Abbe Buck to Bring THE HITS OF 1926 to the Met Room, 8/28

Abbe Buck is a traditional pop and jazz singer. Her interpretations of songs from a bygone era hark back to the days of the big band and supper club eras. She brings the verve of a band singer to her stylings, along with an infectious sense of humor. She has begun to put together choice words and music from one particular year in her performances as of late.

In suburban Washington, DC in April, she led her band in a spirited evening of music from the year 1935. The venue where she was singing at was celebrating it's 80th anniversary, and she thought it only natural to sing the music of their founding year as the venue operators spoke about the history of the establishment (which so happens, was a whiskey distillery - and everyone was sampling heartily!) Songs written in 1935 included "I Can't Get Started" and "The Way You Look Tonight".

Now Abbe is fascinated by songs that premiered in the year 1926. A year that was heady with the Charleston, the Black Bottom, the blues, and hot jazz bands supplying the nation's popular music, it was easy to find that as songs would be written during one year, "the tunes would stick around, on the piano bench, being whistled in barber shops, played on the radio. And believe it or not, 90 years later, we're still whistling or humming them, or they're being retro-fitted in a commercial on your smartphone." And Abbe thinks that the year 1926 was a very good year. "The songs during 1926, 1927 and 1928 were wonderful. Very simply written. They told stories. And many were as fun as riding in a rumble seat!

"What was the most fun about knowing the songs was getting to know some of the ladies of song who sang them. Vaughn De Leath was the original "First Lady of Radio". Annette Hanshaw was known as "The Personality Girl" and had a sweet, high voice made for radio and records. She sang with many greats, including Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Joe Venuti, Eddie Lang, Red Nichols. Annette is continually being rediscovered. But there were Belle Baker, Marion Harris and Lee Morse, all who are truly forgotten. These ladies introduced these songs. It will be a nice homage to sing them in their memory." Abbe says. Popular songs from the year 1926 include "Blue Skies" and "Someone to Watch over Me."

Abbe will be taking the Metropolitan Room audience on a trip back in time singing "The Hits of 1926" on Friday, August 28th at 9:30 PM. Doors open at 8:45 PM, and cold gin blossoms will be ready. She will be joined by Rick Bogart and his Trio who will perform his brand of jazz led by the irresistible sound of a clarinet. Rick will be joined by Keith Ingram on piano and Alex Gressell on bass. For tickets and more information, click here.

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