BWW Reviews: Grammy Winner STEVE TYRELL Makes Swingin' Return to O.C.

If Michael Bublé ever wonders what a successful, sustained future in music may look (and sound) like, he won't need to gaze further than Grammy-winning producer and jazz artist Steve Tyrell. A seven-years-and-counting fixture at New York's famed Café Carlyle (a spot he inherited from one of his mentors, the late Bobby Short), this long-time behind-the-scenes music veteran-turned chart-topping jazz superstar has returned to Orange County, California for a series of highly-entertaining shows at the Samueli Theatre as part of Segerstrom Center for the Arts' wonderful Cabaret Series through Sunday, January 8.

Backed by a truly kick-ass jazz ensemble led by his music director Quinn Johnson behind the piano, Tyrell's rousing show truly set out to showcase a feel-good time, injecting lots of life to some very familiar tunes from the Great American Songbook. A swinging, jump-and-jiving contrast to the more Broadway-trained artists that usually grace the Center's Cabaret Series, Tyrell's set—filled with fun, toe-tapping songs and lots of sizzling hot jazz—is, for lack of a better phrase, entirely smile-inducing. Almost all of the songs have a buoyant, snappy quality, including songs that are normally ballads and torch songs. "We're gonna do our best to make you feel good!" Tyrell announces, and boy does he deliver on that promise!

More than anything, this new touring show not only allows the guys to play their feisty brand of live jazz outside New York, it is also a live sampling of a few selections from Tyrell's forthcoming album I'll Take Romance (out February 7), an album of love songs (natch) that was spawned, by the way, from a casual recommendation by none other than former President Bill Clinton. One of many interesting, behind-the-scenes stories Tyrell shares during the course of evening—which are plenty, considering how long he's been involved in the music industry both as producer and performer—he recalls how Bill and Hillary approached him at his Café Carlyle show one evening and tells him that at their daughter Chelsea's wedding, Chelsea and her new husband insisted they danced to Tyrell's version of "The Way You Look Tonight," which itself first catapulted Tyrell to fame when he and the song were featured in the Father of the Bride remakes starring Steve Martin.

"You should do an album of wedding songs!" suggested President Clinton. Thus an idea was born that morphed into the theme of the new album, which includes romantic standards such as "Sentimental Reasons," "Taking A Chance On Love," "It Had To Be You," and, of course, the title track. "Adam Sandler better watch out," jokes Tyrell. "If you need a wedding singer, I'm your guy!"

With his casual ease and almost effortless delivery, Tyrell sings great, lived-in interpretations of many familiar classics that had his opening night audience bobbing heads and tapping fingers with no shame. You can definitely hear old school blues singers in his inflections, a by-product of being highly influenced by people like Sam Cooke and other artists that have reinterpreted the Great American Songbook with a huge dose of rhythm and blues. With a voice that sounds like a mash-up of Dr. John, Randy Newman, and Lou Rawls—with the spry coolness of Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett—Tyrell breathes new life into "It All Depends On You," "Night and Day," "At Last," and even his own "The Simple Life." His beautifully soulful version of "Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered" is no doubt my personal highlight of the evening.

He also spends a lot of time paying homage to his many career mentors. He recalls getting nervously roped into singing "Fly Me To The Moon" at the Hollywood Bowl by the legendary Quincy Jones at a celebration in honor of Frank Sinatra—in front of Sinatra and the entire clan. Suffice it to say, it went well despite the jitters. He also pays tribute to Burt Bacharach and Hal David (and Dionne Warwick, by association) with a late show set that includes "The Look of Love," "This Guy's In Love With You," and a cleverly gender-switched "I Say A Little Prayer." Though all this name-dropping seems hardly necessary—judging from his musical talents and personal milestones alone, this guy's pretty legit in his own right—it added to some wonderfully poignant moments that he seems genuinely grateful to have achieved.

And he's a pretty nice, decent guy, too. During every number, Tyrell makes sure that the hardworking men sharing the stage with him get their own impressive spotlights, even though he may be the headliner at this gig. Thus, we get superb solos from lone horn section of one, the amazing Lew Soloff on the trumpet, longtime guitarist Kevin Winard, keyboardist Jon Allen (who also provided a full female backup ensemble in digital form), and piano impressario Johnson (who also created many of the evening's swinging arrangements).

Infused with a winning swagger, a still-spry voice, and an effortless cool that sits comfortably in his musical wheelhouse, Tyrell's show is probably one of the most authentic, feel-good jazz cabarets you'll ever sit through. His irresistible charm and easy-going musical chops make for a truly entertaining evening. It's like watching your favorite fun uncle get up and sing songs with his equally-talented buddies like it's the easiest thing in the world. After so many decades of success in the business, it's almost silly to say that this guy is the "real deal"... even though he truly is.

Follow West Coast Editor Michael Lawrence Quintos on Twitter: @cre8iveMLQ

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The Segerstrom Center for the Arts' 2011-2012 season of its Cabaret Series concludes with Grammy winning Jazz artist Steve Tyrell (Jan. 5-8, 2012). As of press time, the rescheduled performance date for Stephen Sondheim: In Conversation featuring Christine Ebersole and Brian Stokes Mitchell has not been set.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.SCFTA.org.

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