WBGO's own Janis Siegel, accompanied by the Pete Malinverni Trio tore it up for an inspired set at Yamaha Artist Services in midtown on Thursday evening, December 18, 2025. Pete, an accomplished Yamaha artist and frequent accompanist of Janis, played with drummer Aaron Seeber and bassist Ben Allison, who is a combo leader and composer of note in his own right.
Janis alway radiates sunshine and generosity in her performances, and a highlight was "found money" -- a Jon Hendricks vocalise arrangement of Miles Davis' hallmark record of "Bye Bye Blackbird," which Janis discovered in a keepsake folder of her time with Jon as friends and collaborators. Navigating every twist and turn of Miles original voicing, she captured the notes and nuance of his trumpet in an uncanny and richly musical way.
Janis' bustling post-Manhattan Transfer career still brings her to world stages, and she's constantly on the go, but makes time each week to check in with co-host Lezlie Harrison for WBGO's storied Singers Unlimited show. Speaking as a new member of the WBGO family with my own New Standards, and as a long-time friend of Janis, it was a joy to share stage time hosting this sweet and exclusive little evening which is now yours to enjoy streaming here at wbgo.org!
Watch the live presentation here:
