Eda Sorokoff News

The dictionary gives others words for BEST. EXCELLENT, EFFECTIVE, PERFECT, UNSURPASSED, PREEMINENT, HIGHEST QUALITY etc. None of those are sufficient enough to describe the Songs, the Arrangements, the Performers, the Musicians, David Zippel and of course the great CY COLEMAN in a production at 59E59. From the moment a smiling Billy Stritch (performer, musical director and arranger of the show) entered the stage and went to the piano, it was obvious that a musical tour de force was about to begin and The Best Was Yet To Come!

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.

For those yearning for the glamour and entertainment clarity of New York nightclub life in the 30's 40's and 50's Tom Postilio's debut at this cathedral of The American Songbook was totally captivating. He may be ' SELLING NEW YORK' (real estate) as star of that HGTV show but His sold out sophisticated New York audience also bought every song he sang in his show 'This Time Around'. Tom has 'been around' in theaters and nightclubs throughout the country and appeared on NBC-TV's 'Today' show, PBS Great Performances, BBC News and CNN's ShowBiz Today. But there is nothing like seeing and hearing him LIVE. The audience was filled with 'Old Friends' which appropriately was his opening number. Pianist/Arranger Dean Schneider was right on key with his accompaniment as was Steve Laspina on Bass and Dave Meade on Drums. Mark Waldrop directed the great array of Amersican Standards and Mickey Conlon was an added treat joing Tom for 'Me And My Shadow'.

Down Beat magazine calls him 'a rising star', Nat Hentoff said he's ushering in 'the rebirth of The Jazz Violin' Tony Benett called him 'The Groucho of Violin' and Jim Caruso introduces him as ' The Effervescent & Annoying AARON WEINSTEIN'! Yes, this 25 year old is annoyingly talented and witty. His awesome musical gifts are earning him legions of followers and he didn't disappoint in his sold out shows at the Metropolitan Room. Tedd Firth was an extraordinary companion in this awesome display of music ability, and Tom Hubbard supplied his definitive bass notes. Aaron, a Pizzerelli discovery from Chicago will soon be known worldwide.

A celebrity filled audience was treated to a display of Callaway artistry at Birdland last night. Tony nominated actress Liz Callaway and Ann Hampton Callaway celebrated the soundtrack of their childhood with the unforgettable songs of the 60s & 70s. The New York Times got it right when they said the sisters 'lift these songs to expressive heights rarely attained by any singer'. Music director and pianist Alex Rybeck created the perfect accompaniment for the show. Alex & Jared Egan on bass also sang backup vocals, and Ron Tierno was on drums.

It started with the booming ebullient voice of pianist/music director Mark Hummel announcing AMRA FAYE WRIGHT. Then the sophisticated and glamorous Feinstein's audience (Christie Brinkley, Linda Carter and Tommy Tune among others) were captivated by this vivacious, gorgeous, talented Broadway & West End Star. Her show 'Sittin on Top of the World' is an elegant evening of wit, glamour and wonderful interpretations of The Great American Songbook, and takes you on a journey from Amra's native South Africa to her current Broadway gig playing Velma Kelly in the musical Chicago. Mark Hummel's arrangements and pianistic ability created the perfect match for Amra's vocal artistry and well known bassist Dave Fink and Heinrich Kruse on drums added to the high caliber musical evening.

There is a 'Clint Holmes Experience' going on at Feinstein's. From the moment he walks (charges) out on stage the audience is mesmerized and treated to a performance that presses all the right buttons. The voice, the acting, the moves, all are brilliantly displayed in a well honed night club act that makes you want to jump on a plane to Vegas and see Clint on his home court. Giving him standing ovations at this performance were Marilyn Maye (her solo Feinstein engagement starts May 24th) Billy Stritch (soon to be seen and heard in 'The Best Is Yet To Come' opening at 59E59 May 18th) Ann Hamton Callaway and Jamie deRoy. Jeff Neiman piano, Steve Beskrone bass, and Jess Gopen drums were just the right accompaniment to Clint's swinging style.

These are a few of my favorite things: The Last Tuesday of every month with Terese! The Little Big Band! Billy Stritch's arrangement of Favorite Things! Nicolas King and Terese's new continual Guest Artists singing it!

A few years ago a seemingly shy 'unknown' got up at Jim Caruso's Cast Party and sang the Susan Werner song 'Movie of My Life'. She immediately went on my List of singers to follow. As Johnny Carson used to say when introducing Marilyn Maye,'All you young singers out there, listen & learn.' For her show at the Metropolitan Room Jennifer had the perfect match up with her pianist/arranger James Followell and Jered Egan on bass. Her show is aptly titled (for me) You Made Me Love You.

As part of the Broadway at Birdland series on Monday, February 28, Broadway stars took time to salute the late theater critic Michael Kuchwara in 'Songs For Mike,' for the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, raising over $40,000.

Piano legend Mike Renzi, who has arranged and played for the best, Peggy Lee, Lena Horne, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Mel Torme' (to name a few) has a sensational young singer he's working with. Nicolas King - this 19 year old has a voice and style that is a most worthy addition to the Mike Renzi stable.

