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: Apollo Theater Presents APOLLO CLUB HARLEM
If you are ever in Harlem make sure you visit the Apollo Theater. During the 30's and 40's this was one of New York City's hottest night clubs, the place where the music of Billie, Ella, Dinah, Sarah, Duke, and Dizzy became legendary. In an effort to recapture that bygone glory, the theater is presenting Apollo Club Harlem, an enterprising and captivating attempt not only to revive the jazz spirit of 125th Street, but rekindle it as well for a new generation of jazz and pop music enthusiasts.