Mark McLean News

The Eighth Annual Bickford Benefit Concert featuring an all-star ensemble of outstanding jazz artists from the Tri-State area comes to the Bickford Theatre at the Morris Museum for one night only on Monday, November 12, 2018 at 7:30 PM. The ensemble includes trumpeter/vocalist Bria Skonberg, cornetist Warren Vache, trombonist Mariel Bildsten, clarinetist Dan Levinson, pianist Rossano Sportiello, guitarist/vocalist Molly Ryan, bassist Rob Adkins, and drummer Mark McLean.  All of the ticket sales from this concert will go to support programming at the Bickford Theatre.

Birdland will kick-off their great week of programming with week two of the "Second Annual Celebration of Ron Carter" with the Ron Carter Quartet, Capathia Jenkins & Louis Rosen 'PHENOMENAL WOMAN: The Maya Angelou Songs,' Alex Frondelli Quartet, and more!

The American Songbook Association just presented its first Annual Gala, The Joint Is Jumpin'!, a joyous celebration of contributions to the American Songbook by Black songwriters and notable singers. The ASA also presented its first annual Lifetime Achievement Award to singer Marilyn Maye, presented by her longtime friend, fashion designer, Bob Mackie. 

Birdland will kick-off their exciting month of programming with Dee Dee Bridgewater with the Theo Croker Quintet, Kevin Eubanks Quartet, Anita Gillette, Ron Carter's Great Big Band, Quartet and Golden Striker Trio, Alan Broadbent Trio, Capathia Jenkins & Louis Rosen, Jay Leonhart, Pasquale Grasso Trio, Ken Peplowski with Special Guest Sinne Eeg, Jim Caruso's Cast Party, and more!

As Michael Feinstein say at the start of his show, (with the emphasis on CH) it's the CHOLIDAY season. Michael shows always combine his wonderful musicianship, fantastic wit and American Songbook knowledge to create a memorable evening. His current holiday show is extra special. Joining Michael were two wonderful back up singers, Eliza Bake (from Latvia) and La Juan (from NYC). With arrangements by music director Tedd Firth and Pete Smith, guitar, Phil Palombi, bass, and Mark McLean drums, Christmas Crooners is a fantastic Christmas present you can give yourself.

Carnegie Hall has announced upcoming November and December events. Check out the listings below!

Carnegie Hall has announced its October 2017 lineup. Scroll down for details!

Carnegie Hall has announced its October 2017 lineup. Scroll down for details!

Below, note the following updates to Carnegie Hall's 2017-18 schedule, reflecting changes made since the season was originally announced in January 2017. 

One music legend came to hear another last night.  Clive Davis was in Michael Feinstein's opening night audience as the Ambassador of the Great American Songbook brought the show-stopping songs of Broadway to his second home… Feinstein's/54 Below.  

Following the sold-out opening for Bickford Summer Jazzfest, the party continues with three more great concerts on July 20, July 24, and August 3. The hot swinging jazz will be combined with the area's best Food Trucks on-site for tailgate picnics before each concert.

Following the sold-out opening for Bickford Summer Jazzfest, the party continues with three more great concerts on July 20, July 24, and August 3. The hot swinging jazz will be combined with the area's best Food Trucks on-site for tailgate picnics before each concert.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series was pleased to present Broadway leading lady Melissa Errico, who performed a special summer holiday concert on Monday, July 3.

Great music and great food always seem perfect together so for Bickford Summer Jazzfest the theatre will serve up great swing and hot jazz with some of the region's best Food Trucks on-site before each concert. Different food trucks will be at each show so that both ticket holders and the general public can picnic on the beautiful Morris Museum grounds or tailgate in the spacious parking area from 5:00 to 7:30 on festival nights.

It's one thing to be able to act and sing like Brian Stokes Mitchell, but in addition, there is a whole other level of musicianship Brian possesses that enabled him to conceive and create his opening number, 'There's No Business Like Show Business'.  As 'Stokes' pointed out, his musical mind is in sync with his brilliant music director, Tedd Firth.  The two of them have produced an arrangement of this Irving Berlin standard that takes you on a roller coaster ride of meter and key changes.  A little bit of math proficiency was also probably needed because the Stokes/Firth arrangement starts off as a ballad and then weaves it's way through a variety of tempos which include 7/8 & 5/4. It certainly was indicative of the title of his cabaret show, 'Playing With Music.'  

Last night, Feinstein's/54 Below's celebrated its 5th Anniversary with an all-star celebration featuring treasured resident artists and audience favorites from 'Broadway's Living Room.' Scroll down for photos from the star-studded event!

Following sold-out tours in the U.K. opening for George Benson and Gladys Knight, including two acclaimed performances at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall, singer/songwriter Polly Gibbons is set to make a British invasion with the release of her highly-anticipated second album,  Is It Me…? on Resonance Records on April 21, 2017.   Produced by label owner and founder George Klabin, the 12-track collection fully embraces the inspiring, expansive array of American jazz, soul and blues influences that have infused her dynamic career as an artist and live performer,

It was time for Michael Feinstein's Standard Time in Zankel Hall last night and BroadwayWorld was there.

It has just been announced that Tony Award-nominee Melissa Errico will join Michael Feinstein as a special guest at Zankel Hall on March 21 at 7:30pm at Carnegie Hall (881 Seventh Ave.) for 'Standard Time', featuring the music of Harry Warren. Melissa will sing music popularized by such artists as Doris Day, Judy Garland, Vera Lynn and Peggy Lee. The evening will also feature vocals from Jay Armstrong Johnson and instrumentalists Tedd Firth on Piano, Phil Palombi on Bass andMark McLean on Drums as they pay tribute to Harry Warren, the composer of such hits as "I Only Have Eyes for You," "42nd Street," "Chattanooga Choo Choo," and other unforgettable favorites.

'For 47 years, the world of entertainment was blessed with a force of nature called Judy Garland,' Michael Feinstein begins, 'and for Judy, it all began at MGM.' As the artist takes his time with Arthur Schwartz/Howard Dietz's 'That's Entertainment,' screens on either side of the stage show clips from the film of the same name deftly edited to reflect every lyric. A coda of special material makes 'star' recognition even more specific. In Feinstein's A HOLIDAY TO REMEMBER at Feinstein's/54 Below, we hear songs from Garland's films and appearances, some iconic, others less known. Despite a life of trials, we're told, the performer left a legacy of optimism and joy. She had a quick-witted sense of humor, especially about herself. On one occasion, when Lucille Ball was praised for her humor, she responded that it was scripted, while Judy Garland's was spontaneous. The show is peppered with illuminating anecdotes.