Nat "King" Cole News

Utah Symphony | Utah Opera announced the appointment of Barlow Bradford as Utah Symphony chorus master, and Caleb Harris as Utah Opera chorus master.

Over the last 20 or so years, there have been three nightclubs in New York that have been considered the venue Holy Grail for cabaret singers. Two of them--the Oak Room at the Algonquin Hotel and Feinstein's at the Loews Regency--have in the past year or so sadly died a corporate death, leaving the upper east side Cafe Carlyle as the Carnegie Hall of cabaret haunts. When she first came to New York from California 24 years ago, Natalie Douglas would save her pennies to see the legendary Bobby Short perform at the Carlyle and dream that she would some day star in a show from that stage. Last Thursday and Friday night, after almost a quarter century performing in every New York venue on the cabaret map and many prestigious clubs around the world, and after winning numerous MAC, Bistro and Nightlife Awards, Douglas finally soloed at the venerable venue and the audiences who saw her shows probably wondered why it took so long.

Perry Beekman sings and plays Cole Porter today, October 4th at 9:30 pm at The Metropolitan Room.

In choosing the repertoire for 'I'm a Shy Guy,' his fourth album, the acclaimed Bay Area jazz vocalist Ed Reed reached way back to an early inspiration and musical hero: Nat King Cole and the King Cole Trio.

The Lied Center for Performing Arts at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has announced its 24th season of world-class performing artists. The season includes 51 performances of 31 shows from a wide range of genres including Broadway, classical music, dance, theater, world music and jazz, comedy, holiday performances, folk music and shows for families.

For the first time in over fifty years, Harbinger Records will release 'Ballads for the Age of Science,' the most successful educational recordings of all time, as a six-CD box set. Featuring more than four dozen original songs written by Hy Zaret, co-author of the iconic popular song 'Unchained Melody,' and Lou Singer between 1959 and 1961, the albums introduced scientific concepts and terms using catchy, easy-to-learn lyrics and music to grade school students across America in the early 1960s.

Bay Area Cabaret, devoted to presenting audiences with top performers who expand the definition of cabaret, enters its 10th season this fall with a gala series at the Fairmont San Francisco's historic Venetian Room. To celebrate this significant milestone, Bay Area Cabaret presents a star-studded lineup of performers making their Bay Area Cabaret debuts, as well as the return of a few favorites from the past decade. Opening the seas tonight, September 21, 2013 with a bang is Broadway's Megan Hilty, known to millions as the powerhouse 'Bombshell' on NBC's television program Smash. The season continues October 20, 2013 with Tony nominee Norm Lewis (The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess) and November 10, 2013 with 'America's romantic piano sensation,' multi-platinum selling recording artist Jim Brickman, joined by special guest Broadway heartthrob David Burnham.

Monday, September 23, marks the first in a ongoing series of shows celebrating the great pop and jazz albums, in which classic collections of songs will be explored and re-examined by a rotating cast of singers and players from a wide range of styles: jazz, pop, Broadway, cabaret, blues.

Bergen Performing Arts Center wants to expose as many people to the arts as possible and is launching a Contemporary Arts Series Program where you can buy 3 tickets and get one free to selected shows including Smithsonian Jazz, an Ella Fitzgerald Tribute on Friday, October 4, Hungarian Fold Dance Monday October 21, Modori Sunday, November 9, Haifa Symphony of Israel Saturday, February 2, Celtic Nights Wednesday, March 13th and Kronos Quartet Sunday, March 23-buy 3 seats at any price level and get the 4th ticket for free- this is a great opportunity to expose children to a diverse group of musicians.

Natalie Cole brings her timeless classics, and new Latin flavored sound, to The Orleans Showroom, October 26 and 27, 2013.

In choosing the repertoire for 'I'm a Shy Guy,' his fourth album, the acclaimed Bay Area jazz vocalist Ed Reed reached way back to an early inspiration and musical hero: Nat King Cole and the King Cole Trio.

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, the performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. 54 Below also launched its series of late night events. Joining Tuesday nights' popular 'Backstage' with Susie Mosher is 15:54, and more:

Maestro Gill Rose tells our readers what's on his iPod.

Jon Gheri presents 'Theatrical Fashion Show' at 5711 W. Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045, on Saturday, October 12, 2013.

The Cleveland Orchestra announces its 2013 Holiday Festival, scheduled for December 1-22. This season's Festival begins with two PNC Holiday Musical Rainbows programs, offered for families with children ages three and up - "Music of Chanukah" and "Christmas Brass Quintet," featuring members of the Orchestra and guests. The "Music of Chanukah" program will be presented once at The Temple-Tifereth Israel on December 1, and the "Christmas Brass Quintet" in two performances at Severance Hall onDecember 13 and 14.

Perry Beekman sings and plays Cole Porter on Friday, October 4th at 9:30 pm at The Metropolitan Room.

Award-winning singer Brian De Lorenzo swings into The Metropolitan Room to celebrate the artistry and remarkable career of one of America's favorite singers, Nat King Cole tonight, August 24 at 7 p.m. De Lorenzo presents songs for which Mr. Cole is well known - songs such as 'Nature Boy,' 'Mona Lisa,' and 'Don't Get Around Much Anymore' - plus stories and anecdotes about Mr. Cole's personal and professional lives. De Lorenzo will also interweave memories and anecdotes from his own experiences of Nat King Cole's music.

Great news for music fans! The legendary George Benson will perform one night only in the Queensland Performing Arts Centre's (QPAC's) Concert Hall tonight 22 August 2013.

"I wanted to launch A Broadway/Cabaret/Jazz Series with something a little special," said organizer and host of the event, Lynn DiMenna. "'Perfect Pairs at The Palace' teams up some of the best entertainers in the different genres which will bring something unexpected and exciting to the mix that I think our audiences will love!" This fall Courtyard by Marriott Stamford presents A Broadway/Cabaret/Jazz Series "Perfect Pairs at The Palace." This exciting new series will feature the very best dynamic duos in Broadway, Cabaret and Jazz performing in an intimate setting on the HARMAN Stage on four evenings throughout the fall and winter. This series is made possible through the generosity of Presenting Sponsor Courtyard by Marriott Stamford and supporting sponsor Norman Drubner.

Fresh off work on Fox Searchlight's feature film BLACK NATIVITY starring Angela Bassett, Jennifer Hudson, Forest Whitaker and Mary J. Blige - and directed by Kasi Lemmons - Otis Sallid, the creator of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE, brings an exciting new musical project to life, HARLEM'S BIG OTIS JUMP UP BLUES REVUE. The REVUE will make it's home at Ginny's Supper Club located in Marcus Samuelsson's popular Red Rooster Harlem, (310 Lenox Avenue). Performances are scheduled every Thursday night, two shows - 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., tonight, August 15 and August 22, 29, 2013.