Ad Alta Voce is my blog. I am fascinated by the fragility and transience of our lives; singing and writing are two ways in which I try--and try, and try--to make sense of it all.  Here, you'll find my musings on eating and drinking, creativity, New York City, and occasionally, the subway. Oh, and Ad Alta Voce means "Out Loud." Like most things, it sounds better in Italian.  http://hilarygardner.wordpress.com
 
I spent over a decade in the restaurant business, which kept a roof over my head as well as deepened my knowledge and appreciation of great food and wine.  In addition to the food writing I do at Ad Alta Voce, I have contributed to UnderTheTuscanGun.com and JDentonNYC.com.  

I grew up singing country music in my hometown of Wasilla, Alaska and have dreamed of being in a country band ever since.  Fate intervened by introducing me to veteran musicians Dennis Del Gaudio (guitar) and Wade Preston (piano), both of whom performed and toured extensively with the Broadway hit "Movin' Out."  After our first rehearsal, Dennis, Wade, and I knew we were on to something.  Everything really came together when we were joined by Chuck Burgi (drums) and Andy Cichon (bass).  Our signature "city country" sound is a melange of old-school Americana, boogie-woogie, country swing, and a little bit of rock, with three-part harmony tying everything together.  http://facebook.com/ShotgunWeddingNYC
http://twitter.com/NYCityCountry

I had just moved to New York City and was enjoying a twilight stroll through the West Village. I stopped in front of a bookstore to browse the outdoor shelves and wound up buying "The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life" by Twyla Tharp. Tharp's prose was spare, her candor disarming, and I was inspired by her pragmatic approach to fruitful creativity. I remember thinking that Twyla was incredibly gutsy--and generous--to share the secrets behind her career highs and lows in order to guide other artists.
 
Seven years later, I found myself singing on Broadway in Twyla Tharp's Come Fly Away, created around the music of Frank Sinatra.  I found the real-life Twyla Tharp to be just as pragmatic, gutsy, and generous as the Twyla I had met in the pages of her book years ago. I will forever be honored and thrilled to have sung with Frank Sinatra in the show the New York Times called "spectacular and dazzling! A major new work that will sweep you up in a complete spell." 

Most Tuesday evenings I can be found at Manhattan stalwart Swing 46, singing and swinging with this terrific band.  The dynamic vocalist and lindyhopper John Dokes even featured me on his latest CD release, “John Dokes Sings, George Gee Swings." www.georgegee.com

West 73rd is a quartet comprised of pianist Frank Ponzio, bassist Pete Donovan, drummer Vito Lesczak, and yours truly on vocals. Our collaboration began in 2006, at Frank's studio on West 73rd Street in Manhattan. Frank and Vito had been experimenting with new arrangements of songs by Kurt Weill and they asked me if I'd like to try my hand at singing some of them. Soon after, Pete Donovan came aboard, and The Kurt Weill Project was born.
 
We recorded an album, "The Kurt Weill Project," which was nominated for a MAC Award for "Best Jazz Recording of 2008." We joined the roster at Park Avenue Talent and found ourselves performing to full houses at the Metropolitan Room, Feinstein's at the Regency, and the Detroit Institute of Arts. Currently, we're expanding our Kurt Weill repertoire and planning to record. Frank, Pete, and Vito are all creative and adventurous musicians, and I love being part of this band. www.west73rd.net
www.myspace.com/west73rd

Mike Longo has been my teacher and mentor since my arrival in New York City. In a post over at Ad Alta Voce, I describe Mike as “part Yoda, part Henny Youngman, and all bebop.” Mike’s shared the stage with everyone from Cannonball Adderley to James Moody to Nancy Wilson, but he’s probably best known from his years as Dizzy Gillespie's pianist and musical director.
 
I’ve had the great good fortune to perform and record with Mike’s big band, The New York State of the Art Jazz Ensemble, for the past seven years.  Mike’s a brilliant musician, a wise soul, and, luckily for countless musicians, a generous teacher. 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Longo