Songwriter's Beat Festival....

CORNELIA STREET CAFÉ

29 Cornelia Street, NYC, New York 212-989-9319 - http://www.corneliastreetcafe.com/

The Songwriter's Beat 6th annual Festival - NYC's only festival celebrating performing songwriters – returns for three consecutive nights and features 18 top performing songwriters including acclaimed artists Martha Redbone, Steve Addabbo, Felicia Collins, Bertha Hope, Valerie Ghent, Rob Morsberger, Tabitha Fair, Peter Calo, Deni Bonet, Ann Klein and three winners of the Songwriter's Beat - Feel the Music! Song Contest.
 
Fri Jul 23

8:30PM SONGWRITER'S BEAT FESTIVAL 2010
(Keith Fluitt; Valerie/Deni/Ann/Deb; Martha Redbone; Tabitha Fair; AJ Roach)

The Songwriter's Beat 6th annual Festival - NYC's only festival celebrating performing songwriters – returns for three consecutive nights and features 18 top performing songwriters including acclaimed artists Martha Redbone, Steve Addabbo, Felicia Collins, Bertha Hope, Valerie Ghent, Rob Morsberger, Tabitha Fair, Peter Calo, Deni Bonet, Ann Klein and three winners of the Songwriter's Beat - Feel the Music! Song Contest.

Tonight's show features Keith Fluitt, a special set by Valerie Ghent, Ann Klein, Deborah Berg and Deni Bonet; Martha Redbone, Tabitha Fair and we will play AJ Roach's winning song, "Granddaddy" as AJ is on tour in Europe this month.

KEITH FLUITT has performed globally and locally. He is a well sough-after background vocalist who has recorded and performed with such artists as Ashford & Simpson, Diana Ross, Roberta Flack, Will Downing, Harry Belafonte, The Pet Shop Boys, Celine Dion and a host of others. He also co-wrote “I Met an Angel on Christmas Day†which was recorded by Celine Dion. In 2006 he was cast as the voice of Philip Bailey in the Broadway flop “Hot Feetâ€. Keith is now working on his first ever CD to be out sometime in 2017 hopefully.

DEBORAH BERG is a New York City-based singer/songwriter and recent songwriting workshop leader, whose distinctive voice, songwriting talents, and warm teaching style characterize her 25 year musical career. She has written and published over 50 original songs, including her work with Julian as the duo Eye to Eye, and her solo CD. With Doug Katsaros, Deborah co-wrote the theme song for the public television program "Great Museums," a public television series devoted to America's museums.

DENI BONET: Not every classically-trained musician plays the violin like an air guitar. Deni Bonet is a college radio favorite who's performed with the likes of R.E.M., Sarah McLachlan & Robyn Hitchcock and fits her string & vocal skills into ironic, catchy alternative pop. Her latest obsession with the ukulele has brought her an endorsement with Kala Ukuleles, and a recent headlining spot at the NY Ukulele Festival! Deni is currently in the studio recording a new CD with her band and producer Richard Barone (of the Bongos) for release later this year. For more information, check out Deni’s website: http://www.denibonet.com/

VALERIE GHENT: Singer-songwriter and Songwriter’s Beat founder VALERIE GHENT is a whirlwind of musical energy. Born and raised in downtown NYC, Valerie offers a strikingly powerful and emotive voice, piano chops to match and "soul-stirring, uplifting songs full of vitality and joy".

Keyboardist/singer and recording engineer with legends Ashford & Simpson since 1989, Val toured with Debbie Harry (Blondie), released three CD's on her own label and has written music for film, dance and two acclaimed off-off Broadway musicals. Founder of the uber-successful Songwriter's Beat series as well as the Songwriter's Beat Festival each July, Val continues to encourage and support hundreds of performing songwriters.

In 2005, Val founded the nonprofit Feel the Music!, bringing music to children and families impacted by trauma and loss. The recipient of multiple grants and awards, including the Betances Award for Service to the Arts, Valerie is a student of internal martial arts and photography and has collaborated on two books. Currrently Valerie is recording her next (double) CD and can be seen in the live Ashford & Simpson DVD, The Real Thing.

