Boots Maleson News

As a young veteran of the New York cabaret scene and someone who rests comfortably in that performer's purgatory between celebrity and what the folks at the Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs (MAC) calls “Major Artist,” Marieann Meringolo certainly doesn't need validation from a Stevie-come-lately reviewer like me. But nobody bats 1.000—in baseball, life, or cabaret—and, frankly, I didn't cheer in print for her slightly pretentious 2013 show Orchestrated, which seemed to feature a band big enough to bust through the far wall of the Metropolitan Room and arrangements that were more than a tad overblown. But in 2011, I loved her annual holiday show, In The Spirit, and had heard nothing but great things about her 2012 tribute to the music of Michael Legrand, so I was willing to consider Orchestrated a mere hiccup—depending on what she came up with next. Well, next arrived on the afternoon of Saturday, April 5 afternoon with Meringolo's new show, Crazy Love, at the Metropolitan Room.

Now that the legendary Elaine Stritch and Julie Wilson have retired from performing, the only celebrity 80-plusers who have been performing regularly on the cabaret circuit are the equally legendary Barbara Cook and Marilyn Maye. But now there's another octogenarian on the scene and while he may not be a legend, George Marcy is an 86-year-old former Broadway musical theater actor/dancer who recently staged a totally charming and entertaining show at Don't Tell Mama.

It's one thing for a dancer over 40 to do a cabaret show. It's quite another for a dancer over 80 to attempt one. But that's exactly what still spry 83-year-old song and dance man George Marcy is going to do--tapping his way over to Don't Tell Mama for the second time in three years--when he takes the stage (today September 23 and 29, both at 8pm) for his new show, I Wish I Were Twins. Marcy's latest cabaret effort is being director by famed Broadway Musical star and Marcy's good friend Carol Lawrence. The Musical Director/Pianist is Christine Sutin, with Boots Maleson on bass, and AaRon Russell on drums.

It's one thing for a dancer over 40 to do a cabaret show. It's quite another for a dancer over 80 to attempt one. But that's exactly what still spry 83-year-old George Marcy is going to do-tapping his way over to Don't Tell Mama for the second time in three years-when he takes the stage later this month (September 23 and 29, both at 8pm) for his new show, I Wish I Were Twins. Marcy's latest cabaret effort is being director by famed Broadway Musical star and Marcy's good friend Carol Lawrence. The Musical Director/Pianist is Christine Sutin, with Boots Maleson on bass, and Aaron Russell on drums.

Marlene Ver Planck sings a story the way the rest of us wishes we could tell one: with polish and panache, convincing listeners that each and every lyric is her own. She has backed-up Frank Sinatra and Mel Torme and has been out front of the Beneke, Miller and Dorsey orchestras, singing those stories like no one else. A long list of recordings documents her talent, many featuring the arrangements of her gifted late husband, Billy. Seven of his takes on Cy Coleman, some Harry Warren and Marlene's favorites from Ivan Lins, Paul Williams and Ronny White make up her new CD, Ballads...mostly (Audiophile).

Marlene Ver Planck sings a story the way the rest of us wishes we could tell one: with polish and panache, convincing listeners that each and every lyric is her own. She has backed-up Frank Sinatra and Mel Torme and has been out front of the Beneke, Miller and Dorsey orchestras, singing those stories like no one else. A long list of recordings documents her talent, many featuring the arrangements of her gifted late husband, Billy. Seven of his takes on Cy Coleman, some Harry Warren and Marlene's favorites from Ivan Lins, Paul Williams and Ronny White make up her new CD, Ballads...mostly (Audiophile).

Marlene Ver Planck will celebrate her new CD 'Ballads...mostly' with a gig in New York tonight, July 25th. Ver Planck comes to Jazz at Kitano, 66 Park Ave, NYC (@ 38th St).

Marlene Ver Planck will celebrate the release of her new CD 'Ballads...mostly' tonight, June 23rd with two shows, at 6:00pm and 7:30pm, at Shanghai Jazz, 24 Main Street, Madison, NJ, with Tedd Firth-piano and Jay Leonhart-bass.

Scot Albertson (Vocalist - Performer - Producer - Recording Artist) - www.scotalbertson.com) announces his sixth CD release concert, set for tonight June 17, 2013 at 7:30p.m. at Symphony Space Leonard Nimoy Thalia Theatre, located at 2537 Broadway & West 95th Street, New York City, NY.

Marlene Ver Planck will appear on Michael Bourne's Singers Unlimited Show today, June 16th 12:00PM.

Marlene Ver Planck will appear on Michael Bourne's Singers Unlimited Show on Sunday, June 16th 12:00PM.

Scot Albertson (Vocalist - Performer - Producer - Recording Artist) - www.scotalbertson.com) announces his sixth CD release concert, set for Monday June 17, 2013 at 7:30p.m. at Symphony Space Leonard Nimoy Thalia Theatre, located at 2537 Broadway & West 95th Street, New York City, NY.

As a big fan of cabaret shows that incorporate horn sections (as does Terese Genecco's monthly 'Little Big Band' efforts at Iridium or Carole J. Bufford's 2012 show, speakeasy., which featured Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks), I was more than a little jazzed to hear that compelling Streisand sound-alike Marieann Meringolo would be doing a package of her 'greatest cabaret hits' from past shows, but supported by a 7-piece band (including three horns--Richie Vitale on trumpet, Jonathan Kantor on tenor sax, and Danny Hall on trombone) for a gig spanning three weekend nights (May 31-June 2) that she and her director Eric Michael Gillett called 'Orchestrated.' In this case, 'orchestrated' unfortunately came across more like 'engineered' or 'manufactured.'

Marlene VerPlanck is constantly recognized for her crystal clear voice, choice of material, and superb musicians. 'Ballads…mostly,' her 22nd CD, is no exception. A former studio singer and the voice of hundreds of commercials, she has sung backup to everyone from Sinatra to Kiss.

Marlene Ver Planck will celebrate her new CD 'Ballads...mostly' with gigs in New York and New Jersey this month.

Marlene Ver Planck will celebrate the release of her new CD 'Ballads...mostly' on Sunday, June 23rd with two shows, at 6:00pm and 7:30pm, at Shanghai Jazz, 24 Main Street, Madison, NJ, with Tedd Firth-piano and Jay Leonhart-bass.

Spring will arrive early when award-winning vocalist Marieann Meringolo brings her highly acclaimed new show You Must Believe In Spring! The Music of Michel Legrand to "The Nightclub of New York," Feinstein's at Loews Regency (540 Park Avenue, at 61st Street) for four consecutive Sundays beginning February 26th (8:30PM) and playing through March 18th.