Singer Tonia Tecce Returns To NYC Cabaret With A COCKEYED OPTIMIST

Singer Tonia Tecce, who has appeared at Carnegie Hall, Philadelphia's Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Academy of Music and sung with Peter Nero and many orchestras, made her very successful New York City cabaret debut in 2013 at The Metropolitan Room. Ms. Teece returns to NYC in April with A COCKEYED OPTIMIST Why We Believe, The Songs of Richard Rodgers. Directed by Barry Kleinbort and Penny Fuller, with Musical Direction by Tom Lawton, performances are Wednesday, April 18 at 7 PM and Sunday, April 22 at 4 PM. There is a $25 cover and a two drink minimum. Reservations: (212) 757-0788 (after 4 PM) or www.donttellmamanyc.com.

Ms Tecce began singing in her home town of Paulsboro, NJ at age 8. She studied music and voice and performed extensively and was headed for a music career when love intervened. One week after singing at her graduation from Rosemont College, she married Frederick Tecce and devoted the next twenty-five years to raising their six children. She now has 12 grandchildren!

Twenty-five years ago, Tonia resumed studying with Juilliard master voice teacher Florence Berggren and with Martin Rich, former conductor of the Metropolitan Opera. In 1981 she was invited to sing with the Ocean City Pops, an engagement that lasted for the next 18 seasons. Since then Tonia has sung with Peter Nero and the Philly Pops, the Opera Company of Philadelphia, the Newark Symphony, and the New Jersey Pops among others.

Tonia was commissioned to sing for President George H. W. Bush's Presidential Salute and she has sung at the Kimmel Center with tenor Stuart Neill and baritone James Demler.

Tonia, who loves the positive message in the Richard Rodgers songs, says, "You are never too old to dream. Dreams really do come true - they may just take a little time to achieve!"

Tonia received a 'Hollywood Music in Media Award' nomination for the title track of her second CD, Smile. Her debut CD, What A Wonderful World, boasted the same creative team: arranger Byron Olson; producer John Vanore, and conductor Ettore Stratta.

Music Director Tom Lawton is a performer, recording artist, composer and teacher, who performs extensively at jazz festivals and concert venues such as Vail, Colorado Jazz Festival, Cremona, Italy Jazz Festival, Norway Molde Jazz Festival, and the Finland Pori Jazz Festival.

Musical arranger Byron Olson has collaborated with Phil Ramone, Mike Berniker, Quincy Jones, Ettore Stratta, John Vanore and many others. He has written arrangements for such artists as Johnny Mathis, Jack Jones, Gloria Estefan, Bernadette Peters, Cy Coleman, Perry Como, Peggy Lee, Carmen McRae, Joe Lovano, Linda Eder, Ramsey Lewis, Dawn Upshaw, Dionne Warwick, Marlena Shaw, and Jill O'Hara. Mr. Olson arranged and orchestrated Tonia Tecce's debut CD What a Wonderful World and arranged, conducted and orchestrated her sophomore CD Smile. He conducted the Byron Olson Chamber Orchestra for "AN EVENING OF SONG WITH Tonia Tecce" at Philadelphia's Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.

For more info about Tonia Tecce, visit www.toniatecce.com

Singer Tonia Tecce returns to NYC with A COCKEYED OPTIMIST Why We Believe, The Songs of Richard Rodgers at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC. Wed., April 18 @ 7 PM and Sunday, April 22 @ 4 PM. Cover $25 + 2 drink minimum. Directed by Barry Kleinbort and Penny Fuller. Reservations: (212) 757-0788 (after 4 PM).

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