Reviews & Testimonials
“The Hedonists are time-travelers, transforming Caffè Lena into a Jazz Age club with their relaxed, saucy sound. You'll hear gamblers and lovers croon over scrapes and heartbreak, yet their laments are delivered in such a sly, groovy way that they leave us not only smiling but often singing along. The performance captured on this album feels effortless, with ample moments of laughter and playful banter before the drums kick in and whisk us away on a magic carpet ride. ”
— Sarah Craig, Executive Director of Caffè Lena
“Annie & The Hedonists’ Caffe Lena show last Saturday was billed as a redo of their "Live at Caffe Lena" record. The band, together in many variations over three decades, recently took home the title Blues Band of the Year at the 2025 Eddies Awards. I hadn’t seen them in more than a quarter century, but wasn’t prepared for how great they sounded. If one views the live record as a kind of 3D overview of the band, they took asellout audience into the fourth dimension Saturday night in covering all 11songs on that album, plus much more in two sumptuous sets.” - Don Wilcock
— Nippertown, June 12, 2025
Review: Annie & the Hedonists at Caffe Lena
Published in Nippertown, June 12, 2025, by Don Wilcock
3.67 MB
“But there are other songs, songs that speak to our dreams and disappointments, songs that offer reassurance. Those are songs we have to seek out, parting the waves of noise to get to these under heard jewels. Those are the songs that Annie Rosen sings. She offers her selections in a carefree manner, but it’s clear that she’s living the material, drawing from it a power and joy that help shepherd each song into the hearts of her hearers. In one way, its the work of a mystic. In another—and this is probably what her Caffè Lena audience felt—it’s a rollicking good time.” - Concert Review, Caffe Lena - May 31, 2025
— The Syncopated Times
Review: Annie & the Hedonists at Caffe Lena
Published in Syncopated Times, June 30, 2025, by B. A. Nilsson
718 KB
“Thank you and the whole band for such a wonderful evening! We loved having you, and couldn’t have had a more perfect group for our special member appreciation show. And thanks for being so wonderful to work with, from start to finish. It’s been a delight!”
— Susie Weiss, President, Folkus Project, Syracuse, NY - April 20, 2024
“Annie and the Hedonists are a perfect fit for the Meeting House on the Green’s summer concert series. This band defies easy (or any, for that matter) characterization, moving exuberantly and expertly through the genres of swing, blues, jazz, roots Americana and more. Annie’s strong, rich voice is perfectly complemented by band mates Peter Davis, Jonny Rosen, and Don Young, each bringing a distinctive flavor to this ensemble. We’re already scheming to have them back next year for more hedonism on the green.” - Concert Review: The Meeting House on the Green, East Fairfield, Vermont. October 9, 2021
— Tyrone & Nance Shaw
“Thanks so much for the wonderful performance/ workshop this afternoon! It was so fun to listen to you teach about the origins and collection of tunes in blues and jazz — the kids seemed to really enjoyed it! Especially loved the last handful of tunes you played; those are some of my favorites to play on fiddle and sing too (and who doesn’t love Goodnight Irene — one of my favorites!) I especially enjoyed the bit about scatting and Ella Fitzgerald! So much fun.” - Concert Review: Troy Savings Bank Music Hall - December 21, 2021
— Jessica Bowen, Director of Education & Outreach
Well, you guys rocked! That was almost a pre-pandemic level of good time – of all the concerts we had this summer, last night it looked the most like a Music in the Garden concert from pre-pandemic times would have looked and felt…
The two tunes overlaid at the end were so clever, the way the kids all gravitated to the front row for the closing was so sweet (and the clarinet serenade in front of each!) the whole thing was lovely and thanks so very much to all of you for ‘bringing it” big time. On such a steamy day, too. We’re lucky to have you in the region!
- Elting LIbrary Staff, Elting Library, New Paltz, NY. August 26, 2021