On the heels of their beloved A Little Sugar release comes
their second Motéma Music release, Bathtub Gin – the CD, like A Little Sugar,
mines 1920s gems but also takes the listener on a stroll into the 1930s.
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.
A seductive vocalist, Donnay and her band swing mightily
with this authentic collection of vintage jazz, blues and swing that introduces
listeners to the swing era with its jump-swing rhythmic horn sections and new
dances. Donnay also includes four party-rousing shout-chorus originals that
evoke and revive the open spirit that birthed jazz.
She says of the era's music, "I think it's in
everybody's DNA. Our grandparents listened to that music and somehow it
filtered down inside of us.” How far can the Prohibition Mob Band go? "To the moon," she says, laughing.
Honoring the tradition of such seminal singers as Bessie
Smith, Ma Rainey, Sippie Wallace, Louis Armstrong, Ethel Waters, Billie Holiday
and Josephine Baker, Donnay’s spitfire is on display from the moment the
original title track “Bathtub Gin” opens the set. Following is the song, also original, “Throw
Your Heart” (Over The Fence).
Roberta Donnay’s background in roots jazz music came from
listening to records, singing with the legendary Dick Oxtot’s Golden Age Jazz
Band and more obscure jazz and jazz-folk bands bands. Donnay continues to
produce, write, record, and perform as an independent artist. Her goal is to
produce many more records and continue to bring this great music to the people.
“Bathtub Gin” is Ms. Donnay’s 8th independent release. The “Oh Papa”video from
Donnay’s CD “ A Little Sugar” is a brilliant example of the style of
presentation Donnay presents.
Donnay has shared the stage, opened, or performed with
Ernestine Anderson, Bob Dorough, Herbie Hancock, Joe Sample, Christian McBride,
Lewis Nash, Dr. John, Diana Krall, George Benson, David Sanborn, Leon Russell,
Dan Hicks, Bonnie Raitt, David Grisman, Bruce Forman, Rickie Lee Jones, Big
Walter Horton, John Hammond, Lee Ritenour, Booker T., Tuck & Patti.
Donnay's voice could make any classic material sound
wondrous and timeless, but the fact that she digs so deep into American musical
history -- and works with some of the Bay Area's top jazz musicians (under the
guise of the Prohibition Mob Band) -- makes A Little Sugar not only sweet, but
a recording that will stand the test of time.~ All Music Guide
With her singularly enticing sound, few contemporary
vocalists are as well suited to dustily vintage material as jazz-blues stylist
Roberta Donnay. She affectively proved so three years ago when, teamed with her
Prohibition Mob Band, she surveyed standards from the 1920s and ’30s on the
charming “A Little Sugar”. Now she’s back for more. ~ Jazz Times 2015
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 blog
This jazz baby makes the '20s roar again and swings out '30s
tunes buoyantly enough to float away even the Great Depression...She's backed
by top-notch musicians and the results are gloriously entertaining. ~ San Jose Mercury News
“ROBERTA DONNAY & the Prohibition Mob Band bring back
the true essence of the Roaring '20s... when music and class went hand and
hand, no wonder DownBeat gave “Bathtub Gin” four stars! says Jaijai Jackson of
The Jazz Network Worldwide.
A festival favorite, Donnay's group appeared as a guest
artist at many shows and festivals, including the Exit 0 Jazz Fest in N.J.,
Whiskey Fest in Portland, San Jose Jazz Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival,
Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Mustard Mud & Music Festival and the Montreux
Jazz Festival in Switzerland and are currently seeking festival bookings for
the 2016-2017 calendar.
Roberta was asked to be a part of an event very close to her
heart which is the memorial for the legendary jazz producer and Jazz Master
Orrin Keepnews at Yoshi’s in Oakland, CA on November 29th, 2015 where she will
pay homage to their musical relationship.
Visit
THE JAZZ NETWORK WORLDWIDE "A GREAT PLACE TO HANG" at:
http://www.thejazznetworkworldwide.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_networkntact
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