The release party for Macon “McChicken” Mann’s debut CD “Grease Trap” promises to be a unique experience to two reasons. First, Mann is emerging as key player on the local scene. He’s a talented pianist and arranger who has been curating one of the most consistently fine series in the city, the Wednesday night jazz sessions in the basement lounge at Vagabond.

Second, and perhaps more significantly, his poultry-themed rapper alter-ego is totally bananas, a firehose flow with serious thought occasionally surfacing in a cascade of humorous absurdity.

He’s backed by a ten-piece band, including many fellow players from The Devil’s Workshop big band: Andrew Randazzo on bass, John Waters on drums, Jacob Ungerlieder on keyboard and David Hood, Logan Beaver, Steven Norfleet, Tim Turner and Kevin Simson on saxophones. With a $5 cover charge, that is only fifty-cents per player. And they throw in McChicken for free.

Not to mention Ivy League-educated RVA rapper Chance Fischer as the opening act.

The show takes place tonight, Thursday, Feb. 16 at the Vagabond’s basement space, The Gypsy Room. Doors at 8 p.m., music at 9 p.m.