Photo Flash: Lorna Luft Plays Birdland

When Lorna Luft storms the stage at Birdland, the audience gets a lot for their money. Luft is a powerhouse singer in the family tradition, but she's also a storyteller of legendary status. There aren't many folks who can chat about their mother's lifelong songwriter friend, then launch into a medley of his work that includes "Accentuate The Positive," "One For My Baby," and "Any Place I Hang My Hat Is Home." Yes, Johnny Mercer and Lorna's mom, Judy Garland, were intimates for decades, and to hear insider stories and the resulting hit songs is showbiz manna. Birdland was packed with Lorna's friends and fans, including musical icons Freddy Cole and Michael Feinstein, Broadway leading men Tony Yazbeck and Brent Barrett, and cast members from TV's "Project Runway."

The Broadway at Birdland concert series takes place every Monday at 7pm, followed by the always-extreme open mic, Jim Caruso's Cast Party. Birdland is at 315 West 44 Street in the heart of the Theater District. See www.BirdlandJazz.com for details.

Photos by Kevin Alvey