Photo Coverage: Friars Club Celebrates The April Birthdays of Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald and Tito Puente

Last night Mercedes Ellington, granddaughter of Duke Ellington and president and founder of The Duke Ellington Center For The Arts, along with co-producer Judi Marks hosted a Triple Threat musical celebration at the legendary Friars Club. It was a special evening that featured performances of the music of the three giants of Jazz and BroadwayWorld was there.

Frank Owens was musical director of the small but effective Ellington Band and the entertainers for the evening were: Andrea Frierson, Dezhon Fields, Loni Ackerman, Alex Cowings, Kathy Conry, Judi Mark and Larry Marshall. Ron Abel was music director for Andrea Frierson. The Friars certainly can't say they "Don't Get Around Much Anymore"

Photo Credit: Stephen Sorokoff

Loni Ackerman, Dezhon Fields, Andrea Frierson, Judi Mark, Larry Marshall, Mercedes Ellington, Kathy Conry, Alex Cowings

Mercedes Ellington & Judi Mark

Mercedes Ellington

Mercedes Ellington, Andrea Frierson, Ron Abel

Judi Mark

James Zollar, Patience Higgins, Dave Gibson, Frank Owens, Wilbur Bascomb

James Zollar

Frank Owens, Musical Director

Ron Abel, Music Director for Andrea Frierson

Andrea Frierson

Ron Abel & Andrea Frierson

Dezhon Fields

Dezhon Fields

Loni Ackerman

Alex Cowings

Alex Cowings

Mercedes Ellington & Kathy Conry

Judi Mark

Larry Marshall

Larry Marshall

The Cast

Bob Spiotto, Director of Programs

Eda Sorokoff & Ron Abel

Frank Sinatra Dining Room

Lucille Ball Room

Friars Club

Christine Ebersole, Judy Kaye, and More Will Reunite on BACKSTAGE BABBLE

On February 19 at 8 PM EST, Charles Kirsch, the 15-year-old host of the hit theater podcast Backstage Babble, will present a reunion of the 1978 Broadway sensation On the Twentieth Century in honor of the 45th anniversary of its opening night.

---

Gunhild Carling, Ben Markley Big Band, and More to Play Birdland This Month

Birdland Jazz Club and Birdland Theater have announced their jazz programming running February 7 through February 19. Performers appearing at Birdland Jazz Club include Gunhild Carling, Ben Markley Big Band Feat. Ari Hoenig, Catherine Russell and Sam Blakeslee Large Group. 

---

Margot Sergent's THE EDITH PIAF EXPERIENCE To Play Birdland This Month

Parisian-born chanteuse and jazz instrumentalist Margot Sergent will return to Birdland Theater with The Edith Piaf Experience on February 16 at 8:30 pm.

---

TURN THE BEAT AROUND Turns Back Time At 54 Below

If retro is your thing, or if you’re just curious about this night of dancefloor madness that really does recall Studio 54’s 70s & 80s magic, you can’t go wrong with this offering from the king of all discos.

---

From This Author - Stephen Sorokoff

Stephen is also the cabaret/ music and co-theatre editor of the Times Square Chronicles. He studied at the Manhattan School of Music. Besides being a pianist, Stephen’s business career was in... (read more about this author)

Photos: Cafe Centro Inaugurates Open Mic Series
January 31, 2023

I don’t know if the Census Bureau keeps track of how many Open Mics there are in the United States but add another one to the list, Cafe Centro in Palm Beach. 

---

Photos: The Footlighters Club of South Florida Honors President Errol Dante
January 30, 2023

It was an early-bird very special event in Florida yesterday as The Footlighters Club of South Florida honored their President Errol Dante who was celebrating his 80th birthday.  Many spoke in praise of entertainer Errol who in addition to having a long a successful career in show business has also dedicated his time and efforts to senior entertainers who benefit from the charity of the Footlighters club.  

---

Photos: John Pizzarelli & Jessica Molaskey Receive Legends Radio Artist Award
January 15, 2023

The genius of John Pizzarelli, Jessica Molaskey, and the songs of the Great American Songbook (with a hat tip to Stephen Sondheim) were on the stage of the Eissey Campus Theatre last night.  The outstanding musical event was presented by the RRAZZ ROOM for the 9th Anniversary of Dick Robinson’s Legends Radio. 

---

Photos: Ann Hampton Callaway Plays Cafe Centro For First Engagement of 2023
January 6, 2023

Ann Hampton Callaway was at Cafe Centro, the intimate cabaret/restaurant in West Palm Beach which has become a premier music destination, on January 5. This marked her first gig of 2023.

---

Photos: Erich Bergen Rings in the New Year at the Wick Theatre
January 2, 2023

Back in 60s, Jackie Gleason filled a railroad car with pals for a trip from NYC to Miami for his TV show.  In the 1920’s Henry Flagler organized a similar journey with a “party train” of friends..destination Palm Beach.  

---