ANN KLEIN plays guitar and mandolin and other things with strings. As a composer/songwriter, she has: toured in Europe consistently for 10 years; plays house concerts in the tri-state area and Texas; received lots of nice press from publications such as Billboard and HARP; written music for: three documentaries for French television; THE ENERGY FACTORY; and Metro Music, Inc.

As an instrumentalist, credits include: Kate Pierson of the B-52s, Joan Osborne, Ani DiFranco, Darden Smith, PM Dawn, Will Lee, Natalie Imbruglia and the American Composers Orchestra. She has lent her expert guitar skills on Broadway in “Greaseâ€, “9 to 5†and “Everyday Raptureâ€. Ann has also produced recordings for several artists with her partner, Tim Hatfield and was a MacDowell Colony grant recipient.

In fall of 2005, she was a guest teacher at the Danish Rythmic Music Conservancy with 15 other teachers from NY and LA and serves on the faculty at the 92nd Street Y School of Music running songwriting workshops and teaching guitar. She is most proud of her ability to wah wah her way out of any solo, anytime. Ann is currently a member of the Harlem Parlour Music Club, which is a 12 piece orchestra consisting of NYC’s top musicians. She is also working with Allison Cornell on material for their European tour, slated for Fall 2010 and continues to work with many artists in the New York area.

MARTHA REDBONE's role as a leading voice in both soul and contemporary Native American music has been recognized by the awards garnered for both her albums - ‘Skintalk’ and ‘Home of the Brave’; which include 2006 Independent Music Award for Best R&B album and Best Debut Artist at the 2002 Nammys. In addition to music, Martha is a dedicated activist on behalf of both Native American and African American communities, she is recognized by the Nat’l HIV/Aids Partnership in Washington DC and was presented with a Red Ribbon Award at the United Nations. MOJO Music Magazine describes her as “Fabulous... uniquely individual...supremely soulful.. A gem...â€

TABITHA FAIR, a pastor's daughter from Oklahoma, now living in NYC, writing, recording and singing songs that represent her spiritual journey and life experiences. She has had the honor to sing, write and perform with such artist as Carol King, Sting, Amy Grant, John Legend, Garth Brooks, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John and many other recording artists that continue to musically inspire her. Tabitha is in the studio finishing up her record project that she's been working on with producer, writer, Phil Galdston and is looking forward to the next phase of her career as a solo recording artist.

NEW: Leading up to this year’s Festival is the first annual Songwriter’s Beat - Feel the Music! Song Contest, open to all songwriters. Celebrity judges including songwriting legends Ashford & Simpson will review the finalists and decide the winners. Three winners will participate in the Festival! The contest also serves as a fundraiser: song submission fees support Feel the Music!.

Now in its 10th year, The Songwriter's Beat is New York's most popular acoustic songwriters series, curated / hosted by singer-songwriter Valerie Ghent. The Songwriter's Beat features four songwriters of varying musical styles who are encouraged to try out their newest material and arrangements.

The Songwriter's Beat is delighted to share in the 33rd birthday celebration of the Cornelia Street Cafe!

Proceeds of the Songwriter's Beat Festival benefit "Feel the Music!" , a NYC nonprofit which brings music and art to children and families impacted by trauma.

Valerie Ghent, Deni Bonet, Ann Klein, Deborah Berg, hosts. Cover $10 (plus $ 7 Drink Minimum) http://songwritersbeat.com/

Sat Jul 24

8:30PM SONGWRITER'S BEAT FESTIVAL 2010
(Kismet; Bill Grady; Morley; Bertha Hope & Monica Hope; Peter Calo; Contest Winner Amanda Homi)

The Songwriter's Beat 6th annual Festival - NYC's only festival celebrating performing songwriters – returns for three consecutive nights and features 18 top performing songwriters including acclaimed artists Martha Redbone, Steve Addabbo, Felicia Collins, Morley, Bertha Hope, Valerie Ghent, Rob Morsberger, Tabitha Fair, Peter Calo, Deni Bonet, Ann Klein and three winners of the Songwriter's Beat - Feel the Music! Song Contest.

Tonight's show features Kismet Lyles, Bill Grady, Morley, Bertha Hope & Monica Hope, Peter Calo and Amanda Homi, who won first place in the Songwriter's Beat 2010 Song Contest with her song, "The Boyz in the Coffee Bar".

