Roberta Donnay
THE BACK ROOM presents SAM'S CORNER featuring ROBERTA DONNAY
The Back Room
1984 Bonita Ave. .
Berkeley, CA 94704
Oct 12, 2018
8:00 PM PDT
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About this concert
Sam's Corner About once a month, our own Sam Rudin takes the stage in a variety of formats. Last month he had his old band come out for some high energy blues and jazz. Tonight he will deliver some solo performances, and he will also be joined by the wonderful singer Roberta Donnay. A long-time favorite of audiences in California and beyond, Roberta has been associated with several genres and styles of American music. For many years she has been a featured member of Dan Hicks and his Hot Licks. More recently she formed the Prohibition Mob, a terrific band dedicated to the music of the 20's and 30's. Their debut album has gotten, and continues to get, very favorable treatment from the national Jazz press, and radio stations around the country. Tonight she will bring that same material to the more intimate setting of a piano/vocal duo. Sam, as you may know, is right at home with vintage jazz, and they intend to have a lot of fun. Tickets are $15 and are available in advance at the link below, or you may purchase your tickets at the door the night of the show. Doors open one half hour before show time. We accept cash only at the door (ATMs are nearby). The Back Room is an all-ages, BYOB (for those 21+) space, dedicated to (mostly) acoustic music of all kinds. You are welcome to bring your own adult beverage with no additional corkage fee. If you need more information or have any questions, please call us: #510-654-3808.
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Roberta Donnay Biography
"Roberta Donnay & the Prohibition Mob Band present a modern
take of the hot swingin' jazz and sultry blues of the 1920s and 30s
that will make you want to dance all night!" - Verdi Club
Roberta Donnay & the Prohibition Mob Band have been touring the U.S. since 2012. The Prohibition Mob Band released its third CD, "My Heart Belongs To Satchmo" on Blujazz in 2018. This record is devoted to the early music of Louis Armstrong, continuing the band's tradition of resurrecting both well-known and obscure vintage music. Previously, the group released "A Little Sugar" (2012) and "Bathtub Gin" (2015) on Motema. "A Little Sugar" spent 9 weeks on the Jazz radio charts, and "Bathtub Gin" was named one of the Best Albums of 2015 by DownBeat Magazine.
Award-winning singer and composer Roberta Donnay has been performing and recording for more than two decades. Prior to forming the Prohibition Mob Band, she recorded with legendary producer Orrin Keepnews and was a member of Dan Hicks & the Hot Licks. Donnay's music spans multiple genres, including writing for film and TV.
She is an endangered species.
- Dr. Herb Wong
With her singularly enticing sound, few contemporary vocalists are as well suited to dustily vintage material as jazz-blues stylist Roberta Donnay.
- Jazz Times
Roberta Donnay is a Jazz Age preservationist, guardian of Depression-era sounds, and extender of traditions, but her music isn't covered with cobwebs or dated in any way. - All About Jazz
This jazz baby makes the '20s roar again and swings out '30s tunes buoyantly enough to float away even the Great Depression.
- San Jose Mercury News
Donnay's voice could make any classic material sound wondrous and timeless, but the fact that she digs so deep into American musical history -- makes A Little Sugar not only sweet, but a recording that will stand the test of time. - All Music Guide
Once in awhile, a talent comes along that is an undeniable force of nature. Roberta Donnay, the driving wheel behind Roberta Donnay and the Prohibition Mob Band, fits that description. - Music and More Arizona
Musicians can take on the role of anthropologist, curious about what came before in music and how musicians reflected their world around them. Award-winning vocalist and songwriter Roberta Donnay is that rare species of musician who almost lives in another time, as she and her Prohibition Mob Band exist to revive the Jazz Age of America. -Motema
DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE 4 stars **** Stylistic kind to flappers of the anything goes 1920s, Roberta Donnay has a silky, clean voice that is a small marvel of geniality, rarely dipping into touchy-feely cuteness. She's drawn to material from the canon of American songs recorded between the two world wars. All the while, the well-groomed, jazz-inclined Prohibition Mob Band motors along spiritedly.
-DownBeat
Donnay takes old school jazz, makes it new cool and most of all makes it fun. It swings and it swings hard. Old school has never sounded better and Roberta Donnay is certainly a name to remember! (5 stars). - Critical Jazz
Read Moretake of the hot swingin' jazz and sultry blues of the 1920s and 30s
that will make you want to dance all night!" - Verdi Club
Roberta Donnay & the Prohibition Mob Band have been touring the U.S. since 2012. The Prohibition Mob Band released its third CD, "My Heart Belongs To Satchmo" on Blujazz in 2018. This record is devoted to the early music of Louis Armstrong, continuing the band's tradition of resurrecting both well-known and obscure vintage music. Previously, the group released "A Little Sugar" (2012) and "Bathtub Gin" (2015) on Motema. "A Little Sugar" spent 9 weeks on the Jazz radio charts, and "Bathtub Gin" was named one of the Best Albums of 2015 by DownBeat Magazine.
Award-winning singer and composer Roberta Donnay has been performing and recording for more than two decades. Prior to forming the Prohibition Mob Band, she recorded with legendary producer Orrin Keepnews and was a member of Dan Hicks & the Hot Licks. Donnay's music spans multiple genres, including writing for film and TV.
She is an endangered species.
- Dr. Herb Wong
With her singularly enticing sound, few contemporary vocalists are as well suited to dustily vintage material as jazz-blues stylist Roberta Donnay.
- Jazz Times
Roberta Donnay is a Jazz Age preservationist, guardian of Depression-era sounds, and extender of traditions, but her music isn't covered with cobwebs or dated in any way. - All About Jazz
This jazz baby makes the '20s roar again and swings out '30s tunes buoyantly enough to float away even the Great Depression.
- San Jose Mercury News
Donnay's voice could make any classic material sound wondrous and timeless, but the fact that she digs so deep into American musical history -- makes A Little Sugar not only sweet, but a recording that will stand the test of time. - All Music Guide
Once in awhile, a talent comes along that is an undeniable force of nature. Roberta Donnay, the driving wheel behind Roberta Donnay and the Prohibition Mob Band, fits that description. - Music and More Arizona
Musicians can take on the role of anthropologist, curious about what came before in music and how musicians reflected their world around them. Award-winning vocalist and songwriter Roberta Donnay is that rare species of musician who almost lives in another time, as she and her Prohibition Mob Band exist to revive the Jazz Age of America. -Motema
DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE 4 stars **** Stylistic kind to flappers of the anything goes 1920s, Roberta Donnay has a silky, clean voice that is a small marvel of geniality, rarely dipping into touchy-feely cuteness. She's drawn to material from the canon of American songs recorded between the two world wars. All the while, the well-groomed, jazz-inclined Prohibition Mob Band motors along spiritedly.
-DownBeat
Donnay takes old school jazz, makes it new cool and most of all makes it fun. It swings and it swings hard. Old school has never sounded better and Roberta Donnay is certainly a name to remember! (5 stars). - Critical Jazz
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