Nelson Riddle News

Lights Out: Nat 'King' Cole/book by Colman Domingo & Patricia McGregor/music supervision:John McDaniel/directed by Patricia McGregor/Geffen/Gil Cates Theater/through March 17 A much anticipated musical in Los Angeles has been Lights Out: Nat 'King' Cole, which has received previous tryouts back east. Penned by Colman Domingo and Patricia McGregor, who also directs the piece, the show is supposedly based on real facts from Cole's life and includes most of his standard hits arranged by John McDaniel. Currently onstage at the Gil CatesTheater of the Geffen Playhouse in Westwood, Lights Out is spectacular entertainment, especially from Dule Hill as Cole and Daniel J. Watts as Sammy Davis Jr. but its book is in need of some major retooling. It is December 17, 1957 in the NBC Studio in Burbank where Cole's final  30 minute TV variety show is about to be presented live with the Nelson Riddle Orchestra and Randy Van Horn Singers. Fifteen minutes to air time, Cole is in a deep state of depression over this being the final show. Why? He has millions of fans. Southern states have refused to continue paying for advertising on the show. Cole is a Negro, pure asnd simple. In spite of his fame, it's Lights Out for him. Guest star Peggy Lee has not shown up and friend Sammy Davis Jr. comes in to replace her with his amazing style of frantic comed

Birdland will kick-off their great week of programming with Ann Hampton Callaway: The Linda Ronstadt Songbook, Ingrid Jensen Quintet:, Natalie Douglas 'The Birthday Show, and more!

Gabrielle Stravelli - the celebrated pop/jazz vocalist and songwriter described as a "lighthouse of emotional integrity" by Downbeat and as a "quadruple threat and force to be reckoned with" by jazz icon Bob Dorough - will preview her upcoming album "Pick Up My Pieces: Gabrielle Stravelli Sings Willie Nelson" with four concerts at Birdland Theater today, January 1 and Wednesday, January 2 with shows at 7:00 PM and 9:45 PM. The CD is dedicated to the music and life of the "Red Headed Stranger," and covers the full spectrum of Nelson's catalogue: from early hits like "Three Days" and "Blame It On The Times" to favorites from his blockbuster album of American standards like "Stardust," and eternal classics like "Crazy" and "Nightlife." Stravelli will weave in stories from Nelson's famously colorful personal life and storied 50-plus year career, while honoring and reimagining the music of one of America's greatest songwriters. She will be joined by Joshua Richman on piano, Art Hirahara on organ, Pat O'Leary on bass, Eric Halvorson on drums and Scott Robinson on saxophone and trumpet.

Gabrielle Stravelli - the celebrated pop/jazz vocalist and songwriter described as a "lighthouse of emotional integrity" by Downbeat and as a "quadruple threat and force to be reckoned with" by jazz icon Bob Dorough - will preview her upcoming album "Pick Up My Pieces: Gabrielle Stravelli Sings Willie Nelson" with four concerts at Birdland Theater on Tuesday, January 1 and Wednesday, January 2 with shows at 7:00 PM and 9:45 PM. The CD is dedicated to the music and life of the "Red Headed Stranger," and covers the full spectrum of Nelson's catalogue: from early hits like "Three Days" and "Blame It On The Times" to favorites from his blockbuster album of American standards like "Stardust," and eternal classics like "Crazy" and "Nightlife." Stravelli will weave in stories from Nelson's famously colorful personal life and storied 50-plus year career, while honoring and reimagining the music of one of America's greatest songwriters. She will be joined by Joshua Richman on piano, Art Hirahara on organ, Pat O'Leary on bass, Eric Halvorson on drums and Scott Robinson on saxophone and trumpet.

