Happy Birthday to Me

This year for my birthday I got to have a surgery that wound up saving my life.

For those of you who don't know, for the past 7 years I've had a lump in my neck that, when disturbed, caused pain and numbness in my arm, neck, and shoulder. For years we tried to get a diagnosis, and, being a singer, my biggest fear (of course) was needing to operate in or near my neck.

With my good-luck blanket waiting for anesthesia

Over the summer, I saw a bunch of doctors who eventually gave me the diagnosis that led to surgery: thoracic outlet syndrome (Thank you Ryan and Dr. Louis C. Rose of Bronx, NY!). I saw a vascular specialist, Dr. Mayank Patel, who referred me to one of the best vascular surgeons who actually specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of thoracic outlet syndrome: Dr. Richard Green.

Thank you Dr. Green!

I had something called a cervical rib; an extra rib in my neck that I was apparently born with. As it grew it put increasing amounts of pressure on my brachial plexus (the center of all the nerves that run through my shoulder and arm) which led to numbness and pain and my brachial plexus was stretched over this bone and compressed against my clavicle. This phenomenon is generally called thoracic outlet syndrome (check it out on wikipedia).

Immediately after surgery

The doctors knew my subclavian artery and jugular vein were adjacent to the rib, but before surgery they did not think I had any issues with either of them being pinched or damaged. When they went in to perform the surgery to remove it they found it actually HAD been damaging my subclavian artery and I would have suffered from an aneurysm in a few months. Dr. Green took out the rib, repaired the artery, and now I just wait it out while my nerves get back to normal, which will take some time.

Leaving the Hospital

So, this year I may not have had much of a chance to celebrate my birthday, but I was given the gift of being able to celebrate many more. Every day I wake up now feels like a blessing and a gift and I look forward to making the most of each and every one.

Plus, I don't even have to do anything for Halloween.

My Zipper Neck :)

U'Niq magazine Photo shoot!

Rachel Zevita and the gang went to Port Imperial, NJ today to take some shots for a spread in U'Niq Magazine, published by photographer and creative director, Jim Richard. (More on Jim and U'Niq Magazine here)

Check out some Previews from the shoot!

A picture of Jim's camera... so meta.

With the best background in the world...

and the promotional video for the U'Niq spread:

UpTempo Magazine Art & Color Party

Had a great time at the Uptempo Magazine "Art & Color" Party at Greenhouse in downtown Manhattan. 

UpTempo Magazine's Art & Color party invitation.

Although I arrived more-than fashionably late, I met some very interesting people, including: DJ Juli-Lee and manager Eleonora Moll, fellow recording artist Jenny Bapst, producer Devin Lee and Traci Bingham (yes, from baywatch)! But perhaps the biggest highlight of the night was when I met with the co-editors and creative team behind the fashion forward publication, Joseph Gualtiere and Nora Kobrenik (pictured below).

(l.-r.) Joseph, Myself, and Nora at the party. (From Instagram)

Can't wait for the next event, and maybe even a feature in UpTempo!

Make Music New York!

Yesterday was, officially, the first day of summer. We made the most of the longest day of the year, playing all day as part of Make Music New York, the largest free music festival in New York City. It was a whirlwind! 

First we played at Branded Saloon in Brooklyn, and our enthusiastic indoor crowd (plus the MANY passersby who stopped to listen from outside) really dug our tunes. We ahd a less-than-ideal equipment setup, but hats off to our keyboard player +Christian Nourijanian who made the most of the situation and rocked on an antique piano!

Then we all rushed uptown to Vincent Ciccarone Playground in the Little Italy section of the Bronx. It was worth the trip: what a great crowd of ALL AGES. We ended with an audience that was twice as big as the one we started with, pulling in more and more people as we played into the night! We had old couples singing along, young couple dancing, and kids at the front of the stage! The children were adorable and had a ton of fun... Thanks to our substitute keyboard player +Christopher Plietz who joined us last minute to pull off this big show!

We ended the night at the +Gibson Guitars showroom, where we bonded over jams and redbull. All in all, it was an awesome start to the summer... Can't wait for next year! #MMNY2013

We're getting on Pandora radio!

