Photo Flash: Laura Osnes, Jane Monheit, Joanne Tatham and More Join Jim Caruso's Cast Party
By: Courtnie Mele Jun. 07, 2014
The Broadway at Birdland concert series celebrated a musical trifecta on Monday night, with sublime jazz vocalist Jane Monheit, extraordinary arrangements by Mary Ann McSweeney, and a wealth of Irving Berlin material. The stellar backup band for the evening evening included McSweeney on bass, Jim Ridl on piano, and Alvester Garnett on drums. Several months ago, the Monheit-McSweeney duo teamed up with a swinging take on Cole Porter''s iconic score for Anything Goes, to great acclaim.
Jim Caruso's Cast Party followed the concert, and included, as always, a startling mix of musical styles. The weekly "extreme" open mic is hosted by Caruso and musical directed by Billy Stritch, along with the Cast Party Symphony Orchestra (Steve Doyle on bass and Daniel Glass on drums). The packed house cheered impromptu performances by Ms. Monheit, Broadway leading lady Laura Osnes, Hawaiian superstar Melveen Leed, Las Vegas jazzer Pascale Elia, Aussie song and dance man Linden Furnell, James Harkness from Beautiful, cabaret star Joanne Tatham, "The Voice" finalist Max Milner, the swinging sounds of Nancy Harms, former Cats star Elizabeth Ruff, the casts of Fifty Shades of Grey (Kaitlyn Frotton, Ashley Ward and Chloe Williamson) and We''ll Take Manhattan (Hannah Elless, Trevor McQueen, Brian Carter and Caleb Ryan)!
The Broadway at Birdland concert series and Jim Caruso''s Cast Party take place at Birdland, 315 West 44 Street in the heart of the Theater District. Check out www.BirdlandJazz.com and www.CastPartyNYC.com for more information.
Photo Credit: Kevin Alvey
Billy Stritch, Jim Caruso, Jane Monheit, and Steve Doyle
Elizabeth Ruff
Fifty Shades of Grey
Mary Ann McSweeney and Jane Monheit
Max Milner
Max Milner
Melveen Leed
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