(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- The Jersey City music scene is booming and local rock musician Debra Devi loves spreading the news. Having produced two smash “JC Rocks” concerts at White Eagle Hall that brought nearly 1500 people out to see local bands, Devi kicks off her monthly “Debra Devi & Friends” showcase at Headroom Bar & Social in downtown Jersey City on Thursday, January 23rd with two of her faves: J Hacha de Zola and Gerry Rosenthal Trio.
“What I love about this scene is not only incredible talent like J Hacha de Zola and Gerry Rosenthal but its diversity and friendliness,” said Debra Devi. “I want to use this residency to encourage some musical cross-pollination and jamming, too.”
7:30pm - Gerry Rosenthal Trio - Lively and rocking, Gerry Rosenthal Trio mines Americana, folk and blues, drawing comparisons to Mumford and Sons, Punch Brothers, and Ben Folds. The trio is Gerry Rosenthal from Big Wake on acoustic guitar and lead vocals, Jack Breslin on upright bass and Sean-David Cunningham on violin, fleshing out Gerry's songs with 3-part harmony and free-wheeling improvisation. Check out the trio's 2019 EP First.
8:30pm – J Hacha de Zola - J Hacha De Zola is a hyper-creative musical force who hit numerous "Best of 2019" lists with his LPs, EPs, and iconoclastic covers of pop songs by the likes of Billie Eilish. Stereo Embers describes J's sound as "a dark and swinging blend of jagged jazz, back alley blues and deliciously demented carnival stomp" and calls him "one of the most important and singular artists making music today." Such raves are establishing this "Urban Junkyard" artist as “a wild man in the vein of such fire-breathing artists like Screamin’ Jay Hawkins and Captain Beefheart" (Paste). Check out his UnPOPular EP and Icaro Nouveau LP, produced by iconic engineer John Agnello.
9:30pm - Debra Devi - JamBase calls Debra Devi "a supersonic fret-burner with a deep feel for the blues who writes also hauntingly memorable songs.” She jams with Gov’t Mule bassist Jorgen Carlsson on her upcoming EP, A Zillion Stars Overhead (March 2020), which was mixed by Sylvia Massy. Urban Politico says, "vocally, Devi is a dead ringer for Sheryl Crow. Her music radiates infectious joy, reminding us of The Black Crowes, Prince, and Little Feat." Live, adds New York Music Daily, "Devi leads a ferocious band equally adept at sprawling psychedelic jams and terse, soulful rockers."
Headroom Bar & Social is located at 150 Bay Street in Jersey City, New Jersey. One of the best mid-size live rooms on the East Coast. A haven for blues, jazz, funk. Before and after the shows, musicians and audience gather and connect around the iconic island bar. A singular experience. Open five nights till late for wine, cocktails and small bites.
