jersey City Heights

Friday June 10

Audobon Park – “Bebop for Pops” University Academy Charter School Band and Tim Hegerty and Friends 6:00 – 8:00 pm


JFK Blvd and Audobon Ave, Jersey City

Fox and Crow Beninghove’s Hangmen 10:00 pm

594 Palisade Ave., Jersey City Heights, NJ

Maxwell’s Tavern

Drown Your Boots/ Dan Caputo 8:30 pm

1039 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

Moore’s Lounge

Jam Session w/ Winard Harper 8:00 pm

189 Monticello Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07304

The Corkscrew

Doug Beavers Group 9:00 pm

61 Congress St, Jersey City Heights, NJ

Saturday June 11

RIVERVIEW JAZZ FESTIVAL FLAGSHIP EVENT 2 stages 12:00 – 8:00 pm

Riverview- Fisk Park

Fox and Crow
Official RJF Afterparty
w/ Swamp Cabbage 10:00 pm

594 Palisade Ave., Jersey City Heights, NJ

Lincoln Inn

Forget the Whale 9:00 pm

13 Lincoln St. Jersey City

Maxwell’s Tavern

Popa Chubby 9:00 pm

1039 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

Porta

Ska at Midnight

135 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ

###

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]]> Giselle Bellas at The Delancey NYC https://riverviewobserver.net/giselle-bellas-at-the-delancey-nyc/ https://riverviewobserver.net/giselle-bellas-at-the-delancey-nyc/#respond Fri, 23 Oct 2015 05:20:49 +0000 http://riverviewobserver.net/?p=9118 Giselle Bellas will be performing at The Delancey 168 Delancey Street, New York NY on Friday, October 23rd starting at 8pm

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]]> Giselle Bellas will be performing at The Delancey 168 Delancey Street, New York NY on Friday, October 23rd starting at 8pm

Giselle Bellas Live

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]]> https://riverviewobserver.net/giselle-bellas-at-the-delancey-nyc/feed/ 0 Susan Murphy’s “GIRL GROUP: A Daughter’s Tale” A Jersey City Story about The Carmelettes All-Girl Singing Group https://riverviewobserver.net/susan-murphys-girl-group-daughters-tale-jersey-city-story-carmelettes-girl-singing-group/ https://riverviewobserver.net/susan-murphys-girl-group-daughters-tale-jersey-city-story-carmelettes-girl-singing-group/#respond Tue, 03 Feb 2015 01:47:01 +0000 http://riverviewobserver.net/?p=8489 Opens Feb. 7th at the Loew’s Jersey City February 7th  show is sold out -a second show is being added at a later date JERSEY GIRLS   By Sally Deering Before Beyoncé, and Madonna, Mariah, Aretha and the all-girl groups of the 1960s, there was The Carmelettes, a trio of teen Jersey girls from the Marion … Continue reading Susan Murphy’s “GIRL GROUP: A Daughter’s Tale” A Jersey City Story about The Carmelettes All-Girl Singing Group →

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]]> Opens Feb. 7th at the Loew’s Jersey City

February 7th  show is sold out -a second show is being added at a later date

JERSEY GIRLS 

 By Sally Deering

Girl Group, practicing with piano for show
‘GIRL GROUP: A Daughter’s Tale”

Before Beyoncé, and Madonna, Mariah, Aretha and the all-girl groups of the 1960s, there was The Carmelettes, a trio of teen Jersey girls from the Marion section of Jersey City who sang original pop tunes in tight harmonies. It was 1959, and the girls Angela LaPrete, Vicky Cevetello and Virginia Verga recorded two songs, “My Foolish Heart” and “Promise Me a Rose.” A year later, they cut two more records, “Aching for You” and “Something Tells Me I’m in Love.” 

