Danny Bacher Stars In THE BEST HAS YET TO COME: The Songs Of Tony Bennett At The Axelrod

The Axelrod Performing Arts Center (APAC) presents "The Best is Yet to Come," a tribute to the Tony Bennett songbook, on April 14 featuring star vocalist and saxophonist Danny Bacher, who recently appeared at Carnegie Hall.

Bacher will perform with an all-star jazz band led by Dr. "Jazz" Art Topilow on piano; Steve Salerno on guitar; Jon Erik Kellso on trumpet; Alvester Garnett on drums, and Gary Mazzaroppi on bass.

"Bennett is one of the greatest living American singers. He's proven unstoppable in his tenth decade," said Axelrod Artistic Director Andrew DePrisco. "It seems that Tony Bennett has closed the generational divide. He's become America's favorite crooner, and music lovers of all ages adore him."

"The Best Is Yet to Come: The Songs of Tony Bennett" features timeless songs from the Great American Songbook including Jerome Kern's "The Way You Look Tonight;" Cole Porter's "Anything Goes;" Rodgers and Hart's "The Lady Is a Tramp," plus Tony Bennett gems like "I Left My Heart in San Francisco," "I Wanna Be Around," "Rags to Riches," "For Once In My Life," and the title song "The Best Is Yet To Come."

At 92 years of age, Tony Bennett is still working and coming up with new projects, having sung with Lady Gaga, Gloria Estefan, Marc Anthony, Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney as well as legendary artists like Aretha Franklin and Amy Winehouse.

"The title of the concert seems particularly apt when you consider that Tony Bennett is going full tilt and singing as flawlessly as ever," says DePrisco.

Lead vocalist Danny Bacher is a fixture on today's New York jazz and cabaret scene, appearing at venues including Birdland, Town Hall, The Blue Note, Carnegie Hall, and Jazz at Lincoln Center.

The "prodigiously talented singer/songwriter/saxophonist" (New York Times) returns to the Axelrod stage after his performance last spring celebrating Fred Astaire.

The ageless cabaret legend Marilyn Maye, who has worked frequently with Bacher, says "Danny is a rare artist. A swingin' musician, who is a wonderful singer, and one who really understands and delivers the lyrics! What a concept!"

Said Bacher, "It's an honor to be asked back to perform with Art Topilow and the band at the Axelrod theater! And, what a treat to perform a tribute to Tony Bennett! A true living legend and one of the last links to a bygone era of great American music. As Sinatra himself once said, 'Tony Bennett is the best there is!'"

Bandleader and pianist on weekends, by day Dr. Art Topilow is the Director of Oncology Research for Meridian Cancer Care and Director of Axelrod Research. He has delighted past audiences at the Axelrod with his enviable piano playing and improvisational skills and has shared the stage with many jazz luminaries including Dick Hyman, Derek Smith, Ken Peplowski, Ed Polcer, Randy Sanke and James Chirillo. He's also accompanied a few great leading ladies, including Bernadette Peters, Christine Ebersole and Ann Hampton Callaway.

"The Best Is Yet to Come" will be presented on Sunday, April 14, 2019, at 3 p.m. at the Axelrod Performing Arts Center (100 Grant Ave, Deal Park section of Ocean Township, NJ). Tickets range from $39-46. For online purchases, visit www.axelrodartscenter.com. The box office is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: 732-531-9106, ext. 14. The theater offers ample free onsite parking and is completely handicap accessible. Group discounts available for parties of ten or more.