ANITA O’DAY
4 Performances only! October 19 - November 1 at Fez

"one of the most distinctive, trend-setting, and successful vocal artists of all time, arguably surpassed only by Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald" --All Music Guide

Anita O’Day, one of the most enduring legends in jazz music, returns to New York’s Fez nightclub to celebrate her 84th birthday, the release of a new CD, and her recent relocation to New York City. Show dates are Sundays, October 19 - November 9 at 5:00 pm. Tickets are $25 and may be reserved by calling 212-533-2680 or at www.ticketweb.com. Fez is located under Time Cafe at 380 Lafayette Street at Great Jones Street (accessible from the B, D, F, V & Q trains at Broadway/Lafayette, the N/R at 8th St., or the #6 at Astor Place).

Born Anita Belle Colton in Chicago, Illinois on October 18, 1919, Anita O’Day has been a major figure in the jazz world since she first began working in jazz clubs in 1939. After briefly singing with Benny Goodman’s band, she became the vocalist for Gene Krupa, singing such signature swing hits (and chart-toppers) as "Let Me Off Uptown" and "Boogie Blues." She was named "New Star of the Year" in 1941 by Down Beat Magazine and as one of the top five band singers in the country in 1942. After the war years, like other jazz singers including Ella Fitzgerald, she immersed herself in the new bebop styles. In the 50’s, she recorded almost 20 albums for jazz label Verve, with classic songs like "Honeysuckle Rose" and "Tea for Two."

O’Day’s personal life was a rocky one. A serious heroin addiction, culminating with a physical collapse, arrests, and a final rehab from addiction in the late 60’s were all recounted in her 1981 autobiography, High Times, Hard Times. After a smashing comeback at the 1970 Berlin Jazz Festival, she recorded throughout the 1970’s and 1980’s. Today, at age 83, Anita continues to perform regularly throughout the country. Just last month, O’Day officially moved to New York City after living in Los Angeles for much of the past five decades. For more bio info, film and sound clips, visit anitaoday.com.

Her latest CD, titled My Ship, has just been released from Kayo Records, the inaugural release from Anita’s own label. Originally recorded in Tokyo in 1975, this is its first release in the United States. Included among the 10 tracks are "Satin Doll," "The Man I Love," and "Come Rain or Come Shine." O’Day is one of probably only two singers to have new recordings released in the U.S. every decade since the 30’s -- the other being Lena Horne.

Fez under Time Cafe is an acclaimed downtown performance space, and has presented such legendary acts as Joni Mitchell, Johnny Cash, Marianne Faithfull, Carly Simon, Phoebe Snow, and Jeff Buckley, as well as top new artists like Rufus Wainwright, Everything but the Girl, Norah Jones, Pink, and Fiona Apple. Fez has been the New York home of the Mingus Big Band for nine years.