A new twist on the ancient tradition of oral history.

SpeakEasy is people telling stories-- true stories. Period. No scripts. No crib notes. No rehearsals. SpeakEasy has a dynamic and constantly changing cast of storytellers that include such greats as Mike Daisey, Jonathan Ames, and Reno, along with homemakers, lawyers, dog walkers, street magicians and writers

You never know what you'll hear. So join us for what could be a life changing experience!

 Cover $10   www.speakeasystories.com

Jazz quintet Magnify started playing their original jazz tunes in 2003. Just one year later they got their baptism of fire by playing a concert in Carnegie Hall in New York, and in october 2007 the band released it’s critically acclaimed debut album that so far has sold over 5000 copies.

Magnify’s music exploits all the nooks and crannys of the jazz sound - from up- tempo bebop to free improv and is a personal blend of solid grooves, cool melodies and engaging solos. The compositions are strictly original and the combination og alto-sax and trombone in the foreground gives a soft, fat sound. The horns are backed up by a tight rhythm section that unites control and wildness. Magnify have a recognizable nordic sound but clearly shows the inspiration from New York and it’s untameable energy.

Recently, Magnify recorded two short concerts for a national tv-station and played 6 concerts at Copenhagen Jazzfestival with New York based tenorsax Marc Mommaas. In April ’09 they will be joining Mommaas in NYC for a number of concerts and studio-sessions recording their second album. The members of Magnify have performed all over the world with a variety of artists ranging from Swinging Europe and Django Bates and the Danish Radio Bigband.
 Cover $10   www.magnifyjazz.dk ,  www.myspace.com/magnifyjazz

Organics, Ireland’s foremost Hammond organ jazz trio, have been performing and composing professionally since 1997. They have toured Ireland extensively and are regulars at the major music festivals in Dublin, Galway, Waterford, Belfast. Since 2001, Organics have opened for leading International groups such as Gil Scott-Heron in Vicar Street, Dublin, Swedish piano trio E.S.T, the legendary Herbie Hancock’s ‘Headhunters’ and electronic pioneer Bugge Wesseltoft at The 2005 Bud Rising Festival. The trio made their debut performance at the Glasgow International Jazz Festival in 2007. A regular feature of the Cork Jazz Festival since 1997, including performing as the house band for the jam session three years running, they were also critically acclaimed for their performance with Saxophonist Bobby Watson (Art Blakey + The Jazz Messengers) at the 2004 Cork Jazz festival. In 2009 will play their first international tour in Mexico which starts at the Euro Jazz Festival in Mexico City. One of the most exciting sounds to emerge from the Irish jazz scene, Organics have established a musical expression uniquely their own.
 Cover $10   www.organicsmusic.com ,  www.jasonrigby.net

"This is the original lineup of Open Loose, comprising Mark Helias - bass, Tom Rainey - drums and Ellery Eskelin - tenor saxophone. As an aficionado of long-term friendships and musical collaboration, I find it inspiring to revisit past formations and continue the conversation. Surprises abound!"
 Cover $10   www.markhelias.com

On Saturday, April 11, 2009 the Italian American Writers Association (IAWA) celebrates its 18th Anniversary with two extraordinarily gifted writers, one of whom is also a Dante scholar and a distinguished translator. Angelo Verga, who is the curator of all things literary at Cornelia St. Café will share the stage with Michael Palma, a scholar, editor and poet. Additionally, in honor of National Poetry Month, we request that participants at the Open Mic, read at least one piece written by an Italian American author they have been influenced by.

Michael Palma has published two poetry chapbooks, The Egg Shape and Antibodies, and a full-length collection, A Fortune in Gold, as well as an Internet chapbook, The Ghost of Congress Street: Selected Poems, on The New Formalist Press website. Among his 11 translations, Palma won the Italo Calvino Award for My Name on the Wind: Selected Poems of Diego Valeri and of the Raiziss/de Palchi Translation Award from the American Academy of American Poets for The Man I Pretend to Be: "The Colloquies" and Selected Poems of Guido Gozzano with Princeton University Press. His fully rhymed translation of Dante's Inferno was published by Norton in 2002, and reissued as a Norton Critical Edition in 2007.

Coincidentally, Verga's collection, A Hurricane Is opens with a quote from Dante's Purgatory,”'Tell me poet if you come from hell / And if so which ward? Which precinct? The exact block and run.” Writes Marco Villalobos in an interview with Verga on www.poetz.com, “The quote hints toward how Mr. Verga views his own role as a writer: he is a witness. He sees and absorbs, he touches and feels, and he processes reality by considering, reconsidering, and writing it.'”

Angelo Verga is a poet, teacher, and editor, who curates the most influential series of readings in New York City, the more than 300 a year literary events at the Cornelia Street Cafe. He has published six collections of poetry to date, including 33 NYC Poems (Brooklyn, 2005) and "A Hurricane Is" (Jane Street, 2003). His most recent publication is Praise for What Remains (Three Rooms Press). He lives at the southwestern tip of Manhattan where he keeps one eye on Wall Street and the other on The Statue of Liberty.

 Cover $7 (includes one house drink)

Allan Kozinn (New York Times) contextualizes CCi’s monthly performances in the basement of the Cornelia Street Cafe – “... part of the ecology of urban night life.” CCi artistic director, Jed Distler, curates the programs abetted by director Arnold Barkus and lighting designer David Lovett.

Tonight:
more of the artists you love, plus the diva with a difference, Rachelle Garniez
Jed Distler - counteRevolution, new BIG work for piano
Miranda Sielaff - presents "Ligeti Madness"

Plus surprise guests!

Box office: 212.663.1967 (advance purchase discount available)
Admission at the door: $15 gen’l, $10 student/sr + one drink minimum

  www.composerscollab.org