Hoagy Carmichael News

The internationally award-winning cabaret artist Tim Draxl returns to the cabaret stage tonight 18 February for one night only at Slide Lounge in his new show ONCE UPON ANOTHER TIME as part of the Sydney Mardi Gras celebrations.

When vocalist Todd Murray discovered several of the musicians for his excellent show Croon were unavailable for their scheduled Valentine's Day appearance last Sunday afternoon at the Metropolitan Room, he asked Sean Harkness (the guitarist in the show) to join him for a two-hander. The fortuitous accident yielded a terrific presentation of romantic material from sentimental to ardent, a pared down sharing of unadulterated heart and high musical craft that deserves wider audience. “It's our goal to put you in the mood,” Murray tells us. They do.

San Francisco Opera Center and the Merola Opera Program present the 33rd season of the Schwabacher Debut Recitals. This season, the recitals move to the state-of-the-art Dianne and Tad Taube Atrium Theater in San Francisco Opera's new Diane B. Wilsey Center for Opera, located on the fourth floor of the Veterans Building (401 Van Ness Avenue in San Francisco). The February 28 series-opener—Ports of Call with New York Festival of Song Artistic Director Steven Blier and 2016 San Francisco Opera Adler Fellows Amina Edris, Edward Nelson and Brad Walker—marks the inaugural public performance in the Taube Atrium Theater, which boasts the innovative Meyer Sound Constellation acoustic system. The 5:30 p.m. Sunday recital series continues on March 6 with bass-baritone Daniel Okulitch and pianist John Churchwell; March 20 with baritone Efraín Solís accompanied by pianist Robert Mollicone; and April 24 with baritone Kihun Yoon and pianist Mark Morash.

Join the Tiffany Austin Quintet in celebrating Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday and Nina Simone with Bessie, Billie and Nina: Celebrating the Queens of Swing today, January 30 at 7 p.m. at Feinstein's at the Nikko. Tickets for Tiffany Austin range in price from $25-$45 and are available now by calling 866.663.1063 or visiting www.ticketweb.com.

The internationally award-winning cabaret artist Tim Draxl returns to the cabaret stage on Thursday 18 February for one night only at Slide Lounge in his new show ONCE UPON ANOTHER TIME as part of the Sydney Mardi Gras celebrations.

Karen Oberlin's original performance of Heart & Soul: The Songs of Frank Loesser in 2010 (Loesser's Centennial celebration year) at The Algonquin Hotel's legendary Oak Room earned her a MAC Award nomination for “Best Major Artist” (as well as an award for the Live CD) and sterling reviews. Hence, the show's inclusion in Producer Stephen Hanks' monthly Metropolitan Room series, New York Cabaret's Greatest Hits (which launched last August and runs through 2016). Oberlin's captivating performance Wednesday evening showcased not only her acknowledged prowess with plumy ballads, but also her flair for comedy and an aptitude that handles nuanced jazz with seamless transitions. The vocalist was joined by her original collaborators, Musical Director Jon Weber on piano and Sean Smith on bass, while the show was directed by the piece's original helmsman, Eric Michael Gillett.

The New York Festival of Song marks its eleventh annual co-presentation with Juilliard's Ellen and James S. Marcus Institute for Vocal Arts with a new program titled HARRY, HOAGY, and HAROLD.

42nd Street Moon announces FALLING IN LOVE WITH LOVE, a fundraising gala that will honor Co-Founder and Artistic Director Greg MacKellan, who will complete his 23rd and final season with the company this June. Singer, actress, and veteran Moon performer Klea Blackhurst will serenade patrons in an exclusive concert during the evening. The event also includes cocktails, a live auction, dinner, and a "MoonLight Lounge" with Musical Director Dave Dobrusky and other 42nd Street Moon performers.  Cocktail attire is encouraged. For tickets ($375 - $7500) and more information, the public may call (415) 255-8207 or visit 42ndstmoon.org.

