Admirable Artists: Exclusive Interview with Mover and Shaker Jenna Esposito, The Voice of Little Italy! She Talks To Whom You Know About Becoming a Friar, New Original Songs, Connie Francis, Her Favorite Thing To Eat at Patsy's and Her Softball Career Our Coverage Sponsored by Stribling and Associates
Jenna Esposito
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Since becoming a Mover & Shaker in May, 2010, Jenna Esposito has continued to remain overbooked. She has made a name for herself as "The Voice of Little Italy," headlining the famed San Gennaro Festival for the past several years, as well as performing at various other events in Little Italy including their annual Ferragosto Festival, their annual Christmas Tree Lighting, and their annual "East Meets West Christmas Parade." And speaking of Italian parades, Jenna was thrilled to make her debut in the 2012 Columbus Day Parade, where she provided the entertainment for the Daily News float. In addition to her performances in Little Italy, Jenna has also accumulated a number of appearances at other venues and festivals, including Empire City Casino in Yonkers, NY, the Philadelphia Italian Festival, NYC nightclub Opia, and the renowned Blue Note in Greenwich Village. This past February, she was thrilled to share the stage of the Highline Ballroom with internationally renowned, platinum-selling recording artist, Patrizio Buanne, as his opening act and duet partner. One of Jenna's biggest thrills over the past few years was making her debut at NYC's historic Town Hall, where she shared the stage with Liza Minnelli, Lucie Arnaz, Chita Rivera, and Larry Gatlin, among others, in The Best of Jim Caruso's Cast Party.
Jenna was inducted into the legendary Friars Club in June, 2011, and has since been featured in several shows there, in addition to being a regular performer at their "Thursday Night Café ." She is also a member of the Friars Club softball team, which has been a terrific experience.
For her next project, Jenna is hoping to be able to release a new CD featuring some original songs by songwriter Ernie Rossi (owner of E. Rossi & Co. in Little Italy). Jenna and Ernie have been collaborating for the past several years, and she has performed his songs to very warm receptions at the San Gennaro Festival and other venues. So, next up, it's getting recordings of Ernie's songs made so that they can be shared with a wider audience! We are thrilled to present Jenna as our latest feature in Admirable Artists. Peachy Deegan interviewed Jenna Esposito for Whom You Know.
Peachy Deegan: What has been your favorite performance to date and why?
Jenna Esposito: My favorite performance so far has been my performance at Town Hall. First of all, to be part of a lineup that included Liza Minnelli, Lucie Arnaz, Larry Gatlin, Marilyn Maye, and other extremely talented performers was an incredible honor. And then, my song ("Where The Boys Are") got a huge ovation. It's an incredible feeling when you know you've done your best, and that the audience truly appreciated it. I will never forget standing on that stage and hearing the cheers from the audience - it was definitely the best moment of my career so far!
Do you have plans for an upcoming album?
I do have plans; it's just a matter of getting the funding at this point! Over the past several years, I've really developed a passion for Italian/Neopolitan music, and I would love to do an album of some of my favorites from that genre. And as part of the album, I would love to include 2 or 3 of Ernie Rossi's songs, to get them heard by a larger audience. They are a great example of the continuation of the importance of music in Italian-American culture.
How is your softball career going?
Haha, well, I took a bat to the chin while playing catcher last week and ended up having to go to the hospital for a CT scan, but luckily, there was no serious damage - just some serious bruising! And last summer, I tore two ligaments (ACL & MCL) in my right knee, and spent the rest of the season on crutches...but other than that, it's going great! Seriously, in spite of the injuries, I love playing and I love my team!
What does being a Friar mean to you and why?
Being a Friar is such a thrill and an honor. From the first time I crossed the threshold of the Friars Club "monastery" as the guest of a Friar in 2007, I was simply in awe of, and in love with, the club. There's such a rich history there, with so many famed performers (including some of my all-time faves, like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Lucille Ball) contributing to it. And to be able to make my own contributions and help continue that history is a remarkable opportunity, and one which I truly treasure.
How is Connie Francis and do you have any stories for our readers about your experience with her?
Connie is great! She has a gorgeous new website, and hopefully, the much-anticipated second volume of her autobiography will be released soon! I do have a bunch of Connie stories, but my favorite one happened a few years ago, when both Connie and I went to Bemelmans Bar with mutual friends, to hear another mutual friend, Tony DeSare, perform. Tony asked me if I would like to sing for Connie that night, and of course I said yes! It was a little intimidating, though, because I'd never sung for Connie before. Of course, she had heard recordings of me singing her songs, but it's an entirely different thing when you're singing right in front of her in an intimate nightclub! So, understandably, I was nervous when I first got up to sing. I decided to do "Who's Sorry Now," which was her first big hit, and I remember just kind of being numb throughout the first part of the song - just trying to make sure my voice was there and that I wasn't messing up any words! Well, I got through the first part and then one man in the audience started clapping, and then everyone joined in, so by the time I came back in, I was encouraged and feeling much more confident! So, I just let it rip for the second half of the song, and when I finished, I heard Connie lean over to her friend and say, "She's got that sob in her voice, just like me," which was just about the biggest compliment I could have received! Then she asked Tony if I was going to sing another song, and he said he'd call me back up in his next set. So, true to his word, he did. For my second song, I did one of her big Italian hits, "Tango della Gelosia," which was the song she had singled out as her favorite on the CD of my tribute to her. And after I was finished, she took my hands, looked me in the eye, and said, "Jenna, I love you." And THAT was one of the single best moments of my life!
