Khris has entertained audiences from around the world for many years and is best known for his cabaret performances in Provincetown, MA, Reno NV, Lake Tahoe, NV, Las Vegas, NV, Chicago Ill, Boston Ma, Key West and all over California. He has just finished work on his 3rd CD of covers of standards. He is infamous for his sometimes “Biting” humor and outrageous personality. Heaven help a straight man in his audience. He is a master of combining comedy and vocals to create an entertainment experience unlike any other. His performance is a must see and will guarantee many a hearty laugh.
Kathryn Payne epitomizes the art of cabaret. Combining a great voice that emotes feeling with each lyric and a true pianist's gift of arrangement, Kathryn also joins in light conversation with her audience and fans that make you feel as if you are in her living room sharing the moment, and sharing fond memories. She does a sexy commanding cover of "Peel Me a Grape" that could not be attempted by anyone with less understanding of its provocative lyrics. Kathryn also has a much-requested song she co-wrote entitled "Tea on Sundays," which is a poignant, moving tribute to those lost to AIDS. Also not to be missed is her rendition of "Baby Mine" joined in with "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning" for true heartstring tugging. She is exactly the type of performer that you want to sing those songs that couples refer to as "our song." Now, that's saying something!
Beckie Menzie sings a little swing and plays piano too!
Performing across the country, Beckie has appeared in some of the nation’s top spots including the legendary Carnegie Hall, New York City’s Lincoln Center, Town Hall and Don't Tell Mama's, Chicago’s Pump Room, The Bushnell Theatre in Hartford, Houston’s Ovations and The Breakers and Four Season’s in Palm Beach.
Hailed by Chicago's WGN Radio as "one of the city's finest performers," Beckie is a two-time winner of Chicago’s AFTER DARK “Outstanding Cabaret Artist” award and was the recipient of the 2002 Hall of Fame Award for her continued contributions to the Chicago cabaret and theatre. Beckie performs regularly in Chicago at Gentry on State, Davenports, Maxim's and with the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs musical events, where she frequently serves as their musical director.
As one of cabaret's most in-demand entertainers, Beckie was featured in Michael Feinstein's "Now & Then" series for her Carnegie Hall debut. She has performed at several Cabaret Conventions, as well as numerous ASCAP and Humanities Festival concerts. At these performances she has shared the stages with such musical luminaries as Tony Award winner Cy Coleman, Julie Wilson, Karen Mason, Ann Hampton Callaway and Andrea Marcovicci.
Performing at Hartford, Connecticut’s Bushnell Theatre, Beckie headlined the inaugural for the Theatre’s $20 million endowment campaign. She returned to perform with Ann Miller and John Raitt for a Tony Award simulcast, a kick-off to the Broadway tour of “Guys & Dolls” and the 1997 and 1998 Connecticut Arts Galas.
Active in musical theatre, Beckie received rave reviews for starring as Miss Mona in the Wagon Wheel Theatre’s 1997 production of “The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas,” and returned the following year to perform in “The Goodbye Girl.” In addition, Beckie teaches in Northwestern University's prestigious Musical Theatre Department.
As a songwriter, Menzie received a 1999 AFTER DARK Award for “Outstanding Music & Lyrics” and a Jefferson Citation nomination for “Best New Work” for the musical “Female Problems,” produced by Chicago’s Pegasus Theatre. Her songs have been recorded and perfomed by numerous cabaret acts across the country including Tony Award nominee Sharon McKnight.
Her latest CD, the 2004 "Real Emotional Girl" has garnered critical praise and national radio play and was praised by Cabaret Scenes as "one of the year's finest". Beckie's nationally acclaimed 1996 CD "Heart & Soul" features three of her own compositions with Boston Bay Windows praising it as a "heartfelt and soulful musical experience." Beckie has also been recognized by Billboard, Show Business Weekly and Backstage Magazines for her musical arrangements, piano playing and vocals on vocalist Tom Michael's CD's "Sailing On" and "Written In The Stars."
