Dec 4 The Indie Collaborative Plays New York City's Green Room 42

 

The highly diversified and always entertaining, international music group, THE INDIE COLLABORATIVE returns to New York City on Monday night, December 4 to celebrate the holiday season in grand musical style at one of New York’s most exciting nightclubs, The Green Room 42.   A cast of award-winning artists from the Classical, Broadway, American Roots, Jazz, and Global Music worlds will take the stage to honor Hanukkah, Christmas, Diwali, Kwanzaa, and the Winter Solstice in song and dance, beginning at 7 PM.

Co-founded in 2015 by Emmy Award^® Winning writer and producer, Eileen Sherman, and Billboard Top Ten charting American Roots singer/songwriter, Grant Maloy Smith, “THE IC” boasts a distinguished group of over 2000 independent artists, many of whom are Grammy, Emmy, Tony, and music chart toppers from around the globe. Grant and Eileen conceived the idea of an arts organization that would foster unique and exciting collaborations (crossing genres and continents) while forging lifelong friendships.  

Members of THE IC can be found any night of the year, performing in the world’s most prestigious concert halls, but every so often, Eileen and Grant curate an Indie Collaborative Concert highlighting a variety of their members. Every production is unique. Previous shows include evenings at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, and just this past summer, Eileen and Grant produced a special showcase in Newcastle, England.  Each show amazes the audience by its sheer diversity and extraordinary artistry and December 4 in New York City will be no different. 

Per IC tradition, Grant Maloy Smith will serve as the emcee, with a line-up that has something for everyone!  As always, be on the lookout for terrific on-stage IC collaborations.

Honoring Diwali, is South Indian-born composer and piano prodigy, Charu Suri with outstanding Jazz guitarist, the Indian-born Noshir Mody. They will be performing Charu’s “Floating,” from her highly acclaimed album, RAGAS AND WALTZES. 

Native American Connor Chee, a multi-award winner and brilliant pianist and composer will perform an original composition honoring the Winter Solstice.

The Bluestone Sisters’ Songwriting Team (Gail/music; Eileen lyrics) will offer two songs from their holiday catalog. The jazzy and very comical “The Dreidel Song” from their Emmy Award^® winning Hanukkah musical THE ODD POTATO, will be performed by one of Broadway’s most sought-after dancers, Ryan VanDenBoom (MJ, Something Rotten!, Bandstand, Annie) with the award-winning jazz pianist, Alex Otey.

The Sisters’ second song honors the holiday of Kwanzaa. “Kwanzaa’s Pure Light” will be performed by Gospel star Yocontalie with the Jennifer Tibbetts Singers. This piece has been described as a “musical gumbo,” part Jazz, part Gospel, part Afrobeat, part Spoken Word, and all brilliantly arranged by Yocontalie (vocals), Keith Middleton (percussion), and Alex Otey (instrumental /chorus). Joining Yocontalie is Jennifer Tibbetts (Youth Choir Director and her young choir), remarkable percussionists Ricky Persaud,Jr.,  Jean Carno-Rosneberg, and Valerie Persaud, with the very adept musical theatre composer Jerome Brooks, Jr. (piano), jazz/fusion artist, Mowgli Giannitti (bass), and Alex Otey (flugelhorn).  

The gorgeous vocals of Elaine Romanelli will melt holiday hearts with her original Christmas Song, “Christmas Any Time.”

Providing the classical component of the evening is two-time GRAMMY^® winner Herschel Garfein, with world-renowned cellist, Sophie Shao. Together they will perform Mr. Garfein’s “When the Moon Was Covered,“ from his newest album, LAYERS. All About the Arts called it “intensely emotional and inspired chamber music.”

And no IC concert is complete without some music from IC co-founder Grant Maloy Smith, who will be presenting a unique Christmas medley. He’ll be joined on stage by one of New York’s favorite sax players, Thomas Hutchings (saxophone), Noshir Mody (guitar), Charu Suri (piano), Mowgli (bass), and more. 

As always, the grand finale of every IC concert will be the sing-along theme song “We’ll Stay Together,” performed by a variety of surprise IC guest stars! 

Show: THE INDIE COLLABORATIVE HOLIDAY CELEBRATION

Venue: The Green Room 42

Address: 570 10th Ave, New York, NY 10036 (inside Hotel Yotel)

Date:    Monday, December 4, 2023

Showtime:  7:00 P.M. 

Tickets Available at  https://tinyurl.com/GreenRm42

“Celebrating Earth in Song” at Carnegie Hall with The Indie Collaborative, April 25

Musical Performers w/ a Story of Purpose    

Come and see more than 20 award-winning IC artists perform Celebrating Earth Day in Song, which features a unique blend of the musical genres (rock, classical, jazz, Americana, theatrical) at this legendary venue.        

The storyline of this three-act/two-part (with one intermission) presentation begins with the possibilities and newness of “The Beginning” and continues with the “Reality” of the situations. What happens in the end? Hope? Wisdom? Evolution? After Act Three, the entire cast performs our traditional Indie Collaborative finale, "We'll Stay Together." 

