News: the Arts Bureau is pleased to announce the release of Gelber & Manning's debut CD, Gelber & Manning Goes Public. Jesse Gelber and Kate Manning formed the band Gelber & Manning in the spring of 2007. Billed as "a musical cocktail of fizz, fun and frolic," the troupe has since been performing at venues throughout New York City, including The Triad, Cafe Steinhof, Banjo Jim's, The Reprise Room at Dillon's, and Rodeo Bar. Jesse, a formidable stride pianist in New York's traditional jazz scene and Kate, a veteran of Broadway and national touring musical comedies, allied themselves where their two worlds met- in vaudeville. The result is an act that combines musical improvisation with theatricality and showmanship. Traveling back to the vaudeville era in search of material, Jesse and Kate became the feuding lovers Gelber and Manning; the cantankerous bar-room ivory tickler and the sweet singer who dotes persistently on her beau. Along for the ride are Charlie Caranacis on cornet and Kevin Dorn on drums, jazz musicians at the top of their field who just want to play some good music. CD available now on CD Baby. Click Here! "The four members of this troupe were so versatile and so musical that the presentation was over too soon. The audience thought the whole thing hilarious, and I was laughing too hard to object. Singer Kate Manning has a huge, beautifully modulated voice . . . she has a wonderful stage presence. She can shout, mug, and belt with energy and swing. Jesse Gelber, a percussive wit, likes rapid-fire right hand keyboard patterns and left hand stomps; he is also a comfortable homemade singer." |