What should everyone know about your friend Ernie and his songs and why?
My friend Ernie is one of the best people on the planet! He has a heart of gold and just radiates goodness and kindness. He is one of the hardest workers I know, and always has a smile on his face, no matter how tough a day he's had. In addition to that, he just happens to be a fantastic songwriter. I really don't sing many contemporary songs - most times, I feel like I was born in the wrong decade! I love music from the 40s, 50s, and 60s - classic standards and pop songs. And I love what I like to refer to as "The Great Italian-American Songbook" - songs made famous by people like Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra and (of course!) Connie Francis. Well, the cool thing about Ernie's songs is that, although they are being written today, they have the timeless quality of all of those great standards from The Great American Songbook and The Great Italian American Songbook. They're catchy enough to hum after you've only heard them once or twice, but they've also got depth. Ernie writes from his heart, and his passion shines through in his music. His songs are beautiful and unique, and truly deserving of a much wider audience - which is why I'm making it my mission to share them with the world!
When will you start doing Irish music in addition to the Italian you already do?
I do a few Irish songs! And I took Irish stepdancing when I was little - does that count?
Do you have plans for a duet with your nephew Charlie?
Oh, yes! Although he'll probably steal the show, haha! We've actually performed together quite a bit, with Charlie sitting in on drums when I do shows with my band. We'll have to work on a duet to sing together, though!
What is your favorite thing to eat at Patsy's?
The Chicken Contadina - it's chicken cut up into small pieces and sauteed with garlic, mushrooms, red peppers, and potatoes. It's SO yummy! I also love the Lobster Fra Diavolo - absolutely delicious! Oh, and the tiramisu! Honestly, with Chef Sal at the helm, it's impossible to go wrong.
What would you like to do professionally that you have not yet had the opportunity to do?
Play Vegas!
What honors and awards have you received in your profession?
I've been nominated for a 8 MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs) Awards, and my Connie Francis tribute CD was named one of the 10 best of the year by Cabaret Hotline in 2009.
What one word best describes you and why?
Sparkling. I love sparkles - and I like to thing that I infuse everything I do with a little bit of sparkle - both literally and figuratively.
If you could hire anybody who would it be and why?
I would hire a producer to help me get Ernie's songs recorded, so that I could fulfill my goal of getting them out in the world!
What is your favorite drink?
Manhattan.
What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you at a cocktail party?
I once caught a glimpse of someone that I thought was an old friend I hadn't seen for a while, so I ran up to him and gave him a huge hug...only to discover, once we'd stopped hugging, that I'd never met him before in my life - whoops!
What is your favorite restaurant in Manhattan?
I'm going to have to call it a tie - midtown, it's Patsy's, and downtown, it's Florio's (in Little Italy).
What is your favorite Manhattan book or favorite character in Manhattan literature?
Forever by Pete Hamill.
Who would you like to be for a day and why?
Kate Middleton - what girl hasn't fantasized about growing up to be a princess?!
If you could have dinner with any person living or passed, who would it be and why?
Dean Martin. I truly feel like Dino and I would have hit it off! He's been such a big influence on me, musically, and he was just such an interesting guy! I think it would be fascinating to sit and chat with him...laugh, joke, maybe sing some impromptu duets together...
What has been your best Manhattan art or music experience?
Bemelmans Bar. I've been there manytimes, and it's always been a fantastic experience. They always have terrific music, and the walls are covered with whimsical murals painted by Ludwig Bemelmans (who also created the Madeline children's book series). It's a classy, sophisticated, decidedly "old-school New York" way to spend an evening. I also met Paul McCartney there once!
What do you personally do or what have you done to give back to the world?
I like to use my talents to give back in any way I can. I perform with a wonderful, non-profit group called Vocal Ease, which brings music to hospitals and nursing homes, and I've performed in numerous benefits to raise money for causes I believe in.
What do you think is most underrated and overrated here?
Underrated: Little Italy! I think many people think that it's too touristy, or has been overtaken by Chinatown, but there is still a vibrant Little Italy. Over the past four years, I've become friendly with a number of the restaurant owners and shop owners. Their businesses have been in their families for years, and with increasing rents and decreasing visitors, it's becoming harder and harder for them to survive. There is such a wonderful community there - if every New Yorker made it a point to dine in Little Italy once a month, we could ensure its future for years to come!
Overrated: New Year's Eve in Times Square. Standing in one spot all day, freezing my tail off, and no champagne at midnight? I'll take a pass, thanks!
Other than Movers and Shakers of course, what is your favorite Whom You Know column and what do you like about it?
Peachy's Picks! I love dining out, and in a city this big, it's impossible to know all of the best places to go - so Peachy's Picks definitely comes in handy when I'm looking for someplace new to try!
Have you tried The Peachy Deegan yet and if not, why not?
Of course!
What else should Whom You Know readers know about you?
I'm a huge Yankees fan, and I bake the best chocolate chip cookies in the world.
How would you like to be contacted by Whom You Know readers?
jenna@jennaesposito.com
