Michael Mazzarella's name has been synonymous with The Rooks beginning with the emergence of the band's highly-acclaimed debut album a decade ago. Fast-forward to NOW! Mazzarella is still a Rook. A new album (Something Blue) is in progress. The sound of The Rooks has been evolving and turning new corners with each release. Although various players in the group have come and gone, leader Mazzarella remains. There has been an intermission in the Rooks' story...but stay tuned. In the meantime...Mazzarella has been working!

We gladly present to you the Only Hope For Winter DVD. Seven enterprising friends united, blue-printed a map, set their sails and followed a wind that took them to a place unknown. Of these men, Mazzarella, Huw Gower (The Records, David Johansen), Dave Rave (Teenage Head) and Greg Field (Ronnie Spector) have joined together to play for you, ABSOLUTELY LIVE, in a recording studio. With help from lifelong friends utilizing their own studio, cameras, lights, and a fresh approach, the guys deliver a DVD that plants a flag on virgin soil. You will see and hear the musicians spontaneous and free while working from hastily recollected crib-notes - without rehearsals and often making it up as they went along. Simply revisiting old Rooks standards and repainting them by the numbers wasn't good enough, wasn't much of a challenge. Taking something old, borrowing and reworking made their playing come to life. Before now, Vows, Better Start Right Now and Trip had never been performed live at the piano. To this writing, Wish You Well and War have never been played in public! Six songs are new to all fans including three (Nightfall, Blue and Long Ago) from The Rooks' next album. And yes, the band's power pop classic Reasons is also on the set-list, only now wrapped around a folksy Donovan meets Nick Drake slant courtesy of Huw Gower's inspired arrangement. From the tongue-in-cheek disclaimer to the final falling notes of the cinematic title-track Only Hope For Winter, one thing is certain; You will be viewing a DVD unlike any other.

If you've never been in a recording studio, please have a seat. If you've never seen Michael Mazzarella on stage, here's your ticket. He and The Fellows Of Mortimer want you to enjoy the show. We hope that this Do-It-Yourself project sparks your curiosity and fires your interest to purchase a copy. A long time in the making, this project, often marred by curious ups and hapless downs is proof that Mazzarella and gang truly love what they do best...MUSIC!!!