HEAR A SAMPLE OF THE TRIO ON THE RIGHT
You Belong to Me on the right
The Trio includes: Jamie O'Reilly - vocals; Michael - guitar and arrangements; Bob cello.
Jamie also sings solo concerts accompanied by guitar or piano, with Michael or Paul Amandes, Peter Swenson as regular guitarists.
Our primary graphic designer is Grace Amandes-Gaceta.
Our photographer is Iwona Biedermann of dreamboxfoto
Influences
HERE'S A PHOTO GALLERY TO SEE
Thanks to my two great musical arrangers Michael Smith and Peter Swenson. My friend Anne Hills. My fav director and musical partner Paul Amandes, and my old Irish band the Rogues, and Stuart Rosenberg for his great cultural 'thing'. I also sing Irish Vaudeville, parlor songs, and American operetta. But I like the sultry stuff. I listen to, and am influenced by them all and bossa nova and Fado, middle eastern dance music, Kurt Weill and cabaret, the Beatles, Mary Black, Sandy Denny and the Sufis of the UK, Paul Simon and Emmy Lou Harris. I like REM and Damien Rice and Celia Cruz. And maybe Peter, Paul and Mary and the Roches for harmony. Theatrically, I like old style trunk shows. I make musical pieces for theater, including revues and European style folk-cabarets, recently a chamber opera, generally pieces that can travel.
Read about my shows on my website www.jamieoreilly.com.
Sounds Like
About the Trio: "I do not know of another group where the musicianship and voice blend together as well. Can't say enough about the talent of Bob Weber and Michael Smith.
The arrangements are so fresh and enjoyable." -a fan AND "The three certainly know their way around an Irish a folk tune, but they are adventurous song stylists and perform material from musical theater, cabaret, the American Songbook and other sources, as well." -Chicago Sun Times
These pages are about Jamie O'Reilly and the Jamie O'Reilly Trio.
Jamie sings songs gathered from over a lifetime of making music and theater. With
many CDs to her credit, she is one of Chicago's premiere song stylists, known for her distinctive vocal style, the lilting cry in her voice, and powerful interpretations of ballads and songs for the stage. Jamie is a first-rate ballad singer with a broad range, vocal prowess and vibrant connection to her repertoire and audience. She performs songs ranging from folksongs, Celtic and traditional songs, to songs of vaudeville, old-world lullabies and waltzes, and with THE TRIO, cabaret repertoire which includes fiery numbers tinged with Latin rhythms, tangos and gypsy ballads.
High on the list of audience favs are the one-of-a kind pieces penned for Jamie by Michael Smith, (with Jamie's lyrics on occasion). and arrangements by Michael Smith
and Peter Swenson.
The Trio includes Michael (or Peter or Paul on guitar), and cellist Bob Weber.
Souvenir is their demo CD. They also perform the Fire and Smoke Cabaret.
(Hear samples above).
Jamie is the ninth of the fourteen gifted progeny of the late, great classical actor James O'Reilly and mother Winifred, (now in her eighties, who still directs theater in Chicago). Jamie's artistic pedigree, powerful family, and support from fans, afford her a lifestyle infused with art and beauty. Picasso said the artist is also a political being. Jamie's unwavering belief in the dignity of the individual and pursuit of social justice, informs all her work. She is also a noted producer--working with the finest musicians, composers and designers. Jamie's first pro ensemble was the 80s eclectic Irish folk band--Jamie O'Reilly & the Rogues, with violinist Stuart Rosenberg and television celeb Tom Amandes (Everwood), bassist John Floeter, and her current collaborators, Paul Amandes and Peter Swenson who also accompnay her on guitar. In the 90s, she began creating folk-cabarets with Michael Smith. Hello Dali: From the Sublime to the Surreal, their award-winning homage to songwriters and painters, the holiday treasure The Gift of the Magi, Pasiones: Songs of the Spanish Civil War and Songs of the Kerry Madwoman, (a mythic Irish tale with poetry by Patricia Monaghan, lutes, guitar, strings and woodwinds), are among their CDs and shows. The Trio performed a knock-out revival of Pasiones, in 2007. This summer Jamie will record Portrait of Isabel, songs about paintings, with a large ensemble of her favorite musicians, including daughters Meg and Nia on vocals with her. Her most recent CD Jamie OReilly & Friends, Vinegar Man, brings the ol gang back and features her daughter Meg, too. Check out Michael's site: www.michaelsmithmusic.com.
