Due to Doctor’s Order, Garcia Will Celebrate in New Zealand While Vocalists Shaynee Rainbolt and Terese Genecco Host Tributes at Yoshi’s Oakland on November 1 and at Iridium Jazz Club in New York on November 6

New York Tribute Concert, Featuring Billy Stritch with Shaynee Rainbolt and Terese Genecco, Will Be Streamed Live from Iridium at www.iridiumlive.tv

Legendary composer, arranger and conductor Russell Garcia has been ordered by his doctor to give up his travel plans to participate in his three-city 95^th Birthday Tour.  Although disappointed by the decision, Garcia will celebrate from his home in New Zealand while vocalists Shaynee Rainbolt and Terese Genecco host tributes at Yoshi’s Oakland on November 1, and at New York’s Iridium Jazz Club on November 6. The New York celebration features special guest star Billy Stritch. 

The concert scheduled for October 26 at Catalina Bar & Grill in Hollywood has been cancelled.

Garcia, who suffered from collapsed vertebrae last week, is on bed rest and unable to travel, but it doesn’t stop him from celebrating with Rainbolt and Genecco. Since stricken with the painful condition, Garcia has been on the phone and e-mail to assist his musical partners with arrangements and to encourage his friends, family and fans to come out to celebrate in his absence. In New York, the concert will be streamed live, allowing Garcia to not only watch the concert, but also to participate. Tune in to www.iridiumlive.tv

“We are all so sad that Russ can’t join us in person, but we are thrilled that we are able to celebrate his birthday and present his music with fabulous musicians in these wonderful venues,” said Shaynee Rainbolt, who released Charmed Life, a CD of Garcia originals in 2007. “I have been in awe of Russ and his talent since meeting him while working on the CD. To hear Russ in the midst of severe pain encourage Terese and me to move forward with the concerts is a testament to his dedication to music and music lovers. Russ wouldn’t have it any other way, so we will do our best to present memorable evenings of his music, surrounded by friends, family and fans who love him.”

Joining Rainbolt and Genecco at Yoshi's are Larry Dunlap, piano; Daniel Fabricant, bass;  Tom Duckworth, drums; Rich Armstrong, trumpet; Tony Malfatti, tenor saxophone; and, in Garcia's four-trombone signature style, Doug Beavers, Don Benham, Greg Saúl and Floyd Reinhart.

In New York, Rainbolt and the Iridium’s own Genecco will perform Garcia originals plus classics from The Great American Songbook arranged by Garcia and accompanied by their high-voltage, 9-piece Little Big Band featuring pianist Billy Stritch along with bassist Tom Hubbard, drummer Ray Marchica, trumpeter Bud Burridge, tenor saxophonist Cliff Lyons and trombonists John Fedchock, John Allred, Nate Mayland and George Flynn.

“In addition to celebrating the genius of Russ Garcia, performing his music is very special for many reasons,” said Terese Genecco. “In 1956, Russ did orchestrations of Porgy and Bess for Mel Tormé and Frances Faye. Two years later, Russ orchestrated a ground-breaking version of new arrangements of the music for Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald. I am a huge Faye fan, Billy Stritch is a fan of Tormé and everyone loves Louis and Ella. In our tribute to Russ, Billy and I will present our rendition of Bess, You Is My Woman Now. I truly wish Russ could be with us to guide us through one of his most memorable musical contributions.  Thanks to technology, he will be with us in spirit and via Internet.”

“It is fitting and fantastic that Russ can ‘conduct’ the band while recuperating in New Zealand,” added Rainbolt. “He has always been on the cutting edge in the entertainment industry, with his film scores and the outstanding music he has composed and arranged for some of the world’s greatest artists. He has seen tremendous changes throughout his 75-year career, and he is excited that with the support of today’s technology, he will be able to enjoy and participate in the concert.”

