Jim Caruso, Billy Stritch and More Set for The Crazy Coqs This Month

The Crazy Coqs at the Brasserie Zedel, Piccadilly, has announced its March 2015 programme, featuring Billy Stritch (March 3-5), Jim Caruso & Billy Stritch (March 6 & 7), Janie Dee (March 10-14), Roulston & Young (March 17-19), Bobby Crush (March 20 & 21) and Claire Martin & Joe Stilgoe (March 24-28). Scroll down for details!

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BILLY STRITCH

MY MUSICAL HEROES

MARCH 3 - 5

In this new show My Musical Heroes, the very popular and extremely talented American singer-pianist Billy Stritch pays tribute to the musical icons that have influenced his style. In addition to Mel Tormé and Cy Coleman, Billy includes songs by some giants he has been fortunate to meet including Jule Styne, Burton Lane, Stephen Sondheim and Antonio Carlos Jobim amongst others.

Billy Stritch is one of the premier singer-pianists on the New York and national jazz and cabaret scene and has performed in London many times both as a solo artist and as accompanist to Liza Minnelli.

For more, go to www.billystritch.com.

JIM CARUSO & BILLY STRITCH

The London Debut Of "Jim Caruso's Cast Party"

Manhattan's "Extreme" Open Mic

With Billy Stritch at the Piano

MARCH 6 & 7

"Jim Caruso's Cast Party," Manhattan's "extreme" open mic night, makes its London debut at The Crazy Coqs. This will be the first UK appearance for the Manhattan mainstay, hosted by Jim Caruso and Billy Stritch. Cast Party is a wildly popular weekly open mic night that has been bringing a sprinkling of Broadway glitz and urbane wit to the legendary Birdland in New York City every Monday night for the past eleven years. These two incredibly talented performers storm the stage with an evening of swinging standards, special guests and wry conversation. It's a cool cabaret night-out enlivened by a hilariously impromptu variety show. Showbiz superstars hit the stage alongside up-and-comers, serving up jaw-dropping music and general razzle-dazzle. Cast Party is the ultimate spot to mix and mingle with talented show folk and their fans.

The buoyant, sharp and charming Caruso guides the entire affair like a bubbly cruise director, whilst musical genius Billy Stritch holds court at the ivories and the audience is invited to participate in the festivities! Recently, Caruso and Stritch have taken the Party on the road, celebrating talent in cities all over the USA. Cast Party was also part of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Songbook Series, celebrating the Golden Age of Hollywood with an all-star cast. For the past two years, they have been headlining at The Carlyle Hotel in New York, where they are constantly in the news when the likes of Liza Minnelli, Bono and Michael Feinstein join them in impromptu performances. Singers wishing to participate with an impromptu performance should bring sheet music for an upbeat tune in the correct key. For more information, visit www.castpartynyc.com.

JANIE DEE

DEE-LICIOUS, LIGHTFUL AND LOVELY!

MARCH 10-14

The award winning and hugely popular actress, singer and musical theatre performer Janie Dee, brings to the stage her favourite eclectic mix of songs and stories including a wide range of vocal styles embracing jazz, pop, ballads, Broadway and musical theatre.

Winner of two Oliver Awards and The Evening Standard and Critics Circle Best Actress Award, Janie returns to Crazy Coqs following a busy 2014 when she appeared in the London premiere of Stephen Sondheim's 'Putting It Together', delighted audiences and critics in the acclaimed West End revival of Noel Coward's classic 'Blithe Spirit' with the legendary actress Dame Angela Lansbury and played Titania/Hippolyta in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' in the Shakespeare's Globe tour of Asia and Russia. Earlier this year she played the part of Desiree Armfeldt in a 40th anniversary concert performance of Sondheim's 'A Little Night Music' and is currently playing Helene Hanff in '84 Charing Cross Road' at The Salisbury Playhouse.

She will be accompanied by The Parker Boys - Alex Parker on piano and David Shaw-Parker on guitar.

For more, visit www.janiedee.com.

ROULSTON and YOUNG

TWO FACED

MARCH 17 - 19

After their sell-out success in 2014, Sarah-Louise Young (Fascinating Aida, The Showstoppers) and Michael Roulston (Black Cat Cabaret, Crazy Coqs Open Mic resident pianist) return for three more nights of dazzling original musical comedy.

Originally commissioned by the London Festival Of Cabaret, TWO FACED showcases their "assured song-writing and deft characterisation" (Time Out) and has already won them a nomination for "Best Vocal Act" in the London Cabaret Awards.

They are regular fixtures at the Edinburgh Fringe and have toured internationally with their award winning CABARET WHORE shows and more recently with JULIE MADLY DEEPLY, which transferred to the West End and a subsequent international tour.

They have performed in New York, Toronto, Berlin and at the prestigious Adelaide Cabaret Festival, and have written with Lynn Ruth Miller (Fascinating Aida, Clementine The Living Fashion Doll and TO&ST winner).

