Whom You Know: New York Notes: To Connie...Love, Jenna: Jenna Esposito Sings Connie Francis Live at the Metropolitan Room Recommended by Whom You Know

Thursday, June 10, 2010

New York Notes: To Connie...Love, Jenna: Jenna Esposito Sings Connie Francis Live at the Metropolitan Room Recommended by Whom You Know

"To Connie...Love, Jenna" is the next hit album from our Mover and Shaker Jenna Esposito in the collection; we previously reviewed her prior album, 13 Men and Me:
http://www.whomyouknow.com/2010/05/new-york-notes-13-menand-me-by-mover.html

We knew we'd love her music even before we listened to the CD's because we first heard Jenna at Feinstein's and were impressed:
http://www.whomyouknow.com/2010/03/nightlight-jenna-esposito-performs-at.html

Putting her 13 men aside, Jenna Esposito successfully pays vocal tribute to Connie Francis in this work of art. We imagine that Jenna feels the same way about Connie Francis that Peachy Deegan feels about the Stanley Cup...so this is an album that is based on true admiration, devotion and sincere appreciation for the timeless quality of the Francis songs.

JENNA ESPOSITO – the 2008 and 2009 MAC (Manhattan Association of Clubs) Award Nominee for “Best Female Vocalist” – has brought poodle skirts and puppy love back into fashion with her second CD “To Connie, Love Jenna - Jenna Esposito Sings Connie Francis,” the world’s first-ever tribute CD to one of the most beloved and best-selling female vocalists of the 20^th Century.

Recorded live in concert in New York City at the Metropolitan Room, this personal homage features exciting new versions of Connie’s legendary hits like “Stupid Cupid,” “Lipstick On Your Collar” and “Where The Boys Are,” but also lesser-known songs like “My First Real Love” – inspired by her hidden romance with fellow teen idol Bobby Darin – the rousing rockers “Are You Satisfied?” and “Send For My Baby”; and the beautiful ballad “Roundabout.” We particularly liked "Where The Boys Are."

Jenna’s versions of these rarely heard numbers are the only ones available in digital format or domestically on CD. She also included several selections (“Al Di La,” “Tango Della Gelosia”) from Connie’s landmark Italian albums.

Upon hearing the CD, Connie herself said “You'll never know how delighted I was to hear your CD in which you paid tribute to me. You sounded great on all the songs, especially on obscure ones like ‘Jealous of You.’ I see a bright future for you and wish you tons of success!”

The CD – recorded by J.P. Perreaux and co-produced by Fortune Esposito and Jenna Esposito – features Fortune Esposito on guitar; David Crone on piano; Michael Blanco on bass; Brian DeWitt on drums; Brian Broelmann on saxophone, flute, mandolin and ukulele; as well as Kelly Esposito-Broelmann and Rob Langeder on backing vocals. The concert was directed by Lennie Watts with musical direction and period vocal arrangements by Fortune Esposito.

Jenna created the show after significant research into Connie’s life and career. “I entered this project a fan of Connie Francis the singer,” Jenna says, “but I’ve emerged a fan of Connie Francis, the person. No matter what hard knocks life has thrown her way, she’s always come back not just swinging, but singing. I hope that, through this tribute, I’ve managed to communicate the passion, as well as the joy that she has always brought to her music.”

Jenna Esposito made her New York nightclub debut in August 2004 and has since performed shows at the Metropolitan Room, the Laurie Beechman Theatre, The Duplex and Danny’s Skylight Room. According to TalkinBroadway.com, “she’s got the gift - heat, heart and a touch of heaven.” Her shows A Hint of Rosemary: The Songs of Rosemary Clooney, SMOOCH! and I Hate Men: Songs for the Scorned have all received critical acclaim, and her annual “All-Star Birthday Bash” is a fun-filled evening during which she has shared the stage with a number of New York’s finest performers. In January 2007, I Hate Men was named one of the “12 Best Cabaret Shows” of 2006 by John Hoglund of TheaterScene.net. Jenna also writes a weekly column for the theater and arts website www.BroadwayWorld.com and hosts Metrojam, the Metropolitan Room’s room popular open mic night on the first Friday of every month.

The disc will be available at iTunes, Amazon.com and CDBaby.com.

