Pick Yourself Up: NYC-based singer songwriter JEANNE GIES joins guitar master JACK WILKINS for a swinging celebration of the survival of break-ups, make-ups, and the general (mis)adventures of being human . . .

When Jeanne and Jack combine forces, the creative sparks fly! Added bonus: special guests will join the jam, including Baltimore's own Buddy Wachter.

Dubbed a 'pro' by Newport Jazz Festival founder George Wein, Jeanne Gies is recognized for her full-bodied, emotionally expressive voice and distinctive phrasing. A highly acclaimed international performer, Gies has toured in Scotland, France, Germany, England, and Austria, and presides over the popular Jazz Guitar and Vocal Workshop every April in Bolzano Italy. She has performed and recorded with a stunning array of jazz masters, including Howard Alden, Gerald Cannon, Willie Jones III, Romero Lubambo, Russell Malone, and Eric Reed. A prolific songwriter, Gies recently traveled to Brazil to pen the lyrics and record the songs of composer Manu Lafer: watch for the release of this exciting recording this fall!

Guitarist Jack Wilkins has been on the International jazz scene since the early 1970's. His flawless technique and imaginative chordal approach have inspired collaborations with Chet Baker, Sarah Vaughan, Bob Brookmeyer, and Buddy Rich among many others.
“Windows”, his first album as a leader (Mainstream, 1973,) has been critically acclaimed as a dazzling, seminal guitar trio work. Later recordings, “Merge”, “Mexico”, “Call Him Reckless”, “Alien Army”, “Keep in Touch”, and “Trioart”, feature the Brecker Brothers, Eddie Gomez, Jack De Johnette, Al Foster, Phil Woods, and Kenny Drew, Jr. Project G7, a two CD set tribute to Wes Montgomery, features Kenny Burrell. A consummate accompanist, Wilkins has played and recorded with renowned singers Mel Torme, Ray Charles, Sarah Vaughan, Sammy Davis Jr, Tony Bennett, Manhattan Transfer, Chris Conner, Cassandra Wilson, and Jay Clayton.