“Jazz on a Summer’s Day: A Tribute to Anita O’Day”

featuring

Melanie O’Reilly & Trio

Frank Martin – piano
Fred Randolph – bass
Jack Dorsey – drums

“….the ideal soundtrack to a hot summer night” 

(Edinburgh Fringe Festival) 

Award-winning jazz vocalist Melanie O’Reilly celebrates the legendary jazz singer Anita O’Day, capturing the essence of an unconventional musical genius. Interspersing narration between the songs, Melanie tells and sings the story of O’Day, who wanted to be a jazz singer and refused to let anything stop her. 

The show, created and devised by O’Reilly, tells the story of a bold unconventional musical genius who shattered the traditional role of a “girl singer” with her smoky swinging style and brilliant sense of rhythm.   Overcoming the setbacks of poverty and addiction, O’Day becomes one of the world’s most enduring jazz artists –anointed for her legendary performance at the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival captured in the ground-breaking film documentary “Jazz on a Summer’s Day,”

O’Reilly’s riveting Anita O’Day tribute, which garnered 4-star reviews and standing ovations at the International Edinburgh Fringe Festival and from a growing number of Bay Area audiences, brings new life to the memory of the legendary jazz vocalist and pays tribute to one her great musical inspirations.

“…“The show is a celebration and O’Reilly makes every number her own,gliding effortlessly through rhythmic backbeats,…sultry…soulful in virtuoso style.  The ideal soundtrack to a hot summer night.”
–Edinburgh Fringe Festival/Unlimited Media

“Melanie O’Reilly’s tribute…. remains true, unsentimental yet affectionate, and it really swung…
lithe, soulful vocals.”
–Jim Gilchrist, The Scotsman

“Melanie captures her often-troubled subject’s spirit, giving the music an added emotional kick.”
–Three Weeks Daily