Rob Lester - Page 5

BETTY has been making music for 38 years. BroadwayWorld got a taste of their world – the wildness, the women, the wow. Their show on February 14th was quite something at Joe's Pub, welcomed by cheering fans.

Dianne Reeves remains a force of nature and versatile jazz performer, as shown in her annual Valentine's Week appearance in NYC at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Read all about the show that's all about love and peace.

Melissa Errico brings her grace and flair to Valentine's week with love songs and tales of NYC. Birdland's songbird and love birds meet for a sweet Valentine visit at the venue as Melissa Errico and her guest chanteuse, France's Isabelle Georges, raise their voices to please the crowd.

Wondering what JIM CARUSO'S CAST PARTY at Birdland is like? It's the open mic montage of Broadway, cabaret, etc., etc., etc. etc. etc. etc. Every Monday at 9:30 at Birdland, variety is the spice of life, continuing a years-long tradition. Read all about it.

'Maybe Tuesday will be my good news day' rhymed Ira Gershwin in 'The Man I Love.' Tuesdays bring multiple performers, Mosher & mayhem to Birdland, but that's not news. It's been a regular feature for a while now. A little bit of everything and a lot of zing from the hostess comes along on Tuesdays and Birdland.

The art of classic cabaret – personalized, intimate singing that brings out the lyric was epitomized by this influential, elegant performer. Although this year marks 40 years since her passing, she is still spoken of in reverential tones. She's the choice as honoree for someone born in February...Mabel Mercer.

Springing into action for a winter-themed show at Chelsea Table + Stage, that ball of energy with a romantic crooning side is named Nicolas King. He loves New York, N.Y. (Start spreading the news.)

Catching guitarist/singer John Pizzarelli and his two bandmates at Birdland, where they’ve settled in with two shows a night through February 3rd, will satisfy the expectations of longtime fans, but bring some surprises, too.

Although still in their early 20s, Joie Bianco and Bryce Edwards handle their material with the ease and know-how of performers who’ve been around the block many more times. And their comfort level with repertoire from many decades ago is quite something to behold. 

Frank Loesser's songs from Broadway and the movies jumped with jazz at Dizzy's with four musicians, three singers, and one savvy host. 'If I Were a Bell,' I'd ring out the news.

Alysha Umphress and Jeff Blumenkrantz have collaborated over the years, chums whose voices complement each other (“It’s ‘Friendship,’ just a perfect blendship” to quote a Cole Porter number.) The room was quite full on a very cold night and the show was full of talent and splendid material, presented with polish and panache.

Every month, we take a moment to honor someone among those having a birthday that month who has made a real mark in the entertainment world .  January's birthday salute goes to a sensation on the stages of theatres and cabaret. With a click, you can see who it is and then see how much you know about their by taking our multiple-choice quiz.

It's a Tale of Two Stevies in December concerts uptown when two men are celebrated in the series that began in 1970 when Stevie Wonder was 20 and already had been recording for about 7 years and Stephen Sondheim had 'Company' debut on Broadway.

There's all kinds of music to check out in Manhattan -- Here's a sampling of the first in a series of Sally Mayes at Green Room 42, the return of the wonderfully wacky Lounge-O-Leer guys at Pangea, Karen Mack & Elliot Roth in Pangea's actual lounge, and some Hanukkah songs

There were grand pianos (2), there were Gershwin songs (many), it was gratifying....there were good spirits gracing Carnegie Hall when Michael Feinstein, Jacques-Yves Thibaudet, and Joshua Henry entertained.

Dear Santa: Thanks for the gifts called music in NYC, letting us 'wrap' our ears around a touch of Oklahoma-bred sense and sensibility, lots of holiday cheer, and musical theatre projects that have a connection to a famous hotel ....all part of a week in the winter wonderland of Manhattan's live presentations.

Read about what you missed at 54 Below: It's about the shows that missed getting to Broadway. But wait --- that doesn't mean they were missing worthy songs.

It's all about music and memories and variety with different shows every day or night on West 30th Street for Urban Stages, with the opening program a good harbinger of more good entertainment to come.

Born one long ago December, this music star of stars has had a lasting impact all these years. Follow the clues about other notables born in this month and figure out who gets this month's birthday applause.

Let's take note of some very notable Broadway musicals remembered by some notable Broadway performers in a notable concert series. It was a feast of fond memories to be remembered.