Album Notes

Known as tenor sax legend Von Freeman's guitarist for the past nine years, Mike Allemana is one of the most respected musicians in Chicago and for good reason. At 36 years of age he has developed a mastery of the guitar that has endeared him to some of the finest players and singers in jazz. Born and raised in the Chicago area, Mike became interested in jazz at age 12 after hearing George Benson. In high school he decided to pursue music and enrolled at Northern Illinois University. After graduating in 1991 and spending two years playing in Cincinnati, Ohio, he returned to Chicago where he has become an important guitarist on the jazz scene.

Soon after returning to Chicago, Mike began to make music with some of the most renowned local artists . His credits include playing for many years with organ great Charles Earland, and legendary tenor saxophonists Ron Dewar, Lin Halliday, and most notably the amazing Von Freeman. Mike can be heard on Von Freeman's 2002 release "The Improvisor" on Premonition Records. He has also made appearances with organ master Lonnie Smith, recorded with singer Bobby Caldwell, and released his own CD on the TuConn label, "The Mike Allemana Organ Trio," with Dan Trudell on organ and Mike Schlick on drums, which received three and a half stars from Down Beat magazine (April 2001). Mike can also be heard with the Model Citizens, a local big band lead by pianist/composer Brian O'hern where Mike is a featured soloist and arranger.

The half Cuban Gingi Lahera is one of the top performers on the Chicago musical scene. Equally at home in an intimate Cabaret setting or an energetic big band presentation, her rich repertoire ranges from classic American jazz and swing songs to Brazilian tunes sung in the traditional Portuguese. Miss Lahera inaugurated the Late Night Torch Singing Series and is a favorite featured a capella vocalist at the Poetry Slam at the city's famous jazz club, the Green Mill.

Since 1995, Gingi has been a featured performer with Bradley Williams and his Original 21st Century Review in both the ten-piece and smaller incarnations of the group. With the 21st Century Review, she has played some of Chicago's finest jazz clubs including: the Jazz Showcase, Green Dolphin Street, Pop's for Champagne, and the Green Mill. Gingi and the 21st Century Review were also privileged to perform at the first Jerusalem Jazz Festival in 1999.

Gingi Lahera also performs with guitarist/vocalist Paulinho Garcia. Paulinho, a master of the art of Brazilian music, has been Gingi's teacher and singing partner for many years. In 2004 they were featured together at the Brazilian Festival held at the Hot House in Chicago, and at a concert recreating the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim for the Brazilian Cultural Center at the International House.


Mike Allemana:

"...an outstanding player with a bright future of his own."
-The Chicago Reader

"(Von Freeman's) band gets its distinctive tang from another well-kept secret, guitarist Michael Allemana, whose fleet, Kansas City blues-inflected playing and sleek chords make bebop picking sound new again."
-Kevin Whitehead

"...wonderful..."
-John Corbett, Down Beat Magazine

"Allemana..takes obvious pleasure in drawing us into his focused, usually self-assured playing. 3 stars."
-Down Beat Magazine review of "The Mike Allemana Organ Trio" CD, April 2001

"...hands off to Mike Allemana. His lines are swift: as fluid as Tal Farlow, he gives each note a good hard snap."
-JazzUSA.com


Gingi Lahera:

"...specializes in coyness and slink...a winning flirt...brings a sexy restraint."
Chicago Sun Times

"...liquid vocals..." Chicago Reader