Pamela LussSweet and SaxyThe Jazz StandardNew York, NY Great concept, great vocals, great solos and great evening! What more can be said about Pamela Luss and her CD release party at The Jazz Standard where she teamed up with John DiMartino on piano, Ray (Bulldog) Drummond on bass, James Chirillo on guitar, Alvin Alkerson on drums and special guest, Houston Person on sax, to recreate the magic that they achieved in the studio when recording Luss’s fourth CD for the Savant/High Note Records label.
With two back-to-back sold-out shows, Luss demonstrated what made the pairing so special. Sounding, at times, like a sexy saxophone herself, Luss brought intelligence and charm to the John di Martino arrangements, showcasing what has been described as “a total collaboration” between vocalist and Person, her legendary tenor saxophonist.
Given that Halloween was days away, her renditions of ”Witchcraft” (Coleman/Leigh) and (“The Theme from) Bewitched” (Greenfield/Keller) were both timely and well delivered and she was especially impressive on two of the more contemporary songs in her song list, Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine” and Carole King’s “It’s Too Late.”
Person gave several numbers added depth with his solid and soulful solos, particularly on "Maybe You’ll Be There" and “I Wonder Where Our Love Has Gone.” The warmth of his sound and the thickness of his tone combined with the smoothness and smokiness of Luss’s vocals worked in a uniquely satisfying way. Person and the late Etta Jones performed together for years and it’s high praise indeed that he now chooses to partner with Luss as both instrumentalist and producer.
One minor quibble…no need for the bottle of water when a glass would do just fine!
Lynn DiMenna
Cabaret Scenes
October 28, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org
Joe Battaglia's New York Big BandThe Edison BallroomNew York, NY Where, you ask, can you go in New York City today to hear a fabulous seventeen-piece big band playing the classics from the '30s and '40s in an atmosphere that recreates the glamour, sophistication and “fun” that the best of that era had to offer? Why, The Edison Ballroom, of course! Joe Battaglia’s New York Big Band will have you up and on your feet in no time and if it’s Latin you want, “DRI,” Dave Chamberlain and his authentic musical cohorts will give you an extra push onto one of the largest dance floors of it’s kind in the city!
Over the years, The Edison Ballroom has led many different lives. Lena Horne performed there in a legendary concert when it was The Supper Club, and even Oh! Calcutta! called it home while, for a brief time, it was the longest-running musical in Broadway history. Van Morrison, Bob Dylan and Tony Bennett also graced its stage. Today, you’ll find the likes of Jennifer Lopez lavishly celebrating her 40th birthday there at one of the many private parties taking advantage of the dance floor, a superb kitchen and top-notch wait staff.
On a recent evening, I was blown away by the big, brilliant sound of Joe Battaglia and his New York Big Band. He plays from the heart and with a singer’s sensibility…the notes literally “spin” out of his trumpet with a tone clarity that is truly the mark of a master. Highlights included “Unforgettable,” “The Shadow of Your Smile,” “Laura” and “Emily,” in two sets that also featured the impressive vocals of well-known jazz/cabaret and big band vocalist, Joan Crowe. She brought a statuesque presence and something fresh and different to big band standards like “Makin’ Whoopee,” “The More I See You” and “The Song Is You.”
If you’re like me and you love the excitement and sound of a big band, to dance or watch other people dance and enjoy an evening of fine dining in a spectacular ambience, then you must head to The Edison Ballroom!
Lynn DiMenna
Cabaret Scenes
October 24, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org
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Lynn DiMenna
Wesla’s Back in Town! And I, for one, have missed her a lot! East Coasters need to get up to speed and honor, San Franciscan treasure, Wesla Whitfield and the remarkable Mike Greensill Trio, for the singular musical experience they bring with them every time they come to New York!
