Lea Black News

Love it or hate it, this souped-up arrangement of 'Jingle Bells?' has become an iconic recording by the one and only Barbra Streisand. Of course, it's from her first Christmas album, which came out in 1967, but I was introduced to it in 1970 when it was released on a special promo album for Maxwell House coffee, along with cuts by Doris Day and (yes) Jim Nabors. I thought it was funny then, and I think it's funny now. I especially love the Brooklyn-ese reading of the word 'upsot.' It was all very sophisticated and slightly oddball to the young Jimmy Caruso, and takes me right back to Wexford, Pennsylvania, where I'd listen over and over on my little record player. (Google that word, kids.)

I don't care how old you are, I'm pretty sure this recording sounds like home. Nat King Cole, with his velvety croon, sings one of the more perfect songs ever written with simplicity and good taste. It's been recorded thousands of times, in every conceivable style - with riffs and shrieks and all kinds of dazzlement. But this arrangement and performance is the only one I want to hear.

If you have spent more than twelve minutes with me, you know that I am in love with a fake person named Miranda Sings. I first saw her on YouTube when she gave a 'free voice lesson' to the interwebs. I thought she was a neo-Florence Foster Jenkins, as did most everyone. I wrote to 'her,' inviting her to Cast Party, my weekly open mic night at Birdland. I heard back from her creator, Colleen Ballinger, a wildly intelligent and brilliantly funny actress. That was the beginning of a wonderful friendship and subsequent business relationship. 'Miranda' became a regular on my Broadway at Birdland concert series, until our walls couldn't hold her fan base. Now, she's playing the biggest theaters in the world (Kennedy Center!), just signed for the second season of her Netflix sit-com 'Haters Back Off,' had a #1 book on the New York Times Bestseller List, has guested on the Tonight Show, and hangs with Jerry Seinfeld. Colleen's online following rivals the Catholic Church (almost a billion hits), yet she's still as funny and normal and adorable as ever. This insane video clip makes me hysterical, as do most of her awkward shenanigans.

This ravishing song has an interesting history. The lyric was written in 1946 by a nineteen-year old Frank Pooler, as a gift to a girlfriend he was missing. Twenty years later, a nineteen-year old Richard Carpenter set it to music. In four years, this recording by The Carpenters went to #1, which it did for three consecutive holiday seasons. It sounds as fresh today as it did in 1970, partly because of Richard's lush arrangement and backup vocals, and that famous tenor sax solo. But honestly, it's all about Karen. For my money, Karen Carpenter had one of the warmest and truest voices in the history of popular music. Sometimes the universe makes a terrible mistake and we lose someone way too soon…long before they've finished. That's how I feel about Karen Carpenter.

January may bring 'Stormy Weather' and only a 'Paper Moon' but we've 'Got the World on a String' and are 'Over the Rainbow.' Lyrics & Lyricists 2017 season opens with 'Get Happy: Harold Arlen's Early Years,' celebrating the composer of those American Songbook classics, and hundreds more. The show will run January 21-23, 2017 at 92Y.

I know, I know, this isn't really a song about Christmas, but's it's a standout from Carol Hall's wonderful 'Best Little Whorehouse in Texas' score! I used to sing this song with a vocal trio, and everytime we'd get to 'Maybe I'll count the stars until dawn. Me, I will go on,' my eyes would well with tears. It's a song of passion, strength and looking forward to brighter days. If that's not what this season is about, I don't know what is. In this clip, Jenn Colella, Adrienne Warren and Keala Settle perform the song on the Birdland stage for the Lilly Awards. Three better singers, you won't find.

I know, I know, this isn't really a song about Christmas, but's it's a standout from Carol Hall's wonderful 'Best Little Whorehouse in Texas' score! I used to sing this song with a vocal trio, and everytime we'd get to 'Maybe I'll count the stars until dawn. Me, I will go on,' my eyes would well with tears. It's a song of passion, strength and looking forward to brighter days. If that's not what this season is about, I don't know what is. In this clip, Jenn Colella, Adrienne Warren and Keala Settle perform the song on the Birdland stage for the Lilly Awards. Three better singers, you won't find.