Whether Russ Garcia (born April 12, 1916 in Oakland, CA) was working on a sound stage at MGM Universal, a major-label recording studio in Hollywood, a concert hall conducting a symphony, a jazz club or festival around the world, his body of work speaks for itself.  He hesitates to toot his own horn, saying he feels like he’s name-dropping; but to this day, people continue to drop his name.  Over the years, he has worked Sammy Davis, Jr., Anita O’Day, Bud Shank, Julie London, Sarah Vaughan, Cleo Laine, John Dankworth, Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Judy Garland, Count Basie, Miles Davis, Johnny Hodges, Maynard Ferguson, Stan Kenton, Harry James, Bill Holman, Jayne Mansfield, Bette Davis, Ira and George Gershwin, Fred Astaire, Eleanor Powell, Mickey Rooney, Henry Mancini, Elizabeth Taylor, Charlie Chaplin, Marvin Hamlisch, Clint Eastwood and numerous others.

Now living a relatively quiet life in New Zealand but still continuing to work at home and abroad, at 95, Garcia's life is far from the glamorous world of Hollywood he and his lyricist-wife Gina used to lead. From radio and television to theatrical films and recordings, Garcia has been active in virtually every area of the entertainment industry since the late '40s. His early 1960s scores for George Pal's "The Time Machine" and "Atlantis: The Lost Continent" virtually created the music template for science fiction films that followed, and his un-credited work on Charlie Chaplin’s Oscar-winning score for the film ‘Limelight’ has fans launching a grass-roots campaign to set the record straight (http://www.jazzwax.com/2008/09/the-case-of-the.html).  His jazz arranging and composing is legendary in its own right and can be heard on recordings by Stan Kenton, Roy Eldridge, Stan Getz, as well as a classic version of "Porgy and Bess" featuring Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. When describing the orchestral sounds that emerged from the West Coast jazz scene during the 1950s, the name Russell Garcia always comes to mind.  Not only did he provide arrangements for many singers and instrumentalists, he recorded more than 60 albums under his own name.  As if all that wasn't enough, his book, The Professional Arranger-Composer, has been a valued tool for both beginners and veterans since it was written in the mid-'40’s.  In 2009, he and his wife Gina were awarded The New Zealand Order of Merit from the Queen of England for their Service to Music.

Shaynee Rainbolt (www.shayneerainbolt.com), one of today’s rising jazz singers, first worked with Garcia in 2007 when he entrusted her with the first-ever album of all Garcia originals entitled Charmed Life.  Arranged by Garcia for his signature four-trombone band, this collaboration garnered two MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs) Awards for Best Jazz Recording (Charmed Life) and Best Song (I Remember, Music by Garcia and Lyrics by Rainbolt & Garcia.)  A top seller on CDBaby, the album was also chosen by TalkinBroadway.com as one of their Top 10 CD’s of 2008 and the press also took notice saying, "Rainbolt breathes joyful new life into his oeuvre...her interpretations plugging straight into the core of Garcia's artistry. Beautifully sung...remarkable..." Jazzwise Magazine (UK); "This happy collaboration features Shaynee Rainbolt in inspired form…hear the magical combination of Shaynee Rainbolt and Russ Garcia." LA Jazz Scene; "When Shaynee Rainbolt navigates the shoals of Russ Garcia's arrangements, a beautiful artistic union forms - that of an emerging voice and an orchestral master." Downbeat; “The classic sounds of Garcia are alive and well in the capable hands of Rainbolt and should remain there for a long time.” Jazz Improv Magazine

Terese Genecco (www.teresegenecco.com), who Will Friedwald of the Wall Street Journal said “…if Frank, Dean and Sammy ever returned from the Great Casino in the Sky, the first youngish female singer that I'd recommend to join their clan is this high-voltage entertainer,” has the Longest Running Nightclub Act on Broadway at the Iridium Jazz Club in New York City.  In her third year of an open-ended run of shows, she is a critic and audience favorite. Genecco and Garcia have a special connection due to Genecco’s award-winning, one-woman tribute show, “Drunk with Love: A Tribute to Frances Faye!”  Faye is Genecco’s idol and was one of Garcia’s favorite collaborators as well as a close personal friend.  Since relocating from San Francisco, where Genecco won the Bay Area “Entertainer of the Year” Award, there is hardly an award or accolade she hasn’t garnered. Terese is described as “addictive” and her fans call themselves “Geneccoholics.”  The critics agree.  This high-powered entertainer has won the 2009 MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs) Award for Outstanding Vocalist, a 2009 OUT Music Award for Outstanding Cabaret/Comedy/Theater Song; a 2008 MAC Award for Best Recording for her Live CD of “Drunk with Love: A Tribute to Frances Faye!” (which was also chosen as one of TalkinBroadway.com’s Top 10 CD’s of 2007) and the show itself won her the 2007 Bistro Award from Back Stage Magazine and a Top 10 Best Cabaret Show from Time Out New York Magazine for two years running (2006 & 2007).

