Stephen Sorokoff - Page 17

Bistro, BroadwayWorld, MAC and Margaret Whiting Award winner Celia Berk makes her Birdland Theater to an overflow audience of fans last night.COMES LOVE introduced her new collaboration with pianist Sean Gough. Meeting at an intersection between jazz and cabaret, they created a program of songs about love, including the kinds of hidden gems by great songwriters that have become Celia's trademark. They were joined by Birdland favorite, bassist Steve Doyle .

Michael Garin brought his Habibi Kings to Susie Mosher's Lineup on Tuesday and the exciting 'bands visit' took the audience in the Birdland Theater on a trip to the Middle East.  Mardie Milllit was on vocals with Ossama Farouk-Dumbek  (The Bands Visit) on rhythm and Samir Shukry on violin and vocals (The Bands Visit).

Bellman's Bar in The Carlyle Hotel is a time capsule of New York City celebrity music nightlife. Sunday's the music and entertainment of BIlly Stritch and Jim Caruso superbly add to the history of the legendary room. Last night Jim was probably being mobbed at the Easter Parade being mistaken for Fred Astaire so BIlly had award winning Jazz vocalist Gabrielle Stravelli join him for an evening of great music.

They may not be on the same page politically at all times, but Mike & Henry were at the same table in agreement about Steve Tyrell last night at Cafe Carlyle. In fact, when the votes were counted after the show, Steve Tyrell was a winner by a landslide in his 14th term as Cafe Carlyle super star (after taking over from Bobby Short in 2005). Steve's voice is not only a favorite in all corners of the USA, it's also been a favorite of some of the most important dignitaries of our generation. Bill and Hillary Clinton came to see Steve perform on one of her first nights out after the 2016 election. He has played for Presidents Bush and Trump. Tyrell has performed on stages all over the world, entertaining the likes of President Santos of Columbia, Prime Minister Netanyahu, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, as well as Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace.

Nowadays it's quite common for a show to have '& Friends' in it's title. I don't know if Broadway Producer and entertainer Jamie deRoy invented the concept, but over the last 30 years she sure has perfected the inclusion of having her uber talented friends perform in Jamie deRoy & friends variety shows. In fact, some folks must think '& friends' is Jamie's last name, she has an impressive contact list (remember rollodex).

It wasn't Dean, Sammy, & Frank last night starring in Rat Pack night at the Pelican Cafe Cabaret but it was Chris, Jill, & Rich. Supporters and friends of Dick Robinson's Society For The Preservation of The Great American Songbook gathered at North Palm Beache's answer to the 1960's exciting nights in Las Vegas when those super stars cavorted in front of tables filled with celebrities. However the Pelican did have Michelle Lee at a ringside table and Dick Robinson seizing the moment made his way through the throngs of Michelle fans to give the audience a quick interview with the Broadway, Film, and TV star. I'm sure 'The Old Jock' will be airing it on his Legends Radio stations (100.3FM) and worldwide on the internet in the near future.

It was a happy time at Cafe Centro last night. Danny Bacher brought his Jazz, Vocals, and Comedy to the Cabaret and joined forces with the Michael Masci trio. Danny has all the talents to perfectly pay homage to the three musician entertainers he celebrated in his show….Louis Armstrong, Louis Prima, and Louis Jordan. Danny plays 'happy music' and his enthusiasm and joy transferred to the Cafe Centro audience. As they say, 'the joint was jumpin', with Michael on piano, Paul Shewchuck on bass, and Cielo Blue, drums.

Lynn University welcomed renowned singer, actress and recording artist Christien Andreas last night with her acclaimed show, PIAF-No Regrets. Christine brings to life the triumphs and heartbreaks of the famed French chanteuse, in her own words and those of her friends-and of course-her music.

It was Up UP and Away last night at the Eissey Campus Theatre as Jimmy Webb, one of America's most highly regarded songwriters spent an evening playing and singing his music for the Palm Beach Audience. It's always thrilling to hear the stories behind the creation of iconic music, and I was thinking as Jimmy performed his songs, I guess this it what have been like if the likes of George Gershwin and the other great composers were around to spend an evening describing the process and inspiration of creating music and lyrics.