In their latest show, “We’re In the Money:” Songs from the Movies, from the opening overture, “On Green Dolphin Street” by Greensill on piano, John Wittala on bass and Ray Marchia on drums, to the song, "My Buddy," from the movie, Wings, chosen as her encore from a list of almost fifty possibilities (who else but Wesla could have so many songs to choose from for any given program) their adoring audience was treated to one classic movie song after another.
And it was as if we were hearing them all for the first time! That is the Wesla Whitfield magic! With no pretense, artifice or “razzle-dazzle” she takes a familiar lyric and melody and with an emphasized word, a re-thought phrase, a twinkle in her eye and a knowing glance transforms the meaning of the lyric into something fresh and new. A casual wink to Greensill, her husband, arranger and longtime accompanist, is all that's needed to get maximum musical support as well.
I guarantee you have never heard “At the Codfish Ball” (sung by Shirley Temple in Captain January) or “Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf” from The Three Little Pigs sung the “Wesla Whitfield” way and her pairing of the Leslie Bricusse song from Dr. Doolittle, “When I Look In Your Eyes” with Mercer and Mancini’s “Whistling Away The Dark” from Darling Lili will simply take your breath away.
Her inspiring life story aside, this is a highly intelligent artist who provides comfort, wisdom and joy through her music and, along with fans on both coasts, this “sad old world” needs to hear a lot more of her!
June 3, 2010
Lynn DIMenna
www.attheritz.org
Wesla Whitfield
"We're In The Money" Songs From The Movies
The Metropolitan Room
New York, NY
After a long labor of love, the birth of The Ritz Supper Club took place on Saturday evening, April 24 when the doors opened at Cinzano’s Restaurant in Fairfield, CT, and, for county residents, it proved to be well worth the wait.
Jeffrey C. Williams, host of WVOF’s “At The Ritz” (full disclosure: my co-host for the program) and the county’s longtime cabaret/jazz/big band/swing impresario, worked tirelessly for months to ensure that every “t” was crossed and every ”i’ was dotted and his efforts paid off with a full house and a standing ovation for the dazzling series opener…Tony DeSare!
DeSare, who has played all the major rooms in New York, including an ongoing gig at The Carlyle Hotel’s Bemelmans Bar, was fresh off a successful tour along with band mates Steve Doyle (bass) and Eddie Decker (guitar), and wowed the audience with his “movie star” good looks, creamy smooth baritone, impressive piano virtuosity and easy, engaging manner.
Strolling casually into the room, looking like a page right out of GQ Magazine, DeSare sang Duke Ellington and Bob Russell’s “Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me” as he made his way to the stage. Settled in at the beautiful Yamaha baby grand, he showed why he was the perfect choice to introduce this special kind of New York supper club entertainment.
Not only did his penetrating eyes, with pupils the size of two black marbles, mesmerize the room on ballads like Johnny Mercer and Harold Arlen’s “One for My Baby (And One More for the Road)” and his own “How I Will Say I Love You,” but he also exhibited a proficiency at the piano on songs like “Autumn Leaves” and Irving Berlin’s “I Love a Piano” that was truly awe-inspiring. Looking ever more comfortable in his own skin, he appears to have the “whole package” and one can only wonder how long it will take for Michael Bublé to have to move over!
Cinzano’s, owned and managed by the Santangeli family and known for its exceptional Pugliese-inspired Italian cuisine, went to great lengths to help Williams make his long-standing vision—to bring New York City cabaret to Connecticut—a reality. With great attention to lighting and sound, their banquet facility became an intimate dining room with candle-lit tables layered around the stage allowing the up-close and personal communication which is the essence of the cabaret experience.
Aside from a few minor kinks in service which will undoubtedly be worked out and improved in time, Williams and Cinzano’s have launched what will hopefully be a very successful cabaret series in the months to come with other top New York headliners soon to be announced.
Finally, a place where fine dining and sophisticated entertainment can be enjoyed right in Fairfield County’s own backyard!
Lynn DiMenna
Cabaret Scenes
April 24, 2010
www.cabaretscenes.org
Tony DeSare
The Ritz Supper Club
Fairfield, CT
