Sleigh Bells Swing at The Edison Ballroom NYC: General Info
Member Since
11/14/2008
Band Members
Executive Producer: THE EDISON BALLROOM
Co-Producers: MICKEY MARCHELLO & GEORGE GEE
Bandleader: GEORGE GEE
Music Dr./Arranger/Conductor: WALT SZYMANSKI
Choreographer: EVITA ARCE
Vintage Costume Designer: MUTSUMI
Featured Female Vocalist: VERONICA MARTELL
Featured Male Vocalists: JIM MOLA & JOHN DOKES
Featured Female Vocal Trio: THE SINGIN' SLEIGH BELLES
Tap Dance Sensation: DeWITT FLEMING
Special Guest Tapper: MAGGIE MOON
and also featuring THE EDISON BALLROOM LINDYHOPPERS
THE BAND: Saxes: MARK GROSS, DAN BLOCK, MICHAEL HASHIM, BRANDON WRIGHT, ALEX HARDING Trombones: BRIAN BONVISSUTO, DAVE GIBSON, BARRY COOPER French Horn: AMIE MARGOLES Trumpets: WALT SZYMANSKI, STEVE WISEMAN, SHAWN EDMONDS, KENNY LAVENDER Strings: MEG OKURA, JOSEPHN BRENT, AKUA DIXON, BALBASI NESRINE Drums: DENNIS MACKREL Bass: MARCUS MCLAURINE Guitar: RICK BRISKIN Piano: STEVE EINERSON Percussion: RENATO THOMS Singin' Sleigh Bells: TIMATHA KASTEN, KRISTI COOMBS, JENNIFER JOHNS Lindyhoppers: MAGGIE MOON, EDEN ATENCIO, JENNIFER JONES, DAVE GRAYBILL, RODDY CARAVELLA, MIKE JAGGER
Influences
Type of Label
Unsigned
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About Sleigh Bells Swing at The Edison Ballroom NYC
Celebrate the Holidays with George Gee!
New York, NY (December 2008) – This Holiday season, The Edison Ballroom and producer Mickey Marchello, former guitarist from the legendary New York Rock Band Good Rats (www.GoodRats.com), will welcome the swing era sounds of George Gee and his Make-Believe Ballroom Orchestra as they entertain guests with a new show that evokes a golden era: “Sleigh Bells Swing.” George Gee and his 22-piece Big Band offer the perfect Holiday treat for not only swing and jazz music fans, but also for tourists and tri-state area residents looking for an incredible Holiday entertainment experience. The Edison Ballroom poses as the perfect backdrop for George Gee’s musical extravaganza with its plush leather walls and sophisticated art deco accents in tones of whites, blacks, shades of grey, and platinum juxtaposed against illuminated glass tiles. Combined with the décor of The Edison Ballroom and a presentation of classic Holiday songs, guests will feel as if they are re-entering a fantasy world of 1930s/1940s retro era of glitz and glamour that no longer exists – until now.
A world-renowned professional swing band leader, George Gee is also the only Chinese-American one. He has compiled a hip and cosmopolitan big band show fully equipped with 22 tuxedoed musicians, captivating singers, rhythmic tap dancers and gravity-defying lindy hoppers, punctuated by a custom-tailored bandstand to complete the look of this elegant evening. “Sleigh Bells Swing” will begin with an interactive and multi-media floor show with the full swing orchestra and complete cast during dinner, MC’ed by the seasonal anecdotes of Mickey Marchello. After the show and four course meal, the complete 1,700 square feet dance floor will open for dancing to the swingin’ big band sounds of George Gee and his orchestra.
“Sleigh Bells Swing” will feature the vocal stylings of Veronica Martell, Jim Mola, John Dokes, The Singin’ Sleigh Belles and tap dance sensation DeWitt Fleming and the gravity-defying antics of The Edison Ballroom Lindy Hoppers! Special aknowledgement to Musical Director Walt Szymanski for his special musical arrangements, Dance Choreography by Evita Arce and Costumes by Mutsumi.
Edison Ballroom’s “Sleigh Bells Swing” will run straight from December 20th, 2008 through January 3rd, 2009 (with no performance on December 24th, 2008). Tickets for this special performance are available at Telecharge.com, info@edisonballroom.com or by calling (212) 201-7650. The Edison Ballroom is located in the hearty of Times Square at 240 West 47th Street, between Broadway and Eighth Avenue. Please also ask them about the special grand performance to celebrate the New Year on December 31st, as we welcome 2009!
ABOUT THE EDISON BALLROOM
The Edison Ballroom, first opened in the 1930’s, reopened June 2008 following a $5 million renovation targeted to make it the premiere venue for a wide variety of private events and celebrations. Located at 240 West 47th Street in the heart of Times Square (between Broadway and 8th Avenue), the Edison Ballroom boasts a long and illustrious history that is still visible in the details of its restoration. The new renovation is meant to highlight the room’s art deco flair of the 1930’s. Owner, Allan Wartski (Christo’s Steakhouse and Hakata Grill) hired Glen Coben of the award winning New York-based architecture and design firm Glen & Company to design the interior. A neutral palette was used to play up the architectural details, spotlighting their beauty. The main floor houses a 700 square foot stage framed by elegant and traditional silk curtains. Upstairs is a balcony that has its own bar. Edison Ballroom, 240 West 47th Street, New York, NY, 10036 (Tel) 212.201.7650
ABOUT GEORGE GEE
Nearly three decades ago, in an era when punk, new wave and heavy metal ruled, a Chinese-American musician named George Gee launched his imaginative big band vision. A native New Yorker, George Gee has always loved the syncopated jump styles of the Big Band Era and his career was propelled by the support of swing giant Count Basie. He grew up with rock ‘n’ roll, R&B and disco – but also developed a powerful passion for swing. At renowned Stuyvesant High School, George Gee wowed the crowds with his flashy showmanship on bass in the school’s jazz band. After an extended stint on the road, George returned to his hometown of NYC in 1989 to make his big band dream a reality. He summoned top notch musicians – (young and old), including veterans of legendary bands such as those led by Count Basie, Lionel Hampton, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman and also Latin and pop music giants – all to continue living his big band dream.
With each performance, George Gee’s powerful and entertaining swing orchestra continues to set new standards and reach for loftier heights. George Gee and the band were recently invited to the Middle East to perform for an audience including The Prince of Jordan and musical impresario Quincy Jones. Gee also served as a primary expert for the nationally broadcast and DVD distribution of the documentary “The Joint is Jumpin’” and was also a featured appearance on PBS’s “Live at Lincoln Center” for 11 million viewers. George Gee continues to tour the world spreading the Gospel of Swing and is ecstatic about his collaboration with The Edison Ballroom.
To learn more about this important swing experience, please visit: http://www.edisonballroom.com/
for addition information on George Gee please visit:
http://www.georgegee.com/
This looks like a phenomenal show! Patty and I can't wait to come up from Virginia to celebrate the holidays in New York swinging style with George and the band!