I know, I know, this isn't really a song about Christmas, but's it's a standout from Carol Hall's wonderful 'Best Little Whorehouse in Texas' score! I used to sing this song with a vocal trio, and everytime we'd get to 'Maybe I'll count the stars until dawn. Me, I will go on,' my eyes would well with tears. It's a song of passion, strength and looking forward to brighter days. If that's not what this season is about, I don't know what is. In this clip, Jenn Colella, Adrienne Warren and Keala Settle perform the song on the Birdland stage for the Lilly Awards. Three better singers, you won't find.

We've all seen Becca Ayers on Broadway in Addams Family, South Pacific, Les Miserables and Avenue Q. She's a kickass singer, fabulous actress and very handy with a puppet. But did you know she writes great folky-poppy tunes? 'Simple Wish' is a witty, charming and slightly bitter ode to the search for holiday love!

I couldn't be more thrilled to share some of my all-time favorite holiday tunes with the BroadwayWorld readers! Rob Diamond, BroadwayWorld and I have had a long history together, with countless podcasts, interviews, and kajillions of photo flashes to our credit. The consistent support the site gives to the entire entertainment community is a thing to behold, and one that all of us consider a great present!

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its schedule for December 19-25, featuring Freddy Cole, Swingin' Birdland Christmas, Eric Comstock and Barbara Fasano 'Downton Abbey Road: The Best of Britain,' and more. Scroll down for details!

Amas Musical Theatre and The Amas Musical Theatre Lab in association with Marc L. Bailin, are presenting readings of Nutcracker! The Musical, with book and lyrics by Nancy Holson, music by Peter I. Tchaikovsky, with arrangements and additional music by Bruce Kieslieng and Peter Rigano.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its December 2016 schedule, featuring Stacey Kent, A Swingin' Birdland Christmas, Daniel Reichard's 'Guide to Christmas,' The Birdland Big Band, Freddy Cole, Karrin Allyson, ShowBiz After Hours with Frank DiLella, Eric Comstock and Barbara Fasano, James Barbour, Barbara Carroll, Jim Caruso's Cast Party, and more. Scroll down for details!

Urban Stages has confirmed the line-up for this year's award-winning series, WINTER RHYTHMS 2016, which will begin tomorrow, Thursday, December 1, and will feature some of New York's best musical performances through Sunday, December 11, 2016 at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30th Street, just East of 8th Avenue).

On Monday, November 14, Birdland was excited to host Justin 'Squigs' Robertson as special guest artist-in-residence at Jim Caruso's Cast Party. Scroll down for photos!

The Broadway at Birdland concert series was proud to present Broadway performers Aisha de Haas and Capathia Jenkins, who joined forces with pianist/singer/musical director Billy Stritch in 'Stritch, Trouble & More Trouble.'  The very special one-night-only event took place on the stage of the historic music room on Monday, November 14.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its December 2016 schedule, featuring Stacey Kent, A Swingin' Birdland Christmas, Daniel Reichard's 'Guide to Christmas,' The Birdland Big Band, Freddy Cole, Karrin Allyson, ShowBiz After Hours with Frank DiLella, Eric Comstock and Barbara Fasano, James Barbour, Barbara Carroll, Jim Caruso's Cast Party, and more. Scroll down for details!

Amas Musical Theatre and The Amas Musical Theatre Lab in association with Marc L. Bailin, will present staged readings of Nutcracker! The Musical, with book and lyrics by Nancy Holson, music by Peter I. Tchaikovsky, with arrangements and additional music by Bruce Kieslieng and Peter Rigano.

One of the most gorgeous voices in New York belongs to Corinna Sowers Adler, who offered  the premiere of 'Something Beautiful' at Jazz at Lincoln Center's majestic Appel Room on Saturday November 5 at 7pm and Broadwayworld was there

92Y announces casting for Lyrics & Lyricists new season. Having garnered audience and critical acclaim, the country's premier American Songbook series begins 2017 with Judy Kuhn, Santino Fontana, Rebecca Luker, Christiane Noll and Lauren Worsham among the performers.