Jon Weber News

On the second night of this year's 26th Annual Cabaret Convention, Jeff Harnar and Andrea Marcovicci hosted A Sentimental Journey: World War II Songs, inspired by Marcovicci's memorable Oak Room at The Algonquin show, I'll Be Seeing You--Love Songs of World War II. (The CD is highly recommended.) As always with this pair's Convention contribution, the show was a treat in part because of its singular glamour. Much of our audience was exceptionally familiar with and nostalgic about these songs. A few had to be politely quieted for singing along, more than a few took each other's hands. It seems I've heard that song before . . . the co-hosts begin, warming the room.

In October 1989, four years after he founded The Mable Mercer Foundation, cabaret publicist and promoter Donald Smith launched the first Cabaret Convention at New York's Town Hall. The now four-day event eventually moved to Lincoln Center's Rose Hall, but due to renovations this year at the more uptown revue, this year's 26th Annual Convention was back at its old West 43rd Street stomping grounds. Since Donald Smith died in March 2012, the Mercer Foundation's Artistic Director and de-facto Convention Producer has been cabaret star KT Sullivan, and for Monday night's opening show she greeted the audience, in measured tempo, with the infectious enthusiasm of Cole Porter (“Another Opening, Another Show”) and Irving Berlin (“There's No Business Like Show Business”). Sullivan provided an effective, entertaining onramp to an evening that featured experienced American and European artists from cabaret and theater and relative cabaret newbies who've recently made a mark on the scene.

The Mabel Mercer  Foundation returned to The Town Hall last night for the first of 4 different concerts and BroadwayWorld will be there for all. Here are some photos from the opening night. 2015 is the twenty-sixth annual New York Cabaret Convention.

Over the past few years, there's not a concert performer or cabaret singer in the country who has paid greater tribute to pop/rock icon Linda Ronstadt-and to rave reviews--than Los Angeles-based vocalist Robyn Spangler. Once again, Robyn Spangler brings her very personal Linda Ronstadt tribute show to the Metropolitan Room for a one-night only show today, September 25 at 7 pm. Featuring acclaimed Musical Director Jon Weber on piano (and cabaret stars Meg Flather, Barbara Porteus, and Craig Pomranz provided stellar backup vocals), Spangler explores the greatest hits of Ronstadt's songbook, from the award-winning pop songs to the big band tunes, from twangy country to a dash of spicy Mexicali. Robyn's show is a young woman's musical journal revealing how her emotional experiences growing up mirrored those depicted in Ronstadt's songs. This is a highly evocative show accessible and identifiable for audiences of all ages.

     Shana Farr will reprize her 2015 Bistro Award winning cabaret show, 'In the Still of the Night,' at the Metropolitan Room on Monday, October 19, at 7 PM.

The 2015 Bistro Award winner Shana Farr returns to Guild Hall to sing favorites from the American Songbook. Joined by acclaimed jazz pianist Jon Weber, Farr will perform songs from her concerts Pure Imagination, Whistling Away The Dark and Broadway Classics, as well as from her present show, In The Still Of The Night.

Over the past few years, there's not a concert performer or cabaret singer in the country who has paid greater tribute to pop/rock icon Linda Ronstadt-and to rave reviews--than Los Angeles-based vocalist Robyn Spangler. Once again, Robyn Spangler brings her very personal Linda Ronstadt tribute show to the Metropolitan Room for a one-night only show on Friday, September 25 at 7 pm. Featuring acclaimed Musical Director Jon Weber on piano (and cabaret stars Meg Flather, Barbara Porteus, and Craig Pomranz provided stellar backup vocals), Spangler explores the greatest hits of Ronstadt's songbook, from the award-winning pop songs to the big band tunes, from twangy country to a dash of spicy Mexicali. Robyn's show is a young woman's musical journal revealing how her emotional experiences growing up mirrored those depicted in Ronstadt's songs. This is a highly evocative show accessible and identifiable for audiences of all ages.

NJTV, New Jersey's public television network, and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) announced a talent-rich line-up for season three of the award-winning American Songbook at NJPAC series.

The 2015 Bistro Award winner Shana Farr returns to Guild Hall to sing favorites from the American Songbook. Joined by acclaimed jazz pianist Jon Weber, Farr will perform songs from her concerts Pure Imagination, Whistling Away The Dark and Broadway Classics, as well as from her present show, In The Still Of The Night.

Stacy Sullivan will bring her new show It's A Good Day, A Tribute to Miss Peggy Lee for a series of performances at the Metropolitan Room, beginning Sept. 11. In honor of her return, BroadwayWorld brings you a look back at her last show, 'Since You've Asked,' from last April. Check out photos below!