BOBBY CRUSH

An Evening with

MARCH 20 & 21

Following last year's sell-out show, Britain's favourite piano entertainer Bobby Crush returns to Crazy Coqs to celebrate over 40 years in show business.

AN EVENING WITH BOBBY CRUSH AND HIS MUSICIANS features the songs of Johnny Mercer, Henry Mancini, Burt Bacharach and Peter Allen, amongst others, along with specially written comedy songs and audience requests. The recipient of many gold and silver discs, Bobby Crush and his band guarantee an unforgettable night of music.

Few entertainers can claim to have had as varied a career as Bobby Crush ... famous in the U.K primarily as a pianist but also as a songwriter, broadcaster, actor and TV presenter. Bobby became known nationwide after six winning appearances on TV's "Opportunity Knocks!" receiving along the way the Variety Club of Great Britain's award for "Best New Artist of 1972".

West End successes include three seasons at the London Palladium co-starring alongside Jack Jones, Vic Damone and Julie Andrews; a year with Max Bygraves in "SwingalongaMax" at the Victoria Palace and an appearance in "The Royal Variety Performance"

Musical Director: David Carter

CLAIRE MARTIN & JOE STILGOE

IT MIGHT AS WELL BE SPRING

MARCH 24 - 28

Celebrating the most optimistic of the seasons - the blossoming of bulbs and buds, the paying of tax bills, the warble of the lark, the first thrilling swoop of the swallow, and the unfurling yet again of the lesser-spotted Claire Martin and Joe Stilgoe in their natural Crazy Coqs habitat. An annual event that brings both specimens out in joyous song, smutty banter and splendid jazz plumage, wringing all the class and sentiment from songs that evoke and ennoble the season of Spring, such as It Might As Well Be Spring, Spring Is Here, April In Paris and Blue Skies from the pens of Rodgers & Hammerstein, Irving Berlin, Fran Landesman, Lennon & McCartney and Randy Newman, among many other giants of the art. It's time to come out of hibernation for Martin & Stilgoe's third run at the club, after complete sell-outs in 2013 and 2014.

Claire Martin needs little introduction. To worldwide critical acclaim she has established herself as a tour de force on the UK jazz scene gaining many awards, including winning the British Jazz Awards six times, along the way. Claire has toured extensively throughout the UK, Scandinavia, Russia and China, appearing with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and her world-class trio. She has been awarded an OBE for her Services to Jazz.

Joe Stilgoe is one of the world's finest singer-pianists, touring constantly with his band and as a solo act, having appeared at jazz clubs and festivals around the world. His regular Sunday residencies at Crazy Coqs have become incredibly popular.

SUNDAYS EVENINGS AT CRAZY COQS

MARCH 1

BARB JUNGR AND FRIENDS

WITH SPECIAL GUEST JULIAN CLARY

Barb first started working with Julian in 1985 and this Sunday he is Barb's special guest when they will be singing some duets and old favourites together, peppered no doubt with Clary's famous camp sense of humour. Simon Wallace accompanies on piano.

MARCH 8

JOHN STANDING

Noel and Cole

In his own unique style, JOHN STANDING sings a combination of some of the best-known songs of Noel Coward and Cole Porter, from mad dogs and Englishmen to You're The Tops. Accompanied by Will Stuart on piano and Hattie Scott on bass.

MARCH 15

KIT & McCONNEL

"Over the Yardarm"

Kit and McConnel return to London's top cabaret spot with their unique blend of wit and sophistication. Presenting freshly baked songs and the heady aroma of topical irreverence, Sunday nights (and Monday mornings) will never feel quite the same again.

MARCH 22

JOE STILGOE ON SUNDAY

WITH SPECIAL GUESTS

Each month the very talented singer, pianist, composer and entertainer Joe Stilgoe will be picking a favourite composer/ lyricist and mixing their songs with his own.

MARCH 29

EARL OKIN

JAZZ, BOSSA NOVA and SONGWRITERS

The legendary Earl Okin is one of the finest Jazz and Bossa Nova singer/musicians around. His career has involved him performing at every major venue in London from The Royal Albert Hall to The Palladium and alongside such jazz giants as Stephane Grappelli to Benny Carter and cabaret legends as Barbara Cook and Michael Feinstein.

Not only does he perform classic songs by Gershwin, Ellington and Jobim, as well as couple of his own self-penned classics, but Earl Okin has also made a name for himself as a headline comedian, put the package together and his shows are simply unmissable!

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The Crazy Coqs at Brasserie Zedel is located at 20 Sherwood Street, London W1F 7ED. Concerts run at 8pm (Tuesday- Saturday) and 7.00pm (Sunday). Ticket prices: £25 Roulston & Young; £30 Billy Stritch, Jim Caruso, Bobby Crush, Janie Dee, Claire Martin & Joe Stilgoe; £25 Sunday Shows. For reservations: Telephone bookings - 020 7734 4888; Online bookings - www.crazycoqs.com. Underground: Piccadilly Circus. For more, follow on Twitter: @crazycoqs and Facebook: www.facebook.com/crazycoqs.

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