Jim Eklof

NJTV, New Jersey's Public Television Network and New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) have collaborated on a second season of American Songbook at NJPAC. The six part series, is being taped in NJPAC's Victoria Theater and broadwayworld was there for last nights concert, which was hosted by Ted Chapin and written and produced by Will Friedwald. Performing last night were Maureen McGovern, Marilyn Maye, Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. BroadwayWorld brings you photos of the evening below!

Wednesday night was the second of Marilyn Maye's first 54 Below run (which will continue until March 16) and she sashayed around the stage in front of an almost full house like a woman of 35. Like most of her shows, Maye's performance was a 'live' cabaret Master Class for budding cabaret performers and seasoned professionals alike, and this 'Maye-den Voyage' never went adrift (thanks in part to solid and unobtrusive support from Tedd Frith on piano, Tom Hubbard on bass, and Jim Eklof on drums).

Jenna gives a rundown of where she's been and what's coming up in the world of cabaret (and sometimes beyond!) Today's column features the marvelous Marilyn Maye and her new show 'The Happiest Sound In Town' at Feinstein's at Loews Regency.

FEINSTEIN'S AT LOEWS REGENCY continues its Spring 2012 season with the return engagement of Grammy Award nominated singer and entertainer MARILYN MAYE. Her new show - "The Happiest Sound In Town" - is her annual birthday celebration and features some of her most-requested numbers including "Guess Who I Saw Today," "Bye Bye Country Boy," "Rain" and "Golden Rainbow." Another highlight of the show, "Come In From The Rain," was a personal favorite of Johnny Carson; Maye performed it many times on "The Tonight Show" at his personal invitation. Maye's recent local appearances have been received with rave reviews and full houses. The show runs through Saturday, May 5 at the Loews Regency Hotel (540 Park Avenue at 61st Street). Check out photos from the concert below!

FEINSTEIN'S AT LOEWS REGENCY continues its Spring 2012 season with the return engagement of Grammy Award nominated singer and entertainer Marilyn Maye.

FEINSTEIN'S AT LOEWS REGENCY will continue its Spring 2012 season with the return engagement of Grammy Award nominated singer and entertainer Marilyn Maye.

Even before John Iachetti (Loews Hotels Corporate Director of Entertainment) escorts you to your table at Feinstein's, you are aware of a special excitement in the air. When Marilyn Maye comes into town, the Loews Regency becomes more like a Revival Tent, as the faithful flock to be inspired by the Johnny Carson-dubbed 'super singer'.

FEINSTEIN'S AT LOEWS REGENCY will continue its Fall 2011 season with the return engagement of Grammy Award nominated singer and entertainer MARILYN MAYE.

FEINSTEIN'S AT LOEWS REGENCY will continue its Fall 2011 season with the return engagement of Grammy Award nominated singer and entertainer MARILYN MAYE.

Her show is titled 'IT'S MAY IN MAYE' but it should be titled 'MAYE, MAY BE ONE OF THE BEST SINGERS YOU MAY EVER HEAR' Steve Allen, Johnny Carson, Jackie Gleason, Dick Cavett and Ed Sullivan all agreed and on that! Attending Marilyn's show at Feinstein's in 2011 was akin to being able to see Arnold Palmer win the Masters or Mohammed Ali winning the Championship Heavyweight Belt in 2011. Marilyn in her early years always possessed a dynamism, legitimacy, excitement, and glorious musicianship that thrilled audiences, and she still does it time and time again. Her show at FEINSTEIN'S last night kept her audience cheering after each one of her astutely selected songs.

FEINSTEIN'S AT LOEWS REGENCY, the nightclub proclaimed 'Best of New York' by New York Magazine and 'an invaluable New York institution' by The New York Post, will continue its Spring 2011 season with the return engagement of Grammy Award nominated singer and entertainer MARILYN MAYE with her new show 'It's Maye In May.' Her recent local appearances have been received with rave reviews and full houses. According to Rex Reed in The New York Observer, 'Her show is not to be missed. It's a master class in singing conducted by a polished pro who majored in unforgettable.' In addition to performing jazz and pop standards from the American Songbook composers, Marilyn will be adding her creative touch to songs by her favorite contemporary songwriters including Peter Allen, James Taylor, Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. She'll present several Broadway show tunes including one from a current Tony Award-nominated Broadway musical. Maye will be joined by pianist/conductor Tedd Firth, bassist Tom Hubbard, and Jim Eklof, her drummer of almost 50 years. The show runs at Tuesday, May 24 to Saturday, June 4 at the Loews Regency Hotel (540 Park Avenue at 61st Street).

This past Friday afternoon I read that this person has been meeting with producers to consider the possibility of appearing on Broadway, in order to, 'expand her brand by taking to the stage.'  That evening I heard the 82-year-old Marilyn Maye, after nearly ninety minutes of superlative interpretations of musical theatre classics from the likes of Jerry Herman, Frank Loesser and Kander and Ebb, tell her completely enthralled audience that it's still her ambition to one day be on Broadway, before emoting a beautifully vulnerable 'Losing My Mind' that segued into a classy and celebratory 'I'm Still Here' that brought just about the entire packed Metropolitan Room house to its feet in one of the most adoring ovations I've ever seen.

Jenna gives a rundown of where she's been and what's coming up in the world of cabaret (and sometimes beyond!) This week's column features the marvelous Marilyn Maye at Feinstein's at Loews Regency, a trip to Puppets Jazz Bar in Park Slope, and a look at the coming week!

'Marilyn Maye presents More Mercer' opens at the Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, on Tuesday October 6 at 7pm. The exclusive 11-show engagement (Maye's ninth since her Metropolitan Room debut in late 2006) runs through October 17.

'Marilyn Maye presents More Mercer' opens at the Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, on Tuesday October 6 at 7pm. The exclusive 11-show engagement (Maye's ninth since her Metropolitan Room debut in late 2006) runs through October 17.

Birdland presented the legendary jazz singer Marilyn Maye in 'Something Cool' for two shows only, Tuesday, July 28 at 8:30 & 11pm. The event was Maye's debut at the historic music room.

Birdland is proud to present the legendary jazz singer Marilyn Maye in 'Something Cool' for two shows only, Tuesday, July 28 at 8:30 & 11pm. This will be Maye's debut at the historic music room.

Birdland is proud to present the legendary jazz singer Marilyn Maye in 'Something Cool' for two shows only, Tuesday, July 28 at 8:30 & 11pm. This will be Maye's debut at the historic music room.