CONCERTS:

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 1, 8 pm:

Yoshi’s Jazz Club, 510 Embarcadero West, Jack London Square, Oakland, CA 94607; 510-238-9200; Tickets: $20.00; www.yoshis.com/oakland

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 6, 6:30 pm:

Iridium Jazz Club, 1650 Broadway, New York, NY 10019; 212-582-2121; Tickets: $25.00; www.theiridium.com; www.iridiumlive.tv

Genecco will continue to perform at The Iridium on the Last Tuesday of Every Month with two different shows at 7:00 and 9:00 PM.  Reservations may be made by calling the box office at 212.582.2121.  Tickets may be purchased in advance by going to the website and clicking on the calendar listing for the last Tuesday of each month at www.TheIridium.com.

Nicolas King, ”the precociously polished crooner” (NY Times) has been performing since age 4.  He was seen first on Broadway in ‘Beauty & The Beast’, then in ‘A Thousand Clowns’ opposite Tom Selleck, and ‘Hollywood Arms’ directed by Hal Prince, all before age 13.  Other credits include 8 consecutive annual performances on The Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, ABC’s ‘The View’, NBC’s ‘Today’ show, ‘Liza & David’, and ‘The Tonight Show’ with Jay Leno.  Nicolas went on the road with Liza Minnelli to perform as the opening act during her 2006 tour.  The Mabel Mercer Foundation awarded Nicolas their coveted ‘Julie Wilson Award’ at the 2010 Cabaret Convention at Rose Hall at Jazz @ Lincoln Center.  He has also appeared in more than a dozen national television commercials and various performances across the country, including ‘Talent America’.  He has a brand new album (“Nineteen”) available now on Apple iTunes and other online music retailers.

"There were no 'mice' in the Ratpack—it was strictly an all-boy's club. But if Frank, Dean and Sammy ever returned from the Great Casino in the Sky, the first youngish female singer that I'd recommend to join their clan is this high-voltage entertainer. Ms. Genecco is deeply rooted in the early 1960s, the colorful last gasp of the era of swingin' lovers, and, as such, draws equally from Louis Prima and Sammy Davis on one hand and Ray Charles and Elvis on the other. On the last Tuesday of each month, she and her three horns and five rhythm put on an unstoppable juggernaut of a set at the Iridium, with one hard-hitting swinger after another, pausing only for what she describes as a mandatory 'two-ballad minimum.' The calendar may say Dec. 28, but Ms. Genecco makes every show seem like New Year's Eve."

Other artists recommended in Will's column were Paquito D'Rivera & Tango Jazz Celebration @ Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola, Cedar Walton Quartet @ Village Vanguard, Steve Turre Quintet @ Smoke, and the great Freddy Cole @ Birdland.  Mighty fine company, indeed.  It's a great week in NYC!  Happy Holidays, everyone!

Terese Genecco & Her Little Big Band are extended into 2011 at The Iridium NYC on the Last Tuesday of Every Month (1/25, 2/22, 3/29, 4/26 etc.)  And don't forget about the big year-end celebration on 12/28/10 at Iridium!

In an article published in the New York Times Style Magazine on July 12, 2010 by Christopher Petkanas, TERESE GENECCO is mentioned in conjunction with her musical idol Frances Faye!  Click HERE for the entire article or read the clip below.  Congratulations Terese!

"If you own nothing of [Frances] Faye's, "Caught In The Act" is a good place to start.  So is Terese Genecco, who performs songs identified with Faye at the New York club Iridium.  Please don't stop reading.  Genecco is no dumb tribute act.  She does not want to be Frances Faye; she does make you understand why she's so important."

