Victor & Penny at The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts And Cultural Center

Victor & Penny (aka Jeff Freling and Erin McGrane) bring their take on Prohibition era, Kansas City style hot Jazz to The Buttonwood Tree for the very first time. Expect an energetic and uplifting show full of stories, audience connection, and stellar musicianship.

Both performers have a long history in music and theatre. A professional actor and performer for over 20 years, Erin McGrane fronted the cabaret act Alacartoona and appeared in countless commercials, TV shows, and movies including the Oscar-nominated “Up In The Air” alongside George Clooney. Jeff Freling is an accomplished composer, arranger, and performer including an 11-year stint as an onstage musician with Blue Man Group in Chicago....

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Victor & Penny (aka Jeff Freling and Erin McGrane) bring their take on Prohibition era, Kansas City style hot Jazz to The Buttonwood Tree for the very first time. Expect an energetic and uplifting show full of stories, audience connection, and stellar musicianship.

Both performers have a long history in music and theatre. A professional actor and performer for over 20 years, Erin McGrane fronted the cabaret act Alacartoona and appeared in countless commercials, TV shows, and movies including the Oscar-nominated “Up In The Air” alongside George Clooney. Jeff Freling is an accomplished composer, arranger, and performer including an 11-year stint as an onstage musician with Blue Man Group in Chicago.
Victor & Penny deliver swing-infused folk-jazz in the band’s signature high-energy style with joy, humor, and soaring musical improvisation. Victor & Penny were named “Best Folk Ensemble 2015” by the PITCH; “Standout Concert of the Year” by the Joplin Globe; and are two-time Folk Alliance International official showcase artists. V&P feature tight vocal harmonies, dazzling guitar work, and a fiery ukulele. This corset-tight group brings a modern Kansas City voice to their original tunes and prohibition era jazz with sterling musicianship. When joined by their fine band, Loose Change Orchestra, the red-hot horn section and upright bass bring sparks a-plenty and virtuosic musicianship. V&P impress and delight with charm and hot licks and they are an “absolute rollicking blast.” Since 2010, Victor & Penny (aka Jeff Freling and Erin McGrane) have been thrilling audiences nationally with their deft blend of originals, hot jazz, and swing.

The group released a new full-length CD, “Electricity” (March 2016) which debuted on the Folk Radio DJ charts at #12 with the #3 song. “Electricity” crackles and sparks with joy and regret; truths and dares; love and love gone wrong all set to a score of vibrant, rhythmic swing and virtuosic musicianship. Electricity is the culmination of 180,000 miles, 5 years and nearly 1,000 performances and is a testament to the incomparable vivacity of Victor & Penny’s live show, with newly added sophistication and rich instrumentation.

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