Musician and actress Marie Gabrielle is New York born and bred — and the founder of a non-profit empowering young girls and women to play the guitar. This is her West Side Story.
So, what’s your New York story? Born here, or just arrived?
I was born and raised on the Lower East Side of Manhattan and grew up on 2nd Avenue and 10th Street and later in The Bronx. My paternal grandparents came on a boat from Italy through Ellis Island and my maternal grandparents came via Puerto Rico, Spain and France …My story is a true story of immigration.
What was your first job? What do you do now?
My first real job was in my senior year of high school, working as a personal assistant to a famous recording artist at The Hit Factory recording studio when it was on W48th Street between 8th and 9th Avenue. For the past 35 years I have been a guitar player, singer, performer and recording artist as well as a film and TV actress and have performed with great artists such as BB King, Lucinda Williams and Wyclef Jean, as well as at major music festivals and venues throughout the world.
What’s your favorite New York minute (or moment) so far?
Playing a weekly poker game at Whoopi Goldberg’s loft in SoHo
Share with us why you love Hell’s Kitchen
I love Hell’s Kitchen because of the international diversity, the history and the food! For me, Hell’s Kitchen has always felt like home. While growing up I used to hang out with friends who lived in Hell’s Kitchen (and still do), and as a teenager I played tennis at Manhattan Plaza Tennis Club which my father’s construction company helped build.
What’s your superpower or hidden talent?
I’m a ping pong aficionado.
What else should we know about you?
1) Guitars give me life!…Since high school I was mentored by the late great guitar player/producer Hugh McCracken and I have written, performed and produced a critically-acclaimed CD titled Restless Angel that was first released in Australia and internationally.
2) During COVID, many music students were stuck at home with no musical instrument, so I started a non-profit organization to empower young girls and women to play the guitar. It’s called The Fret No More Foundation, and we give guitars to music students who cannot afford to purchase an instrument. To date we have given away over 50 electric and acoustic brand name guitars and are getting ready for our Christmas Guitar Giveaway. Check it out! www.thefretnomorefoundation.org
3) I wrote a book and film on the history of women and guitars which is currently being shopped and pitched to publishers and major networks.
4) I got to play BB King’s guitar “Lucille”.
5) I have been a member of SAG-AFTRA for 38 years and am a delegate for the NYC chapter.
6) I’m a BMI songwriter.
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Marie’s Favorite Hell’s Kitchen Places
THE CONJURING ROOM w/ BELINDA SINCLAIR
This is not just a magic show…It’s an uplifting warm experience like no other!… filled with empowerment, history and the greatest sleight of hand you have ever experienced!
In an intimate group of 13, magician Belinda Sinclair opens up her private secret Victorian Conjuring Parlor (at an undisclosed location) to patrons who want to experience a time when famous female magicians from Hell’s Kitchen and the New York area captivated their guests by performing impossible feats of magic. She’s been written up in publications such as the New York Times, Huffington Post and Gotham, and was voted Best Female Magician by Time Out.
The Purple Tongue — 410 W43rd Street (bw 9th/10th Ave)
A cafe culture in Hell’s Kitchen is exactly what we need!! I’ve spent a lot of time in Italy, and the ambiance at The Purple Tongue has the same relaxed and inviting international feel as some of the great cafes in Roma and Firenze. The food is fresh and delicious and the owner Peter personally shops for his mozzarella! The staff is warm and friendly and everyone is treated like family.
West Bank Cafe — 407 W42nd Street (bw 9th/10th Ave)
It’s an iconic staple of the neighborhood as well as the theater community! The staff, the warmth, the amazing wine selection and the fresh food. It also serves as a regular coffee klatch and meeting place for many performers of TV, stage and screen.
Poseidon Bakery — 629 9th Avenue (bw W44/45th St)
Another Hell’s Kitchen staple — and the spanakopita is the absolute best and is made with love. I’ve known Lily and her family for over 35 years and the bakery still feels like home. Everything is freshly made daily and the environment is as sweet as the pastries!
BarDough — 350 W46th Street (bw 8th/9th Ave)
The feel is half sports bar and half locals, with a long bar and great happy hour. The pizza is baked fresh in a coal oven and they have several vegan choices. My dear friend and actor Joe Lisi is one of the owners and is often found hanging out at the bar for a laugh and a drink. He was a captain in the NYPD, a corporal in the Marines and a well respected actor on Broadway, film and television. BarDough also offers a 10% discount to all entertainment unions as well as all first responders.
Molyvos — 402 W43rd Street (bw 9th/10th Ave)
It’s owned and operated by the Livanos family and has been passed down for generations from the town of Molyvos! A traditional Greek experience with great wine, food and hospitality right here in the heart of Hell’s Kitchen!
Lattanzi — 361 W46th Street (bw 8th/9th Ave)
A family-owned and operated restaurant that’s been there since the 1980s and is still run by the Lattanzi family. I love the signature dish of deep fried artichokes and the pasta is made fresh every day. You feel like you’re in Rome and the back room is filled with charm and ambiance.
Brooklyn Fare — 431 W37th Street (bw 9th/10th Ave)
Brooklyn Fare is a family run old school supermarket with a wide variety of fresh farm vegetables and prepared gourmet foods — all at affordable prices! I love shopping at Brooklyn Fare. From the fresh roasted chickens and homemade veggie burgers prepared daily, to the great sales and delivery service. They also have a restaurant located inside called Chef’s Table.
Domus — 413 W44th Street (bw 9th/10th Ave)
A great neighborhood gift shop with a welcoming feel and old-school charm. There’s a wide variety of greeting cards and gifts from all over the World — and Christmas time is the absolute best!
Odyssey Wines & Spirits — 490 10th Avenue (bw W37/38th St)
They have great tastings weekly ranging from Napa wines to Kentucky bourbons and the staff is friendly and knowledgeable. There’s good sales, a wide variety of liquors and wines, and fast deliveries during the holidays.
Anything else you’d like to tell us?
Please give love and support to local businesses like www.thefretnomorefoundation.org especially during the Holiday season! Hell’s Kitchen might be a tourist attraction but it is also a small town neighborhood with beautiful families, amazing history and the best performers and theaters in the world.
You can follow Marie on Instagram @mariegabriellemusic. If you know someone who would make a great West Side Story (or you would like to nominate yourself), please fill in this form — w42st.info/WSSnominations
You can check out more West Side Stories and reader recommendations on W42ST’s Hell’s Kitchen Local App.
great person to select !
Love this!
w42st is my saving grace! Everyday I look forward to reading your articles