Jessie’s Girl Band
Originally at the Canal Room, the show’s producer and band manager Marcus Linial moved the party to a more spacious venue down the street, LE POISSON ROUGE, 158 Bleecker Street. Still every single Saturday night! LPR, as it is often referred to, has state-of-the-art sound and lighting equipment, fantastic staff and service and is located on the most prestigious “live music street” in the world.
The party has only continued to grow since the move. Each week you can find hundreds of fans singing at the top of their lungs, dancing and having the time of their lives as the top-notch musicians and vocal performers of JESSIE’S GIRL blow them away. JESSIE’S GIRL has mastered stunning renditions of the world’s most vibrant songs, all while dressed up as the unforgettable characters of that decade! Bon Jovi, Cindi Lauper, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Prince, and many more come to life right before the dazzled eyes of the crowd. It is theatre, meets live music, smothered in 80’s glitz. A performance like no other and a party you have to experience to believe.
JESSIE’S GIRL’s primary line-up includes a team of NYC’s top rock and pop vocalists: Up-and-coming superstar Jenna O’Gara, Off-Broadway’s Chris Hall and renown “Sting” impersonator Mark Rinzel. Not to mention frequent appearances by Broadway’s own Constantine Maroulis, the Tony nominated star of Rock of Ages and American Idol finalist. They are backed by one of the tightest bands in the city comprised of 20+ year veterans of the NYC music scene: Eric Presti on guitar, Sky on keys, Drew Mortali on bass, and Michael Maenza on drums, each with dozens of credits performing with authentic 80’s icons who made the music famous to begin with! In fact, BRET MICHAELS, MC HAMMER, COLIN HAY from MEN AT WORK, TIFFANY, DEBBIE GIBSON, TAYLOR DANE, MIKE SCORE from A FLOCK OF SEAGULLS, TONE LOC, ROB BASE and many more have all performed at the BACK TO THE EIGHTIES SHOW.
JESSIE’S GIRL, one of the hardest working bands around, does not stop with Saturdays or NYC! Their weeks are filled with high-profile appearances and private events around the US, bringing the BACK TO THE EIGHTIES SHOW to The Theater at Madison Square Garden for the I Want My 80s Concert, ABC / NY Magazine’s launch party for THE GOLDBERGS, a Halloween bash with Academy Award winner JAMIE FOXX, a private birthday party for 80’s icon NEIL PATRICK HARRIS and Coca Cola / Buffalo Wild Wing’s massive “Tablegate” event in Tempe AZ opening for SMASHMOUTH! The band has also recently enjoyed thunderous responses in packed rooms at prestigious regional venues such as Westchester’s CAPITOL THEATRE and Long Island’s PARAMOUNT THEATRE!
There is no decade like the Eighties and no party like THE BACK TO THE EIGHTIES SHOW with JESSIE’S GIRL. So throw on your best neon, use extra hair spray on that hair and head to LE POISSON ROUGE every Saturday – because its time to party like it’s 1989!
Jenna O’Gara
VOCALS
Jenna has sung alongside musical legends such as Philip Bailey of Earth Wind and Fire, Paula Cole, and Lalah Hathaway. She started out her singing aspirations at NYU’s Tisch musical theater school, CAP21. Shortly after, she received a scholarship to attend the famous Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she further refined her performance and vocal skills. Jenna has sung the National Anthem for the New York Knicks, and on some famous jingles for companies such as Kohl’s Department Stores. In addition to her vocal studies and accomplishments, Jenna majored in songwriting at Berklee and continues to work on and pursue her original music. As part of the Back To The Eighties Show, Jenna has performed alongside 80’s stars Tiffany, Rob Base, Sugar Hill Gang, and Taylor Dayne.
Chris Hall
VOCALS
Born and raised in Santa Barbara, CA, Chris began his career at 8 years old, singing in boy’s choirs and local musical theater productions. His love for singing theatrical rock got him cast in many a rock n’ roll musical: Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar; Rocky, Riff-Raff, and Frank N. Furter in multiple productions of The Rocky Horror Show; Batboy in Batboy! The Musical; Fagin in Twist! Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch; and most recently as Cimex, the king of the bugs, in the cult hit Bedbugs!!! Aside from his theatrical aspirations, Chris is the frontman for his own band, Kingship. They just released their first album in March of 2012, and are currently working on their follow-up album. As part of the Back To The Eighties Show, Chris has performed alongside 80’s stars Tiffany, Rob Base, Sugar Hill Gang, and Taylor Dayne.