Beckie regularly performs with singing partner, Tom Michael and their acclaimed cabaret shows "I Hear Music", "Hey - Look Me Over, The Music of Cy Coleman" and "Broadway - Our Way" were all named "One of Chicago Cabaret's Ten Best Shows of the Year by After Dark Chicago and Cabaret Hotline Online.
From swing to torch songs, Beckie’s interpretive style, rich smoky voice and inventive piano stylings rank her among the best nightclub entertainers in the country. Hers is truly a talent that not only warms but breaks your heart.
Laura Freeman
What do you want to be when you grow up? Since Laura was a chil she wanted to be a singer.
Not just anywhere, but in a small club where she could connect with an audience, and they could share an evening of laughter and friendship. Gentry is that club and Tuesdays are her night.
Originally a Musical Theatre performer, Laura knows her way into the soul of a song. She spent the 90's touring around the world with various productions. Some of her favorite roles were the Witch in 'Into The Woods,' The Narrator in 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,' and as a member of the tribe in 'Hair.' But teh experience of singing in an intimate setting is what Laura loves more than anything else.
Come and enjoy an evening of Musical Theatre, Pop and the Great American Songbook. The night is relaxed, she'll talk about her life, she'll take requests...you'll get to know each other.
Growing up in the Windy City, Cristina was surrounded by the pulsing sounds of the streets. The music was as diverse as its people. Mariah Carey, R. Kelly, Stevie Wonder, Janis Joplin, Prins, and A Tribe Called Quest. her musical carrer started at age 17 when she became a 3x winner at NYC's "Amateur Night at The Apollo." From there, she recorded her first single "Free," which peaked at #54 on teh Billboard charts, was the #1 request on WGCI-FM Chicago, and had a video that aired on BET and "The Box."
After graduating college, she continued perfecting her craft with constant performances, recordings, and networking. It all paid off when she got the call to sing back-up for R. Kelly's T-P. 2000 World Tour. After that, she came home and continued to hone her skills by singing on radio and TV commercials, performing with different bands around the country, recording a dance music album under the name "Ms. Alto," and performing in the musical "Smokey Joe's Café." She then got a call to go on teh road singing back-up with (J Records) Heather Headley. When the tour ended, she co-wrote and recorded a jazzy-soul album with the group "Frayne." Then again, in 2006, she reprised her background singing duties and went on the road with R. Kelly for his "Light It Up" Tour. Since then, she has continued to work on a variety of projects which have brought her much musical satisfaction.
Gio, a Chicago resident who is currently looking for a label to further his career... In short order, he found himself performing at the age 6 and winning many accolades. He comes from middleastern descent and brings a whole new element to the music scene. With a sultry voice and r&b sound, his voice is like no other. On his first album he worked with many Chicagoland producers. Gio also wrote and co-wrote some of his songs on the album entitled “WELCOME 2 THE REMIX.” It's an R&B and Pop Dance album with hot songs like “I DO LOVE YOU.” The album propelled Gio into the national spotlight giving him the opportunity to perform across the country with Blind Eye Records®.
His sophomore album “ALL OUT OF LOVE” features production by Rainbow Records in Minnesota. He had the opportunity to record in Prince’s old studio. Gio was so overwhelmed; it was an honor to sing in the studio. The album was a prize won from winning Minnesota Idol in 2003. The creative involvement of being a songwriter/recording artist made Gio more hands on with this album. It allowed him to fill it with future hits, thus showcasing his skills as both a premiere vocalist and a talented songwriter.
"The album has a lot of variety to it," says Gio, in the midst of a whirlwind promo tour for his first album. "And it was amazing working with all these great producers and songwriters. It's more than I could ever have asked for my second album. We tried to capture all kinds of moods, everything from the heartfelt ballad "ALONE" (written by Gio) to "USED TO BE “a serious club sultry mix. Everyone on MySpace loves the new album."
Speaking about his early musical experiences, Gio laughs, "I remember singing with an invisible microphone. My cousins would be my dancers and I sang songs." Encouraged by his family who recognized his musicality, Gio began taking his performance on the road, performing at weddings and local charity events. "I started to get feedback from the people I sang to. They told me my singing really touched them," he says. "I never realized my music could have that effect. People would tell me I had a God-given blessing. I know this is just the beginning!"