 It’s a Jersey City tale that would be long forgotten if not for Susan Murphy, Angela LaPrete’s daughter, a professional singer herself who wrote a play with music about her mother’s experience in “GIRL GROUP: A Daughter’s Tale” to be presented at the Loew’s Jersey City in Journal Square – just blocks from where The Carmelettes were born – on Sat, Feb. 7 at 7 pm. (Tix $20 at www.brownpapertickets.com). A reception follows.

The piece features Murphy along with Tom Cappadona, Elisabeth Ness, Alison Scaramella, and Jenna Sofia. It’s directed by Mario Giacalone with vocal direction by Diane Garisto of Brooklyn. The show is produced by Steven Minichiello, Murphy’s close friend who also grew up in Jersey City’s Marion section. Murphy originally produced the musical in 2011 at LaMaMa in Manhattan.

“I always felt like the show had more life in it,” Murphy says. “Sometimes you do those shows, and it’s like great, did it, done. This show is different. The audience loved it. We loved working on it. It has something.”

Carmelettes singing group
The Original Camemelettes:
Angela LaPrete, Vicky Cevetello and Virginia Verga

Murphy describes the piece as, a performance memoir about doo-wop and dreams deferred. It’s a play with music about mothers and daughters, uncelebrated lives and the extraordinary talents that lie hidden within them. The main character played by Murphy is a singer who goes back 50 years to her mother’s life as a member of a successful girl group. Murphy calls the piece an “Alice-through-the-looking-glass” adventure where the singer reclaims her mother’s legacy and, in doing so, creates her own.

“When I was 15, I started writing my own material,” Murphy says, “and somehow I knew I was going to come to this story at some point in my life.”

THREE GIRLS WITH A VOICE

The songs are recreations of what The Carmelettes recorded. Some of the music was by Beatrice Verde, the older sister of one of the girls and the driving force behind the group, Murphy says.

“She didn’t sing but she wrote, arranged and played,” Murphy says.

Beatrice Verde had tremendous ambition and went on to write for Motown. Murphy describes her as the Svengali of the group.

“I think of that time, 1957-196, girls just didn’t do that” Murphy says. “It’s before the Ronettes, the Supremes. It pre-dates the girl groups. We had a rehearsal the other day that was so good, it made me realize how good these girls really were. They started the group when they were 14. Here we are professionals struggling as we pick apart the harmonies. These girls were only 14 and they were singing it.”

To get the girl group sound just right, Murphy asked her good friend Diane Garisto to be vocal director. Garisto sings professionally and has been a back-up singer for superstars like Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Laura Nyro, Steely Dan and Neil Sedaka. Having worked as a backup singer, Garisto knows how important it is to get the singers playing The Carmelettes to harmonize perfectly.

“Street corner doo-wop is what all these songs are about,” Garisto says. “I’m sort of keeper of the harmony. It’s my job. There’s something about being a singer in a group. There’s a skill to singing that, these songs, these girls really blended in harmony. That’s why Susan called me. It’s different from being a lead singer.”

THE PLAY’S THE THING

Because the Loew’s is so big, Murphy has decided to present the show with the audience seated onstage instead of in the auditorium. This helps create an intimacy between the audience and the actors. She also has a band performing the music.

“It’s the only way for this show to be in this type of space,” Murphy says. “The show is an intimate, gritty, viscerally close show. It’s about regular people and relationships. I’m thrilled to be at the Loew’s. It’s a beautiful venue with all the memories that are there. That’s part of the show. That’s one of the themes of the show.”

The staging is bare-bones, Murphy says. Concert-staging with production elements to a minimum so that the story can be told in a clear and simple way.

 “I’m into giving people an experience, carrying them on a journey,” Murphy says. “Maybe it’s my background in experimental theater. If I can’t give them an experience, it doesn’t matter what venue it’s in. Part of me would like to do this show in pop-up form, like at a bowling alley or a church hall or somebody’s living room. “

THE BEAT GOES ON

The Broadway musical about Carole King, “Beautiful” is set in the same time period as The Carmelettes. Murphy took her mother to see the show last year for her birthday and afterwards, they were invited backstage to meet the cast – thanks to Murphy’s producer Steven Minichiello.

