Calabria Foti Releases 'Prelude To A Kiss,' Out Now
For her 4th CD release, vocalist/violinist Calabria Foti wanted to do an album like her vocal heroes did back in the day; that is, with a big orchestra and legendary arrangers on the podium in an iconic Hollywood recording studio. Ms. Foti says, “This is the most expansive project I have ever done, and at the same time, it's the most intimate and personal. I recorded at Capitol Records with a full orchestra, singing some of the most endearing, sentimental songs ever written, all for my loved ones. This album is a full-production tear-jerker!”
BWW Reviews: CAROLE J. BUFFORD Takes the Helm as Hostess of Birdland's Jazz Party With Hoopla, Heat & Heart
On July 5, Carole J. Bufford erupted onto the stage at Birdland for her first Sunday evening as hostess of the club's weekly Jazz Party (which had been helmed most recently by Natalie Douglas and Jane Monheit). The formidable vocalist, glamorous in clingy red, was aided and abetted by a top-notch (also well dressed—Bravo!) quartet featuring Joel Frahm on sax, Ray Marchia on drums, Tom Hubbard on bass, and Musical Director Ian Herman on piano. Special guests for Bufford's inaugural session were Janelle Velasquez and Lianne Marie Dobbs. With Bufford's audacious performance, smart choices, and attention to detail, Sundays promise to be a great deal more fun in midtown Manhattan.
BWW Reviews: KATHRYN ALLEN Holds Court On Jazz Singing Great Anita O'Day at The Cutting Room
When Kathryn Allyn, an opera singer now turned Great American Songbook chanteuse, took the stage at The Cutting Room last Tuesday night, she was all va-va-voom in a curve-hugging Valentine red dress. She joined her crackerjack band-musical director Frank Ponzio, bassist Tom Hubbard, and drummer Vito Leszack-to perform homage to her favorite jazz and big band singer Anita O'Day, whose heyday came between the World War II era through the early 1960s.
BWW Reviews: LUCIE ARNAZ Springs Into Love In Charming Cafe Carlyle Debut Show
It took Lucie Arnaz her entire professional life to get booked for a solo nightclub/cabaret show at the Cafe Carlyle. It turned out to be worth the wait-for herself and her audiences-and her weeklong run at the stylish club (that began on April 13 and ends with shows tonight at 8:45 and 10:45) would no doubt have made her famous parents--Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz--beam with pride. Lucy might have erupted into a joyful crying jag, while Desi would have kvelled in his signature rapid-fired Spanish because when it comes to her performance on a cabaret stage, Lucie Arnaz doesn't 'got some 'splaining to do.'
BWW Reviews: Joe Lupariello Debuts at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal
On Sunday January 27 singer/TV executive producer Joe Lupariello brought his musical show Where or When to Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal. Lupariello has had a background in musical comedy, but chose a mix of contemporary and traditional pop standards for Where or When, some of which worked better than others. Backed by great versatile Brian Graden at the piano, Lupariello worked like a charm with his SRO crowd, bringing the set in at under 60 minutes.
Legacy Recordings Unveils Groundbreaking 'From The Sony Vault' Series
Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, is proud to announce the launch of From The Sony Vault, an ongoing series of newly curated collections of historic recordings restored and remastered for the digital era. Compiled with both new and seasoned listeners in mind, From The Sony Vault, offers a fresh look on the deep musical roots that continue to nurture popular culture.
Beat Kaestli Celebrates New CD Release at Birdland Jazz Club, 4/29
CHESKY RECORDS will be releasing Invitation [SACD348], the debut album of vocalist, Beat Kaestli, on April 13, 2010. Beat Kaestli will celebrate the release of his CHESKY RECORDS debut, Invitation [SACD348], with a show at Birdland Jazz Club on Thursday, April 29th, 2010 at 6 pm. Invitation [SACD348] features Billy Drummond on drums, Jay Leonhart on bass, Paul Meyers on guitar, Joel Frahm on saxophone and Kenny Rampton on Trumpet. Invitation [SACD348] marks the first release for CHESKY RECORDS in 2010.