BWW Reviews: CORTES ALEXANDER Returns to Sterling's with a Bag Full of Surprises for a SWELL NOEL

On Monday December 22 the terribly amusing song stylist Cortes Alexander presented his annual Swell Noel to an uber packed house at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal.

Alexander has such frenetic energy and charm that, and I've said this before, you just want to wrap him up. What a joyous Christmas present...and with his two glorious backup singers, the Swell Girls Melissa Bailey and Julie Garnye, who could ask for anything more? Yes, a band! There was an electric one with Steve Billman on bass, musical director David Arana at the piano, David Johnstone on drums and Paul Landry on guitar. Paul's 10-year old son Zeut Landry was a very special guest who accompanied Alexander on a Cajon Drum Box during his beautiful composition "Marguerite". This 'Little Drummer Boy' is also big on talent!

Highlights of the evening included lots of Christmas songs... and a couple of new surprises that made for an exciting and fun 100-minute set. All three - Alexander, Bailey and Garnye - opened with Kay Thompson's fantastic arrangement of "Jingle Bells" which weaves in "Sleigh Ride" and "Ring Out The Bells", followed by "Winter Wonderland". The first surprise came for "Baby It's Cold Outside", which became a naughty duet with special guest Allison Janney, who joined Alexander from the audience. Let's say, she made him more comfortable, somewhat undressing him to the screaming delight of the crowd.

"The Christmas Song" served as a fab duet for Bailey and Garnye. Bailey held us spellbound as she performed Steve Allen's jazzy "Cool Yule" and Garnye captivated with the smooth and sultry "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" Toward the end the three did "Mele Kelikimaka".

Alexander loves to play with props and toys. As a kid, his mom filled a room one Christmas with troll dolls, and one came out of his coat pocket as a gift to Zeut after his dynamic accompaniment. Besides "Marguerite", Alexander also did his beautiful "L.A. to Paris", and "Pilot Bird" in tandem with "My Buddy" as a tribute to his mom, who he compares to Auntie Mame and to whom he attributes his singing talent, as they were always singing. Another favorite "Sing Happy" was performed with "Get Happy" and "Happy Days" intertwined. New stuff included Helen Slater's lovely "Any Day", and a rhythmically delightful "All About That Bass". On the familiar side there was an equally divine Peggy Lee song "Jump For Joy" and the unusually beautiful ballad "When Winter Comes". A jubilant "You Are My Sunshine" closed the show.

The piece de resistance of the evening came at the 11th hour when Alexander opened a scrapbook and started to read tabloid accounts of his 'friendship' with Liza Minnelli. They had been friends for nearly 25 years and he traveled the globe as one of her singers/dancers. The press tried to make more of their relationship referring to him as Larry Cortes and making it sound as if Liza and he were shacking up in a steamy romantic affair. Anyway, the surprise came when Liza, who had been in the audience watching the show, came onstage to sing her godmother Kay Thompson's arrangement of "I Love a Violin", with Alexander, Garnye and Bailey backing her up. She sounded fantastic. Liza is still recuperating from back surgery which she had a mere 3 weeks ago. You would never know it from her ultra positive attitude...and she looks great! What a treat, as she brought down the house!

Alexander's style encompasses many genres including pop, R&B, jazz and country, and it's the loving manner in which he delivers a song that really makes him stand apart. He gets you involved... and happy. Cortes, Melissa, and Julie, Allison and Liza... you are OUR SUNSHINE.

(top photo credit: Stan Mazin)

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