Review: LESLIE ODOM JR. at Straz Center For The Performing Arts

The sold out crowd at the Straz in Tampa couldn't "Wait For It"! Couldn't wait to see Tony and Grammy Award-winning Leslie Odom Jr. (Aaron Burr in Hamilton) that is. The multi-generational crowd cheered him on as he took the stage, and the accolades continued for their song gladiator throughout the rest of the evening.

It takes some guts to open the night with one of the songs everybody could not wait to hear, "Wait For It" from the phenomenal Broadway hit HAMILTON. But he did! Even Leslie joked with his fans not to get up and leave and maybe he should have saved that song for last! But there was too much coming down the pike to enjoy and we all knew it. We were glued to our seats.

Folks attending this performance knew HAMILTON well, vocalizing screams, when by the third note played in HAMILTON'S "The Room Where It Happens", the audience came to life, singing along and applauding. He asked the crowd how many people did not see or hear of HAMILTON and about 6 brave souls raised their hands. He talked about the Playbill Vlogs he was filming backstage while in HAMILTON that are very insightful and worth checking out on YouTube.

Besides nods to HAMILTON, we were treated to several songs from his 2016 self-titled album that made it to number 1 on the Billboard Jazz charts. Leslie said he was inspired by Nat King Cole and paid respectful homage in a moving medley including smooth renditions of "Mona Lisa" and "Unforgettable". If Nat had a son in which to bequeath his mellow tones, Leslie was the recipient.

Equipped with well over 1000 seats, Ferguson Hall felt more like an intimate New York cabaret with Leslie playfully interacting with his audience about his roles as Sam Strickland in NBC's musical series SMASH, Reverend Curtis Scott in LAW & ORDER: SVU, and his Nationwide television commercial. He made mention that he knew when it was time to leave HAMILTON and understood it most when singing the song "Joey, Joey, Joey" whose lyrics speak about being in one place too long and knowing when it is time to move on. Leslie is not afraid to take chances, once again proving he is a man of guts, faith and confidence who strives to expand his horizons to further challenge his gifts and talents.

At the end of his concert, Leslie spoke about a time when he saw a pre Broadway performance of HAMILTON, prior to being in the cast, and left being transformed by great theater. He thanked everyone in the audience for supporting live theatre. You have to appreciate someone of his caliber and stature in the industry who remembers his roots, maintains his love of the theatre and thanks his audience for their support. This is a concert that will entertain the young and young at heart as well as a cross section of music lovers who savor the silky tones of jazz, the energetic vibe of rap and the pleasure of just plain good music.

Leslie Odom Jr. was New York born and Philadelphia raised. He made his Broadway debut at 17 in RENT before attending Carnegie Mellon University. Mr. Odom's tour is taking him (forgive the pun) "nationwide", including dates with the San Diego Symphony, the Hollywood Bowl, the Newport Jazz Festival and The Monterey Jazz Festival. For more information visit www.leslieodomjr.com.

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