“They welcomed my mother like she was royalty,” Murphy says.

Like Murphy, producer Steven Minichiello of Over the Top Productions grew up in Jersey City’s Marion section and attended the same parish elementary school. He and Murphy once belonged to a local theater troupe, and have since remained close friends.

“I’m so enamored by Susan’s mom’s story,” Minichiello says, “and I love what Susan is doing. She’s not only paying tribute to her mother’s accomplishments, it’s a story about the love of a daughter for her mother. I’m so honored to be part of it, and add any little touch I can. It’s a wonderful story and it should be told.”

Murphy’s hoping the performance at the Loew’s will be even more magical than the show they did at LaMama a few years back. Closing night of the LaMama run all three Carmelettes were in the audience, Murphy says, and at the after-party they sang together for the first time in 50 years.

“Something special happened that night,” Murphy says. “It wrapped something up that had not been wrapped up before.”

If you go:

Sat, Feb. 7 at 7 pm

GIRL GROUP: A Daughter’s Tale

Loew’s Jersey City

Journal Square

JC

Tix: $20

For tix: www.brownpapertickets.com

The post Susan Murphy’s “GIRL GROUP: A Daughter’s Tale” A Jersey City Story about The Carmelettes All-Girl Singing Group first appeared on River View Observer.

]]> https://riverviewobserver.net/susan-murphys-girl-group-daughters-tale-jersey-city-story-carmelettes-girl-singing-group/feed/ 0 Guitarist Walter Parks performs in Hoboken, NJ for Guitar Bar Concert Series https://riverviewobserver.net/guitarist-walter-parks-performs-hoboken-nj-guitar-bar-concert-series/ https://riverviewobserver.net/guitarist-walter-parks-performs-hoboken-nj-guitar-bar-concert-series/#respond Mon, 20 Oct 2014 20:40:20 +0000 http://riverviewobserver.net/?p=8156 Walter Parks is scheduled to perform at Guitar Bar Jr. in Hoboken, NJ on Saturday October 25. Veteran blues and jazz guitarist Walter Parks has built an international career as the lead guitarist for Woodstock legend Richie Havens, as half of the folk-duo The Nudes, and as leader of the neo-southern rock group Swamp Cabbage. … Continue reading Guitarist Walter Parks performs in Hoboken, NJ for Guitar Bar Concert Series →

The post Guitarist Walter Parks performs in Hoboken, NJ for Guitar Bar Concert Series first appeared on River View Observer.

]]> Walter Parks River View Observer Walter Parks is scheduled to perform at Guitar Bar Jr. in Hoboken, NJ on Saturday October 25. Veteran blues and jazz guitarist Walter Parks has built an international career as the lead guitarist for Woodstock legend Richie Havens, as half of the folk-duo The Nudes, and as leader of the neo-southern rock group Swamp Cabbage. Inspired by the swampy gospel blues that wails from storefront churches and roadhouses in and around the southeast Georgia low country, Park’s performance is full of guitar picking tunes that explore matters of the soul and spirit, built upon a foundation of jazz, classical and folk.

“Walter Parks is an extraordinary singer whose songs can break your heart as well as get you dancing. Lyrical and political, personal and otherworldly at the same time, transcendent as well as down to earth, Walter is a musical treasure, an artist of the highest caliber. To hear him is to be lifted into a mystical sphere. I adore him.” – Judy Collins

If you like Leonard Cohen, Daniel Lanois, Tom Waits then you’ll love Walter Parks.

If You Go
Saturday October 25 2014
Guitar Bar Jr.
203 11th St, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030
201-222-0877
7:00pm
Ticket Price — $10
Tickets available at Guitar Bar and Guitar Bar Jr.
Contact info@guitarbar.com for more information.
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1475818926038795/

The post Guitarist Walter Parks performs in Hoboken, NJ for Guitar Bar Concert Series first appeared on River View Observer.

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