The tables at Table 26 were all filled last night. There was also a long wait list for any last minute openings at this trendy West Palm Beach restaurant. However, it wasn't just because of the menu….. the 'Special of the Night' was arguably one of the most popular singers of The Great American Songbook, Steve Tyrell. He will be performing at the chic Dixie Highway establishment for five shows thru March 24th. Steve's voice, in addition to being recognizable all over the planet is very familiar to the folks in Palm Beach because of his many sold out seasons at the legendary Royal Room at The Colony Hotel during it's years as The Place' to be for Palm Beach entertainment. His music is also constantly heard on the air waves in South Florida and worldwide on Dick Robinson's Legends Radio stations. 'The Old Jock' Mr. Robinson and family were in the house for Steve's opening night. Legend Radio's popular morning hosts Jill & Rich Switzer, who are also skilled performers were the opening act for Mr. Tyrell, and it's safe to say that this had to be one of the best nights ever at Table 26. Who know's Eddie and Ozzie of Table 26 might be singing 'This Could Be The Start Of Something Big' after Tyrell's engagement. Stay tuned.

It was the luck of the Irish, the Italians, the Jews and everyone else in the Pelican Cafe last night.  

The Footlighters Club was ground zero for Comedy yesterday as Freddie Roman, Dick Capri, Scott Record and Rick Corso celebrated one of their peers, the acclaimed entertainer Sarge who is one of the most admired improvisational comedians, singer and musical piano savant in show business. President and producer of the event Errol Dante started off the afternoon with his stirring rendition of Granada but then it was all laughs as the jokes flew wild and feverishly and there were probably more laughs at the Miami Shores Country Club per square inch than any other place on the planet. The humor heard at the Footlighters event must out of political necessity stay inside the Footlighters but rest assured no one was left unscathed.

Judy Gold and Chipper Lowell were booked in the same show at Valencia Shores last night and the impact from this comedic evening had the audience laughing hysterically at both their acts till it hurt.

Anka Palitz, The Actors Fund National Ambassador Vice Chair and founder of the Heart & Soul Gala was honored at the Gala's 10th Anniversary in Palm Beach at The Breakers last night, along with Gillian Murphy, Principal Dancer with the American Ballet Theatre and Ethan Stiefel, Principal guest instructor at the American Ballet Theatre. Tony and Emmy Award winning actress/singer/dancer Bebe Neuwirth hosted The Actors Fund event which featured performances by local Florida dancers.

Musical wish list: Liza Minelli, Executive Producer, Tedd Firth, Musical Director, The Kravis Center Pops Orchestra Big Band, and Michael Feinstein singing the songs made famous by Frank Sinatra. It happened last night in the Dreyfoos Concert Hall at The Kravis Center in West Palm Beach. Michael Feinstein, Ambassador of the Great American Songbook, has built a dazzling career over the last three decades bringing the music of the Great American Songbook to the world and he expertly and nostalgically brought the music of the 'chairman of the board to an audience that remembers it well at The Kravis Center. The Kravis Big Band filled the hall with Tedd Firth arrangements and Michael wowed the audience with his performance, which included Michael at the piano with the Kravis Center Big Band. In true Mr. Sinatra fashion, Mr. Feinstein and crew were on a Jet to NYC as the folks were leaving the parking lot, to hook up with Liza Minelli for some musical adventures in the Big Apple.

It's usually the vocalists who garner the most enthusiasm and devotion from the music loving public.  The human voice and a singer's personality are able to convey emotion and musicality in a very distinct way.  Then there is the the charisma and trumpet of Chris Botti to challenge that hypothesis.  Chris Botti has become the largest-selling American instrumental artist because of his artistry and ability to electrify an audience with his music and his gracious and elegant personality.  Early on in his concert last night Botti referred to The Kravis Center as Carnegie Hall South. With music programming like this in West Palm Beach he might have to greet a New York City audience at the legendary Concert Hall on 57th street by saying welcome to the Kravis Center North!

Masters of Impressions was the title of a show performed by two celebrated and sought after impressionists,Tony Pace and Karen Grainger at The Polo Club last night. The production is wrapped in a visual media marvel bringing to life the moments of the Legendary Voices they present. The two are great singers with their own voices but also had the unique ability, backed by a great band playing authentic arrangements, to bring a slew of legendary performers to the stage.

Fresh from the 40th Anniversary Actors Fund benefit concert of 'They're Playing Our Song' at the Music Box Theatre in NYC, it's star Lucie Arnaz joined entertainer and Key West impresario Randy Roberts for 'We're Singing Our Songs' at the Tennessee Williams Cabaret Theatre.

There is an historic house in Key West, La Terraza De Marti, which was the home of cigar manufacturer Teodoro Perez who was a symbol of Key West's strong ties to Cuba. On May 3, 1883 Perez welcomed Jose Marti, the man who was the symbol of Cuba's bid for independence from Spain to speak from his 2nd story balcony to thousands of Cuban sympathizers. Marti was an integral factor in freeing Cuba from Spanish rule.

It was all about the love that Paul Anka has for sharing his music with audiences and the love those audiences have for him at The Kravis Center last night.