Jack 'Mr. Bongo' Costanzo to Play the Iridium, 10/30

Legendary Latin/jazz percussionist Jack "Mr. Bongo" Costanzo has only performed twice in New York City in the last 60 years--once at Carnegie Hall in 1948 and once at the famed Basin Street East in 1961--but he'll make a rare NYC appearance October 30 at The Iridium to perform with cabaret favorite Terese Genecco & Her Little Big Band featuring Ricky Ritzel. Sets are at 8 & 10pm.

Following World War II, Costanzo's percussion skills earned him steady touring and recording work with a who's who of stars, including Nat "King" Cole, Peggy Lee, Frances Faye, Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Martin & Lewis, and more. In the 50's, he went on to form his own successful band in Hollywood, where stars like Marlon Brando, Tony Curtis, and Gary Cooper studied bongos with him. He appeared in over 20 television shows and films including The Ed Sullivan Show, The Dinah Shore Chevy Show, and the film "Harum Scarum" starring Elvis Presley.

Terese Genecco has been appearing at The Iridium in New York City in "the longest-running nightclub act on Broadway," now in it's fourth year of monthly performances featuring her stellar 8-piece "little big band." She first rose to prominence with her critically acclaimed cabaret show, "Drunk With Love: A Tribute To Frances Faye!" which had its world premiere in San Francisco with a five-week run at The New Conservatory Theatre Center. The show made its New York City debut with a week of performances at The Encore Showroom and continued to return every few months to The Metropolitan Room, where it garnered a Bistro and two MAC awards and made the Top Ten list in Time Out New York Magazine two years in a row. She has since graced the stages of every New York City cabaret club in solo, group and benefit shows since relocating from San Francisco in 2009. She is the recipient of 2 MAC Awards in 2012 for "Show Of The Year" and "Major Artist Female/Duo," and was recently named one of the Top 50 Most Influential People in New York City Cabaret.

Ricky Ritzel has been a fixture on the nightclub and cabaret scene in New York City for 30 years and has received most cabaret awards including 13 MAC Awards in 8 different categories. He was recently named one of the Top 50 Most Influential People in New York City Cabaret. An accomplished solo performer, Ricky has also accompanied such great artists as Vivian Blaine, Julie Wilson, and Ruth Warrick. He was the featured musician/sidekick on Sandra Bernhard's Radio Show on SIRIUS XM satellite radio and was musical director for the Sally Rand Tribute at Town Hall featuring Bebe Neuwirth, Donna McKechnie, Marge Champion, Karen Mason and directed by Tony Stevens. In his biggest tour de force performance, Ricky was seen in Las Vegas as Jimmy Durante in "Stop The Music" at The Cashman Theatre with Sharon McNight as Sophie Tucker.