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LARCHMONT, N.Y. - MJ Territo hopes to highlight the importance of female jazz musicians and composers in Larchmont when her group, Ladies Day, hits the stage Thursday night at the Watercolor Café.
“It’s a story that needs to be told,” said Territo.
Territo teamed up with pianist Linda Presgrave and bassist Iris Ornig to make up Ladies Day, a group that pays tribute to female jazz composers and lyricists who have been largely overlooked throughout the years.
“While excellent female musicians, especially instrumentalists, are increasingly visible on the jazz scene, their equally excellent compositions are not as widely known,” said Territo in a press release. “So few people know the invaluable contributions these groundbreaking women made to the jazz world.”
Territo said she hopes to bring musicians and composers such as Melba Liston, Marian McPartland, Fran Landesman and Peggy Lee back in the spotlight for people to enjoy.
“I feel that people know Peggy Lee as a singer, but they don’t know that she wrote hundreds of songs. And Melba Liston is virtually unknown,” said Territo. “So, I really wanted to put those songs front and center.”
Territo has loved with jazz music since she was a child. Growing up, it was something her parents played consistently and constantly.
“It’s just music that I always had a feeling for,” she said. “There are so many ways you can take a 32-bar tune and mix it up.”
Territo has played at the Watercolor Café in the past and is looking forward to playing there again Thursday night.
“I really like the Watercolor Café. It has great acoustics and it has a warm feeling to it,” she said.
The Watercolor Café is located at 2094 Boston Post Road in Larchmont. Reservations may be made at www.watercolorcafe.net or 914-883-2214. The show begins at 7:30. Cover charge is $8.
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