Jim Caruso To Release 'The Swing Set: Deluxe Edition' Feat. Jane Monheit and Billy Stritch

Jim Caruso’s The Swing Set: Deluxe Edition, the urbane baritone’s smart and sophisticated romp through the Great American Songbook, will be released on streaming and digital formats on Friday, April 18. The album’s first single “Avalon,” Caruso’s swinging version of the classic standard, featuring the vocal talents of Caruso’s labelmates Jane Monheit and Billy Stritch, will be released on Friday, April 4.

The remastered Deluxe Edition also features Caruso’s newly recorded version of the hilarious breakup song “One More Minute,” Weird Al Yankovic’s longtime crowd favorite. Pre-save the single “Avalon" here.

On The Swing Set, Caruso brings a warm intimacy and playful exuberance to standards like “If I Only Had a Brain,” “Manhattan,” and “Pick Yourself Up.” There are surprises galore, such as Martin Mull’s “Flexible,” “The Doodlin’ Song” by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh, and Kay Thompson’s swinging “I Love a Violin.” Caruso is joined by special musical guests Michael Feinstein, the late guitar legend Bucky Pizzarelli, violin sensation Aaron Weinstein, pianist and singer Billy Stritch, jazz vocal phenom Jane Monheit, and Tony Award-winning Broadway leading lady Stephanie J. Block.

To celebrate the album, Jim Caruso’s “Cast Party” – his popular open mic night – will be performed at Catalina Jazz Club in Los Angeles, CA on Wednesday, May 28; The McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert, CA on Thursday, May 29; with upcoming stops at London’s Crazy Coqs in September and Las Vegas’s The Smith Center in October. “Cast Party” also continues its 20+ year run at New York’s legendary Birdland Jazz Club every Monday night.

“I’m absolutely delighted to announce the re-release of The Swing Set!,” comments Jim. “Originally recorded and released in 2011, this album was a true labor of love, produced by Michael Croiter and Aaron Weinstein, with Aaron also creating the masterful arrangements – work that was, and still is, absolutely stellar. Now, thanks to the wonderful folks at Club44 Records, The Swing Set will once again be available, joining my most recent recordings on the label. I can’t wait for everyone to rediscover this joy-filled collection.”

“But wait – there’s more!,” he adds. “This Deluxe Edition comes with two surprise additions: a hilariously fun new track featuring my musical partner-in-crime Billy Stritch at the piano, and a fresh take on an old recording with the divine Jane Monheit. Talk about a family affair – this celebration just got even better!”

When The Swing Set was first released, All About Jazz raved: “Caruso’s repertoire is not dusty standards, sanded to nothingness; instead, he chooses less-heard gems performed in the style of the ‘20s and ‘30s. Add to this perfect engineering and a crackerjack band, and Caruso delivers a completely entertaining experience.”

Jim Caruso most recently performed the role of Theodore Whitman in Follies in Concert at Carnegie Hall. He is the host of “Jim Caruso’s Cast Party,” the wildly popular weekly open mic night that has brought a sprinkling of Broadway glitz and sparkling wit to Birdland in New York City every Monday night since 2003. The Mayor of the City of New York recently proclaimed, “Whereas, I am enormously proud to lead a city renowned as a global capital of the arts, ‘Jim Caruso’s Cast Party’ has enriched our dynamic cultural landscape since 2003, and on the occasion of its 20th anniversary, I am pleased to recognize the weekly show's tremendous contributions to our performing arts and nightlife sectors.” “Cast Party” has been seen at Jazz at Lincoln Center, across the country, and, most recently, on YouTube as “Pajama Cast Party.”

Jim made his Broadway debut alongside Liza Minnelli in the Tony Award-winning Liza’s at the Palace!, singing, dancing and celebrating the music and arrangements of Kay Thompson and the Williams Brothers. He has won six MAC Awards and eight BroadwayWorld Awards for his work in nightclubs, performed with the New York Pops in a tribute to Kander & Ebb, with Rosemary Clooney celebrating Bing Crosby, and sang the songs of Hope & Crosby with Michael Feinstein at Carnegie Hall. Jim was honored to sing with Barbara Cook, Lauren Bacall, and a bevy of Broadway stars at President Clinton’s First State Dinner at the White House. He also books and produces the "Broadway at Birdland" concert series, and performs regularly with Billy Stritch at Bemelmans Bar at The Carlyle Hotel. Jim’s debut album, Caruso Live and In Person, is also available.