December 15, 2018
About:
Stoned Soul Picnic is a celebration of the art and soul of the late, great singer-songwriter, and 2013 Rock-and-Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Laura Nyro. Lead vocalist Diane Garisto toured and recorded with Ms. Nyro in the mid-90’s as a member of her celebrated Harmony Group. Diane and friends have put together a live show dedicated to the memory of this musical icon. Along with some of New York City’s best players and singers, Stoned Soul Picnic features faithful arrangements from all of Nyro’s most popular recordings such as Eli and the 13th Confession, New York Tendaberry, Christmas and the Beads of Sweat, and Gonna Take a Miracle.
DIANE GARISTO began her performing career at the age of ten singing “Yabba-dabba-doo!” in a Flintstone’s Vitamins jingle. From that auspicious beginning she has forged a career that has taken her in the studio and around the world, working with such industry notables as Carly Simon, George Benson, Al Jarreau, Laurie Anderson, and Grace Jones. She toured extensively with Steely Dan and had the good fortune to sing on Paul Simon’s award-winning “Graceland” and Billy Joel’s evocative “River of Dreams.” In a richly varied career she has lent her voice to many commercials and movie soundtracks, and performed on television. But of all of her professional collaborations, none has had greater personal resonance than her connection with Laura Nyro, an idol of Diane’s since her girlhood. As a member of Nyro’s Harmony Group, Diane toured the US and Japan, participated in her celebrated Christmas Eve concerts at the Bottom Line, and recorded two live albums. Since Nyro’s passing, Diane has co-produced and performed in the memorial concert at New York’s Beacon Theater, sharing the stage with Patti LaBelle, Rickie Lee Jones, and other luminaries, and at the request of Nyro’s estate was the guest soloist when she was inducted into the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame. Diane considers it an honor to be a small part in helping keep Laura Nyro’s extraordinary legacy alive.
Learn more here.
