Billy Stritch Sings Mel Thorme at Columbia Club, 5/13

Singer/songwriter, regular at Birdland, and musical director/pianist to such stars as Liza Minnelli, Billy Stritch pays tribute to legendary jazz singer Mel Tormé. The show features songs from key moments in the classic vocalist's remarkable career, ranging from early moments to all-time classics like Lulu's Back in Town and Mountain Greenery.

Show Times: Friday, May 13: 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 14: 8:00 p.m
Tickets: $35, $45, $55 ($12 food or beverage minimum)
For tickets call 317.275.1169, or order online at www.TheCabaret.org
Location: The Cabaret at the Columbia Club, 121 Monument Circle, Indianapolis, IN 46204
$10 valet Parking is available for cabaret patrons

An award-winning composer, arranger, vocalist, and jazz pianist of extraordinary range and sophistication, Billy Stritch breathes new life into the Great American Songbook. Born and raised in Sugar Land, Texas, Billy Stritch got his start at age 12, playing piano at his neighborhood First Presbyterian Church. He went on to study at the University of Houston where he teamed with two female vocalists and created Montgomery, Plant & Stritch. The jazz vocal trio played in supper clubs across the country, the JVC Jazz Festival with Mel Torme at Carnegie Hall, Newport Jazz Festival and toured Italy with the North Sea Jazz Festival. Stritch then went on to be Liza Minnelli's musical director. He arranged music for her "Steppin' Out At Radio City" extravaganza and international performances on stage at The Palais de Congres in Paris, The Municipale in Rio de Janeiro, The Russiya in Moscow, NHK Hall in Tokyo and The Royal Albert Hall in London. He acted as associate producer, pianist and arranger for Minnelli's Gently CD, which earned two Grammy nominations, and was co-arranger with Marvin Hamlisch for Minnelli On Minnelli at the Palace Theater in New York City. His arrangements have also been performed in the annual Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall, most memorably in the "Multiplying Santa" fantasy.
As a composer, Stritch and Nashville writer Sandy Knox penned the 1994 Grammy Award-winning country song, "Does He Love You?," recorded by Reba McEntire and Linda Davis, which has sold over four million copies nationwide. The song was named one of the Top Ten Country Songs of 1994 by the readers of Music City News and also appears on Patti LaBelle's CD, Flame. Most recently, it was performed on "American Idol" by Reba McIntire and the show's winner Kelly Clarkson.

He has also performed on Broadway in the revival of 42nd Street, starring opposite Christine Ebersole. He has also made appearances on the Rosie O'Donnell Show, CBS in the Morning, Sondheim: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall, The Today Show, The Charlie Rose Show and The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Recordings include: In Your Dreams with Christine Ebersole, Billy Stritch, Waters Of March: The Brazilian Album, and Jazz Live.

The Cabaret is a professional, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The mission of the Cabaret is to elevate the cabaret art form; attract, develop and retain high-quality local performance talent; and provide a unique and important contribution to the city's artistic and cultural life.

The Columbia Club is the premiere private city club in Indianapolis, located in the heart of downtown on Monument Circle. Established in 1889, the nonprofit Columbia Club provides opportunities for business networking and social connections among its diverse membership. The beautiful Clubhouse, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, features fine and casual dining, catering and meeting facilities, 96 guest rooms and a complete fitness center.
The Columbia Club Foundation is dedicated to the acquisition, preservation and exhibition of items of literary and artistic significance as well as the restoration, preservation and protection of the historic Clubhouse.