From Brooklyn to Barn

Sunday, August 11, 2024 @ 5:30PM

EAST END UNDERGROUND LIVE CONCERT SERIES IN ASSOCIATION WITH ART OF SONG PRESENT

From Brooklyn to Barn

From Brooklyn to Barn tells the journey Joanna Feuer made from aspiring actress in NYC to singing farmer in upstate New York. Through jazz songs and stories, this cabaret show outlines her search for fulfillment, for love, and eventually for the animals that complete her dream farm in the country. The LTV performance is the debut of the show developed by Joanna Feuer and Jane Hastay using jazz standards and some original music by Jane Hastay.

JOANNA FEUER

Joanna Feuer is a vocalist who began singing at age 5 with her two older sisters, known as "The Howard Sisters." She began singing professionally at the age of 8 when she toured with the Broadway National Company of Les Misérables. As an adult she continued acting in professional theater, television and film and singing in theatrical productions and with the USO performance troupe in NYC. Joanna has trained with classical vocal teachers since childhood and sings many different styles including jazz, bluegrass, and classical. Previous bands include "The Buttery Barmaids" and "Nick and Jo," both of which can be found on Facebook. Her musical home is in jazz, and she began focusing exclusively on this medium in 2010 when she had her first solo jazz show in Bridgehampton, NY. Now she can be found recording demo songs from her home studio or singing at various venues through New York's Capital Region where she collaborates with talented jazz musicians at restaurants, clubs, and in private concerts. She likes to call herself "The Singing Farmer" and can be found tending the animals and vegetables and flower gardens on her homestead when she's not singing. Website: www.BrooklynToBarn.com YouTube: @JoannaFeuerInstagram: BrooklynToBarn and JoannaTheJoJo

Photo by by Luke Fontana

JANE HASTAY, PIANIST

After graduating from Mills College where she won the Flora Boyd Memorial award for piano performance, Minnesotan Jane Hastay immersed herself in the San Francisco music scene. She toured Europe with Lilith Theater Company, danced with Brazilian samba troupe Escola Nova de Samba, played in the American Hawaii Cruise Lines Orchestra, accompanied Concord recording artist Denise Perrier, and had a long-standing engagement leading a trio at the Fairmont Hotel. She earned her masters degree from Manhattan School of Music, toured Japan with the Kit McClure Big Band, and played at The Blue Note, The Lenox Lounge, The Five Spot, Kitano Hotel, St. Peter’s Church, New Haven Jazz Festival. Choral performance/conducting/teaching credits: Yamaha Music School, Fontbonne Hall Academy, The Ross School, Southampton Players, The Canby Singers, Choral Society of the Hamptons.
Jane is currently the organist, chancel choir and handbell conductor at the historic First Presbyterian Church of East Hampton. She has produced many concerts including an International Women in Jazz-sponsored performance at Saint Peter’s Church in NYC, featuring Etta Jones. Jane enjoys producing engaging, diverse concerts for music lovers of all ages.

“…a labor of love for Jane Hastay, whose beautifully understated and delicate phrasings are the real centerpiece.” – Michael Nastos, All Music Guide

“Hastay packs a punch on the piano keys. It’s shocking that big sound comes from the efforts of such a petite woman.” – Eileen Casey, hamptons.com

PETER MARTIN WEISS, BASS

Peter studied the guitar and string bass as a teenager and later attended the Berklee School of Music. He received his Bachelor’s degree from SUNY Oneonta and a Master’s from Manhattan School of Music. One of his greatest mentors was Homer Mensch, principal bassist of the NY Philharmonic, with whom Peter studied for six years. He became an established bassist on the New York Jazz scene. Venues include Birdland, Tavern on the Green, The Village Vanguard, a six-year engagement at the Blue Note for Saturday brunch, and many live radio broadcasts from the West End Cafe. He also performed with the Bronx Symphony, the Greenwich Village Symphony, Ain’t Misbehavin’, and Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. From 1986-1996, Peter was a member of the Etta Jones/Houston Person Quintet. He toured internationally and recorded on over 40 CDs, including Bass Hits, on the Savant record label. The group was like a family, the music swinging and passionate, performing at premier jazz festivals and concerts. His 35 years of performance credits include playing with Nat Adderly, Ray Bryant, Randy Brecker, Frank Wess, Winard Harper, Michael Carvin, Lew Soloff, Claudio Roditi, Donald Harrison, Hank Crawford, Richard Wyands, Gloria Lynn, Grady Tate, Kenny Washington, Melvin Sparks, Lorez Alexandria, and Della Griffin. As an educator, Peter taught on the jazz faculty at the State University of NY at New Paltz. Now living in East Hampton, sings with the Choral Society of the Hamptons, and performs locally on bass and guitar.
Peter met pianist Jane Hastay in San Francisco while on tour, and soon after, they were married. The couple produced two CDs, “Never Never Land,” named after a song encouraging us to follow our dreams, and “The Good Life.”

”Bassist Peter Martin Weiss brings an elegant intimacy to the music.” Rico Mitchell, Los Angeles Times

JON MELE

Jonathan Mele is a NYC based freelance drummer/percussionist/composer/engineer.
He graduated from the UMass Amherst where he earned jazz performance and composition degrees while studying with Max Roach, Billy Taylor and Yusef Lateef. A versatile player, Jon is as comfortable playing jazz and big band as he is playing rock, blues, funk and pop. He has performed and recorded around the world and can be heard on a number of albums including Van Morrison's Magic Time (2005). He writes music for modern dance, commercial jingles and continues to co-write and produce artists from his studio. Jonathan's performances include venues such as Cork Jazz Festival, Bray Jazz Festival, RTE radio, NYC's River to River Festival and SummerStage. As an educator, he has presented drum set masterclasses in the US, Europe, and South America.

Photo by y Chris Drukker