During the extraordinary hey day of jazz, you could go out to a club, hear a band, listen to singers, and dance the night away. But at the end of the night, as the audience filed out the doors snapping their fingers and humming the tunes of songs they didn't realize would someday become standards, the musicians would stop playing for the audience, and start playing for each other. Sometimes these sessions would go on until dawn. As the arrival of drum machines, sequencers, and synthesized music gradually phased out the prominence of live musicians, these enthusiastic, intimate, even cathartic jazz experiences would only continue in the form of Time Life CD collections-until now.

Call Me Crazy, the four vocalists/jazz quintet represents not only the return of the American jazz band, but a commitment to preserve the tradition of great songwriting and first class musicianship. The swinging band cherishes the memory of the jazz legends, while forging ahead with new songs, bringing the musical legacy to fans young and old.

The "Call Me Crazy Treatment"
So what is the Call Me Crazy experience like? It's been called "Manhattan Transfer meets the Big Bands meets the Vegas Lounge," but the best description lies in what has been coined as the "Call Me Crazy Treatment." With most of the singers and musicians being in their twenties, the band spins a youthful, fresh take on songs you thought only Sinatra or Lady Ella could sing. In this way, the band not only bridges the generation gap, it eliminates it. You won't go to many other concerts where the audience is so diverse. Whether it's a four part harmony tune, a brilliant solo, an intimate duet, or a featured instrumental, the Call Me Crazy sound reminds long-time fans of the genre why they love these songs, and for new listeners, what they've been missing out on.

About the Bandleader
Philadelphia-area native Christopher Tolomeo founded the band with the goals of preserving the tradition of great jazz by furthering the work of the legends, and blazing the trail into the future by writing new songs. Tolomeo is a true musical jack-of-all-trades, composing, arranging, and scoring the dynamic catalogue of songs while thrilling audiences with his trumpet solos. In addition to his songwriting for the band, Tolomeo also writes songs for new musicals. His original musical comedy song and dance masterpiece The Jingle Man, for which he wrote the book, songs, and scored the entire eighteen-player orchestrations, will debut at the Philadelphia International House during the upcoming 2007 Philadelphia Live Arts-Fringe Festival.

About the Singers

Maureen Cotellese, the alto of the vocalists, combines her inventive scatting in songs like Tuxedo Junction, with her basement-low range vocals in the four part harmony songs to make for a truly unique vocal talent.

John Curtis, the charismatic baritone and chairman of the group, breathes fresh life into classics like Mack the Knife, My Kind of Town, I've Got You Under My Skin, and is known for surprises. Watch for the tap dance vs. drums spot in Get Me to the Church on Time, the unexpectedly stirring take on Leaving on a Jet Plane, and the tongue in cheek humor of The Coffee Song.

Tiffany Christopher, the heart and soul of the ladies' sassy trio, is known for bringing the house down on songs like Operator and The Boy From New York City. Christopher's theatrical flair is also on display in original songs like A Man Who Plays Hard to Get.

Jessica Copeland, a consummate professional triple threat performer, soars on searing ballads like Someone to Watch Over Me, while also showing her fun-loving, vivacious show-womanship in the title song of the band's upcoming debut album consisting of all original songs, Paint the Town Red.

Call Me Crazy, "A crack jazz quintet," (Philadelphia Inquirer) "that provides an authentic feel to the music," (The News Journal of Delaware) plays the Red Room Lounge at Society Hill Playhouse, 507 S 8th St Philadelphia PA June 16th at 7:30pm. $20 or $15 for students, one free drink included; (215) 923-0210 for reservations. The band spins the "Call Me Crazy treatment" on standards, not-so-standards, and swings hard on new tunes from the upcoming debut album PAINT THE TOWN RED.