Join us April 25, at 8 PM, at Carnegie Hall.​

This show was originally scheduled for April 2020, but was put off to April 2021, and then once again to April 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The artists are extremely excited to make this dream a reality.

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The show takes place on Monday, April 25, 2022.

Doors open at 7:30PM

Show starts at 8:00PM​

Standard tickets: $60 each

Students/Seniors: $40 each

 

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Produced by Eileen Sherman and Grant Maloy Smith

Emcee: Grant Maloy Smith

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Meet Our Performers

Dr. Alan Storeygard is as dedicated to his music as he is to medicine, weaving jazz, blues, and classical music with six albums.

Amy and Alex Otey These multiple Grammy nominees have played many Americana and Children’s events including Michelle Obama’s White House Egg Roll. Alex, a superb solo and band jazz artist.    

The Bluestone Sisters Eileen(lyrics) and Gail (music) brought their music to the New York City Stages, for a range of collaborations with the Broadway community, including their Emmy Award Winning holiday show, The Odd Potato, whose studio album features 20 Tony Award Winners.  Eileen is co-founder / co-producer of the Indie Collaborative and this event.

Benjamin Lerner is the great grandson of Irving Berlin with a focus on recovery. CLEAN is his brand---his album, a weekly column for Vermont News Guide and Seven Days, and the radio show on WEQX-Manchester, VT.  

David S. Goldman is an award-winning multi-lingual singer/songwriter who performs in genres of Blues, Latin, Acoustic Rock, Pop/Jazz, and World. “Few people on earth were born to sing, but lucky for us, David Goldman is one of them,” says folk singer Christine Lavin. 

Elaine Romanelli Educator, Lyricist. Performer. Songwriter, Vocalist, Country, Folk, Musical Theatre, Pop, and Classical structures for musical theatre and for liturgical use. Composer-in-Residence at the Church of St. Matthew and St. Timothy in New York City.

Grant Maloy Smith Billboard top 10 Folk-Americana artist, Grant is a co-founder/co-producer of the Indie Collaborative and emcee of this event.

Helen O’Shea Princeton, NJ -based “AmeriCeltiCana” band leader of two groups--The Shenanigans and The Shanakees, originally from Limerick, Ireland.  

Jerome Brooks Jr. Known for his work in Art= (Love)2, Power, Mother Courage and Her Children, Halston, Godfather of Harlem, Rock Band 3, and solo album “Committed By: Jerome.”  

Leti Garza Austin-based singer/songwriter/artist performs World Latin music with a social activist’s sensibility.  

Mike Greenly has 11 Billboard-charted Dance/Club hits, and collaborated with the legendary Nile Rodgers.  His co-write, “I See You” with Grant Maloy Smith is the Masterpiece Living theme of a new anti-ageism campaign.

Mowgli Gianitti Bassist, Vocalist, Composer, and Teacher. His original band Satyrdagg is 8-piece wall-of groove sound. 

Noshir Mody Multi-award winning Indian-born, NY based jazz guitarist, known for his “EthniFusion” rock & philosophy, with a new album, "An Idealist's Handbook: Identity, Love and Hope in America 2020"

Ricky Persaud, Jr and his brother LilNicky Persaud fuse contemporary hard electronic rock and are  multiple award winners.

Ryan VanDenBoom thrills audiences in the new Michael Jackson musical, MJ, nightly, at the Neil Simon Theater.  Started his career in the Broadway revival of ANNIE, plus touring theater, film, and TV.  He’s performed with the Chicago Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, and Milwaukee Symphony Orchestras.

Sophia Agranovich Ukrainian born classical pianist is a Steinway Artist and Julliard graduate, where she taught piano. She has been described by Fanfare Magazine as "a bold, daring pianist in the tradition of the Golden Age Romantics."

Thomas Hutchings is a popular New York City saxophonist, producer and podcast host, performing with artists from Grover Washington to the Beastie Boys, syncs on TV.   

Yocontalie Jackson is a Gospel performer, writer, producer. This multiple award winner is a recipient of the IDEA Legacy Lifetime Achievement award.  

The Venue:  Carnegie Hall, Weill Recital Hall, 152 W 57th St, New York, NY 10019

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Tickets available at the Carnegie Hall box office and on the Carnegie website:

carnegiehall.org/calendar/2022/04/25/celebrating-earth-day-in-song-0800pm

New York City Magic This Spring

Felix Cavaliere (The Rascals/Young Rascals) & Micky Dolenz have shows in Hawaii, Pennsylvania, Michigan this season. I’m pitching for his shows at the Patchogue Theater on Long Island (May 14) and Manhattan at the Palladium Times Square on June 3. He’s doing interviews for his new autobiography, “Memoir of A Rascal.” See more dates at www.felixcavalieremusic.com.

The Indie Collaborative features top indie artists that have won Grammys, charted, made the news, and get along with other musicians! Helmed by Emmy winning playwright Eileen Bluestone Sherman & Top 10 Folk Americana artist Grant Maloy Smith, this diverse group will present “Earth Day Celebration” on April 25 at the Weill Recital Hall in Carnegie Hall. Two artists: Ukranian-born classical pianist Sophia Agranovich and “MJ” actor/singer/dancer Ryan VanDenBoom. A number of performers (Sophia, plus jazz-blues/classical keyboardist Alan Storeygard, Celtic singer Helen O’Shea, children’s artist Amy Otey) have medical and health profession histories. www.indiecollaborative.com.

