Emmy nominated veteran jazz pianist, musical director and arranger Donn Trenner and MAC/Bistro award winning New York jazz vocalist Shaynee Rainbolt are Two for the Road - This is the Studio Recording of their Collaboration. DONN TRENNER “…with a style that places emphasis on chords…his firm grip on the melody relaxes as he sketches swinging passages with broad sweeps of color.” The New York Times Donn Trenner is an Emmy nominated musical director, conductor, arranger that came up in the ranks of early bebop pianists playing with the likes of Charlie Parker, Stan Getz, Oscar Pettiford, Charles Mingus, and Ben Webster, appearing on over 100 jazz albums from 1950 onward. During the Big Band era he played with Ted Fio Rito, Buddy Morrow, Charlie Barnett and Tommy Dorsey. While with the Les Brown Orchestra, he worked with Bob Hope for seven years as his personal accompanist and occasional music director, participating in six of the Bob Hope International Christmas tours. As an accompanist, he has worked with such artists as Lena Horne, Anita O’Day, Vicki Carr, Dick Haymes, Jose Feliciano, Jack Jones, Frances Faye, Nelson Riddle, Paul Broadnax, Rita Moreno, Nancy Wilson, Ann-Margret, and Shirley MacLaine. A much sought after musical director, Donn Trenner appeared nightly on the famed “Steve Allen Show,” leading the Donn Trenner Orchestra. He was also Ann-Margret’s musical director for 18 years. He worked extensively touring with Shirley MacLaine which led to an Emmy Award nomination for music direction, arranging and conducting the television special, “Gypsy In My soul,” and in 1977, a three-hour television special from the Kennedy Center on the eve of Jimmy Carter’s Inauguration. As musical director for Nancy Wilson he conducted many International orchestras and performed in television specials for Swedish Broadcasting, German broadcasting and the BBC. In 1978, again at the Kennedy Center, he was the musical director for the “Happy Birthday Bob” show honoring Hope’s 75th birthday. In 1996, he moved back to the East Coast where he now makes his home in Guilford, Connecticut. Weekly you can hear him leading The Hartford Jazz Orchestra, a role he took on in 2000 upon the death of acclaimed arranger and bandleader Chic Cicchetti. SHAYNEE RAINBOLT "....Rainbolt's golden tone and interpretative intuition are undeniably seductive." Jazzwise Magazine (UK) Hailed as ‘one to watch’ by Scott Yanow in his book: The Jazz Singers: The Ultimate Guide, Shaynee Rainbolt is a unique and gifted storyteller with a sumptuous tone and instrumentally oriented jazz chops. Described as "smooth, sultry, sophisticated”, she is an entertainer singing music from all eras. She swings, scats, croons and connects with every word. A Backstage Bistro Award Winner, two-time MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs) Award Winner, and four-time MAC Award Nominee, Shaynee is also a seasoned recording artist. Her first two CD’s were released to critical acclaim on 33Jazz Records out of the UK (www.33jazz.com). Her third CD, Charmed Life: Shaynee Rainbolt SINGS Russell Garcia, won the MAC Award for best Jazz Recording, was named one of Talkinbroadway.com’s Top 10 Vocal CD’s of 2008 and topped the jazz radio charts. Shaynee has performed at world-class venues such as Yoshi’s and the Catalina in California, The Highline Ballroom, Jazz Standard & Iridium in New York City, Pizza Express Jazz Club (Soho) and Pizza on the Park in London, The Basement in Sydney, Australia and performing arts centers and Jazz Festivals in New Zealand. Her most recent show honored the legendary composer/arranger/conductor Russell Garcia on the occasion of his 95th birthday, touring Australia, New Zealand, and the US. Two For The Road RECEIVED 2012 NOMINATIONS FOR: MAC AWARD for BEST MAJOR DUO OR GROUP BROADWAYWORLD.COM CABARET AWARDS: BEST JAZZ VOCALIST, Shaynee Rainbolt BEST MUSICAL DIRECTOR, Donn Trenner BEST DUO or GROUP CABARET SHOW OF THE YEAR WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT TWO FOR THE ROAD “…everything has fallen into place: she [Rainbolt] brings to each song a combination of solid musicianship and equally strong lyric detail, with nary a misstep or infelicitous choice; what's more, her voice has deepened into a beautiful burnished gold…her singing is exquisite …Trenner shows that he's not only an exceptional pianist and endlessly imaginative piano arranger, he's also an excellent accompanist. Whether his accompaniment is impressionistic, or a rapid run of chords, or any point in between, despite his virtuosity he never shows off and always supports the singer and the interpretation…they're infectious.” Roy Sander for Bistro Awards.com FOR LINKS TO FULL REVIEWS AND VIDEO: WWW.SHAYNEERAINBOLT.COM “Shaynee is in excellent voice and the tones float and emote. Maturity meets Optimism and Sorrow meets Perspective….Donn Trenner, the other part of the "Two" in the title. He plays like no one else and I gloried in his work, too, but it becomes THEIR work -- the voice and instrument intertwined inseparably. Their ease with each other and mutual affection, quirky quips and personalities let us visit their comfort zone and also zone out into blatantly romantic Dreamsville…I’m longing to hear more from them. Wisely, they lighten things up with a few things that move and are lighter, but it’s the many helpings of ballad salad that make this the exquisite banquet it is….with some delicious banter on the side for spice.” By Rob Lester for www.NiteLifeExchange.com “This show, with only Trenner on piano, reminded me of the magnificent Ella Fitzgerald-Ellis Larkin recordings…This show is a MUST SEE for everyone! ” Joe Regan Jr. www.T2Conline.com “With a voice as rich and silky as her auburn hair… Rainbolt is stretching her song pallet and conveying lyrics with more confidence and passion than ever…Trenner may be pushing 86 but..[he] plays the piano with fingers that are still spry, supple and expressive. Trenner's digits glide along the keyboard like he's skating on the ivories…he plays the notes as if raindrops were gently landing on the keys.” Stephen Hanks www.broadwayworld.com “Two for the Road they term themselves, and an engaging musical match they are, whether in New York’s Metropolitan Room or anywhere else on the continent. Rainbolt is an effective crossover performer, not only jazz-savvy but cabaret-wise as well, never forgoing contact with her audience even as she periodically put her jazz chops to work. Trenner is no slouch either in the accomplishment department, with an Emmy Award nomination for his arranging and conducting a Shirley MacLaine TV special, and a track record including long-time stewardship of the musical side of the Steve Allen TV show, accompanying more great vocalists than I have space to tell, and years of touring with Bob Hope. When it comes to story songs – cabaret’s stock in trade – Rainbolt is there with the best of them. The interplay between Rainbolt and Trenner, a quick wit with a flair for humor, had the audience, and often Rainbolt as well, in stitches much of the time. While one can’t promise the same high level of banter between Rainbolt and Trenner each time they perform, one thing is sure: they do their musical jobs exceeding well.” Peter Leavy for Cabaret Scenes Magazine