The sound of jazz is alive and well on Fun Size, the 2024 album by the NYC-based music group known as Ginetta’s Vendetta. The 13-track album is an excellent showcase for pocket trumpet player / vocalist and composer Ginetta M. (real name: Ginetta Minichiello) On Fun Size, Ginetta is backed up by fine players including Danny Walsh (sax), Belden Bullock (bass), Jon Davis (piano) and Marcello Pellitteri (drums), but the star here is the excellent Pocket Trumpet sound of Ginetta with her added vocals on several tracks also another strong selling point.

Ginetta’s 6^th album as a bandleader, Fun Size features a mix of vocal and instrumental-based tracks with the album featuring a stellar selection of original tracks and rearrangements of classic standard including covers of “Black Orpheus”, “Moon River” and “Misty” to name just a few. Recorded in New Jersey during a non-stop, four hour recording session, Fun Size by Ginetta’s Vendetta is an impressive album of swinging vocal and instrumental based jazz that pays respects to what Ginetta calls, “America’s Greatest Export”. 

RMR interviews Ginetta M.

RMR: What was it like recording Fun Size in a non-stop four hour session? What was the energy level and the musical chemistry like between you and these players and what tracks came first?

GINETTA M: This is my 6th CD as a bandleader and the 4th straight ahead jazz CD done in just one 4 hour session. I wanted to re-create the spontaneity of the classic old recordings where they just hung one mic in the center of the room and the musicians got total free reign!

I feel, that way,  the authenticity and "live" energy of the recording is able to shine through and the listener is transported to the session aurally! Often I will also leave in certain remarks from the session to give fans a sense of the band as well. The energy level is often one of camaraderie and amazement, on my part, to hear this fabulous music and improv being created on the spot.

The track order on the CD are most often different from the recording session. Generally, I record the most demanding tunes first when my chops feel great and are not tired. Plus, to rest I throw a vocal tune in between the instrumentals to offset "Chop Fatigue".

RMR: How would you compare Fun Size with your other albums? What was your musical goal with Fun Size and can you tell us something about your original compositions on Fun Size?

GINETTA M: Each CD is different, yet similar, in the fact that we are re-doing classic standards, giving them my own arrangements and individual interpretations.  It is different in the way that each year my chops vary and I feel my musical acumen grows and expands, plus each musician is at a different stage in their own musical development.

Also, on this particular CD I had the pleasure of recording two fabulous originals from other composers! That, in itself, was both an honor and a responsibility as I was paid to totally re-arrange the holiday tune "Christmas Time".  That was a lengthy  challenging process for me, however both the composer and myself were thrilled with the final arrangement!

The other two of my originals were inspired by so many swinging bass players I've worked with and listened to, “Tell Your Story Walkin'", plus by the passing of my wonderful, jazz loving Dad, "Blues For Pop-Pop", a fitting legacy for the man who schooled me on this iconic art form, making me listen to hours of great jazz as well as bringing me to jazz clubs when I was a minor!

RMR: What plans do you have for 2025 as far as playing live and composing and recording new tracks?

GINETTA M: For 2025 my plans are to continue spreading the gospel of Jazz "America's Greatest Export" far and wide. We are currently on a list for a two month residency in Osaka, Japan, fingers crossed. Plus various festivals already in the book, Pompano Jazz Fest 1/25/25, as well as various venues both here in NYC and South Florida. A few mini tours to national jazz clubs in the areas that have supported my CD are definitely in the works for 2025.

I am also planning to put out my Christmas CD in time for the holidays next year. Composing more originals and branching out into the smooth jazz circuit, where my current  single: "Ginetta", the smooth jazz version, is doing great are also on the horizon... Radio, television, my own podcast / livestream and more diplomatic tours are looming… Onward!