Join the Tiffany Austin Quintet in celebrating Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday and Nina Simone with Bessie, Billie and Nina: Celebrating the Queens of Swing on Saturday, January 30 at 7 p.m. at Feinstein's at the Nikko.

The Alden in McLean announces its winter-spring 2016 season offerings of national and international touring artists. Professional artists from the worlds of comedy, dance, theatre, music, magic, children's theatre and more will visit the 383-seat performing arts venue located inside the Beltway and minutes from downtown DC. Tickets for all season performances are on sale online at the Alden's website www.aldentheatre.org and by phone through OvationTix at 1-866-811-4111. The Alden is located at 1234 Ingleside Avenue, inside the McLean Community Center. 

The holiday season brings family, fun, togetherness and music! Experience all of that and more at the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra's annual holiday celebration, Highmark Holiday Pops, on December 11-13 and December 19 and 20 at Heinz Hall.

Celebrate Sinatra's birth centennial with the timeless music of the legendary team, Nelson Riddle and Frank Sinatra! Famed big band singer Bryan Anthony and the Nelson Riddle Orchestra, directed by his son, Christopher Riddle, will transport the audience back to a magical and beloved era in music!

The New York Festival of Song marks its eleventh annual co-presentation with Juilliard's Ellen and James S. Marcus Institute for Vocal Arts with a new program titled HARRY, HOAGY, and HAROLD.

Juilliard and New York Festival of Song (NYFOS) present 'Harry, Hoagy, and Harold' on Wednesday, January 13, 2016, at 7:30pm in Juilliard's Peter Jay Sharp Theater. The program, Juilliard's 11th presentation with NYFOS, is a tribute to three iconic American songwriters: Harry Warren, Hoagy Carmichael, and Harold Arlen. Pianist and arranger Steven Blier, a member of Juilliard's faculty and artistic director of NYFOS, performs with the singers from Juilliard's Marcus Institute for Vocal Arts. The evening features sopranos Mikaela Bennett and Christine Price; mezzo-sopranos Amanda Lynn Bottoms and Kelsey Lauritano; tenors Samuel Levine and Gerard Schneider; and baritone Dimitri Katotakis. Stage direction is by Mary Birnbaum, choreography is by Adam Cates, and Chris Reynolds is the assistant pianist. The singers have been coached by guest coach Mary Testa.

The holiday season brings family, fun, togetherness and music! Experience all of that and more at the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra's annual holiday celebration, Highmark Holiday Pops, on December 11-13 and December 19 and 20 at Heinz Hall.

On Monday night, the Broadway at Birdland concert series kicked off a four-night run starring Tony Award-winning actress/singer Christine Ebersole and Grammy Award-winning composer/pianist/singer Billy Stritch in OUR FAVORITE THINGS. The show will run through Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 26, with shows nightly at 6pm. BroadwayWorld has photos from the concert below!

Celebrate Sinatra's birth centennial with the timeless music of the legendary team, Nelson Riddle and Frank Sinatra! Famed big band singer Bryan Anthony and the Nelson Riddle Orchestra, directed by his son, Christopher Riddle, will transport the audience back to a magical and beloved era in music!

Acclaimed New York City cabaret singer and actress Klea Blackhurst will bring her signature show 'An Evening with Klea Blackhurst' to the Milford Center for the Arts as part of it's Nite Spot Nights series produced in conjunction with Pantochino Productions Inc. tonight, November 7th at 8 p.m.

Washington, D.C.'s beloved musicologist, humorist and jazz pianist extraordinaire, John Eaton, will share the history and harmonies of some favorite seasonal songs from the American Songbook at a special "Holiday Spectacular" at The Alden in McLean.

Chicago's acclaimed Jefferson Award nominated actress and winner of the After Dark Award for 'Outstanding Cabaret Artist' and the Chicago Cabaret Professionals Gold Coast Award, Suzanne Petri brings her brand new show, TORCH, SASS AND SWING!, to Davenport's Cabaret (1383 N Milwaukee Ave). The show runs tonight, October 28, and November 4 & 7, 2015.