Jenna’s New York theater credits include Little Mary Sunshine, Godspell (Wings Theatre), How I Learned To Draw (Cornelia St. Café), A Sheep and Bad Girls by Joyce Carol Oates, as well as Twelfth Night in London. Her regional credits include Anything Goes, West Side Story, Sleeping Beauty and Guys and Dolls. Jenna graduated from Sarah Lawrence College. For more information, please visit JennaEsposito.com.

Recent Testimonials by Brand Ambassadors on their Experience with Whom You Know

"I work with Peachy Deegan because she's prolific at what she does. She's a hard worker, she's thoughtful and she's tasteful at what she writes which is very important. Peachy gets the facts correct, and just that alone is worth its weight in gold."

-Edward Tricomi, Master Stylist and Owner of Warren-Tricomi
https://warrentricomi.com/

"No one has yet to express their taste for our cuisine better than Peachy Deegan on Whom You Know. Thank you for transforming our flavor into words, unlike any other before.
Sometimes WHOM YOU KNOW, really makes a difference and Ammos Estiatorio is grateful to know Peachy Deegan!"
-
Dimitris Nakos, Founder and Owner of
Ammos Estiatorio
https://ammosnewyork.com/

“Whom You Know has done an amazing job of featuring our company over many years [seven]. Peachy has worked tirelessly to create a well-curated selection of topics and brands that are clearly of relevance to her growing audience of readers. Her articles are filled with great insights based on first-hand experience. She does her research, knows her business and is a pleasure to work with!”

-David Sasuga, Owner of Fresh Origins Microgreens
www.FreshOrigins.com

"Peachy Deegan has the pulse of the nation and highlights exceptional opinion leaders in more than 23,000 inspiring and entertaining posts. Her 100,000 twitter followers are a true testimony to Peachy’s ability to inspire, motivate and entertain. She is a feminine force to be reckoned with and an exemplary example of an influential voice in today’s world."

-Mica Mosbacher, author of the new book The Hurricane Factor: Stormside Patriots and tv political commentator

"It was an honour to be chosen for Movers and Shakers by Peachy Deegan. The questions in the interview were intelligent and insightful and I thoroughly enjoyed answering them. The reaction to the interview has been overwhelmingly positive and has helped bring my art practice to a wider audience."
-Damien Flood, Internationally Acclaimed Artist
http://www.damienflood.ie/

"We were so fortunate to hit Peachy’s radar. Her review of our Warmies was spot-on and came at a great time in our company’s early history.
Peachy has such a strong relationship with her readers. She provides honest and real comments; she is truly a trusted source in a very large circle
of consumers."
-Scott Wehrs
President
Intelex U.S.A.
http://www.intelexusallc.com/

"We at Primola love working with Whom You Know and are proud to have been a highly-ranked Manhattan restaurant by Peachy Deegan since 2012, and are featured seasonally. We appreciate the fantastic work Peachy does highlighting our cuisine with her sublime writing style and the whole neighborhood of the Upper East side. Also, we are glad that she has started a Made in Italy column! If you have the opportunity to be considered for review, we'd highly recommend working with her."
-Giuliano Zuliani, Owner of Primola Restaurant
https://www.facebook.com/Primola-Canaletto-restaurants-NYC-135616799831091

"
Peachy Deegan is a gem. She is wonderful to feature our Irish brands in 'Whom You Know'! The articles are beautifully and passionately presented, bringing products and brands to life, making both relevant and fun for her many faithful followers to read. I am immensely proud for our hand-crafted products to be included in this venue!"

-
Bill Follett
President, Belleek Group North America
www.Belleek.com

"As you know from my past features, Peachy Deegan and I were in the same class at Boston College prior to either of us becoming entrepreneurs. When we played together on the BC Alumni softball team in Central Park years ago, she mentioned she could not find a great dentist in Manhattan and could often be found networking on her phone in the outfield hiding from the ball. She was my second patient ever in 2006 when I opened my dental practice; I was one of the first sponsors on Whom You Know and the first Mover and Shaker featured in 2009 and have worked with her continuously since. She's even talked her friends that are doctors into being my patients, and they subsequently send their hospital colleagues. I don't know anyone that is as great of a networker and writer as Peachy, nevermind that she is upstanding and always good for her word. Cosmopolitan Dental is so happy to be in the company of the caliber of major brands she works with today, and although she will tell you a million ways to get your teeth dirty between Peachy's Picks, Terrific Takeout and Peachy's Pantry, Peachy Deegan will tell you there is only one way to get your teeth clean!"
-Dr. Garo Nazarian, Founder and Owner of Cosmopolitan Dental
http://cosmopolitandental.com/