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.
Thirty years ago, championed by Liza Minnelli (Ira Gershwin's goddaughter), young Michael Feinstein debuted at the iconic Oak Room of The Algonquin Hotel. I was there, having been escorted by an older, more sophisticated friend. As I recall, Feinstein was alone at the piano; thoroughly engaging, telling stories of his time as Ira Gershwin's assistant, even then, peppering the show with lesser-known songs. This past Sunday, this standard bearer of The American Songbook began a run (through December 30) in partnership with the New York club now bearing his name, Feinstein's/54 Below (“The only place I have to sleep with myself to get the job,” he quipped). Though he's performed in the city since the 2012 closing of his room at Loew's Regency Hotel, the artist no longer had a place to call home in New York. This has happily been rectified.
“If they wrote'm like that today,” Catherine Russell sighs after a particularly saucy number during her show last night at Birdland, “I wouldn't have to go back 90 years.” A Russell show is like actually being there then--primarily from the early 1900s through the 1940s. Which is not to say the artist sacrifices her own, original phrasing for imitation, but rather that feelings evoked by stylish arrangements and spot-on attitude transport us. She offers her audiences vivid authenticity, musical backbone.
In the opening concert of Michael Feinstein's Standard Time Series at Carnegie Hall's Zankel Hall it was all about the lyrics of Johnny Mercer. Mr. Feinstein who is the Artistic Director of Standard Time had as his Special Guest Marilyn Maye, who of course is 'Just To Marvelous For Words'. Tedd Firth was on piano along with Sean Smith , Bass and Mark McLean, drums. As in most of these concerts this Standard Time with Michael Feinstein was sold out and Broadwayworld was there to take you inside.
What qualities define a leading man? Charisma, soul-searching masculinity, and a deep, lustrous voice--once upon a time, we had entertainers who possessed them all. With his Cafe Carlyle debut show that opened last night, Plays With Music--following his Tony-Award winning Broadway performances, 12 years on the road in concert, a couple of recent, all too brief New York theatrical turns, and television work--Brian Stokes Mitchell proves that few such leading men exist. Soon it may be like finding unicorns.
Tony Award winner Brian Stokes Mitchell made his Cafe' Carlyle debut last night as he opened the Carlyle's fall season. The two-week engagement, entitled Plays With Music which featured Broadway favorites and standards.
Tony Award winner Brian Stokes Mitchell makes his Cafe Carlyle debut to open the fall season, September 15-26. The two-week engagement, entitled Plays With Music, will feature Broadway favorites, standards and jazz filled with beauty, joy, whimsy, romance and of course, his inspired vocal interpretations. Stephen Holden of The New York Times recently said that Stokes "brings an unprecedented fusion of theatrical heroism, pop-jazz sizzle and emotional vulnerability" and that he has "revealed an expressive fearlessness that among male pop singers has been matched only by Frank Sinatra and Ray Charles." He will be accompanied by a trio led by his long-time pianist and collaborator, Tedd Firth with Gary Haase on bass and Mark McLean on drums.
The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel has announced the Cafe Carlyle's fall 2015 season, which features the venue debuts of the Broadway veteran Brian Stokes Mitchell, who kicks off the season, and jazz vocalist Kurt Elling; as well as the return of audience favorites Buster Poindexter (aka David Johansen), Alexa Ray Joel, John Pizzarelli & Jessica Molaskey, and Steve Tyrell.
Catherine Russell levels the playing field. With a connoisseur's passion for primarily 1930s-40s music, preternatural comprehension, and protean musical talent, this artist personifies the enduring relevance of vintage numbers with a freshness that makes the material feel immediate. Russell is never less than fully committed and infectiously entertaining. Thursday night at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola (Jazz at Lincoln Center), with city lights twinkling as a backdrop, she and her blue-chip band (Music Director Matt Munisteri on guitar; Mark Shane on piano, Mark McLean on percussion, and Tal Ronan on bass) played Russell's show Sultry Summer Swing to two sold-out houses of faithful and burgeoning fans.
On Monday, April 27, Jim Caruso's Cast Party at Birdland was the place to celebrate Andy Propst's new book, 'You Fascinate Me So: The Life and Times of Cy Coleman.' Scroll down for photos from the concert!
Wednesday night, Michael Feinstein's estimable series Standard Time once again held forth in Carnegie Hall's Zankel Hall, this time celebrating lyricist E.Y. “Yip” Harburg. Feinstein was joined by guest vocalists Catherine Russell, Nancy Anderson and Malcom Gets. The evening was beautifully put together with anecdotes, history, film clips, and Harburg's amusing poetry. Michael Feinstein's erudition weighs in with his meticulous treatment of The American Songbook and his suave and savory role as host.
The Broadway at Birdland concert series was proud to present the Birdland debut of the award-winning songwriting team Don and Jeff Breithaupt on Monday, March 2 at 7pm. Scroll down for photos from the concert!
Jack Kleinsinger's Highlights In Jazz, New York's longest running jazz concert series, kicks off its 43rd season tonight, February 19, 2015 at 8:00 PM at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center at Borough Manhattan Community College, 199 Chambers Street, NY, 10007.
Jack Kleinsinger's Highlights In Jazz, New York's longest running jazz concert series, kicks off its 43rd season on Thursday, February 19, 2015 at 8:00 PM at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center at Borough Manhattan Community College, 199 Chambers Street, NY, 10007.
Now through December 28, Michael Feinstein will be bringing his 'Holiday @ Birdland' to Birdland Jazz Club. Performances run December 24-26 (Tuesday-Thursday) at 9:00PM and December 27-28 (Saturday-Sunday) at 8:30PM & 11PM. Scroll down for photos from one of the concerts!
Now through December 28, Michael Feinstein will be bringing his 'Holiday @ Birdland' to Birdland Jazz Club. Performances run December 24-26 (Tuesday-Thursday) at 9:00PM and December 27-28 (Saturday-Sunday) at 8:30PM & 11PM. Scroll down for photos from one of the concerts!
