Visual compositions and a unique approach to jazz standards – old and new - with a touch of the avant garde, free - experimental improvisation, and poetry.

”Nora’s vocal identity, aside from a basic jazz orientation, defies classification, and makes spare use of reflexive stylistic mannerisms. In the placement of her voice, Nora can evoke the power of a Malian Diva’s fearless candor, or perhaps a Corsican Voceratrice’s call to invisible worlds in the language of dreams, or the earthiness of an early blues singer’s unvarnished autobiographical witness. She has been attentive to the fluid articulation, phrasing and timbre of the jazz trumpet, the instrument that most clearly has influenced her vocal development. Her shaping of pitch often foregoes the fluid note-bending of the jazz singer in favor of the full press of a sculptor’s touch against viscous clay.”… Ramsey Ameen, A Gathering of the Tribes Magazine, 2005.

McCarthy leads and co-leads several other groups including: “The Nora McCarthy Qu ‘ART’et; ConceptualMotion 20-piece Orchestra (which opened the Vision Festival X in 2005); A Small Dream In Red - voice and saxophone duet; and, The ACE (Afro-Caribbean-Experimental) Collective. Nora is also a featured member of Master Conductor Lawrence D. (Butch) Morris’ “Chorus of Poets”.

New Yorker Dominic Duval is one of the finest and most prolific bassists on the contemporary scene, having played and recorded with some of the greatest names in jazz and new music. Duval's continuing tenure with pianist Cecil Taylor's trio has cemented his reputation as one of contemporary music's more important figures. Duval is comfortable and can be seen performing in any number of genres, including modern classical, jazz or music which defies classification.

Duval leads and co-leads a number of ensembles himself, including the critically-acclaimed C.T. String Quartet, Trio X, "The Wedding Band", and the Dominic Duval String Ensemble. Duval's solo bass CD, Night Bird Inventions, was a Top 10 pick in the Coda Magazine critics poll, and his String Ensemble CD, State of the Art, was chosen one of the year's best in the Jazziz Magazine poll. Mr. Duval can be seen on tour through out the United States, Europe, Canada and Asia. Watch for upcoming events in our news section, which will be updated regularly.
 Cover $10 (includes one house drink)   www.noramccarthy.com ,  www.dominicduval.com

"Sachal Vasandani's singing reveals emotion and intellect," says Wynton Marsalis, Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center. "Versed in the blues, standards, and modern jazz... his sound is consistent and unique." The New York Times has called him "debonair" and Jazz at Lincoln Center has described him as "Red-hot... the finest young talent on the scene". All About Jazz has written, "Exceptional... a risk taker who tells a song's story with subtlety. A superior scat singer to boot."

With a flair for infusing the familiar with a fresh, original sensibility entirely his own and an ability to write songs of a diverse and popular style, Vasandani has captured the attention of the jazz world and is quickly climbing towards the top of the music scene. "I like to set a mood when singing," says Vasandani, "communication, honesty and the freedom to explore are very important to me." Vasandani's youthful energy and appeal is ultimately attractive to audiences of all ages and musical preferences.

ABOUT JEREMY RAGSDALE
Jeremy Ragsdale grew up surrounded by music in Annapolis, Maryland. After briefly studying Classical performance at New England Conservatory, Ragsdale transferred to Berklee College of Music.

Jazz Vocal Quartet SYNCOPATION, of which Ragsdale is a member, recently released their first widely distributed album, entitled "Of Blue", with Geneon Entertainment. The group has toured Japan numerous times, and has appeared domestically at the Boston Globe Jazz & Blues Festival and the Tri-C Jazz Fest.

Jeremy is currently working on his own solo album, to be released early this Summer. The album will feature brand-new big band arrangements by his father, Scott Ragsdale. Keep checking www.jeremyscottragsdale.com for updates on the CD release!

This unique series features both emerging and established vocalists in styles ranging from straight ahead, modern to avant-garde and free jazz. Each vocalist will present personal material that showcases their abilities as interpreters, improvisers, composers and arrangers. The Cornelia St. Cafe provides an intimate setting to hear these exceptional artists at a reasonable price! myspace.com/ jeremyscottragsdale"
 Cover $10   www.jeremyscottragsdale.com ,  www.sachalvasandani.com

STREAMING LINK: mccarthy.suresong.com/stockholm.mp3

The loneliest number... an evening of monologues performed by New York City’s most talented and tragically underexposed young actors.
 Cover $6 (includes one house drink)

The Quartet of Happiness; 
Kelly Roberge, RIck Parker, saxophones;  Kendall Eddy, bass;  Austin McMahon, drums

The Quartet of Happiness

"A theatrical jazz experience"

  www.moppaelliott.com ,  www.quartetofhappiness.com

The music La Balteuband waves between rhythmically and harmonically rich pre-composed structures, and improvised sections that highlights the musicality of each member of the band. This is something that makes each performance of the group so fresh and special.

The influences of Mr. Teubal as a composer goes from some of the main Latin american composers of all times like Astor Piazolla, Hermeto Pascual, Egberto Gismonti, to the great masters of the jazz tradition like Duke Ellington, Gil Evans, Charles Mingus.
La Balteuband has perform in venues such as the Knitting Factory, nublu, Bowery Poetry club, Galapagos arts space, and has been included in the Argentine Jazz series that took place at El Taller Latinoamericano during the summer of 2005.

cover $8, $5 for Students w/ ID   www.emilioteubal.com

STREAMING LINK: http://emilioteubal.com/music/telaraniaweb.mp3

Jazz guitarist Pete McCann draws from a wide variety of concepts and techniques that make him one of the most unique-sounding musicians in New York City today. Omnitone Records is celebrating his new release, Most Folks, in May of 2006. Pete leads an exciting new quartet featuring John O’Gallagher on sax, John Hebert on bass, Mark Ferber on drums and special guest Mike Holober on piano. Most Folks features 11 of McCann’s original compositions which are inspired by John McLaughlin, Allan Holdsworth, Richie Beirach and Kenny Wheeler. Pete’s playing encompasses a wide variety of musical styles and genres -- Straight-ahead, Post-Bop, Avant-Garde, Latin, Jazz-Rock Fusion.

McCann has appeared on over 45 CDs and has performed with jazz greats Kenny Wheeler, Dave Liebman, Kenny Garrett, and Peter Erskine, among others. His broad performance career has encompassed jazz festivals, musicals, radio jingles, awards shows, and an opera. Pete McCann currently teaches guitar at City College and the New School in New York City. In the summer he teaches at the Maine Jazz Camp and the New York University Summer Jazz Guitar Intensive.
 Cover $10   www.petemccann.com ,  www.omnitone.com

“…the band’s music tells different stories; it’s accessible, intriguing and imaginative.”
jazz zeit, Berlin

"Finger trio plus one" just finished a new CD recording featuring the great Rich Perry (Vanguard Jazz Orchestra), Vadim Neselovskyi (Gary Burton), a classical string quartet, and original compositions by Christian Finger. “finger trio plus one” music reflects the best of American Jazz tradition and combines it with the unique sensibility found in European music. The results
 Cover $10 ,  www.christianfinger.com