On May 25th, Terese and the band will be joined by "Drummer Conductor Extraordinaire" MICHAEL BERKOWITZ! Michael is most recently associated with Liza Minnelli in "Liza's At The Palace" as drummer and musical director (nominated for a 2010 Grammy Award.)  Mike has played and recorded with jazz and pop music icons including Billy Joel, Elton John, Linda Eder, and Bette Midler.  Michael is also the Principal Pops Conductor of the Santa Rosa Symphony in Northern California.

On June 29th, Broadway Diva KAREN MASON takes the stage for two swingin' sets with the band!  Karen Mason has starred on Broadway, Off-Broadway, television, and recording and "has few peers when it comes to ripping the roof off with her amazing voice that knows no bounds!" (TheatreScene.net)  Karen is a nine-time MAC Award winner and has won the MAC Award for Major Female Vocalist of the Year (the same category Terese was nominated in this year) for six consecutive years.  She has also won the 2006 Nightlife Award for Major Female Vocalist and three Bistro Awards.  Ms. Mason originated the role of Tanya on Broadway in Abba's MAMMA MIA! and was awarded a 2002 Drama Desk nomination as Best Actress.  Her other leading roles include Norma Desmond in SUNSET BOULEVARD, which she performed to critical acclaim and standing ovations on Broadway and in Los Angeles for three years; Mazeppa in JEROME ROBBINS' BROADWAY; Rosalie in CARNIVAL (another Drama Desk nomination); plus featured roles in Broadway's TORCH SONG TRILOGY; and PLAY ME A COUNTRY SONG.  Karen won the Outer Critics Circle Award for her performance in AND THE WORLD GOES 'ROUND, and starred Off-Broadway in her own show KAREN MASON SINGS BROADWAY, BEATLES AND BRIAN.  Her television appearances include the hit dramas ED and LAW & ORDER: SVU.  Film credits include SLEEPING DOGS LIE and A CHORUS LINE.

On July 27th, the special guest is a returning favorite, West Coast Cool Jazz Vocalist and Platinum Lyricist MARK WINKLER!  Mark Winkler is a platinum award winning singer/lyricist who has had over 150 of his songs recorded and/or sung by such artists as Dianne Reeves, Randy Crawford, Liza Minnelli, Bob Dorough and Lea Salonga.   He has written lyrics for tunes by such esteemed composers as Wayne Shorter, Dexter Gordon, Joshua Redman and David Benoit.  A composition he co-wrote with David Benoit, "Land of the Loving", is featured in all of the Philippine National Tourism Board's 2008/2009 TV commercials.  Mark has released 10 CDs in the US.  His newest CD of mostly original Winkler lyrics, "Till I Get It Right" was released in March of 2009 on Freeham Records.  It featured musicians Anthony Wilson, Bob Sheppard, Jamieson Trotter and Cheryl Bentyne of Manhattan Transfer who sang a duet with Mark on an original Winkler composition "Cool".  The CD has been named as one of the top 10 jazz CD's of 2009 by three publications: DOWNBEAT, JERSEY JAZZ and JAZZ TIMES.  He is the co-writer of the hit Musical Review "Naked Boys Singing!" in its 10th year playing Off Broadway, and just released as a movie on DVD.  He is the creator and co-writer of "Too Old for the Chorus" which has played successful engagements in Los Angeles, Seattle and San Diego.  He has won both L.A. Weekly and Backstage West awards for best score for "Naked Boys Singing!"  He has also co-written songs for the musical revues "Bark!" and "Hangin' Out".  His jazz musical "Play it Cool" which premiered in Los Angeles in 2007 got "Critics Choice" in the L.A. Times.  It was chosen to be part of the prestigious New York Musical Theatre Festival in September of 2008 where it sold out all performances and got excellent reviews.  It has just been nominated for Best Musical-Off Broadway by GLAAD.  As an educator Mark has taught seminars in lyric writing at The Songwriters Guild and the Learning Annex, and he now teaches "Crafting Great Lyrics: A Songwriters Workshop" at UCLA Extension and several workshops on Jazz CD Production and Marketing.

A complete list of nominees and winners can be found at www.MACnyc.com