Elton John. Carole King. Joni Mitchell. Carly Simon. Paul Simon. Stevie Wonder. They were six superstar singer/songwriters in a constellation of such stars during the early 1970s; musicians who could definitely be considered the composers of the 'New Great American Songbook.' On July 23 at 7 pm, the Rosen Performing Arts Center of the Wayne, New Jersey YMCA (as part of their 2015 Summer Concert Series) will present the star-studded revue Salute to Singer/Songwriters of the Seventies, which celebrates the great talents of the 'Golden Age of the Pop Singer/Songwriter.'

I could tell you that KT Sullivan and Jeff Harnar have done it again, but the truth is that they've done it even better. Their first foray into the Stephen Sondheim songbook last summer, Our Time, consisted of she sings, he sings--each watching the other perform then offering duets. This iteration titled Another Hundred People: Sullivan and Harnar Sing Sondheim—Act II (both at the Laurie Beechman Theatre), beautifully directed by Sondra Lee, considers both characters theatrically, not just vocally, but visually.

54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents an all-star cast of 54 Below favorites for an evening celebrating the work of American Songbook pioneer, Irving Berlin. His catalog of songs spans the musical rainbow from rag to pop standard to Broadway anthem. Hear outstanding renditions of Irving Berlin's most memorable songs including 'Alexander's Ragtime Band', 'Always', 'There's No Business Like Show Business' and 'God Bless America'. The evening will be hosted by the incomparable nightlife diva, Molly Pope.

Since her cabaret debut at Eighty Eight's in 1992, Yanna Avis has played every major room in New York and has become one of the most popular international artists, with a fan base that continues to grow. With her new show at 54 Below (on June 18), Make Some Magic, Avis demonstrated why she is so unique and renowned for classy interpretations of songs from the 1930s to 1940s. Singing in German, Spanish, English and French, Avis sauntered through an hour of what she called "my cabaret," which included her old-world deconstruction of seductive songs recalling an intimate boite style made famous by legendary divas famed for erudite and sexy ditties from a world we'll never see again.

Elton John. Carole King. Joni Mitchell. Carly Simon. Paul Simon. Stevie Wonder. They were six superstar singer/songwriters in a constellation of such stars during the early 1970s; musicians who could definitely be considered the composers of the 'New Great American Songbook.' On July 23 at 7 pm, the Rosen Performing Arts Center of the Wayne, New Jersey YMCA (as part of their 2015 Summer Concert Series) will present the star-studded revue Salute to Singer/Songwriters of the Seventies, which celebrates the great talents of the 'Golden Age of the Pop Singer/Songwriter.'

54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents an all-star cast of 54 Below favorites for an evening celebrating the work of American Songbook pioneer, Irving Berlin. His catalog of songs spans the musical rainbow from rag to pop standard to Broadway anthem. Hear outstanding renditions of Irving Berlin's most memorable songs including "Alexander's Ragtime Band", "Always", "There's No Business Like Show Business" and "God Bless America". The evening will be hosted by the incomparable nightlife diva, Molly Pope.

Stephen Hanks, Producer of Cabaret Life Productions, and Union Temple of Brooklyn (17 Eastern Parkway) are proud to announce that Musical Director/Pianist Jon Weber will perform his critically acclaimed show, From Joplin to Jarrett: 100 Years of Piano Jazz, at Union Temple tonight, June 19 at 8 pm. The one-man concert will be in the 3rd Floor Social Hall at 8 pm after the 6:30 pm Shabbat Service and dinner. Admission to the concert is FREE.

This year is the centennial of entertainment legends such as vocalists Billie Holliday and Edith Piaf, singer-actors Frank Sinatra and Alice Faye, composers Billy Strayhorn and Bart Howard, and pianist Cy Walter. In its annual tribute concert, The Mabel Mercer Foundation celebrated all these artists in 1915: It Was a Very Good Year at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall, presenting a great variety of musical talent, each with a personal take.

Seven outstanding vocalists, songwriters, and musicians born in 1915 were honored at Weill Recital Hall on Tuesday, June 9th, at 7:30 p.m., when The Mabel Mercer Foundation presented their  annual concert, "It Was A Very Good Year." Cohosted by the Foundation's artistic director KT Sullivan and the distinguished critic Rex Reed, the one-night-only event celebrated the centennial birthdays of (alphabetically) Alice Faye, Billie Holiday, Bart Howard, Edith Piaf, Frank Sinatra, Billy Strayhorn, and Cy Walter.

Seven outstanding vocalists, songwriters, and musicians born in 1915 will be honored at Weill Recital Hall tonight, June 9th, at 7:30 p.m., when The Mabel Mercer Foundation presents the annual concert, 'It Was A Very Good Year.' Cohosted by the Foundation's artistic director KT Sullivan and the distinguished critic Rex Reed, the one-night-only event celebrates the centennial birthdays of (alphabetically) Alice Faye, Billie Holiday, Bart Howard, Edith Piaf, Frank Sinatra, Billy Strayhorn, and Cy Walter.