Will Friedwald News

The dance music of the 20's and 30's is currently being featured at the IGUANA at 240 w 54th street. Grammy -winners Vince Giordano & the Nighthawks appear there every Monday & Tuesday from 8-11 PM.

ScoBar Entertainment will present 'Boardwalk Empire's' MOLLY RYAN for two shows on Tuesday, March 11 at 8:30 & 10:30pm at the Iridium. Called 'A critic's favorite,' by the Wall Street Journal's Will Friedwald, Molly's silvery voice & lush, elegant vocal style evoke the big band singers of the 1930's & breathe new life into familiar standards.

Trumpeter/vocalist Bria Skonberg was inspired by Louis Armstrong. Alto saxophonist Tia Fuller was influenced by Cannonball Adderley. On Sunday, March 30 at 3 pm, at the Mayo Performing Arts Center, they will present a groundbreaking concert with no musical borders in a concert presented by the New Jersey Jazz Society. Tickets are $20.

Internationally renowned, Cyrille's vocal stylings are synonymous with musical genius. Her culturally rich background has supplied her with the driving force of Dominican rhythm and the incredible swing of the French Gypsies. Cyrille's hybrid of influences has resulted in a sound that's fresh, enlivening and guaranteed to enthrall.

Eric Yves Garcia is bringing his show, 'One Night Standards,' back to The Laurie Beechman Theater with two performances on March 1st and April 5th, before taking it to the prestigious Brownville Music Festival in mid-April. This ends a run which originally included a single performance on November 9th, and was extended to include December 2nd and February 1st.

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!

Live Nation presents the high-octane theatrical concert, "Burlesque to Broadway" starring Quinn Lemley, for four nights in February at the Gramercy Theatre, 127 East 23rd Street. This lightning-in-a-bottle survey of American burlesque -- with Lemley leading a tight-knit coterie of showgirls through heart-racing choreography, in eye-popping costumes -- is supported by a razor-sharp live band under the music direction of Dan Micciche. Performances are Wednesday through Saturday February 5, 6, 7, 8, all at 8pm.

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:

A grassroots movement to name Michael Garin poet laureate of Manhattan (or at least 54th Street) will hold a rally in Madison Square Park this Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Garin, the Drama Desk winning composer, pianist, singer, actor and all-round bon vivant, has created a viral sensation with his daily Facebook poems promoting his performances at Bill's Food & Drink, The Monkey Bar and other venues. A collection of these poems, Get Shameless or Stay Fameless: The Facebook Doggerel of Michael Garin, is currently available on Amazon. Mr. Garin has been a mainstay on the late-night music scene in New York for decades.

Urban Stages, in association with producer/director/lyricist Peter Napolitano have announced additions to WINTER RHYTHMS 2013 performer line-up now running throughSunday, December 15, 2013 at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30th Street). Tickets are $30 per show (unless otherwise noted).Tickets may be purchased on www.smarttix.com or 212 868-4444.

It may not be like getting a gift on every one of the 12 Days of Christmas, but for cabaret and musical theater lovers, the 5th 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 3-15, dozens of singers and musicians will perform in an eclectic mix of a dozen shows plus late night and matinee 'extras,' 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. Three years ago, Urban Stages Artistic Director Frances Hill brought in MAC and Bistro award-winning director, lyricist and producer Peter Napolitano to produce the Winter Rhythms program and broaden its scope.BroadwayWorld.com Cabaret Columnist Stephen Hanks recently caught up with the Sol Hurok of Urban Stages to learn how Napolitano has helped Winter Rhythms evolve and to get some insights into this year's program.

JOE'S PUB at the Public Theater will present the latest installment of the "ALBUM OF THE MONTH CLUB" concert series on Tuesday, November 26 at 9:30 PM. In an evening honoring the Frank Sinatra album "Come Fly With Me" - or The International Sinatra - the show will feature the talents of Molly Pope, Lady Rizo, Rob Roth, Blind Boy Paxton, Christina Bianco, Colleen McHugh, Liam Forde, Tatiana Eve-Marie, Adrian Chavalier & the Avalon Jazz Band and Ago Il Mago. Music will be provided by Sammy Miller & The Congregation under the direction of Jon Weber. The show is hosted by Molly Pope and curated by Wall Street Journal jazz writer Will Friedwald and Michael Katsobashvili.

Two of cabaret's most popular and honored vocalists of the last decade, Tanya Holt and Marcus Simeone, bring their dynamic new show, Quiet Storm, to the Metropolitan Room for six Saturday shows running once monthly through November 16 (with a summer break.)

The 24th New York Cabaret Convention ended its week with a special afternoon event at 54 Below! The event, produced by the Mabel Mercer Foundation, began with The New York Times's Stephen Holden interviewing jazz legend and original female be-bop pianist Barbara Carroll.

For four magical nights in October, the Mabel Mercer Foundation present a sparkling array of America's leading cabaret stars. Among the 60 outstanding artists who will take the stage at the Rose Theater at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Last night was Before The Parade Passes By, hosted by KLea Blackhurst and starring Corinna SowersAdler, Raissa Katona Bennett, William Blake, Kevin Dozier, Liam Forde, John Forster, Gregory Generet,Tanya Holt,Eva Kantor, Stearns Matthews, Sally Mayes, Colleen McHugh, Marissa Mulder, Sidney Myer, Mark Nadler, Georga Osborne, and Nick Ziobro.

Last night was Falling In Love With Love: The songs of Rodgers & Hart, hosted by Andrea Marcovicci andJeff Harnar; performances by the cohosts plus, Karen Akers, Christine Andreas, Joyce Breach, Anna Bergman, Liz Callaway, Lauren Fox, Eric Michael Gillett, Clint Holmes, Todd Murray, Steve Ross, and Iris Williams. Check out photos below!

For four magical nights in October, the Mabel Mercer Foundation present a sparkling array of America's leading cabaret stars. Among the 60 outstanding artists who will take the stage at the Rose Theater at Jazz at Lincoln Center from October 7th through 10th are multiple Grammy Award winner Jack Jones, Marilyn Maye, Steve Ross, Karen Akers, Nellie McKay, and Barbara Carroll. Jones was just honoerd during the festivities and you can check out photos below!

A tribute to one of the great Friars was held at the legendary club last night. Significantly it was held in the Frank Sinatra room, the crooner who is most identified with Sammy Cahn's songs. Songwriter Sammy Cahn career was presented in live performance, rare video clips, and historical lecture.

For four magical nights this week, the Mabel Mercer Foundation will present a sparkling array of America's leading cabaret stars. Among the 60 outstanding artists who will take the stage at the Rose Theater at Jazz at Lincoln Center from today, October 7th through 10th are multiple Grammy Award winner Jack Jones, Marilyn Maye, Steve Ross, Karen Akers, Nellie McKay, and Barbara Carroll.

In 1962, Ray Charles made history when he brought soul music and country music together in the same album: Modern Sounds in Country & Western Music. Now, more than 50 years later, just in time for the late legend's 84th birthday, Joe's Pub and the Album of the Month Club expand the palette by adding jazz, cabaret, Broadway, folk music, and bluegrass into Brother Ray's classic mix. On Today, September 23 at 9:30 pm, Joe's Pub will present the first in a ongoing series of shows celebrating great pop and jazz albums, during which classic songs will be explored and re-examined by a rotating cast of singers and musicians in styles covering jazz, pop, Broadway, cabaret, and blues.