Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Hilary Gardner and her Quartet "West 73rd" live in NY tonight

You’ve loved her singing with the New York State of the Art Jazz Ensemble! Now jazz vocalist Hilary Gardner is headlining her own Quartet “West 73rd” at Jazz Tuesdays tonight, September 22 in the John Birks Gillespie Auditorium in the New York City Baha'i Center at 53 East 11th Street (between University Place & Broadway). There are 2 shows at 8:00 and 9:30 p.m. Hilary will be joined by Frank Ponzio on Piano, Pete Donovan on Bass, and Vito Lesczak on Drums.

The quartet calls itself “West 73rd” in a nod to where their musical collaboration began: in the studio of pianist Frank Ponzio on West 73rd Street in Manhattan. The members of West 73rd draw their inspiration from the nonstop energy pulsing through the streets of New York City. Their resulting music is as sophisticated, dynamic and ever-changing as new York itself. Their debut recording “A Song About Forever” explores Kurt Weill’s music from a jazz perspective, while incorporating the classical, theatrical and global influences that continue to make Weill’s music compelling to listeners from all walks of life. “A Song About Forever” was a 2008 MAC Award nominee for Best Jazz Recording.

Classically trained singer Hilary Gardner was raised in Alaska and lived in Italy and Seattle before relocating to New York in 2003. Hilary has performed with many of New York's finest musicians, including Mike Longo, Valery Ponomarev, Arturo O'Farrill, Bob Dorough, Joel Frahm, Joe Cohn, Larry Fuller, Bill Anschell, Adam Rafferty, and Don Braden. Hilary performed with trumpet star Valery Ponomarev at the Tchaikovsky Hall at the Moscow Philharmonic in Moscow, Russia in 2005. She is featured on the NY State of the Art Jazz Ensemble's third CD, "Oasis." Mike Longo, jazz great and longtime Dizzy Gillespie associate, calls Hilary "an extraordinary singer with an enormous talent."

Admission is 15.00, $10.00 for students.
Tickets will be sold at the door, or call 212-222-5159 for reservations and information.
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Jazz Tuesdays
in the John Birks Gillespie Auditorium
The New York Baha'i Center
53 East 11th Street (between University Place & Broadway)

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