Janis Siegel - The Art of Vocalese
Dizzy's Club102 Columbus Circle, New York 10107
Janis Siegel brings The Art of Vocalese to Dizzy’s Club, honoring The Manhattan Transfer while recasting vocalese with fresh arrangements. The program features special guest vocalists Lea DeLaria and Laurel Massé, with John di Martino on piano, Luques Curtis on bass, Vince Cherico on drums, Guilherme Monteiro on guitar, Don Braden on tenor sax, and Bobby Sanabria on percussion. It is a concert built around the vocalese practice of setting lyrics to jazz compositions and instrumental solos, including previously unrecorded words by Jon Hendricks.
Siegel is a defining member of The Manhattan Transfer and is known as a jazz vocalist, arranger, and writer. Her work with the group spans decades; this project continues that legacy in collaboration with Di Martino and guests including Raul Midón, DeLaria, Massé, and Lauren Kinhan. Reviewers have praised her “magnificent voice.” Origin Records calls the album a “moving bridge” between The Manhattan Transfer’s legacy and the present, while Jazz Weekly calls its blend of harmony and vocal interplay “Modern and timeless art.”
Dizzy's Club offers a refined jazz experience with a seating capacity of about 140, where guests enjoy live performances from world-class musicians in a room that frames sweeping views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline. The venue features a full bar and a seasonal menu with sophisticated soul food, enhancing the evening beyond just the music. Shows are ticketed and typically run two sets per night, with late-night sessions available without reservation. The seating is generally first-come, first-served, encouraging early arrival for the best vantage points. The club’s location within Jazz at Lincoln Center places it in a lively cultural hub, making it ideal for a night that blends attentive listening with the pleasure of fine dining and cityscape views.