Frank Carlberg and Christine Correa

From the first moment of the arresting vocals by Christine Correa on pianist/composer Frank Carlberg’s opening track “We get crazy” from The American Dream, his newest CD release, you know you’re in for something unusual, energetic, quirky yet… deep.

One of Carlberg’s signature talents is masterfully setting poetry to music. Richard Kamins of the Hartford Courant found that Carlberg did “…a masterful job blending the music and words, the results sounding so organic. The melodies wrap around the words with ease and the solos never seem obligatory. His music is melodic, challenging, intelligent, and fiercely original. Many projects that attempt to blend poetry with creative music sound stilted but, over his career, Carlberg has proven that one can take these two art forms and make something quite special.”

Frank’s just been touring in Europe and Maine and is back in Brooklyn for an appearance of The Frank Carlberg Quintet (Frank Carlberg, Mike Formanek, Devin Grey Trio) on August 1st at 8:00 PM at the Douglass Street Music Collective, 295 Douglass St., in Brooklyn.

Read more about Frank here – bio PDF and check out some of his great press here – press PDF.

Chicago-based soprano Michelle Areyzaga is a revelation – pure beautiful tone, lovely stage presence, wonderful acting and just a pleasure to behold and to be around. She was my “muse” when I was in Chicago and she starred in three summer operas that I produced in 2002, 2003, and 2006.

Two performances remain of Donizetti’s Elixir of Love at DuPage opera on July 24 and 26. Michelle recently wrote: “I’m currently in rehearsals for a really great production of Elixir of Love at DuPage Opera Theatre. This is romantic comedy paired with glorious music. My leading man is John Sumners whom you may remember as my Rodolfo in La Boheme a couple of summers ago. And Michael La Tour (my favorite!) is directing. we are really enjoying our work and I think you will love the finished product! I hope you will join me if you can.”

I first met Colleen McHugh in Chicago when she was just beginning to publicly attract attention for her extraordinary singing. An accomplished comedienne and improv performer, Colleen is also blessed with a lovely, powerful voice and excels in heartbreaking and hilarious interpretations of songbook standards. In November of 2008 she started a monthly residency – “Calendar Girl” – at the Duplex in New York. Now in its ninth month, on Monday July 13th, the series will feature  Colleen’s Bastille Day French-themed show. McHugh promises”beautiful music, improvisation, sparkling cocktails, witty banter – a true celebration of all the things you love (and love to hate) about the French.” Featuring songs by Piaf, Bricusse, Porter, Legrand, Gershwin, and more! Special Chicago guests Miriam Plotkin and Chuck Larkin appear in this hilarious, always-sold-out, soignee soiree!

$25 Cover & a 2 Drink Minimum
Time: 9:30pm-10:30pm
Online reservations

This weekend, Jody Redhage and her band, Fire in July will celebrate the release of their first album with a special preview show @ Barbes.  Their debut album, “Ancient Star,” hits streets Sept. 15, but they’ll have a limited number of pre-release copies available on Sunday.  They’re also celebrating their two year anniversary as an ensemble: says Jody: “we played our first public performance on July 3, 2007, and it was a fiery night of energy!”

Hope to see you! Come celebrate with us this holiday weekend!

JODY REDHAGE & FIRE IN JULY
CD RELEASE PREVIEW SHOW

Celebrating the album “Ancient Star”
Sunday, July 5, 2009
@ Barbes 7:00-8:30 pm
376 9th St. (@ 6th Ave)
Park Slope, Brooklyn
347-422-0248
www.barbesbrooklyn.com
F train to 7th ave.
tip jar

FIRE IN JULY
Jody Redhage, cello/voice/compositions
Ken Thomson, clarinet/bass clarinet
Alan Ferber, trombone/bass trombone
Tim Collins, vibraphone
Dan Tepfer, piano
Fred Kennedy, drums

ANCIENT STAR, the debut album from cellist, composer, & vocalist Jody Redhage and her ensemble Fire in July, is a collection of 14 of Redhage’s original art songs. Produced by Ben Wittman and featuring an ensemble of voice, cello, clarinets, trombones, vibraphone, piano, and percussion, “Ancient Star” reflects the 21st century trend of straddling genres, melding the detail and finesse of chamber music with the energy and drive of pop, rock, and jazz improvisation. On “Ancient Star” Redhage proves she has found her perfect collaborators: her ensemble is a group of multi-skilled, talented and sensitive chamber musicians who can also shedd with the best.