Kate Manning, vocals
Jesse Gelber, piano & vocals
Charlie Caranicas, cornet
Kevin Dorn, drums
Influences
Al Jolson, Fats Waller, Teddy Wilson, Judy Garland, Art Tatum, Mildred Bailey, Jelly Roll Morton, George Gershwin, Raymond Hubbell
Sounds Like
"Gelber and Manning have a quality that is rare in performers who mine the treasurable songs from that glorious period of the teens and early Twenties: that quality is authenticity. The songs they've chosen are early classics from the American Songbook - they seem to have been with us forever but we mustn't forget that they were the popular hits of the day and Jesse and Kate bring them buoyantly to life. The former's swinging accuracy is absolutely in the style of the great ragtime and stride artistes of the day such as James P. Johnson and Eubie Blake while Kate is a powerhouse of energy and tenderness whose vocalism recalls Sophie Tucker, Judy Garland and yes, Al Jolson but whose musicality and heart shine through every note she sings."
--Steve Ross
“Energetic, often riotous! The four members of this troupe were so versatile and so musical that the presentation was over too soon. There were vaudeville jokes so ancient that they were new. Manning has a huge, beautifully-modulated voice. She can shout, mug, and belt with energy and swing. Gelber, a percussive wit, likes rapid-fire right hand keyboard patterns and left hand stomps. Drummer Kevin Dorn swings hard, and his solos are exuberant yet melodic. Trumpeter Charlie Caranicas goes from lovely obligatos to being a whole trumpet section. I hope that Gelber and Manning get to go (or goes?) public again and soon.”
--Michael Steinman, Jazz Improv
"...roaring with a roaring '20s burst of hale and hearty party-ready blast of fabulous frenzy. This album is a knockout and a joy."
Gelber and Manning began their legendary association on the streets of Brooklyn in 1906. Gelber, a 16-year old organ-grinding street organ virtuoso was playing for pennies on the corner of Atlantic and Flatbush when a surly ruffian hurled a rotten apple at his head knocking him to the ground. Eleven minutes later, he awoke with his head in young Manning’s lap. Having grown up watching Gelber from her window across the street, the aspiring singer revived him with a soothing rendition of Stephen Foster’s “Beautiful Dreamer.” To Gelber’s occasional chagrin, they have been working together ever since. Manning’s sheer volume made the team a hit on Manhattan’s busy streets, and after a brief stint in the burlesque scene under the names Fenley and Mopsy, they began their vaudeville careers on the famous Orpheum Circuit. Their sensational music and antics took the country by storm until a bizarre weather-related incident caused their tragic disappearance. The couple made headlines, and people held vigil outside theaters across the country praying for their return. In 2007, a tornado of extraordinary girth sucked its way through the streets of Brooklyn. Though unfortunate for some homeowners, the tornado marked the happy reemergence of Gelber and Manning. The team seemed grumpy and dishevelled, but their musical and comedic abilities appeared untarnished. The rest is almost history. I edited my profile with Thomas Myspace Editor V4.4 (www.strikefile.com/myspace)..
"Ticklin' The Strings" by Sweet Hollywaiians
Amazing Japanese hot string band playing 1920's, 30's, 40's style hawaiian, swing, calypso, blues, italian music and originals,featuring vintage instruments.3 songs with Robert Armstrong and Tony Marcus(from Robert Crumb and His Cheap Suit Serenaders)
"The Sweet Hollywaiians have probably the best feel for this 20's music of any string band working today. They manage the rare feat of sounding relaxed even when their playing is hot, are top notch musicians with tasteful arrangements and a full, rich, warm sound.Plus, they have a nice gamut of tunes, from King Nawahi to Giovanni Vicari to Bobby Leecan. See them live, if you can, for an unforgettable experience. If you can't, buy their Cds!" ~ Terry Zwigoff
The Moonlighters have a new release, Enchanted, which is out this week. Click this link for a free download of one of our new songs: http://www.worldsound.com/free/moon.
06/13/2009 08:00 PM - Charles Park
Charles Park, Howard Beach
Howard Beach, New York 11414
US
Cost:Donation for Cancer Research
Description:We’re playing for a benefit Relay for Life for cancer
research. We would love it if you would come down and support the
cause! It’s an overnight event, but we’ll keep you posted about what
time we’re going on. Woo hoo!
06/27/2009 08:00 PM - The Perch Cafe
365 5th Avenue Brooklyn, NY | 718-788-2830
Brooklyn, New York 11215
US
Cost:Free!!
Description:We’re back to Perch, so bring your all ages fans!
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Shameless Self Promotions Presents… Yes Folks, The Devil’s Jukebox has a shit kicking new album out, 14 songs of slippery sin delivered to your ears via the medium of clarinet, ukulele, washtub bass, harmonium and holler. Songs of joy, songs of madness, songs of sleaze and tear ridden sadness. Available now for the stupid knockdown price of £8 (UK- and if you live near enough for us to drop it in by hand we’ll refund a pound for the postage), or £9 (Abroad). Just go to our myspace page, where you can hear three of the 14, and click on one of the little paypal buttons. ‘Till later, Stay Suave, Dr Bordello
Bring your friends and make it a group thang at The G Spot on Monday, December 15th at 10:00pm.
Climb into bed one last time with host GiGi La Femme and watch tantalizing performances by songstress Afua Richardson, Harvest Moon, Legs Malone and Peekaboo Pointe!
Admission is $10 for General Public, $5 for Burlesque/Variety Performers
The new monthly show, The G Spot, offers it all up and more every month at Public Assembly in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Producer and host, GiGi La Femme, prepares to tickle your pinks as she brings together a saucy buffet of the hottest burlesque performers and their sexiest acts.
Come pop the G Spot's cherry on Monday, October 27th at 10:00pm
Admission is $10 for General Public, $5 for Burlesque/Variety Performers
