Back by popular demand to the Broadway at Birdland concert series, William Blake performed an encore of his show "Echoes of Etta," a musical tribute to Etta James, on Monday, August 20th. There wasn't an extra chair to be had at Birdland-every single space was filled with a screaming, stomping fans. Check out photos of Blake onstage below!
Blake played with musical director Michael
Thomas Murray at the keys, Oscar Bautista on guitar, Steve Kelly on drums, Mike Preen on bass,
Matthew Polashek on sax and "The Peaches" (
Ashley Betton,
Shira Elias and Stephany Mora) on backup.
From
Etta James' first No. 1 hit "The Wallflower (Roll With Me, Henry)" to her quintessential "At Last," this concert gave a glimpse into the extraordinary career of an amazing artist.
William Blake is a native of Dallas and has been performing professionally since the age of 19. As an actor, his regional musical theater credits include The Who's Tommy (Cousin Kevin), Chicago (Mary Sunshine), and The Rocky Horror Show (Riff Raff). In 2004, William released his first studio album, DayDreamer. Shortly after the release, William auditioned for the fourth season of American Idol and went on to compete in Hollywood.
In early 2007, he made the move to New York City to continue his musical career and has since performed at such notable NYC venues as Don't Tell Mama,
Uncle Charlie's, The Metropolitan Room, Feinstein's at the Regency, and Birdland Jazz Club. In 2010, William was honored to receive an invitation to sing at
Carnegie Hall in "Standard Time with
Michael Feinstein." He also shared the stage with
Liza Minnelli,
Chita Rivera,
Lucie Arnaz, and many others in "The Best of
Jim Caruso's Cast Party" at Town Hall last February. In May 2011, he enjoyed the release of his first live album, Live From New York City (2012 MAC Award Nominee with Cavern Records), which was recorded at Birdland in September 2010 (now available on iTunes).
Photo Credit: Seth Walters
Band backstage
Band backstage
William Blake backstage
William Blake and Jane Monheit
Band
Matthew Polashek and William Blake
The Peaches and the Band
William Blake and the Band
William Blake and The Peaches
William Blake and The Peaches
William Blake and The Peaches
William Blake and Company
William Blake and Company
William Blake and Company
William Blake
William Blake and Company
William Blake
William Blake
William Blake and the Band