Gabrielle Stravelli - the celebrated pop/jazz vocalist and songwriter described as a "lighthouse of emotional integrity" by Downbeat and as a "quadruple threat and force to be reckoned with" by jazz icon Bob Dorough - will preview her upcoming album "Pick Up My Pieces: Gabrielle Stravelli Sings Willie Nelson" with four concerts at Birdland Theater

Birdland will kick-off their exciting month of programming with the following acts:

Consummate singer Robyn Spangler has been resurrecting her singing career for the last ten years with great success. She appears in cabaret from coast to coast and has just released her newest CD Christmas Is. She took time from a busy schedule to talk about the album and her concert appearance at Rockwell Table and Stage on Sunday December 16.

They called him the "Chairman of the Board of Music."

There's a Theme Park of music happening on 44th street and no matter what gate you choose to enter at Birdland great music is playing behind every door. You can spend a good portion of your night shuttling between the historic Birdland Stage and the new Birdland Theater with their line up of shows.

The 5th annual Tucson Jazz Festival has been announced with some of the biggest names in jazz arriving to perform on stages all over the city.

Award-winning jazz vocalists Marcus Goldhaber and Gabrielle Stravelli will toss back-and-forth the songs of Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Cole Porter and more in Mostly Marcus: Swingin' Down the Lane at the MAC on November 3rd at 8pm.

FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com/Feinsteins or call (646) 476-3551.

The line-up for the 5th annual Tucson Jazz Festival, scheduled for Jan. 11-21, 2019, continues to take shape with the announcement of Poncho Sanchez headlining the free Downtown Jazz Fiesta on Monday, Jan. 21, 2019 (MLK Day). Last year the Jazz Fiesta drew more than 12,000 people downtown. Funding for the concert is provided, in part, by the Arizona Commission on the Arts and Rio Nuevo.

This winter 2018, the talent performing at New Hope's RRazz Room at The Clarion is a diverse mix of world class artists. From Las Vegas Entertainer Of The Year and Grammy Nominee Clint Holmes, the always hilarious Judy Gold, Tony Nominated Broadway Star & American Idol Finalist Constantine Maroulis, TV's Carson Kressley along with Dance Music Artist Kristine W, and show business royalty Marty Allen (Celebrating His 96th Birthday), there is something for all entertainment tastes at the intimate and comfortable Rrazz Room New Hope, located within the newly refurbished Clarion Hotel & Suites. There is nothing quite like the connection between the performers and their audience in an up close and personal cabaret setting. 

Gabrielle Stravelli and Billy Stritch are delighted to make their first appearance together at The RRazz Room New Hope in 'Down For Double'. The pair met at the BirdlandJazz Club Cast Party in 2012 and have since collaborated on two shows at the 92nd Street Y, headlined a concert with the Santa Rosa Symphony and spent many spontaneous Monday evenings making music together in the 'jazz capital of the world'. For 'Down for Double' Stravelli and Stritch have mined the Great American Songbook for beloved classics like 'I Wish I Were in Love Again' and 'Goody Goody' and more than a few lesser-known gems. The show features the pair's seamless vocal blend, tight harmonies, scat singing and playful banter and promises to be an unforgettable musical evening.

DiamonDisc Records Announces Release of Andrew Heller's Latest Recording SINATRA ALL THE WAY

DiamonDisc Records Announces Release of Andrew Heller's Latest Recording SINATRA ALL THE WAY

After a highly successful run, and a 2017 BroadwayWorld Nomination for Best Show, JERSEY GIRL is back for one more performance, Friday January 19th, 7pm at Don't Tell Mama.JERSEY GIRL is a musical celebration of Lisa's home state with songs written, performed and even arranged by some of the greats who all grew up in NJ. Selections include legends from Frank Sinatra to Janis Ian, Bruce Springsteen to Nelson Riddle and many more. Directed by Lina Koutrakos, Music Direction by Rick Jensen. With Tom Hubbard on Bass, and Steven Bargonetti on Guitar.

From a cornucopia of timeless Christmas albums on a variety of formats to soundtrack your gatherings or as the perfect present to a dynamic Spotify playlist and even a helpful interactive gift guide to help you