FIDDLER's Julie Benko Set to Perform at Cornelia Street Cafe

Celebrated vocalist Julie Benko, stepping off the Broadway stage where she appears in Fiddler on the Roof, returns to the Cornelia Street Café on Sunday, July 31st at 8:30PM to present an evening of jazz. She is backed by a virtuosic sextet including Jason Yeager (piano), Danny Weller (bass), Jay Sawyer (drums), Andy Warren (trumpet), Kenny Pexton (reeds), and Walter Harris (trombone).

The evening will feature two sets of music and celebrate a range of styles, from New Orleans-style traditional jazz to Latin grooves and more. The program will both include original songs by Ms. Benko and will highlight old favorites, reimagined classics, and "would-be standards" by such luminaries as Cole Porter, Jerry Bock, Johnny Mercer, and more.

"Coming from the musical theater tradition, I am always curious as to why certain songs from golden-age musicals caught on as jazz standards and others didn't. Why, for example, is 'Surrey With a Fringe on Top' from Oklahoma standard fare at a jazz club, but 'Lonesome Polecat' from Seven Brides for Seven Brothers largely unknown?" Benko asks. She adds, "I love to explore the repertoire from that era and find the 'would-be standards' that we can breathe new life into and share with a wider audience."

A graduate of NYU's prestigious Tisch School of the Arts, Ms. Benko has appeared on Broadway, national tours, in regional productions of myriad shows, including Fiddler on the Roof, Les Miserables, Spring Awakening, and more. As a solo artist, Ms. Benko has appeared in her autobiographical cabaret show Wandering Star, jazz duo piece with Jason Yeager entitled Blame It On Our Youth, and various other concerts to sold-out audiences at venues throughout New York and New England. Ms. Benko, whose style evokes those of artists Judy Garland, Joni Mitchell, and Jane Monheit, was praised by the Times Square Chronicles as having "the vocal and emotional range plus the charm and poise that belie her youth. It will be a pleasure to watch this star rise." She will record her debut album this fall.

Join Julie Benko and her band at the Cornelia Street Café (29 Cornelia St, New York, NY) on Sunday, July 31st at 8:30 PM. $10 cover charge and $10 food/drink minimum. Reservations can be made by calling (212) 989-9319.

For more information, visit www.JulieBenko.com.

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