The Cabaret Chronicles: Cast Party, Johnny Rodgers, and the Week Ahead!

Happy Weekend, all!  This past week found me at Birdland for Jim Caruso's Cast Party on Monday night and at Iridium Jazz Club to catch the fabulous Johnny Rodgers Band on Tuesday evening.  Cast Party, as always, was an absolute blast - the room was filled with fantastic performers who were happy to get up to the mic and share their talents.  Singer/songwriter/guitarist Kiersten Gray performed an amazing original tune (for which she was joined by friend and fellow guitarist David Duggan), jazz vocalist extraordinaire Hilary Kole gave us a sneak peek of her upcoming show (which will be running from February 10th - February 14th at Birdland),  singer/songwriter David Goldman delighted the crowd with his original tune "Sorry Said The Moon," and folk superstar Christine Lavin outdid herself by performing her original song, "Amoeba Hop," which has been made into an award-winning children's book!  On hand to assist Ms. Lavin were the illustrator of the book, Betsy Franco Feeny, Betsy's lovely daughter, and one of my favorite entertainers in the world, Mr. Ray Jessel (who had brought the house down with his own song just moments before)!  As Christine sang the song, the three assistants displayed and turned the pages of a gigantic version of the book!  It was lots of fun, and definitely a Cast Party first! 

The following night, at Iridium Jazz club, I had a huge smile on my face again, which is just what happens when one goes to see Johnny Rodgers!  Joined by Brian Glassman on bass, Joe Ravo on guitar, Alex Norris on trumpet and Danny Mallon on drums, Johnny (who effortlessly changes from piano to guitar to center-stage vocalist throughout the show) navigates his way through well-loved standards, beautifully crafted original songs, and classic pop/rock with a twinkle in his eye and a silky-smooth voice that sounds fantastic on everything, no matter what the style!  He opened the show with an original tune, "Take Another Chance On Love," which is an homage to many of his favorite singers and songwriters.  Among the references in the song are "That's Amore," "I Could Write a Book," "You Go To My Head," and (obviously) "Taking A Chance On Love!"  Cleverly written and beautifully performed, it was a swell start to the show!  Other favorite songs of mine were "The Simple Life," which Mr. Rodgers performed with only bass accompaniment, and in which he did an amazing scat solo, "Jailhouse Rock" (which really DID rock!), and "The Best Of You In Me," a touching original song (co-written with Richard Barone) about parent-child relationships.  It was a terrific show and really made my night!

Coming Up This Week...

Sunday, January 24th:  Aztec Two-Step at BB King Blues Club.  Folk/rock duo Aztec Two-Step (Rex Fowler and Neal Shulman) bring their Simon and Garfunkel tribute to the legendary 42nd St. club - should be a terrific night!  Show starts at 8:00 p.m.

Monday, January 25th:  Jim Caruso's Cast Party at Birdland.  This fantastic weekly open mic runs from 10 p.m. - 1 a.m. and you just never know who's going to show up there (past attendees include Tony Bennett, Liza Minnelli, and Michael Feinstein, along with countless Broadway stars)!  Be sure to arrive early if you'd like to sign up to sing!

Tuesday, January 26th:  Tom D'Angelo at The Metropolitan Room in "This Time I'm Swinging," which will feature some swingin' standards and other well-loved tunes.  Show starts at 7 p.m.

Wednesday, January 27th:  I'll be heading to Barnes & Noble at Lincoln Triangle as part of their fantastic "Any Wednesday" series, which puts performers with new CDs in the spotlight for a free half hour concert, followed by a CD signing.  This week, I have the honor of being the featured guest - I'll be there singing songs from my brand new CD, To Connie...Love, Jenna (a live recording of my Connie Francis tribute)!

Thursday, January 28th:  It'll be back to The Metropolitan Room to catch internationally acclaimed jazz vocalist/pianist Diane Marino, who will be singing songs from her new CD, Just Groovin'.  I've never gotten to catch a live performance of hers, so I'm very much looking forward to it!  Show starts at 9:45 p.m.

Pictured: Johnny Rodgers

To post a comment, you must register and login.