Mark Rinzel
VOCALS
Mark has been performing in New York City for 15 years, and fronts both The Jupiter Deluxe and a Police-tribute band called New York’s Finest. He sings with acclaimed multi-faceted tribute act, the Loser’s Lounge, and is a featured vocalist in Cathyland productions. He has also sang at Symphony Space, Lincoln Center and Joe’s Pub. Over the years, Mark has performed with Gary Wright, Joey Mullond (Badfinger), Mark Hudson, Regina Spector, Petula Clarke and others. He has toured internationally as well as in the US with multiple productions of Jesus Christ Superstar. Mark has written and produced music for TV (VH1’s Rock Band 2 The Stars, TLC’s NY Ink) and works regularly as a session vocalist and musician. As part of the Back To The Eighties Show, Mark has performed alongside 80’s stars Tiffany, Rob Base, Sugar Hill Gang, and Taylor Dayne.
Paul “Sky” Armento
KEYS / MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Sky was featured in Keyboard Magazine for his work designing keyboard sounds and performing with Back To The Eighties Show. He is also 80’s pop star Debbie Gibson’s musical director, and has appeared with Debbie on Good Morning America and the 2012 season finale of Trump’s Celebrity Apprentice – where he musical directed on-camera with Debbie, Clay Aiken, and Dee Snider. Sky has performed with 80’s pop stars MC Hammer, Tiffany, Rob Base, Naughty By Nature, Sugar Hill Gang, Taylor Dayne, Bret Michaels, Ton Loc, Katrina from “Katrina and the Waves,” Mike Score (A Flock of Seagulls), Colin Hay (Men At Work), Tony Harnell of TNT, and backed Tiffany on TV’s What Not To Wear. He has performed on TV’s Cake Boss and the Today Show. Sky produces music in his NJ studio, and has produced, directed, edited and scored 2 Off-Broadway musicals and 2 independent movies.
Eric Presti
GUITAR / TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Eric has been active in the NYC music scene for over 20 years. He ran sound and was in the house band at the iconic Limelight club for a decade alongside legendary DJ Junior Vasquez, and played guitar for 8 years with the world famous karaoke band at Arlene’s Grocery. Eric also owned a NYC recording studio and produced numerous bands. He has also played in Sweden as member of Warrior Soul. Eric has also performed with 80’s pop stars MC Hammer, Tiffany, Rob Base, Naughty By Nature, Sugar Hill Gang, Taylor Dayne, Bret Michaels, Ton Loc, Glen Tillbrook from Squeeze, Alex Skolnick from Testament, Tony Handly of Spandau Ballet,Katrina from “Katrina and the Waves, Mike Score (A Flock of Seagulls), Tony Harnell of TNT, Colin Hay (Men At Work) and backed Tiffany on TV’s What Not To Wear. He has performed on TV’s Cake Boss and the Today Show.
Mike “The Warrior” Maenza
DRUMS
With over 20 years of touring and recording experience, Mike is one of the most well known “go to” drummers in NYC – and fills in with dozens of bands and projects weekly. He has performed with 80’s pop stars Tiffany, Rob Base, Sugar Hill Gang, and Taylor Dayne, as well as backing Tiffany on TV’s What Not To Wear. Mike’s stylistic versatility has enabled him to perform with some of the biggest names in Rock, Pop, R&B, Hip-Hop and Metal – including Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, Brett Scallions of Fuel, Tony Harnell of TNT, and Benny Rietveld of Santana. He has also played regularly with numerous local bands including The Brass Knuckle Evangelists, The NYC Bitch band, Kingship, The Hired Killers, ZO2, Judas Priestess, Jesse Mallin, Saccharine, The X’s, Queen V and the NY All-Stars, Cathy Cervenka, and many others.
Drew “The Druce” Mortali
BASS
Drew has been a seasoned pro on the nationwide music scene for over 20 years – from NYC’s CBGB to LA’s Whiskey A Go Go. Drew has collaborated with greats including members of Queen, Blue Oyster Cult, The Georgia Satellites, and Al Kooper. “The Druce” ran the open mic night at the infamous Three Of Cups rock club in NYC’s East Village, and now keeps the jam band tradition alive at The National Underground, where he has performed with such influential musicians as Chris Barron and Aaron Comess of The Spin Doctors, and Dave Immergluck from Counting Crows. He also tours internationally with breakout singer-songwriter James Maddock, as well as the aforementioned Joey Degraw and Chris Barron. His bass grooves can also be heard on their affiliated studio recordings, spun on WFUV’s regular rotation, and currently heard worldwide on XM Radio’s “The Loft”.
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