 

Coming to 450 PBS stations this April 26-May 24 (and then in the fall) is the Woodstock-created documentary “We Remember Songs From Survivors.” Find their publicist by checking out the “PBS Press Release” link by clicking below. My artist Michael Veitch appears on it; he recently had the #1 song “Valentine’s Day” and #16 album, “Wachtraum” on Folk Radio according to the Folk Alliance Charts.  www.weremembersongsofsurvivors.com

 

Composers Now and the ShrineNYC presenting Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius and One More once featuring John Dinklage’s Electric Violin Summit at the Shrine, in Harlem. Twitter.com/ComposersNow . Listen to Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius' new song "The Prism," which will appear on their upcoming album, "Behind the Curtain, Live From ProgStock."

www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjjjYY0HQTg

Kathy Zimmer & her band perform at the Rockwood Music Hall, April 28, at 7 PM. kathyzimmermusic.com. Singer-songwriter with a rich voice, and songs about today's world.

 

My roster of songwriters are on a playlist, that I dedicate to Greta Thunberg and Pete Seeger. Sample some of the songs at anneleightonmedia.blogspot.com/2022/04/the-thank-you-greta-thunberg-pete.html_.  

 

And finally, I’m thrilled to have Phoebe Legere home in New York City once again, performing every Saturday night, from 7-10 PM, at the Tudor City Steakhouse, 45 Tudor Place, NY, NY. For more information, call: 212-682-4000. tudorcitysteakhouse.com. Enjoy Phoebe's new music video, "Freedom Loving Heart."

Anne Leighton Performs Returns to the Poetry Stage Aug. 28 at the Indie Collaborative

Poet Excited to Shake Her Hips and Swing on Stage at Legendary New York City Club 

Anne Leighton is making her first public appearance, performing her poetry since the 2016 publication of her book, THE LEIGHTON EXPLOSION.  She joins over 50 performers from all over the world at INDIE COLLABORATIVE on August 28 at the Bitter End, New York City.

The Bitter End is at 147 Bleecker Street (between Thompson and LaGuardia), 

New York City.

The INDIE COLLABORATIVE takes place from 1 till 4 PM, and 7-10:30 PM

Venue phone is 212-673-7030

Admission is $25 and available online at: http://indiecollaborative.com/Tickets/index.php

Accompanying her is multi-instrumentalist Alex Otey, who will be performing on trumpet.  His website is http://www.alexotey.com.

Anne Leighton’s 2016 poetry book, THE LEIGHTON EXPLOSION is published and distributed world-wide through Canada’s Soul Asylum Poetry. It’s the result of a lifetime in poetry and a successful crowdfunding campaign, which includes her goal of performing live in five different locations.  Anne is also a recovering Agoraphobic, and active music services consultant/publicist with clients that include classic rock acts Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson, Orleans’ John Hall, Grand Funk Railroad, Gentle Giant, plus Outlaw Americana artist Phoebe Legere, alternative violinist master Joe Deninzon.

Known for her radio-styled speaking voice and optimistic sense of humor, Anne has found work recording her poems, which appear on the Billboard top 10 album, ACTION MOVES PEOPLE-UNITED, the Grammy-nominated HEALTHY FOOD FOR THOUGHT, and 3 of prog artist Jay Tausig’s TRIP AROUND THE SUN releases. Her poems have been published in BOG GOB, Powerline, the Aquarian, and “Nickel.” She has performed at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe and Peter Max’s Studio. She has 3 other books including top-selling UK cat book: PAWS FOR THOUGHT: HOW TO UNDERSTAND WHAT YOUR CAT IS THINKING (Rockwell Books).  Using the $1500 profit plus some earnings from her publicity work, Anne produced a flirtatious Christmas song she co-wrote with Roberta Piket and Priscilla Harriett called, GOT MY EYE ON YOU, SANTA, which is out on digital September.  

The Indie Collaborative is an organization of independent musicians and music industry professionals which holds several showcases each year for its members. Founded by Grant Maloy Smith (now with his album, DUST BOWL-AMERICAN STORIES is in BILLBOARD’s Americana/Folk Album Sales Charts’ Top Ten) and lyricist-playwright Eileen Sherman in 2015, the Indie Collaborative has held events in Los Angeles, New York, Nashville, Chicago, Philadelphia and Nashville. The August 28 showcase at the legendary Bitter End in New York’s Greenwich Village spans the afternoon and evening. The event features more than 50 musicians from classical guitarists and pianists to pop, rock, country. Among the performers: GRAMMY-winning flautist from South Africa, Wouter Kellerman, Actress/Singer of Sophisticated Lady & movies Sonya Hensley, plus Anne, Grant, Eileen, and a variety of working musicians/songwriters. The showcase features a keynote address in the afternoon by Tony Van Veen, CEO of AVL Digital Media on how independent musicians can manage their careers.