March Music Magic at Ginny’s includes Sassy Jazz Women and Launch of Cuttin’ Up

March 10, 2013 - PRLog -- (Harlem, New York) — Ginny’s Supper Club, a premier uptown venue for live music, continues with an array of excellent ensembles and series. To Honor Women’s History Month, Ginny’s is proud to announce its Women in Jazz series, including performances by genre-busting vocalist Alina Morini (Mar. 14th), a powerhouse all-female instrumental group SAGE (Mar. 16th), and Misha Piatigorsky plays Sketchy Black Dog, with four women string artists. (March 28th). The latter two are a part of the JazzPlus series.

On March 23, G&J Productions launches the Cuttin’ Up series, a remix of the cutting contest practice in jazz where two artists go head-to-head, rising to the musical occasion. Two top-tier guitarists—Ed Cherry and JC Stylles—will be joined by Pat Bianchi  on organ and Lawrence Leathers on drums for high-octane fun.

“Other than occasional jam sessions, the competitive tradition of the cutting contest seems lost to history,” says Greg Thomas of G&J Productions. “We’re bringing back the excitement of legendary battles between titans like Dizzy Gillespie and Roy Eldridge, John Coltrane and
Sonny Rollins, Max Roach and Buddy Rich.

“According to legend, guitarists George Benson and Pat Martino had epic showdowns right in Harlem in the 1960s. Well, JC Stylles is a star student of Martino’s, and Ed Cherry has stood toe-to-toe with Benson himself.  Both will bring their ‘A’ games that night.”  

Thrilling straight-ahead jazz is in store by bassist Avery Sharpe’s quintet on March 9th; Ginny’s closes out the month on March 30th with one of the most exciting young artists on the jazz scene, trumpeter Christian Scott.

GINNY’S SUPPER CLUB MARCH PROGRAMMING

Alina Morini     March 14  8 pm and 10 pm
Join us to celebrate Ginny's Women in Jazz series with the fabulous Alina Morini. A veteran of the New York progressive music scene, Alina is adept at combining her Transylvanian roots with her love of blues, rock and jazz. Considered the Baroness of Manga, Morea and Ceflau, Alina will take you on a journey from gypsy chants to Bach to deep down into the Louisiana Bayou. With a voice and piano style reminiscent of Etta James and Dr. John, Alina will sing originals, backed by a smoking hot band and surprise guests. Her serenades will be even sweeter with some of Ginny's signature cocktails and specialty dishes.
Tickets are $20

G&J Productions presents
JazzPlus Soul & R&B: SAGE  March 16  8 pm & 10 pm

This modern all-women’s jazz, blues and soul music ensemble is part sassy, part nostalgic. SAGE  features Lakecia Benjamin on saxophone, Miki Hayama on piano, Sonya Robinson on violin, Amanda Ruzza  on bass, Camille Thurman on flute & vocals,  and Shirazette Tinnen on drums.

The group’s members have opened for and appeared with Ray Charles, Denzel Washington, Regina Carter, the Duke Ellington Show Choir and many others. The ensemble has headlined at one of the major Inaugural Balls honoring President Obama; Major League Baseball All-Star Games and the World Classic in San Diego; The Martha's Vineyard Jazz and Blues Festival; The Schomburg Center; the Stamford Center for the Arts; The Shubert Theater; and Chelsea Piers.          Tickets $15

G&J Productions presents
CUTTIN' UP with Ed Cherry & JC Stylles        
March 23  8 pm & 10:30 pm

Cuttin’ Up is a high-energy musical match between two musicians on the same instrument, trading songs and solos in a “friendly” rivalry.

Reminiscent of the musical battles dating back to the    1920’s, Cuttin’ Up displays the upward spiral of excitement in jazz.

Ed Cherry played guitar with jazz master Dizzy Gillespie from 1978 to 1992, performing in Gillespie's quartet and big band. Cherry has performed with Paquito D'Rivera's small group, composer/saxophonist Henry Threadgill, Jimmy Smith, Dr. Lonnie Smith, and Roy Hargrove's “Crisol” Latin jazz band, just to name a few.

Guitarist JC Stylles--a student of guitar god Pat Martino--is that rare artist who fires up listeners with relentless swing, cools them out with a beautiful ballad, and then reignites with a burning tempo that only the most accomplished instrumentalists conjure. Red Rooster patrons have marveled at his prowess; now he goes head-to-head with another astonishing guitarist.  Tickets $20

G&J Productions presents
Misha Piatigorsky plays Sketchy Black Dog  
March 28  8 pm & 10:30 pm

Experience the daring, explosive mix of classic rock and originals with jazz; sonic temptations both seductive and unpredictable. This piano trio and a captivating, all-female string quartet play unique spins of Bowie, Zeppelin, Hendrix, the Beatles and more. Misha Piatigorsky plays Sketchy Black Dog takes timeless rock songs and originals to places irreverent, fragile and beautiful.

Misha Piatigorsky plays Sketchy Black Dog is the brainchild of two internationally recognized musicians: one, Misha Piatigorsky, a virtuosic and super-creative jazz pianist who took first place in the Thelonious Monk Composers Competition and has played with Mark Murphy, Joe Lovano, Jon Faddis; and, two, drummer Chris Wabich, a three-time Grammy nominated artist known for his dynamic extremities, clarity, melodicism, and power. Chris Wabich has collaborated with leading jazz, world, and rock music artists, including the Zappa family, Leonard Cohen and Sting. Tickets $20

Christian Scott (Christian aTunde Adjuah)          
March 30  8 pm & 10:30 pm

Christian Scott is one of the most accomplished musical artists of his generation: a two-time Edison Award winning, Grammy Award-nominated jazz trumpeter, composer and producer. His playing style and compositions have been recognized as "usher[ing] in new era of jazz." (NPR)

Scott’s Grammy nominated international debut Rewind That was called “arguably the most remarkable premiere the genre has seen in the last decade” by Billboard Magazine.  Scott has since released a live album and 6 studio recordings to critical acclaim. The BBC proclaimed Scott’s Yesterday You Said Tomorrow to be the “Best Jazz Album in 50 years.” His newly released double album Christian aTunde Adjuah, was called “A tour de force masterwork” by Billboard, and has led to Scott being called the progenitor of “Stretch Music,” a jazz rooted, genre-blind form striving to “stretch” the rhythmic, melodic and harmonic conventions of jazz while embracing other musical forms, languages and cultures.   Tickets $20

Ginny's Supper Club
310 Lenox Ave (125th & 126th)

Tickets: 212 421-3821 or http://www.ginnyssupperclub.com