After submitting my EP, "The Echo Sessions, Vol.1" to +Pandora, I'm thrilled to announce it has been ACCEPTED into the Music Genome Project!

The staff of musicologists at Pandora have to analyze my music first, but soon you'll be able to hear me alongside your favorites on Pandora radio!

6/21 is Make Music New York! FREE SHOWS

Rachel will play THREE times on Friday, 6/21: ALL SHOWS ARE FREE!

YES YOU READ THAT RIGHT! 
3 shows: 5pm, 8pm, 9pm...
2 boroughs: The Bronx & Brooklyn...
1 day: Friday, 6/21...

We're playing as part of Make Music NY - the largest free music festival of the year in NYC. Catch me at Branded Saloon in Brooklyn at 5, and then join us in the Bronx where I'm THE HEADLINING ACT! TWO SETS!

4:30-6:00pm
Branded Saloon
603 Vanderbilt avenue (at Bergen Street)
Brooklyn (718) 484-8704
BrandedSaloon on Facebook
@BrandedSaloon on Twitter
www.BrandedSaloon.com

8:00-8:50pm AAAND
9:00-10:00pm 
Vincent Ciccarone Playground (Mainstage)
Arthur avenue between East 188th & 187th streets
The Bronx
Bronx Little Italy on Facebook
http://www.bronxlittleitaly.com/

It doesn't stop there folks, after the party... there's the after-party of course! At Antonio's Trattoria, 3 blocks from our headlining show! I'll be selling CDs & Posters and taking photos with anyone who meets us there.

9pm-midnight 
Antonio's Trattoria
2370 Belmont Ave
Bronx 718-733-6630
Antonio's Trattoria on Facebook
www.ANTONIOSTRATTORIA.com

Can't wait to see you all on FRIDAY!

Intimate set at Cafe Wha?

Thursday, June 13, 2013
Cafe Wha? 8:00 pm
115 Macdougal st, Manhattan NYC. 
$5 cover. One item minimum (food or drink).

The Cafe Wha? has been a Greenwich Village hotspot since the 1960s, when it was the original stomping ground for Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix. Bruce Springsteen, Peter, Paul & Mary, Kool and the Gang, as well as comedians, Richard Pryor and Bill Cosby also began their road to stardom on this historic stage.

Directions to Cafe Wha?:
(A)(C)(E)(B)(D)(F)(M) to West 4th st station. Walk south on 6th avenue. Turn left on 2nd street, and walk to the corner of 2nd st. and Macdougal. Cafe Wha will be at 115 Macdougal.

(1) or PATH to Christoper street. Walk east on Christopher until you reach 6th avenue. Make a right on 6th avenue and continue south. Turn left on 2nd street, and walk to the corner of 2nd st. and Macdougal. Cafe Wha will be at 115 Macdougal.

Reviews are in!

Check out the awesome review of "The Echo Sessions, Vol.1" on TheMagicRoomProject.com!

#MayMadness Contest EXTENDED

The #MayMadness giveaway officially ends today. Get in it to win it at: zevitanation.wix.com/contest​!

Supporting Jes Hudak at Rockwood

​NEW SHOW ADDED!

I will be joining Jes Hudak at Rockwood Music Hall this Thursday, a.k.a. TONIGHT!

EP Release Celebration at Sullivan Hall, NYC

The EP Release Celebration in New York City at Sullivan Hall, with special guests The Phryg and Hot Summer was a success! ​Pictures and Video ​COMING SOON!

All attendees of this show receive a special download code via email, redeemable for 1 copy of "The Echo Sessions, Vol.1" AND a live EP recorded at the show. If you did not receive your copy, CONTACT US.

"The Echo Sessions, Vol.1" is NOW available on iTunes!

Ladies and gentlemen, my debut EP "The Echo Sessions, Vol.1" recorded in Echo Park, Los Angeles with producer/co-writer Blake Sennet (Rilo Kiley, The Elected), is... 

::drumroll please::

NOW AVAILABLE ON iTUNES!

It is also available on: Spotify, Rdio, Google play, Amazon, eMusic, and many more!

Of course, I prefer if you download via my Bandcamp store, where I also sell autographed copies, posters, prints, and signed headshots. (More merch like T-Shirts, Tote bags and stickers are on the way!)