Rob Lester - Page 3

Frank Vignola makes the guitar sing. And his May 1st GUITAR NIGHT brought singer Karrin Allyson's tones, too, along with the band and guest violinist and a varied repertoire.

Not every Broadway show is a smash. A focus on 14 hidden gems from shows that disappeared too quickly fueled an entertaining evening at 54 Below last Sunday on April 29th. Hosted by Charles Kirsch of Backstage Babble podcast and Robert W. Schneider, the evening was a success.

Take note: Take 6 is at Birdland Jazz Club through Saturday. They take the art of vocal harmony singing to impressive heights. Their opening show on Wednesday May 1 was a smash.

The 'Songbook Sundays' makes the second day of a weekend a first-rate experience. Rodgers & Hammerstein were on tap on April 21 in a season that included a focus on Frank Loesser, with Johnny Mercer's turn coming up in June.

J2 Spotlight Musical Theater is finishing its run of 'Do Re Mi' this weekend, but set aside a night to have a cabaret evening on the stage at their home base, the AMT Theater on West 45 Street.

Through April 27, Aimée and a six-piece band bring jazz flavors and smiles (theirs and the audience's) to Birdland with energy galore. Celebrating a new recording, and adding in some other material, Cyrille Aimée and band take command in a grand way this week at midtown Manhattan's home for jazz.

This year's Jazz at Lincoln Center gala featured a host of star-studded performers including Kristin Chenoweth, Bernadette Peters, Josh Groban, and many more. A small sample of the hundreds of songs superstar Tony Bennett recorded and sang in concerts sparkled in this one-night-only concert on April 17th.

At Chelsea Table + Stage, Klea Blackhurst 'Box Set' shows are continuing to draw crowds and bring smiles. Songs of Vernon Duke were on the bill in April, and May 5 will find her saluting Jerry Herman.

THE ZIEGFELD GIRLS REVUE, on April 13th at the Green Room 42, puts a lot on view: Female pulchritude, nearly nude, with attitude.

Daryl Sherman is honoring an early jazz legend at Birdland -- one songbird chirping about another. A relaxed show with vintage music and musical cohorts playing with her. The show returns Tuesday at 5:30 pm.

Another natural wonder has arrived and is creating a thunderous storm in New York.  I refer to the whirlwind known as singer Marilyn Maye and the vociferous reception that greeted her on the opening night of her already extended engagement celebrating her 96th birthday, running through May 6 at 54 Below. She remains sensational and spellbinding.

The Quintin Harris Trio recently graced Birdland again. A classy set of standards was delivered. Check out our review and consider checking out their next appearance tomorrow Saturday April 13th at 5:30.

Jumpin' Jehovah! The Jive Aces surely jump for joy and jump into their music, determined to divert you and entertain with energy to the max. Once again, Birdland booked a band devoted to reviving music from the past, with The Jive Aces decidedly honoring the styles and songs of some stars of old on their April 4th show.

If you like the idea of “Throwback Thursday,” dedicating a day of the week to remember and revisit the past, Birdland can really “make your day” any Thursday with The High Society New Orleans Jazz Band. Choices from early 20th century popular music populate the set list each Thursday with the grand High Society New Orleans Jazz Band at Birdland. What a treat!

Singer Catherine Russell's joy is a joy to behold. Get a new appreciation for old songs with pep that swings. She won't let songs from a bygone era be gone. She brings 'em back with a breezy swinging style that proves there's life and juice in the oldies. And she's got a gem of a band backing her up to bring them back to life.

The Depression and World War II eras didn't stop Broadway from being filled with big shows and songs worth hearing again and again. Hear about what can be heard in a BroadwayWorld write-up.

Musical multi-tasking talent Joshua Turchin is the standout in a show he hosted with fellow songwriters & singers. When others their age were struggling to write essays, these people had already written full-length musicals and songs that got them zillions of followers on TikTok, Instagram, Youtube, and you name it.

Jazz is about improvising and surprise, and so Janis Siegel stepped in for the under-the-weather booked singer at Dizzy's because the show must go on–even if it's a different one (with the same musicians). Janis Siegel was in great hands with a trio at Dizzy's on March 20th, and the audience gave them a great big hand. Read all about it.

Our 'Born This Month' Cabaret Birthday Salute goes to a woman with an incredible life story. An amazing musical inspiration. Do you know her name? Born in April, she changed music history during her 106-year life. Read about her in our monthly birthday feature.

54 Below is known for its seemingly endless variety of themes as happy reasons to group songs from musical theatre. Here's another, looking at some shows that came to the Marquis, starting in 1986. There were over 30 musicals that played the Marquis Theatre, and nine were revisited with songs and stories at 54 Below.