Feeling the March madness? Need some emotional release? Explore the unexpected and celebrate International Women’s Day with NYC-based singer songwriter Jeanne Gies as she puts her innovative spin on jazz, pop, and original tunes with this stellar trio:

Sweden-born composer, recording artist, and trombonist MICHAEL RORBY is an international phenomenon and a steady presence on the New York jazz scene. He has recorded and performed with many jazz legends, including Philip Harper, Johnny O'Neal, Patience Higgins, Phil Young, Harvie S., Roy Merriweather, Enrique Haniene and the late Dennis Davis . A sublime soloist as well as consummate side-man, Rorby is known for his creative styling and solid swing.

For the past 20 years, MICHAEL RAITZYK has been one of the top jazz guitarists in the Baltimore-Washington area. Acclaimed for his solid rhythm chops and improvisatory imagination, Raitzyk has played with everyone from Pepper Adams and Mel Torme to Clifford Jordan and Bill Hardman. Raitzyk's versatility has allowed him to play in a variety of settings to bop combos to big-band dates. He performs weekly at Baltimore’s Café Hon since 2003. His recent CD release, “Live at Café Hon,” (2006) has been well received by the regional community and media, as was “Blues For Jake” (2001), and “Charm City Klezmer” (1999).

JEFF REED is an acoustic bassist, composer, and educator, currently residing in Baltimore, MD. Jeff has performed extensively throughout the United States and in over thirty countries worldwide, including Italy, Spain, Egypt, Turkey and Bahrain at venues such as The Room in Cairo, Egypt and Sounds Jazz Club in Brussels, Belgium. He has shared the stage with musicians such as Billy Hart, Ben Monder, Alan Ferber, Greg Tardy, Tim Hagans, Shelia Jordan, Eddie Henderson, Paquito D’Rivera, John Hicks, Joel Frahm, Don Byron, Ronnie Mathews, and Gary Thomas.

JEANNE GIES is an international performing artist and educator. She has recorded with a stunning array of jazz greats, including Howard Alden, Gerald Cannon, Sherman Irby, Willie Jones III, Romero Lubambo, Russell Malone, Bucky Pizzarelli, Eric Reed, and Jack Wilkins. Jeanne recently penned the lyrics and recorded the critically acclaimed WIndow ( da janela ) featuring the music of Brazilian composer Manu Lafer. A licensed voice speciaist, Jeanne presides over the annual Jazz Vocal and Guitar Workshop in Bolzano Italy http://www.sonntag-guitars.com/english/Event/index.php?DOC_INST=25 Dubbed a 'pro' by Newport Jazz Festival founder George Wein, Jeanne is recognized for her full-bodied voice and distinctive phrasing.

UK Jazz Waves host Alan Steadman sums it up: 'At a time when there are many vocalists who think they are jazz singers, it's great to hear someone who really is . . .