KISMET LYLES is an unyielding force of melody. Her music is a harmonious blend of rock and r&b, layered on a jazz foundation. She was a songwriter and lead singer for New York-based band D'Tripp for five years as they toured throughout the U.S. and headlined two European tours. Kismet was a featured lead for the Robert Wilson/Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon production of "The Temptation of St. Anthony" for 5 years throughout Europe and Australia; including a history-making performance series at the Opera Garnier in Paris in 2005. In the fall, she will release her Toshi Reagon produced CD entitled, “Givenâ€.

BILL GRADY's songs are about those moments big and small, where you can say to yourself, “I’ve been there. I KNOW what that feels likeâ€. He has been featured on BBC Radio and toured the UK. His debut album, “A Room Called Home†was called, “a minor miracle.†With a style ranging from acoustic-hiphop to pop-poetry he is always ready to provide his audiences with a real and thoughtful experience.

MORLEY: “If you’re feeling helpless, help someoneâ€. These are the empowering words that inspire MORLEY as she dives deep, breathing sensuality into activism with her unabashed love songs, humorous takes on love, life, and outspoken lyricism.

A former dance and yoga teacher and choreographer who colaborated with the late jazz legend and civil rights activists Max Roach, Baba Olatunji and Ossie Davis along with Cassandra Wilson for the celebration of Max Roach’s historic album, “We Insist!â€, Morley has written, collaborated, shared the stage and toured with renowned artists such as Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon, Toshi Reagon, Dave Matthews, David Amram, Raul Midon, Leni Stern, Gil Goldstein, Larry Campbell, Richard Bona, Amadou & Miriam, Neil Finn, Sarah Mclachlan, Sheryl Crow, Queen Latifah and Angelique Kidjo to name a few.

The featured artist at the 60th Anniversary of the UN, Morley has had he distinct honor to perform for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Nelson Mandela. Morley has placed several of her original songs on television and has appeared on popular shows such as the comedy Bored To Death. Since February 2008, Morley’s sultry voice graced the TV commercial for Ralph Lauren’s “My Romance†fragrance. Morley’s CD’s include Sun Machine, Days Like These and SEEN.

PETER CALO Canadian born,singer/guitarist PETER CALO has been dubbed "one of the most engaging performers in the biz" by London's "Time Out" magazine. Calo has performed and/or recorded with Carly Simon, Hall and Oates, Joe Pecsi, James Taylor, Linda Eder, Robben Ford, Jimmy Webb, Joel Grey, Klezmer conservatory Band ,New York Voices, Boston Opera Company, The Platters, Luther "guitar" Johnson as well as played in the musical "Hairspray".

A master songwriter, composer, and performer in his own right, Peter has released an album of originals, "Wired to the Moon." as well as a recording of original solo acoustic guitar music called "Cape Ann" available on Four Winds Records Peter is co producing an upcoming CD release from Carly Simon. He has just completed a producing a CD for Johnny Ray, “Songs from the El Rey Motel.†Peter was recently featured in Tribeca Film Festival entry “The Lost Soul of Havana.â€

NEW: Yes! Leading up to this year’s Festival is the first annual Songwriter’s Beat - Feel the Music! Song Contest, open to all songwriters. Celebrity judges including songwriting legends Ashford & Simpson will review the finalists and decide the winners. The contest also serves as a fundraiser: song submission fees support Feel the Music!.

Now in its 10th year, The Songwriter's Beat is New York's most popular acoustic songwriters series, curated / hosted by singer-songwriter Valerie Ghent. The Songwriter's Beat features four songwriters of varying musical styles who are encouraged to try out their newest material and arrangements.

The Songwriter's Beat is delighted to share in the 33rd birthday celebration of the Cornelia Street Cafe!

Proceeds of the Songwriter's Beat Festival benefit "Feel the Music!" , a NYC nonprofit which brings music and art to children and families impacted by trauma.

Valerie Ghent, Deni Bonet, Ann Klein, Deborah Berg, hosts. Cover $10 (plus $ 7 Drink Minimum) http://songwritersbeat.com/
Contact: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services, 845-986-1677, jazzpromo@earthlink.net