Stephen Sorokoff - Page 37

Joanna Gleason gave a  memorable performance in her superbly crafted, written and directed show last night at Feinstein's54 Below. Jeffrey Klitz, her music director and pianist, created some of the most haunting and extraordinary arrangements for a group of musicians consisting of guitar, banjo, autoharp, cello, percussion and 3 back-up vocalists called the Moontones.

You recently saw the television camera focus on David Yazbek seated in the audience at the Tony Awards and last night if you were at Feinstein's54 Below you saw him seated on the piano bench with his killer band and special guest Etai Benson in a thrilling performance by the composer himself.

Christine Andreas opened her show at the Beach Cafe last night by telling the intimate group of Cabaret lovers that contrary to current trends, her show had no theme. It would simply contain songs she liked to sing. By the end of her performance it was obvious the show did have a theme…..Great Songs Sung by a Great SingerActor. I've often said that the best musical experience is when the singer happens to be the pianist. The fingers join the vocal chords and create the most well planned arrangements. I may be wrong. Having your spouse as your pianist and music director also creates a rare and inspired musical experience. Martin Silvestri creates exceptional accompaniments. He is a true artist at the keyboard and happens also to be an Accordion virtuoso, which is extremely effective when Christine sings her unforgettable Piaf medley.

The notation on Charlie Romo's chart (arrangement) said it best. 'As performed by Bobby Darin' . Instead of the 1960's announcers off stage intro of Bobby at the Copacabana in the 1960's it was Daniel Dunlow up front with his great humor and enthusiasm bringing on the main attraction, Charlie Romo. With the 7 piece band blaring out the the opening up tempo notes of 'Hello Young Lovers' you felt you were on 60th street at the legendary nightclub and not on 42nd street at the Green Room.

Ann Hampton Callaway has had many of the world's greatest pianists, arrangers, and music directors accompanying her throughout her celebrated career. Last night at her show 'Jazz Goes To The Movies' sitting on the piano bench at Feinstein's54 Below she had the one who started with her at the very beginning. It was the one who probably knows how to pianistically surround her extraordinary artistry the best and the one who is able to create the harmonies that intertwine most effectively with her prodigious talent. It was Ann Hampton Callaway playing for herself!

It can be quite intimidating to perform in the Friars Club. Pre show a performer might be relaxing in the Billy Crystal Room on the main floor or upstairs in the Barbra Streisand Room.

Pittsfield's Mayor Linda Tyer officially declared June 24th as Barrington Stage Day as Barrington Stage Company celebrated its 25th Anniversary Season with its most successful Summer Gala honoring Founding Artistic Director Julianne Boyd.  The completely oversold event also raised 160K for The Julianne Boyd New Works Fund.

Barrington Stage Company presents Into the Woods with performances June 19 through July 13 on the Boyd-Quinson Mainstage.

Speaking French wasn't a requirement for a table at Yanna Avis' Cabaret show at the famed French Bistro La Goulue last night but it sure felt like everyone was fluent in the language. PADAM, PADAM, PADAM, an overflow audience could't resist the temptation to sing along with the alluring chanteuse at times who re-located the legendary New York City French establishment to Paris for the evening. Yanna made it a magical evening for all the patrons as they enjoyed the finest in French cuisine and the finest of French Cabaret.

Nicolas King, one of the most  exciting, talented and technically disciplined JazzPop voices around was swinging at The Green Room 42 last night.  

The temp may be a bit high during the summer months in Florida but the music at Jazz on a Summer Night With Jill & Rich was pretty cool (and Hot) at the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County last night.

Your first indication that it's going to be an exciting show is the sound of her band of great musicians playing well charted intro music. The audience's next reaction is…. Whoa! (she's stunning) as Nicole Henry appears on stage. The venue last night may be called a Garage (Arts), but the only similarity to an auto specialist is that Ms. Henry genuinely knows the mechanics of singing. Nicole's lush voice, combined with her incredible phrasing create a unique vocal adventure.

Eric Yves Garcia had a great pianist to accompany his singing last night at the Pelican Cafe…..Mr. Garcia himself was on the keys! There is nothing musically more satisfying than the experience of hearing an eloquent and serious pianist creating the arrangements that envelope his vocals. The piano harmonies always integrate more effectively and accurately when the voice and the fingers combine. It's a great club that Mr. Garcia belongs to, Nat King Cole, Buddy Greco, Diana Krall, Bobby Short, BIlly Stritch, Tony DeSare and others. An added treat for last night's patrons was having Avery Sommers and local celebrity Rob Russell in the audience and Mr. Garcia also played effectively for them.

Laura Osnes and Tony Yazbeck have returned to Feinstein's/54 Below after their sold-out debut duo act last October.

There are many organizations that have been established to preserve our musical heritage and at the forefront of those that specialize in The Great American Songbook, Michael Feinstein's foundation is one of the most important and influential.  Last night at a private event Michael entertained for a Park Avenue apartment full of generous New Yorkers who had gathered to help support The Great American Songbook Foundation founded by Michael in 2007.

If you were making a movie about New York City and were tasked to re-create the perfect intimate night club experience that included a beautiful glamorous singer and famous New Yorkers at the tables look no further. That scene took place at the Beach Cafe with actress/singer Linda Purl performing her show up close and personal singing to you from the curve of Tedd Firth's Grand Piano on the East Side of Manhattan last night.

It's quite common to see crowds gathered on 54th street waiting to attend a show at Feinstein's/54 Below. In the case of John Lloyd Young last night there were also crowds waiting to get a glimpse of John leaving Broadway's Supper Club after his electrifying performance on it's stage. There are few artists with the voice and bio of John Lloyd Young.

In its 114 year life the Dutch Treat Club has had a membership that included, Jimmy Cagney, George S. Kaufman, Walter Cronkite, Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein ll, and Presidents Hoover, Eisenhower, Truman, and Ford. The great Broadway producer George Abbot was a member for 52 years when he died at the age of 107. But enough about the past. This year this historic New York City institution which was founded by and for creative people decided to honor someone young, creative and contemporary, so they chose...Marilyn Maye…an artist for every generation.

Since it's inception in 1954 as a mother-daughter luncheon honoring Marlene Dietrich and her daughter Maria Riva the organization has raised more than $100 million and has established: a Wing for Prenatal Sutdies and Research in Birth Defects, a Clinical Research Institute for Child Development, and funded major research in immunodiagnosis and immunotherapy in cancer.

Friends, Fans, and Friars gathered in the Frank Sinatra Dining Room last night as host and theater historian Richard Skipper 'celebrated' Julie Budd. Julie shared songs and stories from a career that saw her appearing in every major venue, on every major Television Show, and with most of the legendary performers of our generation.