Will Friedwald News

Following the success of the previous two festivals, the 3rd Annual New York Hot Jazz Festival -- produced by the impresario Michael 'Misha' Katsobashvili, performer Bria Skonberg, and composer/producer Patrick Soluri (of Prohibition Productions and The Salon) -- returns to The Players this year and promises some of the biggest stars of the Hot Jazz and swing scenes in a summit of uptown and downtown talent spanning three generations.

On Friday night, The New York Pops continued its 31st season with two-time Tony Award winner Sutton Foster in her solo debut at Carnegie Hall. Among other musical standards, Foster reprised her unforgettable performances of 'Anything Goes' and 'I Get a Kick Out of You' from her Tony Award-winning turn as Reno Sweeney in the Cole Porterclassic. She also offered her own take on 'Down with Love,' made famous by Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand. Foster was joined by special guest artists Joshua Henry and Megan McGinnis, who sang the showstopper 'Let It Sing' from Violet, and the touching 'Neverland' from Peter Pan. Check out photos from inside the after party below!

Ari Silverstein Hosts The Encore Series at Cafe Noctombulo in Pangea Restaurant 178 Second Ave. Between 11 and 12th Street.

The singer, songwriter and recording artist Carolyn Montgomery-Forant continues her recent comeback as she adds new shows to the critically acclaimed run of 'Visible Phoenix' at the Laurie Beechman Theater, 407 West 42nd Street, a show which took off in October. The flame-throwing wit's first solo show since returning to the stage in January of last year, 'Visible Phoenix' marches on Fridays, tonight, March 13, and April 10, May 8. All shows are at 7pm.

The singer, songwriter and recording artist Carolyn Montgomery-Forant continues her recent comeback as she adds new shows to the critically acclaimed run of "Visible Phoenix" at the Laurie Beechman Theater, 407 West 42nd Street, a show which took off in October. The flame-throwing wit's first solo show since returning to the stage in January of last year, "Visible Phoenix" marches on Fridays March 13, April 10, May 8. All shows are at 7pm.

The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel has announced the Cafe Carlyle's spring 2015 season, which will feature some of Broadway's biggest stars, including the venue debuts of Alan Cumming and Lena Hall, and the highly anticipated return of Megan Hilty. The season will also feature new shows by audience favorites Judy Collins and John Pizzarelli with Daniel Jobim. More artists to be announced soon.

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.

Marilyn Maye always gets standing ovations but few more exciting than when Tommy Tune is in the audience to rise out of his seat for the marvelous Marilyn. Tune, the New York City designated Living Landmark, had recently finished getting his own standing ovations at Encores! production of "Lady, Be Good". He was among the other celebs at Birdland last night to witness another episode in the saga of the artistry of a Marilyn Maye and Billy Stritch performance.

Tommy Tune, Colin Donnell, Danny Gardner, Jeff Hiller, Erin Mackey, Patti Murin, Douglas Sills,Jennifer Laura Thompson and Kirsten Wyatt star in George and Ira Gershwin's Lady, Be Good, the opening production of New York City Center's 2015 Encores! season, running for seven performances, last night, February 4, through February 8, 2015. Let's see what the critics had to say...

This past Thursday night, a group of die-hard music enthusiasts, vocalists, and musicians packed a private home in Chelsea for the latest iteration of Will Friedwald's Clip Joint. The monthly series, which was launched in the summer of 2013 by the Wall Street Journal columnist, night crawler, and music historian who has authored of eight books on music and popular culture, screens highly curated musical performance on film and video with every third session promoted as an “extravaganza,” additionally featuring live performers.

Last night Cabaret aficionados gathered at 'Clip Joint' to see and hear rare footage of performances by Mabel Mercer, Bobby Short, Polly Bergen, Edith Piaf, Blossom Dearie, and many others.

Cafe Carlyle will welcomed back iconic R&B songstress Bettye LaVette last night for a two-week engagement, January 27-February 7, where she will showcase her inimitable style, gut wrenching vocals and songs from throughout her five decade career, as well as the world premiere of selections from her new album, Worthy.The album, which Cherry Red releases on January 27, features Bettye's reflective, visceral interpretations of classic tracks by Bob Dylan, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones amongst others.

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.

Ellynne Rey will perform music from her latest CD 'A Little Bit of Moonlight,' as well as other great songs in the jazz and standards canon, at Jazz At Kitano tonight, January 7th with sets at 8:00 & 10:00pm.

There is a movie titled "A Table at Le Cirque" but for the New Years Party at Le Cirque last night one of the most gifted and celebrated composer, pianist, and singers left his table and sat down at a newly delivered grand piano in the legendary dining room. Neil Sedaka then proceeded to thrill the blue ribbon crowd with a bunch of his hit songs.

The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts announces that tickets for Pink Panther 50 – Tribute to Henry Mancini will go on sale December 12, 2014. The performance will take place at 8:00 p.m. January 16, 2015 in the Walt Disney Theater. Ticket prices start at $25.50 and range to $110.50 and may be purchased by calling the Dr. Phillips Center Box office at 844.513.2014 or by visiting the Box office at 445 Magnolia Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801 between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. or online at drphillipscenter.org. Online and phone ticket purchases include handling fees.

Ellynne Rey will perform music from her latest CD 'A Little Bit of Moonlight,' as well as other great songs in the jazz and standards canon, at Jazz At Kitano on Wednesday, January 7th with sets at 8:00 & 10:00pm.

Urban Stages, in association with producer/director/lyricist and Director of Musical Programming Peter Napolitano, is proud to announce that cabaret legend Marilyn Maye will kick off the Holiday Season for WINTER RHYTHMS 2014 on Thursday, December 4 at 7PM only with a special appearance in Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas: The Songs of Hugh Martin, a centennial celebration of the Hollywood and Broadway songwriter best known for Meet Me in St. Louis and Best Foot Forward. Marilyn Maye joins Eric Comstock, Barbara Fasano, Minda Larsen, Marissa Mulder, Sigali, Melissa Ritz, Molly Ryan, Dan Levinson, Deborah Silver, Gabrielle Stravelli and the vocal group Duchess in an evening conceived and hosted by Wall Street Journal columnist Will Friedwald. Musical Director for the evening will be Tedd Firth.

t may not be like getting a gift on each of the 12 Days of Christmas, but for cabaret and musical theater lovers, the 6th Annual Urban Stages Winter Rhythms series--presented over a dozen nights at the not-for-profit Off-Broadway theatre on 259 West 30th Street--could be the closest thing to opening a daily present by the tree. From December 2-14 (no shows on Dec. 9), more than 100 singers, musicians, and songwriters will perform in an eclectic mix of 20 shows including one-night-only group shows, excerpts from new musicals, solo shows, open mics, late night spotlights, and family matinees, with all the proceeds from ticket sales dedicated to the Urban Stages On Tour Outreach Program that brings more than 200 free multicultural theater and music programs to elementary and middle school age children and their families in libraries and schools throughout NYC five boroughs.

If you have the Holiday Blues try visiting Steve Tyrell and not your Psychiatrist.