Marilyn Maye brought "Her Own Kind Of Broadway" show to the Colony Hotel in Palm Beach last week. The merchants on Worth Ave. were probably complaining about a lack of shoppers during her performances-everyone seemed to be at the Colony to hear this American treasure. For this engagement she brought along her longtime friend (and birthday boy) pianist Billy Stritch.

On Monday, January 31, The Nightlife Awards were hosted by Bruce Vilanch. The evening has no acceptance speeches -- it's just pure entertainment provided by the winners and special guest stars. The show has been hailed by The New York Times as 'The equivalent of The Tony Awards for New York Nightlife.' As always, the vast majority of the winners, chosen by the press, agreed to come to Town Hall and perform.

The Nightlife Awards has no acceptance speeches -- it's just pure entertainment provided by the winners and special guest stars. The show has been hailed by The New York Times as 'The equivalent of The Tony Awards for New York Nightlife.' As always the vast majority of the winners, chosen by the press, agreed to come to Town Hall and perform, as well as a growing list of guest stars. The show was hosted by Emmy Award Winner Bruce Vilanch.

Karen Olivo (West Side Story) will join cabaret legend Karen Akers, and nightlife stars Billy Stritch, Jim Caruso, and The Rescignos at this year's Nightlife Awards. The Nightlife Awards has no acceptance speeches -- it's just pure entertainment provided by the winners and special guest stars.

It was the last Tuesday of the month and once again Terese charged out with her Little Big Band and Broadway was swinging. 'It Had Better Be Tonight' really took on a special meaning as her opening song, it was the mantra for the band to take off in the tradition of the Johnny Carson Tonight Show Orchestra. Add Klea Blackhurst as her guest and the mix became an intoxicating evening, taking the audience back to the days of the Rat Packs swinging Las Vegas shows.

Yet another addition to the 9th Annual Nightlife Awards brings Tony Award-winner Karen Olivo (West Side Story) to the Town Hall stage.

The music of Mickey Leonard, composer and arranger cherished by the cabaret and jazz communities was presented by Karen Oberlin at the Metropolitan Room on January 22, 2011. The evening was hosted by David Hadju and Mr. Leonard's music was sung & played by a bevy of the music worlds finest. The event will also take place on February 10, at 9:30 hosted by Rex Reed. Mickey Leoanrd has written some of the most beloved standards of the Great American Songbook, such as 'Why Did I Choose You?' and 'I'm All Smiles' with lyrics by Herb Martin. He has also written with lyricists Carolyn Leigh and Marshall Barer to name a few, and he has arranged and conducted for the legendary jazz pianist Bill Evans and many others. His songs have been recorded by Barbra Streisand, Barbara Cook, Marvin Gaye, Shirley Horn, Mabel Mercer, Nancy Lamott, Joe Williams, George Shearing, Andy Williams and the list goes on.........Performers in these events will include: Joyce Breach Barbara Brussell, Ellen Bullinger, Eric Comstock & Barbara Fasano, Maud Hixson, Tanya Holt, Mickey Leonard, Pamela Luss, Marissa Mulder, Mark Murphy, Mark Nadler, Karen Oberlin, Rex Reed, Jane Scheckter, Sandy Stewart,KT Sullivan, Warren Vache, Jon Weber and special surprise guests.

Producer, Scott Siegel announced today that the highly anticipated concert event MARC KUDISCH: THE LOWER DEPTHS - IN DEFENSE OF THE BARITONE VOICE, which was scheduled for January 15th at 8 PM at The Town Hall, has been temporarily postponed due to unexpected circumstances related to the recent blizzard that crippled New York.

RAISSA KATONA BENNETT BREATHING LIFE INTO KERN" AT FEINSTEIN'S THROUGH SATURDAY The singer-actress Raissa Katona Bennett shows how "actable" the music of Jerome Kern is in her delightful new show, "Can't Help Singing - The Music of Jerome Kern." Each song is a little play, and she's ready to feel every emotion as they occur, bringing us right up the emotional edge with her. At Thursday's premiere at Feinstein's at the Loews Regency, men melted and women swooned when she sang "Long Ago and Far Away," and "Why Do I Love You." An older gent exclaimed "hot dog!" several times at the end of several classics. The singers Lucy Arnaz, Karen Oberlin, Valerie Lemon and Christine Reisner were among the singers there to enjoy this show that plays through Saturday. "Can't Help Singing - The Music of Jerome Kern" is ably backed by music director Don Rebic on piano, Tom Hubbard on bass. The multi-threat actor/director/singer Eric Michael Gillett directs. After the show Bennett who was Christine on Broadway in "Phantom of the Opera," and was in the first national tours of "Cats" and "Parade," told us "Oh, I feel like I performed a two hour play in one hour!" Bennett also produces and is the 2010 Bistro Award-winning host of "The Concerts at Tudor City Greens," an outdoor series that features many of New York's most noted singers.