Too Marvelous for Words 1997

ONE FOR JOHNNY MERCER at Dizzy's was another treat in the Songbook Sundays series. Johnny Mercer had a way with words. Stritch, Blackhurst, Stravelli and Lee have a way of singing and winging them. Duke Ellington's turn comes in August.

Nat King Cole has earned the #1 album on the Luminate Current Traditional Jazz Album chart with Nat King Cole Live at the Blue Note Chicago. Released May 31, the album also landed on several Billboard charts, including #4 Jazz Album, #6 Vinyl Album Sales, #3 Indie Store Album Sales, and more. This marks multiple times the velvety-voiced entertainer has appeared on the charts in the last six months, nearly 60 years since his passing.

The week of August 28, 1953, riding high on the charts, acclaimed pianist and singer Nat King Cole took to the stage at the Blue Note Chicago, Chi-town's first integrated venue in his beloved Bronzeville neighborhood. Nearly five years had passed since Cole's last appearance at the club. Upon returning to the city.

This reviewer thought that the night was just “too marvelous for words.”

A monthly column by Rob Lester tributes a birthday celebrant, and the honoree for November is....

She’s got the talent, she’s got the show biz smarts, she’s got the love for performing, she communicates, and she’s in command. 

For one night only, audiences are invited to take a trip back to a golden era and enjoy a special live performance of the iconic Frank Sinatra album, Songs for Swingin' Lovers!, performed by world-leading Frank Sinatra artist, Stephen Triffitt.

New York-based jazz vocalist and pianist Champian Fulton's sixteenth album as a leader, Meet Me at Birdland, is out now!

Swing pulses through New York-based jazz vocalist and pianist Champian Fulton's veins. Since her arrival on the scene in 2003, Fulton has been lauded for her poise and allure. A live Champian Fulton performance ensures a radiant ambiance pronounced by the multi-talent's clarion vocals and lush keys.

BIRDLAND THEATER will present singer and violinist Edmund Bagnell in “Home for the Holidays” on Monday, December 12 at 8:30 PM. The countdown to the holidays is on, and through music and humor Bagnell shares his heartfelt and humorous recipe for a perfectly imperfect holiday season.

BIRDLAND THEATER will present acclaimed vocalist Carole J. Bufford in the New York debut of her concert “Vintage Pop!” for a special six-show run from Friday, December 9 through Sunday, December 11, with performances each night at 7:00 PM and 9:30 PM.

Birdland Jazz Club will present Billy Gilman – the platinum-selling country music artist known for his run on NBC’s “The Voice” — in “A Billy Gilman Christmas” on Monday, December 5 at 7:00 PM.

Birdland Jazz Club will present the New York concert debut of actress and vocalist Maddie Baillio – best known for her appearances in the Amazon film Cinderella and NBC’s “Hairspray Live!” – on Monday, November 21 at 7:00 PM.

BIRDLAND THEATER will present vocalist Christian Holder in his new show “Dreams and Inspiration” – featuring a special appearance by Donna McKechnie – on Monday, November 7 at 8:30 PM.

What did our critic think of HAMILTON at Kennedy Center Opera House? Hamilton, the 11 Tony award-winning musical, has returned to the Kennedy Center Opera House through October 9.

As Jeff Harnar prepares for an opening night at the Laurie Beechman Theatre and a CD release, Braodway World Cabaret looks back at some of his stellar performances of the past.

BIRDLAND THEATER will present pop/jazz vocalist and songwriter Liam Forde – celebrating the release of his first album Great to Be Here – on Monday, June 13 at 8:30 PM.

BIRDLAND THEATER will present John Manzari – the acclaimed dancer, singer, actor, and choreographer currently appearing on Broadway in Funny Girl – in a special event on Monday, May 23 at 8:30 PM.

BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB will present Nashville vocalist Wendy Moten – best known for her 2021 run on NBC’s “The Voice” – in a special concert on Monday, May 16 at 7:00 PM. Her show will include songwriter Richard Whiting hits including “He’s Funny That Way,” “My Ideal,” “Miss Brown,” and “Too Marvelous For Words.”

BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB will present acclaimed vocalist and songwriter Amanda McBroom in her new show “Crimes of the Heart” on Monday, May 2 at 7:00 PM. McBroom’s concert will feature songs of passion, politics, and just plain love, written by the likes of Stephen Sondheim, Irving Berlin, Leonard Cohen, and of course, Amanda McBroom.

BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB will present acclaimed vocalist Karen Akers in the new show “Water Under the Bridge” on Monday, April 25 at 7:00 PM.

The Richard Lawson Studios Self Tape Master Class Series closes out September with veteran actor Keith David. Classes take place every Saturday morning at 10 AM PST via Zoom Webinar.

This week's newly-announced releases include a new single from Lea Salonga, an album from Seth MacFarlane featuring songs from film and theatre, and a new book from James Lapine about the creation of Sunday in the Park with George!

On Monday, March 30th, the 2020 MAC Awards were broadcast via Facebook Live from the living rooms or Lennie Watts and Amy Wolk/Lorinda Lisitza in a split-screen presentation in which The Three Stooges of Cabaret made their community of artists laugh with many hi-jinks, giggles, grins, silliness, and an ongoing series of the new MAC Award theme song, penned by Wolk and Lisitza themselves. The intent was to bring some levity to a difficult time in the world and, judging by the comment scroll during the home-made telecast, the hardworking trio tickled the funnybones of many. As names were announced, recipients called in to say a few words (apropos to the proceedings, Mr. Watts' telephone ringtone is the Benny Hill theme song) and particularly moving speeches from the proceedings came from Lisa Viggiano, Meg Flather, and Jeff Harnar. The entire show can be seen on Broadway World HERE. Results of the voting can be seen below.

With the Coronavirus stopping all social gatherings and causing the closing of Don't Tell Mama for the duration, MAC has made a change from the previously announced event which was to be held at the club.

The MAC Awards were scheduled to be celebrated on March 30th at Sony Hall. Instead they will be announced via Facebook Live from Lennie Watts' home. The times are a little different now, but the celebration of art is the same.

The Manhattan Association of Cabarets (MAC) has announced the 2020 MAC Award nominees. The nominees were determined by votes cast by the active MAC membership, except for the four song and recording categories, which were determined by special committees.

Karen Morris of Sand Castle Communications presents another swingin' event, featuring the music of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, as well as showcasing the talents of composers Johnny Mercer and Jimmy Van Heusen.