Manhattan Rouge

"Thanks so much to Manhattan Rouge Jazz Trio for performing again at our Festival of Trees opening night. You guys were great - perfect really for that event. You sound great perform fabulous songs and are a pleasure to work with. They loved you last year and they loved you again this year."
Carol Bauer, Quinte Arts Council, Belleville.

Imagine yourself in an intimate “Jazz joint” or dining club during the 1930’s & 40’s, where the atmosphere is alive and swinging with the sounds of trad. Jazz, Blues and Torch. Manhattan Rouge truly delivers the greatest songs of that era with the evocative vocals of Lenni Stewart, the keyboard styling of Francis Rose and the crisp percussion of Steve Conley. Their repertoire includes songs from Cole Porter, Gershwin, Lerner & Lowe, Rogers & Hart then flows seamlessly to cool Chicago-style Blues and a dash of R&B favorites from the late 60’s/early 70’s.

Manhattan Rouge was formed in early 2006 by Lenni Stewart and Francis Rose. Both musicians had worked together previously and had been involved in other musical projects. They discovered their mutual passion and enthusiasm for early Jazz, Blues and R&B, deciding to form a partnership that would bring that music to life in the Quinte area and beyond, evolving from a duo to a trio that now includes Steve Conley.
Their sound is evocative, fun, funky and entertaining- Manhattan Rouge lives up to its reputation of being “Classy, Sassy and Sophisticated”.

Lenni Stewart's voice has been likened to a fine wine- “full, vibrant, smoky and sensual and where a good vintage might carry hints of cherry or chocolate, Lenni's rich and velvety voice suggests Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn or Maria Muldaur”- J.D. Carpenter, Jazz Poet/Author. Complete with feather boas and a "martini" approach, her voice flows seamlessly between genres, incorporating a touch of Broadway to her delivery. Occasionally Lenni will pick up her acoustic guitar to add some “roots” feel to the blues portion of their repertoire. She began her career as a solo singer/songwriter, then formed the popular Lenni Stewart Trio.- an acoustic-based “Blues-a-Billy” band. Her CD "Root Cellar Boogie" (www.cdbaby.com) showcases their original songs, and is enjoyed by listeners from around the world.

Francis Rose has been an exceptional music maker for over three decades, not only as player but an Arranger, Composer and studio musician. He has played as part of several ensembles to full houses in Toronto's Sky dome and Maple Leaf Gardens, toured Europe with the Glen Campbell show and has performed at the Royal Festival Hall in London, England. Francis has appeared on several TV shows and worked with many Canadian artists such as Shirley Eichart, Sylvia Tyson and Ronny Prophet. Francis was also the founder and musical arranger of the nine piece Cadillacs Showband, a fifties sixties nostalgia band, and currently works with All You Need is Love and Photograph.

Percussionist Steve Conley began his career with the Frank Howard Orchestra at the tender age of 16. He has worked with rock bands and jazz groups, and with more than three decades of professional experience to bring to the mix, Steve adds his flair and spicy stick work to Manhattan Rouge.