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.
The month of December has always been an emotional time of the year, especially for our military families; a period to deeply reflect on family and country. Over the past few months in New York cabaret, a few performers have offered up musical testimony on wars, patriotism, and US military veterans. Recently, two singers fairly new to the cabaret scene--Anna Marie Sell and Kim Sutton--staged shows saluting the brave men and women who serve our country now and in the past.
This year, ASCAP brings its 100th birthday celebration into the holiday season by unwrapping the top 30 ASCAP holiday songs of all time. Topping the list is 'Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,' written by Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie.
Classically trained, Broadway veteran, Natalie Toro brings her infectious energy and powerhouse vocals, coupled with luscious tones to melt any heart with the release of Just in Time For Christmas, an eclectic holiday collection and music video. The CD features classic holiday favorites, new songs and, duets with such artists as Ryan Kelly and Grammy Award-winner, Jon Secada, and will be available on November 12, 2013 on iTunes, Amazon.com and other online outlets. A CD release party and holiday concert will also take place at Birdland (315 W. 44th Street, New York, NY) on Sunday, December 8 at 6pm (doors open at 5pm). For reservations call 212-581-3080.
Masterworks Broadway continues to release cast recordings previously unavailable in the CD era. Seventeen (1951 Original Broadway Cast) and Cabaret (1968 Original London Cast) will be available as downloads through all major digital service providers and as disc-on-demand with the original cover art, via Arkivmusic.com and Amazon.com. All releases will be accompanied by new album pages and photos on MasterworksBroadway.com.
On Sunday April 22 composer Michele Brourman (left), joined by gifted singer Pat Whiteman (right), presented a quite extraordinary evening of mostly original musical material at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal. Brourman is best known for cabaret standards such as 'My Favorite Year', with lyrics by Karen Gottlieb, and for penning the complete musical score for A Dangerous Beauty, with lyrics by Amanda McBroom, which received a premiere at the Pasadena Playhouse in 2011. She is an unquestionably amazing talent, whose music is deeply soulful, poetic; some on the romantic side; some in a purely satirical mood. You will cry or laugh depending on the tune at hand, but never halfheartedly.
